"You are neither a boy nor a youth below fifteen, Krishna. Nor is Balarâma so. You killed that elephant with the might of a thousand elephants as it were in sport. It is meet therefore you shall fight with the powerful. There is no injustice in this. You measure your strength with me and let Balarâma do so with Mushtika." So it was. The fight was a drawn one. At last the brothers killed their rivals. Kûta then confronted Balarâma, who killed him with his fist. Sola and Tosala also fell dead before Krishna. The other wrestlers fled for their lives. Râma and Krishna then called their Gopa companions and began to dance together on the wrestling ground. "Well done," "Well done," cried all, except Kansa. THE DEATH OF KANSA. *SKANDHA X. CHAP. 44.* Kansa stopped the music. He exclaimed. "Let these two unruly sons of Vâsudeva be driven out from the town. Take away the wealth of the Gopas. Confine this wicked Nanda. Kill that vile Vâsudeva. My father Ugrasena is partial to my enemies. Kill him with all his attendants." While Kansa was thus bragging Krishna got angry and with one jump, he got upon the platform. Kansa stood up with his sword and shield. Krishna held him by his hair and threw him down from the platform. He then jumped over Kansa and his life departed. He then dragged the dead body of Kansa in the presence of all. Kansa through fear and anxiety had always thought of Krishna and now being killed by his hands, he attained the Rûpa of Krishna. The eight brothers of Kansa attacked Krishna but they were put to death by Balarâma. There was great rejoicing amongst the Devas. The wives of Kansa loudly lamented the death of their husband. Bhagavân consoled them. He then liberated his father and mother and touched their feet. He then took leave of Nanda and the Gopas, promising a speedy return to them. THE THREAD CEREMONY AND BRAHMACHARYA. *SKANDHA X. CHAP. 45.*