Kaṁsa’s Last Hope: The Elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa
After the thunderous breaking of the celestial bow, Kaṁsa’s fear intensified. The boy Kṛṣṇa had now humiliated him publicly and killed his elite guards. Desperate, Kaṁsa activated the next phase of his wicked plan: to kill Kṛṣṇa at the entrance of the wrestling arena by unleashing his gigantic war elephant, Kuvalayāpīḍa.
This beast was not an ordinary elephant—it had been raised with demoniac power, fed with flesh, and trained to trample anything in its path. Its body was dark as rain clouds, its eyes red with fury, and its tusks gleamed like spears. Kaṁsa ordered the elephant-keeper:
“Place him at the gate of the arena. Let no one pass unless he has first been crushed beneath those feet.”
The Arena Fills with Crowds
On the morning of the Dhanur-yajña, Mathurā was filled with festivity. Thousands gathered to witness the wrestling matches. The king’s court, his ministers, and nobles filled the royal galleries. Kaṁsa sat nervously on his throne, awaiting the entrance of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
Outside, the two divine brothers stood near the gate, preparing to enter the arena.
Confronting the Beast
Suddenly, Kuvalayāpīḍa charged, bellowing like thunder. The elephant-keeper whipped him into a frenzy, pointing him straight toward Kṛṣṇa. The earth trembled as the massive beast ran with destructive force.
Kṛṣṇa stood still, calm and beautiful, like the eye of a storm.
At the last moment, He sidestepped gracefully and slapped the elephant on its trunk. Infuriated, the elephant turned and tried to grab Him with its tusks. But Kṛṣṇa dodged effortlessly—like lightning dancing around a mountain.
The Mighty Struggle
The elephant attacked again, and this time, Kṛṣṇa leapt between its tusks, grabbed its trunk with both hands, and began wrestling it. The people gasped in awe—a young boy, fighting an armored beast with his bare hands!
After toying with the creature, Kṛṣṇa seized its trunk, twisted it violently, and threw the elephant to the ground.
Then, climbing atop the mighty beast, He tore out one of its tusks and used it to strike the elephant until it lay lifeless, blood gushing from its mouth and eyes.
Balarāma Joins the Entrance
Balarāma, ever eager to assist, dispatched the elephant-keeper and other guards easily. The two brothers then entered the wrestling arena, victorious and radiant, carrying the elephant’s tusks like trophies.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Kaṁsa sat frozen—his plans shattered, his heart racing. The signs were unmistakable. Destiny had arrived.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- No matter how monstrous the obstacle, Kṛṣṇa can subdue it effortlessly when the time is right.
- The Lord protects the path of dharma, even if it means confronting deadly beasts.
- What seems terrifying to the world is a plaything in the hands of the Lord.
- Kṛṣṇa is not only beautiful and playful—He is also the ultimate warrior and protector.
- When the Lord enters any arena—be it a forest, city, or a heart—He clears the way of all obstructions.
Origin of the Story: Harivaṁśa Purāṇa – Viṣṇu-parva, Chapter 77
