Chapter 2: The defeat of Keshi
Location: Vrindavana
Radha was plucking flowers for her ritual sun worship, to give her a good husband. (Girls were married at young ages). So anyways,
"This hibiscus looks fresh! And... what a fragrance! Suryadev will be pleased!"
She turned to her two best friends, Lalita and Vishakha. "Come here! How many flowers have you collected?"
She looked into their baskets. "Quite a few, Radhe! After all, today is Suryadev's pooja isn't it? Have you ever seen us collected less flowers for a pooja?"
Radha smiled. Then suddenly, she remembered the basket full of sweets she had kept aside. She instantly picked up the basket and held it tightly.
"Radhe," said Lalita, "I have never seen you so anxious to eat sweets before!"
Radha shook her head. "No Lalite! If I don't keep an eye on them, those cowherds led by that glutton Madhumangala will steal all the sweets! Then what will I offer Suryadev?"
THe girls chuckled. Just then something rustled in the bushes. Radha turned behind.
"NEIGH!"
"Oh, a horse! When did this come here? I have never seen horses in our NIkunja before!"
"Must have wandered from Nanda Raya's stables."
"It is so cute! Wish I could RIIIDEEE!!" The horse pushed its way out of the bushes, lifted Radha with its snout, tossed her on its back, and galloped away.
"HELP!" Radha screamed.
The two girls started shrieking. They dropped their flowers and ran to their only refuge - the thief of Vrindavana.
***
"KRISHNA! HELP RADHA! Sh- SHe h-h-has been c-c-carr-r-ied away by a h-h-orse!!!" cried the girls in despair. In the distance a shriek was heard. "KRISHNA! BALARAMA! SHRIDAMA BHAIYA!"
Krishna, Balarama and the others ran in the direction of her shriek. Meanwhile, the other villagers had been alerted. Kirtida, Radha's mother, fainted at the sight of her duaghter being carried away by a horse!
Vrishbhanu, Radha's father, Nanda, Sunanda, Upananda, Bhadrasena, Vajragopa, Abhimanyu and other gopas chased the horse with their sticks. After a long and tiring chase, they finally cornered the horse.
"Fear not Radha, we shall save you now." said Nanda triumphantly. BUt the horse snorted. He neighed loudly and stood up on his hind legs, shaking off Radha. Radha fell down and bruised her whole body. Keshi neighed and took on his real form.
He grew to gigantic proportions, making the gopas look like rats in front of him. Breathing fire, he was about to kick the cowherds out of his way, when Krishna dashed to the scene and with one long jump landed straight on Keshi's back.
Then the two fought and fought. Keshi flung Krishna to the ground and raised his forelegs to trample him when Krishna deftly punched him.
After giving him well aimed blows, Krishna stuck his hands in Keshi's mouth.
Keshi felt hot fumes inside him. his body bloated like a watermelon, and within minutes he had burst into bits of horse flesh. All the injuries were taken care of, and after proper rites were performed for Keshi, Krishna was coronated as Keshava, the slayer of Keshi.
***
Radha met Krishna in her Nikunja. "Why do all the asuras target you, KRishna?"
"radhe, the King of Mathura, Kamsa wants to kill me, and marry yo-"
"KRISHNA! Don't say such things!" Radha exclaimed, flinging her arms around KRishna.
"Let him think whatever he wants, Radhe, " Krishna drew her close, "but I am not letting you escape from me."
Edited by Surya_krsnbhakt - 11 years ago
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