The End of Kansa

In Mathura, Krishna blessed Kubja, broke the great bow, overcame the elephant Kuvalayapida and the wrestlers, and ended the tyranny of Kansa.

Krishna and Balarama entered Mathura in the afternoon, and the women of the city climbed onto their rooftops to see the boys of whom they had heard so much. On the road they met the king's washerman carrying fine garments. When Krishna politely asked for some clothes, the washerman insulted him, and the arrogant man fell lifeless at a single blow. A weaver then dressed the brothers lovingly, and a garland-maker named Sudama offered them fragrant garlands, receiving their blessings in return.

Next they met a young woman with a bent back, Trivakra, known as Kubja, carrying sandal paste for Kansa. She offered the paste to Krishna with devotion. Pleased, Krishna pressed her feet with his own and lifted her chin, and her body became straight and beautiful.

Krishna then went to the arena where the great bow of the festival was kept under guard. Before anyone could stop him, he lifted it, strung it and broke it in two. The crash echoed through the city and filled Kansa with dread. That night the king could not sleep and saw evil omens.

In the morning the wrestling arena was filled with citizens. At the gate stood the mighty elephant Kuvalayapida, driven forward to crush the boys. Krishna played with it for a while, then brought it down and pulled out its tusk. Carrying the tusks on their shoulders, the brothers entered the arena. Kansa's champions Chanura and Mushtika challenged them. Krishna fought Chanura and Balarama fought Mushtika, and to the astonishment of the crowd both wrestlers were overcome.

Kansa shouted orders to drive the cowherds out and to kill Vasudeva and Nanda. At once Krishna leapt onto the high royal platform, seized Kansa by the hair, threw him down into the arena and ended his life. Because Kansa had thought of Krishna day and night, even in fear, the scriptures say he attained the Lord.

Krishna and Balarama then went to Devaki and Vasudeva, freed them from their chains and bowed at their feet. The old king Ugrasena, whom Kansa had imprisoned, was restored to the throne, and the Yadavas who had fled in fear returned home. Righteousness was established once again in Mathura.

Source

Shrimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, ch. 41–45

Place

Mathura

Lesson

However mighty adharma appears, it cannot stand before the Lord who protects the righteous.