Vaishampayana said:—Hearing that Krishna was advancing in power like fire in Vraja, Kansa, anticipating fear from him, was filled with anxiety (1). On Putana being slain, the two trees being dragged by the boy of no boy-like deeds, Kalya being vanquished, Dhenuka being killed, Pralamva being discomfitted, the mount Govardhana being raised up, Indra’s commandment being disregarded, the kine being protected by enviable deeds and Kakudmi and Arishtha being destroyed the Gopas were filled with delight. Beholding these highly terrible portends indicating his impending death and these unthought of feats amongst his rising enemies Mathura’s king Kansa considered himself as brought under the influence of death. And his organs and mind being deprived of consciousness he appeared like one dead (2-6). Thereupon in the noiseless dead of night, Mathura’s king Kansa, the son of Ugrasena of fierce commands, summoned his father and kinsmen to his city (7). Summoning god-like Vasudeva, Kangka, Satyaka, Dāruka, Kanka’s youngest brother, Bhoja, Vaitarana, the highly powerful Vikadru, the king Bhayesakha, Viprithu of great prosperity, the liberal Kritavarma, the highly energetic and bold Bhurishravā and various other descendants of Yadu race and welcoming them all in due order he said:—"Listen, O ye Yādavas, ye are all business-like, devoted to the Vedas, expert in ascertaining the proper rules of conduct, the introducers of the three Vargas²⁴⁵, ever observant of your duties, like gods in this world, and ever wending the good ways and firm as the mountains (8-13). Ye are all shorn of haughtiness and you have all lived properly in the families of your preceptors²⁴⁶, ye are all therefore proficient in archery and capable of holding royal counsels (14). Besides ye are all like lamps of glory in all these worlds, conversant with the real purport of the Vedas, the true import of the Ashramas (conditions of life), with the order of Varnas (castes), the propounder of the beautiful rules of conduct, the leaders of the givers of laws, the conquerors of foreign kingdoms, and the protectors of those seeking refuge with you (15–16). You are all so very vivacious in your conversation and endued with such an unimpeachable character, what to speak of the earth even the celestial region may feel itself honored (by your presence) (17). Your conduct resembles that of the Rishis, your power is like that of the Maruts, your anger is like that of Rudras and your effulgence is like that of the fire (18). As the earth is supported by the mountains so the decaying race of Yadus is upheld by you all, heroes of far-famed glory (19) You all follow my will, why then are you at present disregarding the rising calamity of mine, (20)? Like unto a rising a cloud, Nanda Gopa’s son, the celebrated Krishna of Vraja is about to strike at the root (of the race) (21). I have lost my heart and four eyes and I have no able ministers. And therefore that boy was kept secretly in Nanda Gopa’s house (22).