their respective glances, the courtesans drank the lotus countenance of
Krishna (60). There were seen drops of perspiration on Kansa’s face for
seeing Krishna and of anger between his eye-brows (61). His heart was
fanned by the breaths of anger accompanied by smoke-like thoughts of
Keshava’s destruction and was consumed by the fire of mental anxiety
(62). His lips trembling in anger and the painted lines on his forehead
being washed off by perspiration his body appeared like the
crimson-coloured sun (63). As dew-drops, falling from a tree, appear
when smitten by the rays of the sun so appeared the drops of
perspiration falling from his face reddened with anger (64). Thereupon
greatly worked up with anger Kansa issued a mandate to dreadful persons,
saying:—"Turn out of the arena these two sinful, grim-visaged and
forest-ranging young cow-herds. I do not wish to see them. Amongst the
Gopas none deserves residence in my territory (65–66). This Nanda Gopa
is wicked and is bent upon committing injury to me. Therefore assail him
with iron chains and spikes (67). Although Vasudeva is my kinsman he is
highly wicked. Therefore punish him even today in such a way which
persons not, aged, deserve (68). The other inferior Gopas, whom you see,
are all devoted to Krishna. Therefore take away from them their kine and
other riches" (69).
Whilst the harsh-speeched Kansa thus issued the mandate, Vāsudeva,
having truth for his prowess, eyed him with eyes expanded in anger (70).
Beholding his father Vasudeva and Nanda insulted, his kinsmen distressed
and Devaki unconscious he was greatly worked up with anger (71).
Desirous of ascending Kansa’s pavillion in order to kill him, the
powerful, large-armed and eternal Krishna, with the velocity of a lion,
began to leap in the arena before him like a cloud driven by the wind
(72-73). Only the citizens, seated on the side of Kansa, saw him when he
leaped in the arena (74). Kansa was completely possessed by Destiny and
so he considered Govinda coming down from the sky (75). There upon
stretching his own Parigha-like arms Krishna drew Kansa by the hair in
the arena (76). Assailed by Krishna’s hands his golden crown, set with
diamonds, fell down on earth from his head (77). When Vāsudeva held
Kansa by the hair he became motionless, overwhelmed and agitated and
began to breath like one lifeless. He was not capable of seeing even
Krishna’s face (78). His ears were divested of Kundalas, his necklace
was torn off, his arms grew lengthened and his body was shorn of
ornaments and body-cloth (80). Thus possessed by divine effulgence
Kansa’s face grew bewildered and he set forth many an exertion (81).
Coming down from the pavillion and holding Kansa, deserving of pain, by
the hair with force Keshava began to drag him in the arena (82). The
highly effulgent king of Bhoja being thus dragged by Krishna, a ditch
was made by his body in the arena (83). Thus sporting in the arena when
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