Thus spoke Kangsa, and called to Akrura and made him the ambassador that was to bring Krishna and Rāma to Mathura. But this also he ordered: "When here they are brought, see that the strongest and mightiest wrestlers of my kingdom be brought to match them and fairly or foully to lay them low." And he added: "If here death fails to meet them withal, keep the infuriated elephant close to the gate, so that he in his madness may tread out the life of Krishna at my command." These were his orders, and Akrura, his ambassador, bowing to him, departed to Braja. CHAPTER XXVII. The sun was setting in Braja, and Krishna, with companions was homeward leading the cows to be milked. The hills were gold-tipped. The chirp of the birds in sleepy echoes fell on the ear, when far in the distance the hoofs of stamping steeds pounding the earth caused the boys to turn. Coming in royal splendor towards them they beheld a chariot with blazing banners of the colors of the royal house of Mathura. The boys stood in amazement as nearer the chariot came; but Krishna smiled with His eye full of wisdom, and aslant He looked toward the boys and the cows and then at Akrura, the ambassador, who came in the chariot. At that glance, Akrura quickly descended and fell at the feet of Krishna and saluted Him in reverence and worship, for the dart of love that came from Krishna revealed to the heart of Akrura that Krishna was more than human and not less than divine. With that glance his soul was drawn to the soul of Him who stood there to receive him and his message. And he knew that the Author of Life he beheld and that blessed he was beyond all measure to be chosen to look on that wonderful face. A moment he lay in the dust, at the feet of the youth,—Akrura, the proud, the inmate of palaces, the councilor and companion of the king and emperor. Then, with kindly grace, Krishna raised him and embraced him and led him forth to the house of Nanda, and with His own hands brought rich drinks and choice viands, with the countenance that had on it the glow of the sun, and the beauty that surpassed all the beauty ever seen. And having partaken of the meal with His father and brother and guest, Krishna addressed him thus: "O friend, long I knew of this coming of thine and marvelled at its delay. Yet tell them, my kinsman, the errand of the on which thou wert sent!" Then Akrura related to Nanda and the fear-stricken Yasodā the king's message, his plans and his evil design. A smile of wisdom flitted over the face of Krishna, as He nestled close to the side of His mother and bade her forget her anxiety for Him, as none there was in all the world that could harm Him. He vowed that even the most dreaded Kangsa was powerless to bring about the evil he planned.