of the great demon? Two youths, of light and elegant persons, are in the arena, to
oppose athletic fiends, headed by the cruel Chanura. This is a great sin in the
judges of the games, for the umpires to suffer a contest between boys and strong
men.”
As thus the women of the city conversed with one another, Hari, having
tightened his girdle, danced in the ring, shaking the ground on which he trod.
Balabhadra also danced, slapping his arms in defiance. Where the ground was
firm, the invincible Krishna contended, foot to foot, with Chanura. The practised
demon Mushtika was opposed by Balabhadra. Mutually entwining, and pushing,
and pulling, and beating each other with fists, arms, and elbows, pressing each
other with their knees, interlacing their arms, kicking with their feet, pressing
with their whole weight upon one another, fought Hari and Chanura.
Desperate was the struggle, though without weapons, and one for life and death,
to the great gratification of the spectators. In proportion as the contest continued,
so Chanura was gradually losing something of his original vigour, and the
wreath upon his head trembled from his fury and distress; whilst the world-
comprehending Krishna wrestled with him as if but in sport. Beholding Chanura
losing, and Krishna gaining strength, Kamsa, furious with rage, commanded the
music to cease.
As soon as the drums and trumpets were silenced, a numerous band of heavenly
instruments was heard in the sky; and the unseen gods exclaimed: “Victory to
Govinda! Kesava, kill the demon Chanura!” Madhusudana, having, for a long
time, dallied with his adversary, at last lifted him up, and whirled him round,
with the intention of putting an end to him. Having whirled Chanura round a
hundred times, until his breath was expended in the air, Krishna dashed him on
the ground, with such violence as to smash his body into a hundred fragments,
and strew the earth with a hundred pools of gory mire.
Whilst this took place, the mighty Baladeva was engaged, in the same manner,
with the demon bruiser, Mushtika. Striking him on the head with his fists, and on
the breast with his knees, he stretched him on the ground, and pummelled him
there till he was dead. Again, Krishna encountered the royal bruiser Tosaluka,
and felled him to the earth with a blow of his left hand. When the other athletes
saw Chanura, Mushtika, and Tosaluka killed, they fled from the field; and
Krishna and Sankarshana danced, victorious, on the arena, dragging along with
them, by force, the cowherds of their own age. Kamsa, his eyes reddening with
wrath, called aloud to the surrounding people:—“Drive those two cowboys out