A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.904.2

c5.904.2

Nanda, alarmed by the order for the massacre, took the young child and removed with Yasodā and with Rohinī and Bala-rāma to Gokula. Here Krishna was brought up, and wandered about in company of his elder brother Bala-rāma. They played many pranks and passed many practical jokes; but they exhibited such marvellous strength and such godlike powers that they soon became famous. Kansa was continually forming schemes for the death of Krishna. The female demon Pūtanā assumed a lovely form, and tried to kill him by suckling him, but the child sucked away her life. Another demon tried to drive a cart over him, but he dashed the cart to pieces. A demon named Trināvartta took the form of a whirlwind and flew off with him, but the child brought the demon to the ground with such violence that he died. One day Krishna broke the vessels of milk and curds and ate the butter, which made Yasodā angry. She fastened a rope round his body, and tied him to a large bowl, but he dragged the bowl away till it caught between two trees and uprooted them. From this feat he got the name of Dāmodara (rope-belly). He had a terrible conflict with the great serpent Kāliya, who lived in the Yamunā, and he compelled him to go away. On one occasion, when the gopīs or milkmaids were bathing, he took away all their clothes and climbed up a tree, and there he remained till the damsels came to him naked to recover them.