THE END OF KESi

THE END OF KESI

From the time Kamsa knew that the one going to kill him was in Gokulam, he was much agitated. He wanted to kill Krishna at any cost! He contemplated various ways of putting an end to young Krishna. His first attempt in sending Putana to destroy the small child ended in the monstrous death of the demon herself! Child Krishna, under the pretense of drinking her poisoned milk, took her life away as Yashoda and others were shocked and surprised! But this did not deter the wicked Kamsa. Again and again he sent his people, the demons, to finish  young Krishna but in vain! Bakasura, Dhenukasura, Sakatasura and others were despatched to kill Krishna by deceit. But the child miraculously saved himself while he destroyed all of them to the utter horror of Kamsa!  He was at his wit’s end and did not know what to do! Finally he planned to send, as a last resort, another agent who was very wily and ferocious to put an end to the life of his enemy Krishna!

The choice fell on Kamsa’s trusted friend Kesi who was well versed in maya and tricks to dupe his enemies! The object of Kamsa was to kill both Krishna and Balarama who posed the greatest danger for his life. Killing them together at one stroke would be highly beneficial to him! Accordingly Kesi was instructed and sent to Gokulam where the youngsters lived with their parents Nanda and Yashoda. Kesi was inspired and wanted to accomplish the desire of his  master Kamsa. To mislead and deceive the young lads, Kesi assumed the form of a huge horse that would  frighten even the bravest of champions! It's form and figure, the terrible black color,  it's mane and everything about it was so terrifying as to destroy any opponent of mighty strength!

Horse Kesi galloped at the speed of thoughts at the sight of Krishna and Balarama! It tore the earth with its giant hooves! As it wildly galloped, it scattered celestial vehicles and even clouds with its monstrous mane! It's neighs terrified people who lost their senses with fright!  Spying  Krishna and Balarama it roared like a lion and charged against Krishna with a ferocity that was unparalleled! It struck Krishna with its giant hooves thinking that that would finish Krishna! But  what does the demon know about Lord Krishna? Escaping deftly from the attack, Krishna caught the beast by its legs and tossed it away to a great distance! It fell to the ground with a  thud and almost lost consciousness. Recovering soon, Kesi could not believe what happened to

him at the hands of young Krishna! He did not want to fail in his mission.

Realizing the futility of his attack on Krishna, Kesi wanted to swallow him in a single gulp and opened his cavern like mouth! Will the wiles of the demon  deceive the Lord? Krishna was ready with his plan. He immediately thrust his left arm into Kesi’s mouth! With the pressure exerted by the hand, Kesi's teeth were dislodged! Meanwhile Krishna's arm expanded within the open mouth of Kesi! Due to this expansion Kesi began to sweat! His eyes rolled and he struggled kicking his feet! He choked to death and fell lifeless on the ground!

This grand fight between the Divine and the demon was witnessed by the Devas and the sage Narada!  They extolled Lord Krishna for slaying  Kesi, who by his neighing created fear among the Devas !Sage Narada prophesied that Krishna would kill Kamsa later and establish peace in the kingdom! Narada also said that henceforth Krishna would be called KESAVA by virtue of his  killing the demon Kesi and frustrating all attempts of Kamsa ! Many names of Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu,describe his divine sports and relationships. He is Madhusudana as he killed Madhu, a demon! He is Vaasudeva as he is the son of Vasudeva! He is Trivikrama as he occupied the sky, heaven and earth by His three feet! The story of Kesi is found in Vishnu Purana and Harivamsa of ancient times. Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama calls  Krishna as KESAVA! Kesi Ghat is a major bathing ghat along the river Yamuna in Vrindavan!