Gopala Champu

Chapter Eleven - Killing of Aghāsura and Bewilderment of Brahmā

[1] As on previous days, in the early morning Madhukaṇṭha began speaking with enthusiasm.

[2] Playing joyously as previously, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, killers of demons finished their kaumāra period.

[3] The white- and black-complexioned boys, desiring the paugaṇḍa period, made even the hearts of sages unsteady by their boyish fickleness. They learned all the sweet arts necessary for performing various pastimes. In this way, the two played, spreading nectar everywhere in the form of the flute music. ||1||

[4] One time, waking up very early in the morning, the brother of Balarāma, the sole protector of the universe, developed a desire by chance, “Today we should have our morning meal in the forest.” Finishing his morning duties, he asked his mother to allow this. Pleasing his mother by his actions, he went out with her permission, and with the sound of his buffalo horn, woke up his friends and Balarāma. Going quickly and sitting at the crossroads, waiting for his friends for a few moments, he looked around.

[5] Rising from bed, his friends came running and gathered together. Kṛṣṇa was waiting, expecting Balarāma to arrive in a few moments. When Balarāma’s servants came they spoke to Kṛṣṇa.

[6] The servant related the message spoken by Balarāma: “O my brother Kṛṣṇa! Though I want to play with you, something has suddenly come up to prevent me. My maternal uncle of the Puru dynasty has come to see me on some surprising business. He remains here, fixed like a tree, in the room. I know that you got up early with a special desire. Please fulfill your desire for pastimes. If some obstacle arises at the beginning of a new activity, it will prevent the action from bearing fruit.”

[7] On hearing the words of the servant, Kṛṣṇa, whose lotus eyes stretched to his ears, desiring to play, said to his friends, “Quickly have your lunch packets containing suitable food tied with a string, prepared for sending to the forest. Our mothers will also send us food through some proper persons.” Making beneficial arrangements for well-wishing friends, generous Kṛṣṇa, leading the dear calves, entered the forest. It is said that thousands and thousands of young boys went with Kṛṣṇa to herd the calves. It is said there were ten thousand, a million, or ten million boys. And the number of calves that Kṛṣṇa herded was also unlimited.

When Kṛṣṇa started for the forest, a million horns and flutes resounded and a million calves cried out, mixed with the boys’ shouting. Thus Kṛṣṇa playfully made Balarāma’s heart and the whole world tremble. ||2||

[8] Though the boys were beautiful because of the jewels as they entered the forest, they ornamented their bodies with fruits and buds from the trees and used a multitude of glass beads brought in packets from their houses after much pleading. Absorbed in playing, they did not consider that one thing was better than another. Only the miser, thinking of expense, sees with a critical eye. The carefree person, not considering expense, becomes joyful with what is pleasing.

[9] Placing the food packets on tree branches, they became absorbed in moving here and there as they played, while Kṛṣṇa glanced about.

Muṣṇanto ’nyonya-śikyādīn jṣātān ārāc ca cikṣipuḥ |

tatratyāś ca punar dūrād dhasantaś ca punar daduḥ ||

All the cowherd boys used to steal one another’s lunch bags. When a boy came to understand that his bag had been taken away, the other boys would throw it farther away, to a more distant place, and those standing there would throw it still farther. When the proprietor of the bag became disappointed, the other boys would laugh, the proprietor would cry, and then the bag would be returned. SB 10.12.5

[10] The theft:

They stole each others’ sticks, flutes and lunches. Considering it their own, they would throw the item far away. They would then bring the item back and offer it. They all engaged in suitable actions by the quick movements of Kṛṣṇa’s brow at every second and knew nothing else. ||3||

[11] Just as they enjoyed bliss only by being with Kṛṣṇa, even in separation they became blissful.

yadi dūraṁ gataḥ kṛṣṇo vana-śobhekṣaṇāya tam |

ahaṁ pūrvam ahaṁ pūrvam iti saṁspṛśya remire ||

Sometimes Kṛṣṇa would go to a somewhat distant place to see the beauty of the forest. Then all the other boys would run to accompany him, each one saying, “I shall be the first to run and touch Kṛṣṇa! I shall touch Kṛṣṇa first!” In this way they enjoyed life by repeatedly touching Kṛṣṇa. SB 10.12.6

[12] The meaning of this is explained. They touched him.

Kṛṣṇa sent all the boys ahead to look for the calves and then went far off to see the beauty of the forest. They could not see him. But they ran towards him, attracted by his fragrance as bees are attracted to the flowers, saying, “I will catch him first.” Having such pride, they felt great bliss. ||4||

[13] They played.

Though the boys were pure, they displayed pride to give pleasure to Kṛṣṇa. ||5||

By playing the flute some boys indicated that they would hide an object. Others blew their horns and made Kṛṣṇa laugh. ||6||

Others, considering the horns to have a vulgar sound, rejected those sounds and made sounds like bees and cuckoos. ||7||

Speed is an object of praise for cowherds, whereas singing is the occupation of sannyāsīs. Thus some boys, thinking in this way, ran after the shadows of birds. ||8||

Thinking they were superior because of being able to imitate various birds, some boys walked among the swans, cranes and peacocks. ||9||

Others, in order to show their knowledge of making bamboo puppets, joyfully moved among the branches with the monkeys. ||10||

All the youngest boys were engaged in satisfying Kṛṣṇa. Some boys went to the waterfalls and crossed over the river, jumping with the frogs, and when they saw their own reflections on the water they laughed. Laughing and playing, they satisfied Kṛṣṇa. ||11-12||

He sent boys to curse the echoes and imitate the reflections in the water, and obtained joy from this. ||13||

The pastimes that the boys following Kṛṣṇa performed surpassed the acts of magicians and surpassed the understanding of jṣānīs and devotees. Śukadeva has revealed this clearly. ||14||

[14] When Kṛṣṇa desired another type of play and the boys skillful at all arts diversified their antics, the younger brother of Baka and Pūtanā, Aghāsura, arrived on their path, like a black cloud suddenly appearing in the sky. He was praised by Kaṁsa:

“O my great assistant! Give up disappointment and listen. You do not know that by not staying awake and sleeping all the time as a python, a great problem has arisen. For this reason I have woken you up.”

[15] Agha said, “O lord of the universe! Please give me the order.”

[16] Beginning from the voice in the sky on Devakī’s wedding day, Kaṁsa told the whole story while praising himself, “My assistants such as Pūtanā, full of poison, found novel ways of deception, but all their endeavors met with failure. Thus you are my only hope, with your ability to devour everything.” He halted praising him with the words “like Rāvaṇa’s brother” out of fear of the inauspicious connotations and also rejected the words “like Vṛtra, among the previous demons.” “You are firm in determination like Dhruva. You must kill Kṛṣṇa, the greatest enemy of your brother Baka.”

[17] Though he knew such words were contrary to auspiciousness and good conduct, Agha quickly spread himself in front of Kṛṣṇa’s friends and assumed the form of a long snake. He remained fixed there as much as he displayed his inborn deceptive nature. Jokingly, the boys described him as a huge snake.

“In front of us a huge snake emitting poison lies awake. If he devours us, he will die like Baka.” ||15||

[18] Saying this, and looking at Kṛṣṇa’s face, clapping their hands while frolicking and laughing, they entered the mouth of the Agha, like a cave in a mountain, just as the sun enters the Western Mountain. The calves, glowing with brilliance, followed the boys. Though Kṛṣṇa did not want them to do so, he did not have the opportunity to prevent them. He was astonished at the determination of his future pastimes and then became remorseful. Just as the sun enters into a dense fog, he followed the boys and calves into the demon’s mouth.

[19] The demons and devatās situated nearby and far off repeatedly began crying out, “Oh!” in joy and sorrow, not knowing the powers of Kṛṣṇa. Making the same sound the two groups expressed different sentiments–that of victory and fear.

[20] Agha acted like Baka but by the assistance of Yogamāyā, full of the power of Nanda’s austerities, Kṛṣṇa, endowed with unlimited power expanded in the throat of Agha just as his arm expanded on entering the throat of Keśi.

[21] After a few moments, the demon’s breathing stopped. Then he lost consciousness. Then his head split open and his life air departed. His soul, having associated with Kṛṣṇa and becoming purified, waited outside in order to attain an eternally fresh body.

[22] Having killed the demon from inside, Kṛṣṇa revived the calves and boys by his sweet glance. As the moon emerges from the mouth of Rāhu, he emerged from Agha’s mouth by the path that he had entered.

[23] When they all emerged from the demon like the Gaṅgā flowing from the Himalayas, the demon’s effulgence merged into the effulgence coming from Kṛṣṇa’s body. All people saw that the light merging into Kṛṣṇa’s body just as a spark merges into the light of the sun.

[24] At that time, the devatās headed by Brahmā standing in front of Kṛṣṇa, played music and recited praises, showered flowers from the desire-trees of heaven, worshiped Kṛṣṇa and mocked Agha, expressing Kṛṣṇa’s thoughts:

“O demon Agha! As darkness disappears with the contact of light, you have suddenly been destroyed by contact with me. You knew this, so what fault do I have?” ||16||

“You swallowed unlimited calves and cowherd boys, and not being satisfied, you desired to swallow me as well. I came into your heart in order to satisfy you, but because of being restricted, your life airs desired to come out. Though I did not agree, those airs burst out of your head. What can I do?” ||17||

Ananda Vrindavan Champu

The Killing of Aghasura

The cowherd boys joked with one another, "0 brothers! Let us see who can run the fastest, Krsna or us?" Krsna kept the lead as they raced a short distance. They stopped abruptly, however, upon noticing a peculiar sight. It was a demon, the younger brother of Putana and Bakasura whom Krsna had recently vanquished. Burning with anger and lamentation, the demon had come to Vrndavana to avenge the loss of his relatives.

The nasty, vicious demon assumed the form of a gigantic envious py­thon with a huge mouth extending from the surface of the earth to the heavenly planets. At every moment his hideous body continued to ex­pand. His vast gaping mouth seemed to swallow the whole creation along with all its moving and non-moving living entities. Brahma and all the demigods shook in fright at this embodiment of sin (agha), who was ap­propriately named Aghasura.

Awestruck and bewildered by what they saw, the cowherd boys said, "0 look! What is this strange mountain cave? Just examine closely and try to figure it out. Who on earth will not be curious upon seeing this unusual cave? From long neglect, the cave looks like the deep mouth of a huge snake. The twin mountain peaks appear like two rows of teeth. The two vines dangling in the breeze by the opening of that cave seem to be the frightening forked tongue of a snake.

"The red oxide dust blowing out of the mouth of the cave, indicating a mine of minerals, seems like his fiery, poisonous breath mixed with red­dish-gold sparks. Just smelling that smoke, which appears to be the snake's breath, gives one a severe headache. The vines and creepers surrounding the cave, which look like hands waving us into it, appear like the ugly veins and arteries around the snake's gaping mouth.

"The two dazzling ruby boulders resting just above the mountain cave appear like the beautiful eyes of the snake waiting to mesmerize anyone who glances at them. The strong wind coming from the cave, which shakes the trees in the forest, resembles the exhalation of a big serpent. The smoky glow of the mountain seems like the discoloration of the snake's body caused by his poison-filled breath. The large cave looks like the massive mouth of the snake. Who amongst us is not overwhelmed with fear upon seeing this mysterious creature?"

Though disturbed with dread and doubt, the cowherd boys decided to enter the mouth of the cave. One boy said, "0 brothers! If it is a demon, Krsna will easily kill him and protect us." All the gopas had firm faith in Krsna. Gazing at the beautiful smiling face of Krsna, they laughed and clapped their hands while walking toward the python.

Seeing that they intended to enter that snake demon, Krsna, the prince of Vrndavana, tried to stop his friends by shouting in a sweet voice that spread through the creation. "Hey boys! Stop! Do not go inside. It is not a mountain cave, it is a snake!" But it was too late. They did not hear Krsna's words of warning, because they had already fallen unconscious from inhaling the poisonous vapors within the viper's throat.

Feeling like He had lost some precious jewels, Krsna cried piteously. He only thought how to kill the demon and save His devotees. Then Krsna, fully confident in His unlimited abilities, nonchalantly walked into the demon's mouth. Seeing this, the demigods wailed in anguish, "Alas! Alas!" But Kamsa and other demoniac friends of Aghasura rejoiced by cheering, "Ha! Ha! Ha!" Upon hearing the distressed crying of the demigods, Krsna, the master of all mystic yogis, decided to finish the asura.

The heart of the snake shook in fear of his imminent destruction. Al­though adept in mystic illusions, the demon's vast intelligence had now become bewildered by his false ego. He tried desperately to close his mouth but he could not. Because of Krsna's superior mystic power, the snake lost all control over his movements and just sat with his mouth stuck open. The snake felt Krsna to be a hot fiery spark burning his throat. A second later, Krsna expanded Himself within the throat of the snake until the demon's body exploded like an over ripe green melon. Krsna's transcen­dental body contains unlimited opulences of beauty and perfect action. His elegance rivals the rising moon and His compassion excels the comfort of soothing moonshine.

After killing that ugly demon Krsna revived His friends with the pleas­ant stream of nectar emanating from His beautiful transcendental form. Then He came out of the demon's mouth with the cowherd boys and calves. As Krsna left the mouth of the demon, He appeared like the sun rising from behind a mountain. Wearing an attractive forest garland hang­ing to His knees, Krsna looked as gorgeous as a fresh blue rain cloud. At that time everyone saw the spirit soul of the demon, more brilliant than hundreds of suns and moons, merge in the body of Krsna. Who can de­scribe the merciful nature of the Lord? First the demon let Krsna enter his belly, and then Krsna allowed him to merge within His body.

Appreciating the wonderful glories of the Lord, Brahma, Siva, and other demigods offered prayers which sanctified the world as they echoed through the universe. Various drums such as bheris (kettledrums) and dundubhis, and other instruments reverberated in all directions. The wives of the Gandharvas and Vidyadharas sang joyously in high-pitched voices. As the wives of the Siddhas beat mrdangas, Urvasi and other heavenly nymphs danced ecstatically. The best of the Kinnaras sang sweet melo­dies. Becoming deaf to all other vibrations, the celestial denizens sub­merged in the sound waves of that ocean of jubilation. Intoxicated with bliss, they showered flowers from Nanda-kanana on Krsna. What more can be said?

The beat of Siva's damru drum predominated everywhere. In great eu­phoria, Lord Siva danced so wildly that he cracked the pot-like covering of the universe. As he danced, the crescent moon on his head poured a stream of nectar. When that nectar touched the skulls on Siva's necklace, the skulls assumed bodies and danced joyfully with great skill. Astonished by this scene, the demigods exploded with uproarious laughter.

The cowherd boys appeared like they had just left the jaws of death. They felt completely relieved and happy to see the tender lotus face of the peaceful prince of Vraja, which looked more attractive then the rising sun. The transcendental deeds of the Lord completely eclipsed the glo­ries of the sun. One after another the boys embraced Krsna while talking excitedly.

One boy said, "0 Krsna! While we played that terrible demon devoured us, and knocked us out with a burning poison. How did You bring us back to life?" Krsna replied, "I am the perfect antidote to neutralize poison snd also kill the poison giver. If a man smells this medicine, he will become joyful and relish it like the taste of honey. Even the dead will come back to life and enjoy sweet rasa if they Smell this medicine."

Krsna's witty remarks increased the cowherd boys' loving friendship for Him. Then the cowherd boys, the Lord's eternal associates, enthusiastically embraced each other. Swelling with pride for his beloved friend, one boy said, "I told you before that Krsna would finish this demon, just as He had previously killed Bakasura."