THE ENEMY

Of all the relations existing in this world the relationship of enemies is unique. They devote themselves to each other with matchless intensity and depth. The borderline between friendship and enmity is microscopically thin. The difference is only of the central feeling. Both enshrine each other in the chore of the heart out of love or envy. The common feature is their depth and constant thought. Lord Srikrishn proves to be the best enemy. One should try to make him his enemy if possible. Even this bitter relationship offers one great status and liberation, proves the history.

KANS

Yadav king Ugrasen ruled over Mathura. His wife Pavanrekha was matchlessly beautiful. Once a king named Durmil got enamoured of her. He conjured up the form of king Ugrasen and mated with the innocent Pavanrekha. She conceived an evil spirit and begot Kans who was not welcomed by his parents. Kans was cruel and wicked by nature. He put his own father behind bars and ruled over Yadav despotically. Two daughters of king of Magadh named Jarasandha married him.

As forewarned by a heavenly voice, Kans was aware that Lord Vishnu, born to Devaki would slay him. He therefore, tried tooth and nail to kill baby boys passing them for Lord Vishnu. At the age of just ten years Lord Srikrishn was invited by Kans to Mathura at the pretext of enjoying in a fair. The plan behind this hospitality was to get the boys killed by unleashing first a drunken elephant named Kuvalayapirh, secondly by exhorting them to combat with two musclemen ,- Mushtik and Chanur. Lastly Kans himself was prepared to kill his enemy Lord Srikrishn. He, ever since the divine mother told him that his slayer had taken birth in Gokul, been frantically cogitating over getting rid of Lord Srikrishn. Fear and anxiety gripped his mind. When he saw that Lord Srikrishn and Balaram killed the mighty elephant with ease, he realized that killing the boys was no child's play. He got nervous. Lord Srikrishn and Balaram looked matchlessly valiant in yellow and blue attires. Their robust adolescent frames glowed with sparkling drops of perspiration .As they entered the arena, with tusks of slain elephant hung upon their shoulder like a weapon, the audience was floored with accolades. They whispered amongst themselves that the two boys were incarnation of Narayan who done miracles in Vrindavan. Chanur, one of the main wrestlers got up and addressed the boys, -"Lord Srikrishn and Balaram! You are foremost among valiant persons. Our king is willing to see your skill and therefore, has invited you here. Come, let us do wrestling together to please our king for the subjects that obey the king are rewarded and those that disobey him suffer." Lord Srikrishn also replied in the same tone, -"Chanur! We are also the banished subjects of this king. We should definitely try to please him. But we are children. The combat should be held between children otherwise the wise men present here would be held guilty of supporting the injustice." Chanur said, -"Ah, you are no way children for you have just now killed Kuvalayapirh who had the strength of thousands of elephants. You should therefore, face us. Let Balaram face Mushtik and you fight with me."

The duo accepted the challenge and killed the wrestlers in a fierce combat. Rest of the wrestlers ran for their life. Kans saw the duo dancing in joy and began to yell in delirium, -"Throw these wicked sons of Vasudev out of the town. Arrest, evil Nand. Kill Vasudev and do not spare Ugrasen too."

Lord Srikrishn saw his atrocious uncle raving like a lunatic. A smile spread on his face and he suddenly jumped up to take on him. Kans also got up to pull out his sword and shield. He jumped up to face Lord Srikrishn who briskly held him by head and thrashed against the floor. Swiftly, he pounced upon him and terrified Kans heaved his last breath. Lord Srikrishn dragged his corpse fearlessly as a ferocious tiger drags an elephant. The brothers of Kans rushed forward in vengeance but Balaram swiftly killed them. The wives of killed men began to lament. Lord Srikrishn bestowed upon Kans sarupya mukti (the form similar to Lord Srikrishn and an abode in Golok to dwell) that is difficult to attain even by great yogis, as he used to contemplate on his form, all the time. The crowd praised him and realized that the much-awaited time had ultimately come. King Ugrasen was respectfully brought out of the prison and enthroned as the king of Mathura.

JARASANDH

The father in law of Kans was enraged to learn that Lord Srikrishn and Balaram had rendered his daughters Asti and Prapti widowed. He vowed to eliminate Yadu clan and surrounded Mathura with his army of billions of soldiers. Lord Srikrishn saw the swarm of kings and thought that he should finish all of the arrogant kings there but spare Jarasandha so that he could pull more of such kings to him. As he thought, two divine chariots along with divine weapons appeared. Lord Srikrishn mounted the chariot driven by Daruk and blew his shell. The thunderous sound of his conch shell resounded, chilling the spine of enemy. A proud Jarasandha however, retorted, -"Mean Lord Srikrishn! You are just a child. I feel debased fighting you. You had been hiding here and there. Fool, you are the killer of your uncle. I cannot fight with you. Better be off. Balaram, if you have courage then come and get ready to go to Swargalok or kill me, if you can." Lord Srikrishn promptly replied, -" King of Magadh! The valiant ones do not blow their own trumpet. They show their strength. See, your death is awaiting you.  You are raving like a lunatic, nearing his death. Go on... I do not mind.. it." The war began. Women swooned to see the ferocious warfare. The entire army was reduced to corpses and Balaram grabbed Jarasandh but Lord Srikrishn spared him. Humiliated Jarasandha decided to do tapasya but others inspired him to fight back, dismissing his defeat as mere misfortune. People of Mathura celebrated victory of Lord Srikrishn. Jarasandh attacked and tasted humiliation seventeen times.

When he attacked Mathura eighteenth time, another king named Kaal Yavan also attacked from the other side. Lord Srikrishn quit the battlefield to honour blessings of Brahmans obtained by Jarasandh to be victorious. He built township of Dwarka in sea and transported his public overnight to Dwarka.

Wearing a garland of lotus flowers he walked out of Mathura disarmed. Kaal Yavan recognized him and dropped his arms as Lord Srikrishn was without arms. To hoodwink him, Lord Srikrishn briskly ran here and there in the ravines.  Kaal Yavan followed him saying time and again, -" Lord Srikrishn! You are a yaduvanshi. Running for your life like this, does not behove you." But sporty Lord Srikrishn exhausted him by meandering for long. Thus following Lord Srikrishn in labyrinthine ravines, the Yavan entered a cave and found one man covered with his Pitamber (yellow shawl) asleep on the floor. Believing that Lord Srikrishn was feigning death out of fear, he kicked at the sleeping man. The man got up, stared at the cruel Yavan and turned him into ashes merely by sight.  He was the great king Muchukund who had fought to help deities in a war against the demons long back and being extremely tired, obtained a boon to remain asleep for ages. Muchukund had been blessed that whoever would wake him from his sleep would turn into ashes.

After decimating the Yavan, Muchukund saw Lord Srikrishn and obtained his blessing. He then proceeded to Badrika ashram to lead a pious life.  Lord Srikrishn returned to Mathura and finished the army of Kaal Yavan. Jarasandh was waiting for him. Lord Srikrishn and Balaram began to run fast. Jarasandh followed them. They ran for miles and entered a cave in a mountain. Jarasandh set the mountain ablaze. Believing that the duo died in the fire, he returned. Lord Srikrishn and Balaram jumped from the mountaintop and reached Dwarka safely.

Years later, one messenger came to Lord Srikrishn and disclosed that Jarasandh had become too arrogant believing that he had already vanquished Lord Srikrishn in the battlefield. Inebriated king had imprisoned twenty thousand kings who were anxiously awaiting Lord Srikrishn to relieve them from the clutches of cruel Jarasandh. As Lord Srikrishn received the message of his helpless devotees, sage Narad also reached there and told that the Pandav were intending to perform Rajsuya Yajna. Lord Srikrishn consulted Uddhav about the course of action to be adopted. Uddhav advised that he should ask Bhim to go to Jarasandh, disguised as a Brahman and seek in alms a fight with Jarasandh who being a staunch devotee of Brahmans never refused them anything. Only Bhim could be a befitting match to face him in the fray, as he possessed strength of ten thousand elephants. Lord Srikrishn agreed. He asked his family and ministers to get prepared to leave for Indraprasth to participate in Rajsuya Yajna. Lord Srikrishn then worshipped Narad and told the messenger, -"Tell the kings that very soon I shall get Jarasandh killed. They need not fear him any more".

The entire Indraprasth celebrated his coming. Lord Srikrishn stayed with the Pandav for a few months. Commanded by Yuddhisthir, other Pandav returned with huge wealth after conquering several territories. Yuddhisthir learnt that Jarasandh could not be won. He began to ponder. Lord Srikrishn disclosed to him the idea tendered by Uddhav and the trio Lord Srikrishn, Arjun and Bhim disguised as Brahmans reached Magadh. They addressed him, -" O king! May god bless you. We three are your guests and come from a far off place. We have come here obviously for a specific purpose. You should therefore, give us what we ask for. What is there that an ascetic cannot forbear and what is there that a wicked man cannot do? What is there that a generous man cannot donate and what is inaccessible to a man who is established in equanimity? A person who does not earn imperishable glory through this perishable body should be given the sharpest condemnation.  You know that several great kings earned imperishable glory by donating their everything to the seekers. You should therefore, also not disappoint us." Jarasandh saw the three seekers intently. It took him not much time to infer that they were no mendicants but Kshatriyas who he had seen somewhere in the past.

His magnanimity allowed him to let the imposters ask for anything they harboured in their heart. He thought that he should earn glory by giving away what they sought as they after all, were begging before him, concealing their true status. Deciding so, he said, -"Brahmans! Please ask for anything. If you wish I would give you even my head." Lord Srikrishn smiled triumphantly. That is what he wished to hear by entrapping the king in the mesh of eloquent eulogy. He therefore, promptly said, -"King! We are no Brahmans but Kshatriyas. If you wish, then give us the fight with one of us, in alms. This is Bhim and this is his brother Arjun and I am your old enemy Lord Srikrishn."

Jarasandh broke into a roar and said, -"O fools! If you wish to fight then be it so. I accept your request. But Lord Srikrishn! You are too timid. You get nervous in the battlefield. Out of such fear only you have left your town Mathura and have taken shelter at the sea. I would therefore, not fight with you. This Arjun also is no match to me. I would prefer to fight only with Bhim." Saying so, he lifted his mace and gave another to Bhim. The duo now entangled them in the fierce fight. The fight continued for several days. At last Bhim gave up hope and bluntly told Lord Srikrishn that he could not defeat Jarasandh. Lord Srikrishn pacified and inspired him, inducing his power subtly into Bhim.

As the duo indulged into the horrendous dual, Lord Srikrishn insinuated Bhim by tearing apart a straw suggesting that he should be torn apart. Lord Srikrishn knew that Jarasandh was born from two mothers as two halves of a body. His father king Brihadrath had obtained a fruit from a great saint to beget a son. The king distributed the single fruit between his two queens who ate it and begot two separate halves of a boy. The ashamed king got thrown the two halves into the garbage. A demoness named Jara spotted the two halves and as she brought them together the two halves got fused and baby became alive. The demoness, realizing the graciousness of the king took the boy to him and handed him to the king who named the boy as Jarasandh.

Bhim then tore him apart and thus ended the life of Jarasandh.  The imprisoned kings praised and honoured Lord Srikrishn. Lord Srikrishn put his son Sahdev on the throne of Magadh and returned to Indraprasth.

PAUNDRAK

 Lord Srikrishn performed tapasya at Mount Kailash for twelve years to please Lord Shiv to have a son. One of enemies named Paundrak assumed his personality and publicized that he was the true incarnation of Lord Vishnu and king of Dwarka was a mere impostor of him. His sycophants had made him think so. Inspired by his flatterers he sent his message to Lord Srikrishn, -" I am the only Vasudev. I have descended to rescue masses. You falsely claim to be Vasudev. Better stop this prank. Renounce imitating me and take refuge in me or if you do not agree then fight." On hearing the ridiculous message Ugrasen etc laughed. Lord Srikrishn replied back, -"Tell your king that I would not give up my emblems. I would apply my discus, mace etc on you and your flatterers who have misled you. Fool you would hide your face and lick the dust. You will not be my patron but you would be patronized by the dogs, kites and vultures who would tear you apart and rejoice in feeding themselves on your flesh.”

As Lord Srikrishn was far away, Paundrak supported by his friend, king of Kashi attacked Dwarka. The valiant lieutenants of Lord Srikrishn gave him a tough resistance. The battle continued for long. Meanwhile, Lord Srikrishn also reached. Seeing the warfare he asked Garud to go to Swargalok and asked Daruk to bring his chariot. Daruk obeyed his lord and Lord Srikrishn blew his conch shell to scare Paundrak. Inspired by his roaring siren, Yadav jubilantly welcomed their king and began to fight rather more fiercely. Paundrak who was till then fighting Satyaki turned to attack Lord Srikrishn. “Follow the rule and defeat me first” Satyaki exhorted Paundrak but Lord Srikrishn intervened-“Let him do what he wants.”He told Satyaki. “O Yadav, where had you fled? Now I am the Vasudev ruling over earth? I shall alone rule over the entire earth after finishing you today,” said Paundrak. Lord Srikrishn smiled and said-“O king, say whatever you please. I am always humble. You may retain my name and form. But I want to tell you that you should utter such tall talks only after vanquishing me. When I am confronting you fearlessly how can you boast of such claims? Paundrak! If you are capable then kill me and earn glory for yourself. I stand before you.” He roared like a lion. Saying so, he threw an arrow on Paundrak who retaliated with another arrow. His seventy arrows hit Lord Srikrishn simultaneously. “Indeed this is a rogue, “intoning so, Lord Srikrishn cut his flag, beheaded his charioteer and destroyed his chariot. Seeing Lord Srikrishn fearlessly smiling at him, Paundrak jumped down and axed Lord Srikrishn. Seated in his chariot Lord Srikrishn cut his axe into pieces. Paundrak, lifting his iron discuss, shouted-“Arrogant Govind! This discuss will destroy you. I will destroy your pride before all...”Lord Srikrishn destroyed his discuss sportily and roared into a mighty laughter."O, Paundrak! You had sent the message that I should throw away my arms. I would throw them up now on you. You have taken my name. Now I would make you give up that too. As regards my taking the refuge in you, I would surely do so if I fail to fight you." Lord Srikrishn saying so got down his chariot. Paundrak threw a      rock on him and he bounced it back on Paundrak. After a prolong battle, Krishn threw his discuss which beheaded Paundrak and returned to Lord Srikrishn. Thus having killed both of the kings he sent them to Golok, praising the valour of Paundrak.

SHISHUPAL

When an aunt of Lord Srikrishn gave birth to a son having four arms and three eyes a celestial voice echoed, -" The person in whose lap the two extra arms and one eye of this boy would fell off, would to his killer."

Lord Srikrishn visited his aunt and as he lifted the baby, his extra arms and eye fell off. Shocked aunt implored Lord Srikrishn to spare the life of her son. Lord Srikrishn pacified her, saying that whatever is predestined cannot be altered. He however, assured her that he would forgive his hundred offences. The boy named Shishupal envied Lord Srikrishn, instigated by wicked friends. He wished to wed the princess of Vidarbh, Rukmani whose brother Rukmi was his close friend and assured him the hand of his sister. Rukmani however, longed to marry only Lord Srikrishn and invited him herself. Lord Srikrishn took away princess Rukmani in front of all battering Shishupala and Rukmi. Humbled and envious Shishupal, looked for an opportunity to humiliate Lord Srikrishn.

The Pandav organized a Yajna and decided to worship Lord Srikrishn as the most adorable person. All present consented and chanted 'Namo Namah' in praise of Lord Srikrishn.  Deities showered flowers to honour Lord Srikrishn. Shishupal could not tolerate this glory of Lord Srikrishn and addressed all, -"Wise men! Shrutis say that time is god. I have witnessed it right now. Swayed by the childish Sahdev, the wise men present here ignored the learned ones and consented to worship Lord Srikrishn for Agrapuja who is a disgrace to his family. Can a crow be worthy of receiving share in the holy sacrifice? He enjoys neither high cast nor high status. He ignores Vedas and behaves capriciously. He possesses no good attribute. How can he be worthy of Agrapuja? You know that cursed by king Yayati his clan has been ostracized by decent kings. He has left the holy city of Mathura and dwells at the Sea. When he and his men come out of there they torture people like dacoits." Lord Srikrishn went on listening to him quietly and did not utter a single word. But others plugged their ears and walked out. Some fumed and stood up to kill Shishupal. When Lord Srikrishn saw them fighting, he calmed them down and beheaded Shishupal with his discus. A white light issued from his body and in front of all, merged into Lord Srikrishn.

Killing Shrigal

Jarasandha had been taken for a ride by Lord Srikrishn in the battle at Mathura. Lord Srikrishn created Dwarka and became king of Dwarka. A king named Shrigal, being a devotee of Lord Vishnu, longed to attain moksh by dying in the hands of Lord Srikrishn.  After chanting gayatri mantra and worshipping god Surya, he mounted his chariot and charged at Lord Srikrishn. His fuming frame bemused Lord Srikrishn. Arrogant Shrigal called upon him,-“Lord Srikrishn! I have heard of your confrontation with other kings. But all those kings were nincompoops. Now get ready. I can corner you from all sides. You are a novice in warfare. How will you save yourself? You are single while I have huge army at my disposal. It    does not sound proper. Let us fight each other face to face. What is the use of killing pawns! If either of us dies the other one would rule over this earth.’’Lord Srikrishn politely said-“Fine, first you attack”. He bore his discuss in hand. Shrigal unleashed fiery arrows, applied many weapons. Lord Srikrishn faced all calmly as a mountain faces wind and dusts, letting the dual go on, enjoyably. Wounded Lord Srikrishn applied his Sudarshan but the impudent Shrigal did not move, letting the discuss behead him. Seeing him rolling on the ground, his army fled. Lord Srikrishn offered them protection and said-“Fear not. I will not kill innocent people. Such conduct does not behove brave men.” Bereaved queen Padmavati brought her son to Lord Srikrishn, saying, -“O Valiant one! The son of the king whom you killed seeks refuge unto you. Had the king been humble before you, he would not have gone to dogs. Please take care of his scion as your own son.”

 Lord Srikrishn softly said-“Queen! My displeasure has vanished along with the king. See me, as one of your relatives and benefactor. Gentle queen, my anger has fled. Your son is as dear to me as my own son. Doubt not. I will enthrone him right now. Call all your priests and ministers.” Thus he put son of Shrigal on the throne and returned to Dwarka.