THE WARRIOR

Lord Srikrishn is well-known for his childhood pranks and deft diplomacy during the battle of Mahabharat. He however, proved his mettle as a matchless warrior while ruling over Dwarka.

Rescuing daughters of uncle Brahmdatt
Vasudev, the father of Lord Srikrishn had a friend named Brahmdatta who performed ashwamedha Yajna for king Vasudev. He was very pious and prosperous and blessed with five hundred wives, each having one son and one daughter. Brahmdatta wished to marry off his five hundred matchlessly accomplished daughters to worthy kings.  To obtain blessings of deities, Brahmans and kings and thus fulfil his wish, Brahmdatta performed a Yajna at Shatpur. Vasudev and Devaki also participated in that. Demon Nikumbh residing, nearby, learnt of the event and its purpose and tried to foil it. He demanded his share in the Yajna which included five hundred daughters of Brahmdatt.
The brave Brahman being a devotee of Lord Srikrishn, declined his demand. Infuriated demons interrupted the Yajna and kidnapped the marriageable daughters of Brahmdatt. Seeing the demon crossing his limits, king Vasudev meditated upon Lord Srikrishn to redeem his friend from the calamity.
Merciful Lord Srikrishn immediately asked his eldest son Pradyumn to rescue the girls through his illusory powers. Aware of the aftermath, Lord Srikrishn also took his army and reached Shatpur to save his devotee and friend of father, Brahmdatt. Pradyumn created duplicates of girls and left them with the demons and brought back the kidnapped girls to their father. Unaware of the truth, the demons rejoiced in their victory of having kidnapped the matchless girls who were actually just duplicates.
Many kings gathered to participate in the Yajna. Sage Narad also reached. Aware of plan to destroy the demons, he paid a visit to demon Nikumbh who welcomed him heartily. Narad divulged to the demon that all daughters of Brahmdatt were blessed to remain ever youthful and were expert in all arts. Narad's enticing description of accomplished daughters of Brahmdatta titillated the demon and he began to harbour the dream of wooing all of them all the more strongly.

All mighty kings such as Jarasandh, Kaurav, Shishupal and Pandav were there to woo the daughters of Brahmdatt. Brahmdatt peacefully married off all his daughters with worthy kings. Demon Nikumbh remained oblivious of the ceremony as Narad trapped his mind by insinuating fear in him that having kidnapped daughters of Brahmdatt; he would have to face the fray, as Lord Srikrishn was already there to protect Brahmdatt. Counselled by Narad, Nikumbh served the valiant kings present in Shatpur and obtained their assurance that at the time of his fight with Yadav all kings would help him against Lord Srikrishn. Only Pandav kept away from the scene.
Lord Srikrishn camped near Shatpur. He offered prayer to Lord Shiv and blew his conch shell to proclaim war against Nikumbh. Pandav also joined Lord Srikrishn. A fierce battle followed. Arjun was surprised to see that his mighty arrows that could blow off mountains were being destroyed by Nikumbh. He asked Lord Srikrishn to unravel the mystery of his debacle against Nikumbh. Lord Srikrishn divulged. Long back Nikumbh was a ghost who performed tapasya for one-lakh years to please Lord Shiv. He had obtained a boon to possess three bodies that could not be killed by man or deities. Lord Shiv blessed him and assured that only Lord Srikrishn would kill him.
Arjun was agape. Lord Srikrishn also divulged that he had already killed one body of Nikumbh when he had kidnapped Bhanumati, the daughter of a yadav. This was his second body and his third body was in service of his mother Diti. Lord Srikrishn while revealing the secret to Arjun led the demon into a cave where Nikumbh had hidden the Yadav kidnapped in the past. Pradyumn swiftly rescued the trapped Yadav and Lord Srikrishn fought Nikumbh face to face. At a point both of the warriors fainted. Pandav and Yadav saw Lord Srikrishn lying unconscious on the ground. Earth as if began to tremble and the sky began to fall apart as onlookers felt just inert with awe and despair. How could Lord Srikrishn who had killed mighty demons during his infancy, fall unconscious before this demon? This question alone baffled their minds.

Dumb and dead onlookers looked ahead with bated breath. Who knew what could ensue then? Who could profess the next move of Lord Srikrishn? The chaste munis began to utter stotras to see Lord Srikrishn sporting in such a marvellous way. His every step is to let every deserving soul get its due reward and fruition, only pure souls know. After a while Lord Srikrishn regained consciousness. Nikumbh also regained consciousness. A voice from the heaven exhorted Lord Srikrishn to apply his Sudarshan chakra on the demon. Lord Srikrishn did so and the demon finally collapsed.

Routing Hans and Dimbhak
When Lord Srikrishn ruled over Dwarka another King Brahmdatt ruled over Shalvadesh. He along with his two wives pleased Lord Shiv to beget sons. Lord Shiv blessed him with two worthy and mighty sons whom the king christened Hans and Dimbhak. One friend of king named Mitrasah was a yogi who obtained blessings from Lord Vishnu to beget a son whom he named as Janardan.

The two sons of Brahmdatta grew up to be highly ambitious and performed severe penance at the Himalayas to please Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv appeared and blessed them to be invincible. He also bestowed upon them divine weapons. Innocent and officious Lord Shiv even appointed his ganas Bhringi etc. to guard the two brothers. The brothers thus became invincible rulers. Janardan on the other hand was a calm and simple youth who enjoyed meditation upon Lord Lord Vishnu. In due course he became an enlightened man.

The three siblings of two friends got married at the appropriate age. Once it so happened that all three went hunting in the forest.  Having tired themselves of shooting and preying they stopped near a hermitage to relax. Attracted by the chanting of pupils of sage Kashyap, they entered the hermitage. Having received a boon from Lord Shiv the two princes were filled with pride.  Arrogantly they invited sages to perform a Rajsuya Yajna for their father. Having sensed their overflowing pride the sages calmly accepted their invitation with the condition that if at all such Yajna took place they would surely come to perform it. The three friends then went meandering in the complex of hermitage where sage Durvasa was also steeped in meditation along with his thousands of disciples. Driven by delusion, the princes failed to recognize the great yogi and ridiculed him by calling him a hypocrite. They signalled to the great austere and uttered in an audible voice-“We will put these block headed hypocrites on the right track by initiating them into the track of householders.”  Hans authoritatively addressed Durvasa-“O Dwij! Driven by ignorance what path are you following? Better lead the life of a householder and attain Swargalok rather than dragging all these disciples of yours to hell along with you, O moron Brahman!”
Enlightened Janardan realized the lapse of his friends and rushed to bow in the feet of great Yogi. He promptly advised the princes-“Fie upon you! These are great hermit dedicating themselves to attain oneness with the formless Divine consciousness. They are capable of destroying all at will. Utter not such trash to them, dear friends!” he further addressed him, - “King Hans! I can’t hear your uttering anymore. Alas, being your friend I have no option but to bear with you. O, it’s better that I desert you or rather end my own life!” Lamented, a remorseful Janardan.
Sage Durvasa clad in a mere loincloth got furious. He opened his glowing eyes burning with wrath. Fire lolled from his mouth in the form of recalcitrant speech-“King! Go away! I can’t withstand the wrath born of your uttering. Go away! I can turn you into ashes right now. Who can dare utter such words in front of me? Fools! Not to say much, I presage that Lord Srikrishn will soon destroy your overflowing pride.’’ Saying so, sage rose from his seat.
Impertinent Hans could not sense the consequences of his thoughtless act and brazenly pushed the debilitating hermit down. In frenzy he even tore apart his loincloth.
Seeing such an insult of their mellowed master, the pupils of sage took to their heels. Terrified and prudent Janardan lamented the doing of his friends. He stopped Hans forcefully and shouted-“What depravity are you showing?” He gripped the mighty arm of his maddened friend.
Durvasa could end Hans there and then yet he remained continent. “Nethermost Prince! My mere curse can finish you yet I let you go as I am bound by the principles. Lord Srikrishn who is embodiment of righteousness alone will give you a befitting reward! Your friend Janardan can never utter what you did, as he follows dharm. Your this sin will turn even puritan Janardan into your enemy. And if he withstands you even after witnessing this sinister act, he too will perish.   Doubt not my words. Go away!” Curse thundered from the lips of furious hermit. His forbearance however, flowed as blessings to pious Janardan-“Brahman! Blessed are you! Your devotion to Lord Lord Srikrishn will remain ever unflinching. Within two days you will meet Lord Srikrishn and enjoy his grace always. You will always remain saintly. A saint never suffers, neither in life nor after death. Go and tell your father as well.”   Meeting with a great soul in the hermitage resulted thus in contradictory consequences for the two kinds of visitors.
Arrogance resting on inflated ego consciousness always puts the person on the bed of arrows much before such arrows are aimed at others as sarcastic speech and evil deeds. Princes blinded by malicious impudence ordered their subjects to destroy the hermitage and cook meat to desecrate the premises of the holy place. Having smashed the belongings of sages, the princes gulped meat as devils devour flesh of corpses after an orgy. Inwardly sure of their imminent misfortune, yet bound by the principle of fraternity, an apprehensive Janardan quietly watched the insane gestures of his intoxicated friends. Time often puts even the most capable persons in such invisible shackles that leave them haplessly nonplussed.
Having satiated their barbaric tendencies the two princes accompanied by remorseful Janardan returned home.
Sage Durvasa had preferred to quietly watch the orgy. Aware of the principle of evanescence of all scenes he showed utmost indifference and dispassion to the actions of arrogant youth. After the marauders’ retreat, he addressed his disciples in a grave voice, - “Let us all leave Pushkar and proceed to Dwarka to seek help of Lord Srikrishn.”
Ordained by their ace master, all hermits took their broken pots, the relics of malicious actions of two princes along with them and proceeded to Dwarka to narrate the saga of humiliation before Lord Srikrishn. Meandering through the dunes and ravines, the cavalcade of thousands of disciples of sage Durvasa reached Dwarka where Lord Srikrishn was with his friends in his sudharma sabha, playing the game of Golekreera in which each player has to claim a circle.  Lord Srikrishn, indulging in the sport uttered, –“This circle is mine!” The sport halted as the players noticed a mammoth gathering of hermits in front of them.
Yadav found a quiet, yet seething with wrath Durvasa in tattered clothes accompanied by thousands of grim faced hermits holding broken belongings in hands. Fearing wrath of hermits especially Durvasa who is well known for his fiery temperament and unfailing curses, they forgot the game and rushed to greet him. “What’s this? What has gone wrong, with them?” All whispered amongst themselves daring not to ask either Lord Srikrishn or Durvasa.

Seeing red eyed Durvasa with a broken stick and torn loincloth they gloated at the face of their leader expecting his gesture to calm down the fuming sage. Anxious Yadav clasped hands and lined up to implore -“Lord! Please get seated.” An eerie silence shrouded the ambience. Seeing a stern faced sage in front of him, Lord Srikrishn leaped like a jubilant adolescent and offered his golden throne to the fuming sage. -“Blessed Sir! Be comfortable. Pious Brahman! This servant is always at your service.”Saying so he made all guests sit in cosy cushions. The undisputed king of Cosmos, himself washed the cracked feet of sage in submission and treated him with utmost honour. “Please do enlighten me, Blessed Sir! As to what brings you here? There should definitely be some reason behind your arrival in my humble home. You are a blessed and pious Brahman who is always aloof to householders like me. Wise hermit like you never wish for anything, as their heart is ever free from desires. Only wishful Brahmans go to a Kshatriya to fulfil their desires. I cogitated a lot but failed to learn the reason as to why a hermit like you should grace a householder such as me with your sanctifying visit. Since you have graced me, there should definitely be some reason known only to you. Please do tell me.... if you think me worthy of it...., Sir.”Showers of sycophantic eloquence issuing from his innocuous countenance expressed the intent of an ace master.

This pretended innocence added fire to the fuel. Durvasa who was fuming in wrath, on witnessing the pretence of omniscient Lord, nearly thundered, -“King of Yadav! Why do you utter these words? You are Lord Vishnu and aware of everything. Why do you pretend ignorance? I am too aged and aware of events of even the past. You are lord of all deities and have taken birth with a purpose. Lord of Universe! Why do you hide yourself form us? Govind, saying that I do not know does not behove you as you are the creator of this world. You alone reside in my heart and manifest yourself in whatever form I long to see you. You can’t say that you do not know the reason of my arrival. Aware of all and everything you are still ignoring us. Tortured by two arrogant princes we seek shelter into you. It seems that our fortune has deserted us that is why you are not mindful of our plight. Janardan! Hans and Dimbhak having been blessed by Lord Lord Shiv want to establish superiority of householder’s life over a hermit. They humiliated us and smashed our belongings. They have become invincible even for kings like Jarasandh. You alone can set these marauders right. Save the three spheres by killing them.” His throat choked and he swooned with sorrow.
Narration of suffering before an omniscient listener was unwarranted. Silence communicates better, he knew. However tears streaming from his eyes narrated everything.
Lord Srikrishn changed his expression. The slight mischief adoring his cherubic face disappeared and he looked like an idol of grave concern. Empathizing with the shattered hermit most sincerely, he said-“Lord! Forgive me please for whatever happened to you. Actually it is my fault. Believe my words and have peace. I will finish them. They may be blessed by Lord Lord Shiv, Indra, Kuber, Yama or Lord Brahma nevertheless I shall kill them to restore your honour. I swear by truth. Give up grief. I know that Jarasandh is there close friend who can even risk his own life for them. But I shall surely leave no stone unturned to eliminate them. Hermits! Go ...wherever you please. Feel absolutely fearless ...now.”

Speech of gracious Lord restored faith in the heart of sage. Durvasa’s sorrow fled. Assurance was as comforting as light of glowing sun after a torrential storm in a moonless night. His jubilation took the shape of speech-“Lord Srikrishn! Blessed are you! O Benefactor of three spheres! Lord of Universe! What is impossible for you? Salutations to you from all sides! Forgive me if I have said anything hurting. I am merely your reflection. We are indeed one and inseparable. Forgive me as great souls are... ever forgiving.”
The table had taken a spontaneous turn with the change in expression of sporty Lord. Lord Srikrishn did not wince from effusing eulogy to hermit like Durvasa. “Blessed Sir! Rather it is you who should forgive me. Householders like me rely only on forgiveness practiced by hermits like you. Forgiveness is the strength of a hermit.” Thus praising and pleasing them he feasted all respectfully. Emperor of Dwarka gifted the hermits best of new clothes and offered humble oblations.
Hans and Dimbhak on the other end filled with arrogance asked their father to perform Rajsuya Yajna to ensure victory over all kings. Intuitive Janardan however advised them, -‘Hans Listen, think before you act. Grandfather Bhishm, Jarasandh and Yadav are matchless warriors. Grandfather Bhishm gave a tough fight even to Parashuram. King of Yadav is an unfailing destroyer of his enemies. No king can defeat him. His brother Balaram can destroy even the three spheres if aroused to anger. We confronted hermits at Pushkar who have gone to Dwarka to seek help of Lord Srikrishn. First confer with your ministers and then think and decide about the Yajna."
When pride goes into head, sanity vanishes. Hans was not willing to ponder or confer. He replied with arrogance-“O, that foolish and senile Bhishm! Can he withstand us? Indeed strange is your advice. Can any yadav or even Lord Srikrishn-Balaram defeat us? Jarasandh is already with us. Friend, you go to Lord Srikrishn and tell-“Keshav! Bring all your wealth as tax to us without delay. Go and tell him this message amicably."
Being a friend, Janardan could not stop Hans and prepared to leave for Dwarka to deliver the message. Eager to see his beloved Lord Srikrishn as presaged by sage Durvasa, he rode his horse and soon reached Dwarka. He however thought that Hans was indeed his true friend for only because of him, he got an opportunity to meet and talk to Lord Srikrishn. “Even my mother will feel blessed that her son could talk to Lord Srikrishn. But irony is that I have to deliver such cruel message to him. How foolish will it sound when I shall say, -“Lord Srikrishn! Pay tax to Hans'. Alas! I have to play such a role so shamelessly. May God alone help me !”He intoned as he entered the palace of king of Dwarka with a heart eager as well as nervous. The magnificence and opulence Janardan found in Dwarka was inimitable even for deities what to talk of kings who reeled in pride with their large empires.

Pondering over the unfathomable glory of Lord Srikrishn, poor Janardan entered Sudharma Sabha.  The most awaited moment of his life had arrived. At one moment he considered himself blessed and at another moment he found himself reeling in self-pity.  How would he muster courage to deliver such a meaningless message from his moron friend to the lord of Universe whose mere remembrance had been his sole source of strength and courage? He found himself in a quandary.

As he stepped into the Court of Lord, his heart stopped beating. His entire body as if entered into a trance and he felt inert. His eyes kept on gloating at the most handsome face of Lord Srikrishn without blinking. Lord Srikrishn was being praised and served by celestial Gandharvas, Apsaras and pious Brahmans were chanting Vedas in his praise with folded hands. The glimpse of lord sanctified the messenger. Janardan found immense peace and bowed in the feet of Lord Srikrishn. "Lord of lords! I am the messenger of prince Hans and Dimbhak." Words slipped from his lips.

Lord Lord Srikrishn welcomed him with a smile and gracious glance and said-“Brahman! First take your seat and tell the purpose of your visit.”
Janardan sat down and closed his eyes. An invisible power convinced him that he should feel free and fearless. His unspoken message was being clearly understood by the recipient master, he felt. Lord Srikrishn asked-“Pious Janardan! I have heard about gallantry and ambition of Hans and Dimbhak…… Is your father alright?”
“Keshav! King Brahmdatt and my father both are fine.”Replied, Janardan.
Lord Srikrishn paused and smiled to hear Janardan.  He warmly asked-“Dear, tell me the message of Hans and Dimbhak in detail. Hesitate not and however unpleasant it may sound, do explain everything so that I could give an appropriate reply. Being their messenger you should not hide anything.”
His gestures of behaving as an ordinary person surprised Janardan.
“Lord! Why do you feign ignorance? You are omniscient. What is hidden from you? Enlightened masters describe you as soul of all. Why do you then say – 'tell me the message of your king?'...... Lord however, as you say so I tell,  - King Brahmdatta will perform Rajsuya Yajna have been sent for collecting tax from main yadav chiefs and invite you to the Yajna as well. Keshav! ‘Come soon with salt and tax to attend the Yajna’ is their message."

Lord Srikrishn laughed heartily. "Messenger! Brahman! Listen to me. I will pay tax to both of them! Marvellous is the height of their depravity! Amazing too, indeed! First time it is being heard that I should pay tax. No one has ever heard so.” Saying so, he ridiculed the invitees. He addressed other Yadav-“Yadav! How ridiculous is the proposal! King Brahmdatt will perform Rajsuya Yajna and Lord of Yadav will carry salt to pay tax to that wretched! Brave men! His calling me a taxpayer to him is akin to his having been defeated me in the battlefield. What a joke! Hear once again!”
Balaram and other Yadav rose up and jeered loudly.”Lord Srikrishn is a taxpayer....” exclaiming, so all Yadavs clapped and laughed to fill the sabha with mocking noise. Janardan felt so embarrassed that he began to reel in self-pity.“Alas I had to deliver such a message. Fie upon me!” he intoned.
Amidst calls and jeers echoed Lord Srikrishn's oceanic speech - “Take my message, Pious Brahman!, - 'I shall pay you tax through arrows sharpened on rocks and unleashed by my Sharang bow. Or I shall pay you tax through my sharp axe. Or else my discuss will behead you to offer your heads as tax to you. The boon given by Lord Shiv has maddened you. Even if Lord Shiv protects you in the battlefield I will vanquish even him to kill both of you. Kings! Choose a place where we could confront each other. I will reach there with my army. It may be Pushkar or Prayag or Mathura, wherever you wish, come to face me in the fray.” Then he turned to Janardan and said-“May be being their friend, you shall not be able to give them my message. Satyaki will accompany you to deliver it. Best of Brahmans! I know that you love me, dearly. I bless you that you will get across this world, filled with sorrow and devote your mind to me.”
Satyaki promptly followed his master's decree. Janardan felt overwhelmed to receive the boon. He inwardly thanked heavens for having been fortunate to have met the omniscient, gracious lord of Universe. The twin messengers gladly received blessings from lord and fearlessly travelled to reach Shalvanagar.
Janardan was now not in low spirit as he was, at the time of starting for Dwarka. Meeting and blessing of Lord Srikrishn infused courage and conviction in his pure and trusting heart. He stood calmly before inebriated prince Hans and said-“King! Satyaki who is the right hand of king of Dwarka, has come with his message for you.” Hans welcomed Satyaki and also exchanged pleasantries about well being of Yadav. Satyaki seethed with anger, yet he controlled himself and said in a subdued tone-“Sir, all are fine."
“Did you meet Lord Srikrishn and gave him my message?” Hans asked Janardan.
Janardan meditated over Lord Srikrishn and replied-“Yes, I did meet him, -the lord of all deities, sages and enlightened beings. I am still overwhelmed to recall the bliss I got in his company. He is aware of you and on hearing that he should pay tax to you he roared in laughter and ridiculed you. Satyaki will tell you further that he thought of even arresting you as he learnt of your message.”

Messenger’s terse speech agitated Hans. He shouted - “Son of Brahman! Mind your speech!  This is what you dare say in front of us who are out to conquer the three spheres? Lord Srikrishn being a master wizard has mesmerised you.  Janardan! You should talk of matching status. It is only we who have tolerated this nonsense out of friendship. Who else can bear this trash? Stupid Brahman! Be off! Go anywhere. I will vanquish that cowherd. You are too impertinent and harsh of tongue. Ethically a Brahman should not be killed even if he causes sorrow. I therefore, spare you.  But I desert you as you praise my enemy. Go away!”
He then turned to Satyaki. “Tell me what tax has that cowherd sent through you.”
Satyaki yelled-“Hans! Listen to the true version of his message for you. He says – ‘I will pay you tax through arrows sharpened on rocks and unleashed by my Sharang bow. I will behead you with my sharp axe. That will be the best tax to be paid to you. Morons! What more depravity can you show? A king who demands tax from the Lord of Universe deserves to be betongued. Who can be saved when Lord Srikrishn, armed with his bow, blows his Panchjanya to proclaim war? Come... do face us now. Not to talk of us all, only two sons of Lord Srikrishn, - Pradyumn and Samb can kill you both. Lord Shiv who blessed you is standing away. On whose support do you dream to fight us?’ My lord has asked you- ‘where shall you like to fight? Pushkar, Govardhan in Mathura or Prayag? Reach anywhere to face him.”As Satyaki disclosed the message of his master, his face turned stern with a streak of redness that resembled a blazing flame.
The two princes were no cowards. They also flared up. Their fiery eyeballs hovered all around as if they wished to burn all by their glance. Rubbing his palms and grinning teeth Hans shouted-“Where is the son of Nand and his brother Balaram?" Unable to find the cause of frustration before him, he turned to Satyaki and targeted him -“O, Son of Yadav! What rubbish do you utter? Duffer! Get out of here. You are a messenger otherwise; I would have killed you right now. We are kings and on mission to conquer the world. What man can dare defy us? We will kill all cowherds. Lord Shiv has given us divine weapons. His two great ghosts follow us. Within a day or two we shall reach Pushkar and there shall we see how powerful Lord Srikrishn and his clan is! We will kill that cowherd and perform Rajsuya Yajna for our father. .”
Satyaki fumed. His eyebrows arched with anger. He spoke on behalf of his Master-“King Hans! I will come to kill both of you after two days. Had I not been a messenger I could also kill you right now. Never mind. Lord Srikrishn himself will shatter your pride soon.” Saying so, the faithful messenger of Lord Srikrishn threw a scornful glace at the two brothers.  His stern eyes spat contempt and mounting his chariot, he set off.
Lord Srikrishn received the message. Calmly he called his chiefs and asked them to begin preparations for an attack.
Next day the mammoth forces of Dwarka began marching towards Pushkar. Accompanied by a caravan of ebullient stalwarts and matching band of musicians, Lord Srikrishn blew his Panchjanya to terrify his enemies. His chieftains also roared in unison. The army reached Pushkar and camped there. Lord Srikrishn offered oblations to hermits residing there and coolly awaited the twin enemies. As a patient fisherman awaits his prey after dangling sop in water so did Lord Srikrishn sat bemused, calmly awaiting his cache of evil spirits. Chanting and recitation of Vedic hymns by austere Brahmans dear to Lord Srikrishn, rant the atmosphere in Pushkar.

The twin enemies of Lord Srikrishn were filled with pride and confidence being accompanied by two giant ghosts put to their security by  Lord Shiv who roared diabolically to terrify all. Another danav named Vichakr also joined the ghosts. Vichakr had in the past defeated even Lord of deities, - Indra. His friend demon Hidimb also joined them. As in rainy season moths rush to flame and end up their lives so did deluded arrogant souls longed to attack Lord Srikrishn with a matchless zeal.  All demons and kings expressed solidarity with Hans and Dimbhak and vowed to lay their lives for them with unquestionable sincerity. Filled with passion, they exclaimed, - 'I will fight, first with Lord Srikrishn’.
One who worships Krishna and visits Pushkar is purged of all sins. The fortunate kings and demons also found the opportunity of having two purifying sources simultaneously.
As in the sky charged clouds collide and produce lightning and thunder so did the warriors of matching armies began to fight fiercely. By noon the battlefield was covered with dead bodies. Pishacha and demons rejoiced in devouring human blood and flesh.  Vultures and beasts feasted there with gusto.
Lord Srikrishn fought Vichakra; Balaram fought Hans and Satyaki fought Dimbhak.
Vichakr threw a sharp arrow that hit Lord Srikrishn’s chest so hard that he vomited blood. Angry Lord Srikrishn cut his flag, killed his horses and charioteer and blew his conch shell. Vichakr hit Lord Srikrishn’s crown and forehead and roared in joy. He threw a rock on Lord Srikrishn. Lord Srikrishn threw back the rock, on the demon. Hit by the heavy rock, he fell down and fainted. When he regained his consciousness, he shouted-“Govind! You have tested my strength in the past. Still you are fighting with me. Stop it, if you can!” saying so he threw a Parigh on Lord Srikrishn which Lord Srikrishn stopped with his hand."Now you shall soon be killed” saying so he cut the Parigh into small fragments. Vichakr wrenched giant trees and threw over Lord Srikrishn, which Lord Srikrishn cut into pieces with his axe. Thus for a long time they enjoyed fighting. Lord Srikrishn then applied Aagneyastra, which burnt the demon and went back to Lord Srikrishn in front of all. Even after witnessing the strength of Lord Srikrishn, demons did not loose heart and stayed in the fray bravely.

Balabhadra’s blows fainted Hans. Hans, on regaining consciousness, roared in anger and wounded Balaram who too vomited blood and his charioteer died. Both of the stalwarts were soaked in blood yet neither gave up the fight. Even deities and celestial beings gathered in the sky to see their unprecedented fight.
Satyaki faced Dimbhak with equal ferocity and found his counterpart equally matching in gallantry.
Vasudev and grandfather of Lord Srikrishn Ugrasen, even though aged, thoroughly enjoyed fighting with Hidimb who was well fed with human flesh. Hidimb, driven by anger, pounced upon the aged father and grandfather of Lord Srikrishn who filled his mouth swiftly with arrows. The demon took out all arrows and tried to eat them up. The nervous old men looked around for help. Balaram then asked Lord Srikrishn to fight with Hans and rushed to take on Hidimb. Hidimb stopped following Vasudev and Ugrasen and seeing Balaram pouncing upon him, thought-“This is a rogue. I must eat him first’ thinking so, he punched Balaram who retaliated with a punch of equal strength. Injured by the blows, Hidimb finally fell down. Balaram lifted him in his arms and then spinning him around a few times, flung him off several miles away and he succumbed to death.
Hans and Dimbhak witnessed a ferocious warfare. They therefore, decided to fight on mount Govardhan the next day. Lord Srikrishn followed them next morning and resumed fighting on the bank of river Yamuna.
Hit by enemies, yadav soldiers began to run helter-skelter.  The giant ghost appointed by Lord Shiv to defend Hans and Dimbhak, wounded Lord Srikrishn with his javelin. A smile appeared on the lips of Lord Srikrishn. Lord Srikrishn jumped from his chariot. He lifted the twin ghost by arms. Spinning them around holding their torso in his mighty arms, a hundred times, he threw them off to mount Kailash. The ghosts were aghast and watched with horrified faces the fierce fight being fought by suave Lord Srikrishn.
 Hans then, addressed him-“Keshav! Why are you putting hurdles in our Rajsuya Yajna? King Brahmdatt will surely perform that. If you want to save your life, then better pay tax, or stay in the fray, to face me for some time. Then realizing my power... you yourself, will kneel down to pay the tax. As Lord Shiv is the lord of deities so am I the lord of all kings. I will destroy you soon in this battlefield.” Thundering so, he attacked Lord Srikrishn.
Lord Srikrishn calmly asked Satyaki to drive his chariot. Satyaki began to drive the chariot in most mesmerizing style and Lord Srikrishn applied aagneyastra on Hans. “Sinner! Moron! Right now I finish you with this arrow. Stop it, if you can. It is no use making tall talks. If you are a Kshatriya then face it.  If you dream of taking tax from me then prove your strength. Hans! You have tortured hermits at Pushkar. Mean! I am the lord of Universe. You dream to rule over Brahmans while I..... am… there. I kill wicked kshatriyas like you and rule over rogues who hurt Brahmans.”Saying so, he applied Aagneyastra, which Hans foiled with Varunastra. Lord Srikrishn then applied Vayvastra, which Hans foiled with Mahendrastra. Lord Srikrishn applied ferocious Maheshwarastra, which Hans foiled with Raudrastra. Lord Srikrishn applied Gandharvastra, Rakshastra, and Paishachastra, which Hans foiled with Lord Brahmastra, Kauberastra, and Yamastra. Lord Srikrishn finally applied Lord Brahmashirastra, which too was foiled by Hans. Lord Srikrishn then took water from river Yamuna and applied Vaishnavastra, which terrified Hans, and he became almost lifeless. He ran for his life and jumped into river Yamuna where Lord Srikrishn had vanquished Kaaliya serpent in the past. Lord Srikrishn also jumped into the river following him. Lord Srikrishn kept on battering him, kicking and punching ceaselessly. Hans was not seen thereafter. None could know that whether he died or entered Patalaloka and became feast for serpents there. Lord Srikrishn came back after some time. Dimbhak heard of Hans’s defeat and rushed to search him into the river. When he failed to find him, he pulled his tongue out and gave up his life.

Lord Srikrishn was around,’ the word had gone around. All lovers of Lord Srikrishn residing in Vrindavan rushed to meet him. Lord Srikrishn met Yashoda and father Nand and shared heartfelt moments with all.
He then reached Pushkar where hermits offered oblations to him and he blessed them. Having performed the duty of vanquishing evils and saving pious people, he returned to Dwarka with his army.