Kamsa's Evil Plot to Kill Krishna : Episode 25 (11-08-13)

Scene 1

Kamsa approaches Akrura with two wrestlers.

He tells Akrura that he has found that Devaki's son Krishna who was prophesied to kill him lives in Gokula with his brother Balarama. He asks Akrura to invite Krishna and His brother Balarama to Mathura for the Dhanur Yagna that he wants to perform and to bring milk, curd and ghee for the purpose. He reveals he would then finish them off with through his powerful wrestlers. Akrura warns that Krishna has killed demons like Putana, Sadakasura, Narakasura and Pralambara when he was merely five years old. Now that he was fifteen years old, they have to be cautious in dealing with him, as he could be much more powerful now. Kamsa treats Akrura's advice and commands him to simply follow his instructions.

Scene 2

Queen Satyavati is preparing to undertake Vanaprastha. As she takes off each of the ornamentas, all the griefs she had to encounter in the past flash before her. Queens Ambika and Ambalika express their desire to accompany her and Satyavati consents to their proposal.

Akrura is ecstatic as he walks on the roads of Gokula where Krishna grew. He sees Krishna everywhere he turns. As Krishna's leelas unfurl in his mind's eyes, he pays obeisance to the soil where the Lord walked.

He reaches Nanda's home where Nanda and Krishna receive him warmly.

Nanda asks Akrura if he had quenched his thirst after the long travel. Akrura says he did not come on a very happy purpose; he had been sent by Kamsa to invite Krishna and Balarama for the Dhanur yagna. His real purpose was to kill Krishna.

Scene 3

The arena for wrestling presided by Ugrasena and Akrura. The rules of wrestling are announced and Kamsa fights with kings from other countries such as Sunga Desa. The wrestling starts amidst cheers from the crowd. The king of Sunga was powerful and could even overthrow Kamsa. To win at any cost, Kamsa, scoops and throws mud at the opponent and before he could recover, kills him unjustly, ignoring and threatening the referee who interferes. The elders hang their heads in shame and remorse. Ugrasena expresses his helpness to Akrura who consoles him saying the Lord is witnessing these cruel, unjust acts and would definitely act in the due course.

Another wrestler rushes into the arena. Kamsa kills him transgresing the rule that one is not supposed to attack an unconscious opponent.

Ugrasena and Akrura voice their protest but to no avail.

Akrura narrates these incidents to Nanda, Krishna and Balarama. He asks Krishna's forgiveness for doing the sinful job of inviting him on King's behalf. Krishna consoles him saying he was only doing his job and he was quite aware of his bhakti towards him. In fact, it was his devotion that made him tell the truth. He sends away Akrura with the message to Kamsa that he would participate in the Yagna along with his brother.

Scene 4

The qeens Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika leave the palace. They take leave of Kunti and the Pandavas, Dhitarashtra and his wives and their sons, and Vidura's wife.

Satyavati accepts water from the kamandalam of Vyasa and symbolically washes off all her attachments.