Thereupon when Keshi was greatly worn out with fatigue Krishna,
stretching his hands a good deal, sundered him in twain (44). Thus
smashed down by Krishna, the face of the Dānava Keshi became disfigured
and he began to cry most plaintively (45). All his limbs were shaken and
shattered and blood came out of his mouth. He appeared there,
accordingly, disfigured like a mountain, with a half of it being chopped
off (46). Thus smothered by Krishna’s hands and with his mouth expanded
that highly dreadful Asura fell down like an elephant cut into two
halves (47). The dreadful figure of Kehsi, mutilated by Krishna’s hand,
appeared like a beast slain by Rudra, with trident in his hand (78). His
body being sundered into two equal halves each portion bearing two legs,
half of his back and tail, one eye and one nostril, remained on earth
(49). Krishna’s arms too, wounded by Keshi’s teeth, shone like a growing
palm tree in the forest scratched by an elephant’s tusks (50). Having,
in this wise, slain Keshi in the battle-field and divided his body into
two parts the lotus-eyed Krishna stood there smiling (51). Beholding
Keshi slain, the Gopas and their women, with all their troubles and
weariness gone, were greatly delighted (52). And welcoming the beautiful
Dāmodara according to their respective position and age they honored him
again and again with sweet words (53).
The Gopas said:—"O child, O Krishna, having slain the Daitya, assuming
the form of a horse and ranging on earth—the thorn of people, thou hast
performed an arduous work (54). On this vicious horse being slain by
thee Vrindāvana is now full of auspiciousness and men, animals and birds
are at ease (55). This vicious-minded one has destroyed many of our
milk-men, cows fond of calves and villages (56). Perhaps divesting the
worlds of men this sinful (demon) is about to bring about a universal
dissolution for ranging himself at ease (57). O Krishna, what to speak
of mortal men, even amongst the celestials, one, desirous of living,
cannot stand before him (58)."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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