Krishna Narayana

Kamsa continued, “Offer tributes and bring Nanda and other cowherds along with Krishna and Balarama”.

Kamsa asked Akrūra to create an impression as if he was honouring them by inviting them to his assembly.

“As soon as they step foot into this place, I shall have them killed by elephant Kuvalayapiḍa, who is an incarnation of death”.

Kamsa had meticulously planned the methods by which he could eliminate Krishna and Balarama. At every gate he had stationed whom he considered as messengers of death so that they would attack the boys upon arrival. Just as he had thoughtfully erected the prison for Vasudeva, he was now designing failproof methods for killing Krishna.

“In case they escape the onslaught of the elephant, I shall have them killed by wrestlers, who are as powerful as thunderbolts. With the death of the two brothers, Vasudeva and their other kith and kin belonging to the Vŗṣṭi, Daśarha, Bhoja will mourn. I shall then kill these kith and kin of Krishna. Although being old, my father Urgasena is desirous of ruling the kingdom. Hence I shall kill him along with his brother Devaka. I shall also kill other enemies who come in my way”.

Heartless Kamsa wanted to kill his own father, uncle and other relatives, who were mighty and yet virtuous by nature.

“None of my enemies should survive. O friend, only then can this kingdom be free of enemies. Jarāsandha (Kamsa’s father-in-law) is my Guru. Dvivida is my friend. Śambara, Naraka, Bāṇa have undying love for me”.

All these demonic friends of Kamsa were as wicked as him.

“Together with their support, I shall eliminate all those kings who are partial to the Devatas and then I shall enjoy this earth”.

This was the heights of his desire. He sought to eliminate virtuous kings and then rule the entire earth.

“Now that you are aware of my intentions, rush quickly and fetch those tiny teenagers. Having gone there, invite them to witness the bow-sacrifice being conducted at Mathura. Invite them to witness the prosperity and wealth of the city of Mathura and the grandeur of the Yagna. Do not disclose any other details. Akrūra, with full trust in you I have revealed my intentions. Retain them a secret”.

Hearing this, Akrura replied, “O King, you have meticulously planned the methods by which you can escape death. Nevertheless, we should accept with equal mindedness success and failure that comes with it as, in reality, it is providence which determines the resultant fruits of one’s action. Successful accomplishment of any task is totally in the hands of destiny”.

We should complete our stipulated activities. We should visit temple, chant mantras, have a darshan of the yantras and offer the resultant fruits to the Lord. Nevertheless, the Lord will use His discretion whether to award positive results for the deed or not. We cannot compel Him to deliver positive results. We should not tie a coconut to Hanuman and then demand that our problems be resolved within sixteen days. We should leave it to His discretion to deliver the resultant fruits. If the work remains unfulfilled after sixteen days, tie another coconut. If perchance He answers your prayers soon after you tie the coconut, then strengthen your devotion towards Him. Offer Him 10 more coconuts in gratitude.

Remember that for long you have been worshipping the Lord unfailingly. You have been visiting the temple daily and circumambulating Him. All these actions have increased dispassion in you. Offering coconut amounts to offering our sins to the Lord. For this reason, we are asked to tie coconut to the Lord. Our task is to tie a coconut. Whether or not to fulfill our desire is His discretion. To offer obeisance is your duty. To bless or not to bless is His prerogative. The bhajan - danḍālu pettedi nā vantu, dīvanalu iccedi nī vantu- teaches us this philosophy.

Here Akrūra implied- be prepared for any outcome. Do not be over-confident that the boys will die soon upon arrival here. Do not be confident that I will be successful in my mission. Despite my attempts, he may refuse to come.

Akrūra continued, “Human beings always entertain high desires. They aspire even for those desires which are disregarded by providence”.

Even when destiny stalls the person from fulfilling a particular desire, he unceasingly continues to chase it.

“When the desire is fulfilled, he is elated. When it remains unfulfilled, he grieves”- saying this, Akrura stopped.

At times, people arrive in the ashram and soon upon seeing Swamiji they put forth their desires without even introducing themselves. They do not even bother to observe Swamiji’s facial features. It is wrong to meet Swamiji only for fulfilment of your personal desires.

“Having thus commanded Akrūra to leave, and having sent away his ministers, Kamsa then entered into his palace”.

With this, the thirty-sixth chapter of the tenth canto comes to an end.