Reading Notes: Epified: Krishna, Part B

This is a summarization of the Krishna series in relation to Part B from Epified. Part B seeks to delve further into Krishna's adventures as he grows into a courageous and strong man. He finally meets his fate with Kansa and solidifies his destiny in life. 

Krishna and his love Radha looking into a mirror. Web Source: Wikimedia Commons

Episode 11: Krishna is out with his cowherd friends to graze the cows by the lakeside. They sat down in the afternoon to eat a meal, and suddenly Brahma appeared. He found Krishna sharing food with his friends from the same plate amusing. He wondered why a god would share food with cowherds. He tested Krishna and quickly learned Brahma was behind mischief. Krishna returned to the village and created the cowherds and cows out of his own self for a year. None of the villagers noticed their children were not real. Brahma was amazed to see that no one had missed anything from what he had stolen from them. Brahma used his divine past to understand the situation and he saw Krishna everywhere. He acknowledged Krishna's divinity and thanked him. 

Episode 12: Once when Krishna was out with friends, his elder brother Balram told everyone about his desire to be strong enough to punch and kill the ferocious bull Hastin. Hastin was the largest and strongest bull in Vrindavan and was the source of the whole breed of cows in the village. The villagers were scared of him because he was violent. Krishna told Balram killing the bull was not a good deed. He told everyone he would ride the bull by the next full moon. Krishna would feed Hastin sweet food and play music to him getting extremely close to him. Krishna one night leaped onto Hastin and the villagers were shocked. He rode the bull until he was worn out and sat down. The villagers understood the lesson of kindness Krishna had taught them. 

Episode 13: Radha and Krishna loved one another so much that they could not bear to be apart. Krishna told Yashoda that he wanted to marry her, but his mother refused. She tried to convince him, but he Krishna refused to listen to either of his parents. So they decided to take him to the family priest, and the priest told him he could not marry Radha because he had a different destiny. He was their savior of Dharma in the world and also told him about his real birth. Gargacharya is the deliverer who the sages had always talked about. Krishna loved his village so much that he was extremely sad, but he adopted the lifestyle chosen for him.

Episode 14: Krishna grows up to be a strong and courageous man who vanquishes all who attempt to kill him. Kansa was aware that Krishna had escaped all of his attempts to kill him. Kansa decided to try one final trick by organizing the Dhanur Yajna and sending Akrur to Vrindavan to invite Krishna and Balram for the occasion. Akrur was a great devotee of Vishnu and knew Vishnu had incarnated in Vrindavan as a cowherd. Akrur was captivated when he caught sight of Krishna in his divinity. He invited him to the gathering and also told him of the real intentions behind the invitation. His family became fearful for him, but he reminded him of his destiny to face Kansa even though he knew he would attempt to kill him.

Episode 15: When the Gopies heard of Krishna's plan to go to Mathura, they decided they did not want him to go. Nobody could imagine life without him. As Krishna packed his belongings, the Gopies cried in sorrow and explained that he had to perform certain duties in life and leaving was part of that.  They reached the banks by dusk and Akrur washed his face in the water. He then saw the reflection of Krishna and Balram. He saw them laughing and talking to each other by the chariot, and then he saw the divine Vishnu sitting under his serpents hood. He returned to the chariot and saw his face. He bowed his head to Krishna and took him to what would soon be his new home.

Episode 16: Krishna and Balram arrive in Mathura after long days of traveling. People came to know who they were as they arrived and interacted with people of the city. People began to talk. Their kindness and heroism were embraced by all. An old woman named Trivaka had three deformities and witnessed their good deeds. One day she was told that the sone of Vasudev would come to Mathura and heal her deformities. She waited for that day for a very long time. She realizes Krishna is Vasudevs son and immediately walked towards them telling them she had been waiting for him. Krishna warmly embraced her and she no longer had any deformities. This reached his cruel uncle Kansa. 

Episode 17: More stories of Krishna's heroism spread across Mathura. When it reached Kansa, he became fearful of the prophecy that was coming true. He knew this would be his last chance to do away with Krishna. Kansa planned to use a very dangerous elephant to trample Krishna and Balram as they enter. Krishna was attacked by the elephant and he threw the elephant away. The elephant came back around to try again to attack him but a single heavy blow killed the elephant. Kansa sitting on his throne in the arena shivered in fear. He knew his last plan had failed.

Episode 18: Krishna and Balram walked towards the ground while the arena was filled with cheerful noise and praise. Krishna and Balram partook in the challenge to raise the divine bull in the center. Krishna lifted the bull effortlessly as the crowd awed in shock. The bow snapped and Kansa rose from his throne in anger and orders his army to kill Krishna and Balram. Kansa sensed his death nearby as Krishna and Balram fought his army. Kansa tries to escape, but the two brothers were no match for him. They ended Kansa and the crowd was freed from the evil rule in Mathura. 

Episode 19: The death of Kansa created a wave of happiness as they walked to the center of the field. Some places in Mathurparticipateded in brawls due to lack of kingly authority. Krishna ordered Kansa's men to make arrangements for the king's final rites to take place. Krishna and Balram restored order to the disorderly crowds. Akrur led the brothers' to the dungeon of the palace where Kansa had imprisoned his own father. They informed him of the events that had taken place and that Kansa was no more. Ugrasen refused to believe what was being told to him, but when he saw Krishna he burst into tears. After freeing Ugrasen, Akrur led Krishna and Balram to where his birth parents were imprisoned. They embraced him and wept at his sight. Ugrasen was made the King of Mathura and Balram and Krishna remained in the city under the new king.

Episode 20:  The death of Kansa Mathura from tyranny, but it invited war from the allies of Kansa. The closest was Jarasandh who ruled Magadh. The allies heart was overcome with anger and decided to wage war against Krishna in hopes of destroying Mathura. Krishna knew he would be more prone to attacks, and every attack led by Jarasandh left Mathura in ruins. After much convincing, Krishna insisted Vishwakarma build the city of Dwarka. So before another attack could be complete, Krishna shifted Mathura to the city of Dwarka. Upon seeing an empty city, enraged Jarasandh burned down the empty Mathura. Krishna became king in the new Dwarka and took over the administration of the new city. It was obvious to the people that Jarasandh would eventually meet his end, but not at the current moment. 

Epified: Krishna, Part B

Authors: Epified TV (India)

Web Source: Epified Krishna Series Part B