The Arena of Death
After killing Kuvalayāpīḍa, the elephant stationed at the entrance, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma triumphantly entered the royal wrestling arena of Mathurā. The vast stadium was filled with nobles, citizens, ministers, sages, and even demigods in disguise. At the center sat Kaṁsa, pale with fear but trying to hide it behind royal arrogance.
The audience’s eyes turned to the two cowherd boys as they stepped forward. Their beauty was divine, their bodies graceful yet strong, and they shone like the twin moons of dharma and valor.
Kaṁsa’s Announcement
Trying to maintain control of the situation, Kaṁsa called out:
“Let the wrestling matches begin! Let Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika, the champions of the realm, prove their might!”
These two demoniac wrestlers were not ordinary fighters. They were trained killers—brutal, massive, and hardened by years of violent matches. Cāṇūra’s arms were like tree trunks, and Muṣṭika’s fists could crush stone.
Cāṇūra Approaches Kṛṣṇa
Cāṇūra came forward and growled:
“O Kṛṣṇa! We have heard of your feats in the forest, lifting mountains, killing beasts, breaking bows. But here, in this arena, strength alone speaks. Come, let us wrestle—if you dare!”
Kṛṣṇa smiled gently, saying:
“We are merely cowherd boys. You are strong warriors. But since the King desires it, let us play with you, for the sake of entertainment.”
The crowd was uneasy—the match seemed unfair. Why pit boys against trained giants? But some, inspired by Kṛṣṇa’s past deeds, watched with hope.
The Divine Duel
The match began.
- Cāṇūra faced Kṛṣṇa, and Muṣṭika attacked Balarāma.
- The earth shook with the weight of their movements.
- Cāṇūra lunged with roaring fury, hurling punches like thunderbolts. But Kṛṣṇa danced lightly, avoiding each blow and responding with swift strikes that confused and enraged the wrestler.
At last, Kṛṣṇa leapt into the air, seized Cāṇūra by the arms, spun him around, and smashed him to the ground with a crash that echoed through the arena. The mighty wrestler never rose again.
Muṣṭika Meets His End
Meanwhile, Balarāma faced Muṣṭika, who struck hard with both fists. But Balarāma, laughing softly, grabbed his opponent, lifted him high into the air, and slammed him down like a tree struck by lightning. The demon’s body twisted and lay still.
The arena erupted in cheers. The brāhmaṇas chanted mantras. Sages wept in joy. Even the heavens echoed with the sound of “Jaya! Jaya!”
Kaṁsa’s World Collapses
Kaṁsa sat frozen in terror. Every plan he had made was shattered. His best elephant—dead. His strongest wrestlers—slain by boys. His power—vanishing like mist before the sun.
He now knew: his death had entered the arena.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma stand for divine justice—always ready to confront evil directly.
- True strength comes from righteousness, not muscle or cruelty.
- Even a battlefield becomes sacred when the Lord enters to protect His devotees.
- Evil plans may be clever, but they cannot prevail against the will of God.
- Kṛṣṇa plays the part of a simple boy, yet reveals Himself as the unconquerable Supreme.
Origin of the Story: Harivaṁśa Purāṇa – Viṣṇu-parva, Chapters 78–79
