Vatsasura and Bakasura

After the people of Vraja moved from Gokul to Vrindavan, Krishna, while tending the calves, freed the calf-demon Vatsasura and the giant crane Bakasura.

After the twin Yamalarjuna trees came crashing down, the elders of Gokul grew worried. Putana, the cart demon, the whirlwind and now these great trees: one disturbance followed another. Then the wise old Upananda advised that, for the safety of the children, they should leave Gokul and move to Vrindavan, a land of fresh grass, lovely forests, the sacred hill of Govardhan and the banks of the Yamuna. Everyone agreed. Loading their belongings onto bullock carts and sending the cows ahead, the whole of Vraja travelled to Vrindavan singing joyfully.

In Vrindavan, Krishna and Balarama began tending the calves with their friends. One day, as the calves grazed by the Yamuna, a demon took the form of a calf and slipped into the herd. The all-knowing Krishna recognised him at once. He walked up quietly, seized him by the hind legs and tail, whirled him around and flung him against a wood-apple tree. Vatsasura fell dead in his true demonic form, and the tree fell with him. The gods showered flowers.

On another day the boys went to a lake to drink water. There they saw an enormous crane, as big as a mountain peak. It was Bakasura. He lunged and swallowed Krishna in his beak. Balarama and the boys were stunned. But inside, Krishna began to burn the demon's throat like fire. In distress the crane spat him out and then attacked again with his sharp beak. Krishna caught the two halves of the beak and tore him apart as easily as a child splits a blade of grass.

The friends danced with joy and ran home to tell everyone. The people of Vraja marvelled that through so many dangers their beloved child remained unharmed.

These leelas teach that even when deceit comes in an innocent disguise, the Lord sees through it, and whoever tries to swallow him begins to burn.

Source

Shrimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, ch. 11

Place

Gokul to Vrindavan, banks of the Yamuna

Lesson

Even when deceit comes in an innocent disguise, the Lord sees through it and protects his devotees.