CHAPTER XXVI.While the land of Brindāban was rich in the love which Krishna flooded it withal, the heart of Kangsa, the brother of Devaki, was filled with fear for his life; for it was known to his quaking heart that the eighth child of Devaki still walked the earth, and also he knew that writ it was that the hand of that child would lay him low.Far and wide he sought the child, the boy, whom he felt was the God who had come to bring to the virtuous and lowly man peace, and sweep from the land the oppressor and tyrant.The marvelous deeds of Sree Krishna, his beauty and strength, the might of his love, had been heralded far and wide, and all the then known world was turned towards the forest land of Brindāban with expectant eye and thirsting heart. For ever the heart of man doth pant for and turn to the place where love doth dwell.When tales of Krishna's wonderful life and glorious deeds came to the ears of Kangsa, he felt that the boy whom Yasodā and Nanda reared as their own, in sweet Brindāban, was the child that he sought to kill when it came from the womb of Devaki, and when by the hand of fate itself he had been baffled.And the dull, hungry flame of hatred and anger rose like fire in this bad man's heart, and an atmosphere as of hell about him rose, and all his peace slipped to the dust, and his secret fear that like a coiled serpent had lain in silence now uncurled its length and lifted its head and darted here and there to strike the prey that aroused it from its slumber.And long he sat and meditated evil against the youth that he could not slay in spite of his kingship. For the Name of Krishna was a balm to the hearts of all men who had ever heard it spoken, and though king he was and ruler over many, he knew that the strength of the fame of Krishna, the boy bred in Brindāban, more potency possessed than the name of Kangsa, the king. For he was ruler over the bodies of men only.His name dwelt on the tongues of men who prattled with words alone, and those words embodied not the thought from which they sprang—words that praised where praises were not due, and applauded where it was not deserved.Men who dared not note the indignity of his motives and their results, nor discriminate between the righteousness of his action and his blood-dyed deeds, vexed his ears with fawning acclamations to-day because of his power, yet to-morrow blamed and hissed him out of sight.But Krishna was ruler over all hearts by the might of his wondrous love. He was the Divine Incarnation, the Inner Call, the satisfied softness that all felt, compelling all, yet demanding naught. Uncovered, frank. He stood forth inviting all to look on Him to Know and to love and be saved,—too deep for the human understanding to measure, too large for human heart to embrace, yet acquainting each man with Himself.This love still untaught, still gazing on Him who was all encased in love, all made of love, all teeming with love, they knew themselves of His creation, and Him their Sovereign Lord.And Kangsa knew that by knowing Him the world would boldly recoil from the sickening deeds of his cruelty, the foul plots of his life, would be laid bare to all, and the world in rebellion would rise. And he knew, too, that he in his worldly powers as a weakling would be, by the side of the cow-herd Krishna.So among his councillors an edict went forth that festivities be held in honor of the Bow, on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, and that sacrifices in great abundance be made.He also said unto them that preparations be made, and pavillions be raised, and the arena cleared, and the amphitheatre festooned with flowers and banners; and proclamations were issued that all the inhabitants of his whole kingdom be invited to his capital and that the people of Braja be included therein.And last he sent his ambassador in great pomp and glory to call to his palace the seventh son of Devaki, Balarām, and the eighth son, Krishna, to witness the sports and partake in the wrestling contests and show to the kingdom their dexterity and strength.Thus spoke Kangsa, and called to Akrura and made him the ambassador that was to bring Krishna and Rāma to Mathura. But this also he ordered: "When here they are brought, see that the strongest and mightiest wrestlers of my kingdom be brought to match them and fairly or foully to lay them low." And he added: "If here death fails to meet them withal, keep the infuriated elephant close to the gate, so that he in his madness may tread out the life of Krishna at my command." These were his orders, and Akrura, his ambassador, bowing to him, departed to Braja.
CHAPTER XXVI.While the land of Brindāban was rich in the love which Krishna flooded it withal, the heart of Kangsa, the brother of Devaki, was filled with fear for his life; for it was known to his quaking heart that the eighth child of Devaki still walked the earth, and also he knew that writ it was that the hand of that child would lay him low.Far and wide he sought the child, the boy, whom he felt was the God who had come to bring to the virtuous and lowly man peace, and sweep from the land the oppressor and tyrant.The marvelous deeds of Sree Krishna, his beauty and strength, the might of his love, had been heralded far and wide, and all the then known world was turned towards the forest land of Brindāban with expectant eye and thirsting heart. For ever the heart of man doth pant for and turn to the place where love doth dwell.When tales of Krishna's wonderful life and glorious deeds came to the ears of Kangsa, he felt that the boy whom Yasodā and Nanda reared as their own, in sweet Brindāban, was the child that he sought to kill when it came from the womb of Devaki, and when by the hand of fate itself he had been baffled.And the dull, hungry flame of hatred and anger rose like fire in this bad man's heart, and an atmosphere as of hell about him rose, and all his peace slipped to the dust, and his secret fear that like a coiled serpent had lain in silence now uncurled its length and lifted its head and darted here and there to strike the prey that aroused it from its slumber.And long he sat and meditated evil against the youth that he could not slay in spite of his kingship. For the Name of Krishna was a balm to the hearts of all men who had ever heard it spoken, and though king he was and ruler over many, he knew that the strength of the fame of Krishna, the boy bred in Brindāban, more potency possessed than the name of Kangsa, the king. For he was ruler over the bodies of men only.His name dwelt on the tongues of men who prattled with words alone, and those words embodied not the thought from which they sprang—words that praised where praises were not due, and applauded where it was not deserved.Men who dared not note the indignity of his motives and their results, nor discriminate between the righteousness of his action and his blood-dyed deeds, vexed his ears with fawning acclamations to-day because of his power, yet to-morrow blamed and hissed him out of sight.But Krishna was ruler over all hearts by the might of his wondrous love. He was the Divine Incarnation, the Inner Call, the satisfied softness that all felt, compelling all, yet demanding naught. Uncovered, frank. He stood forth inviting all to look on Him to Know and to love and be saved,—too deep for the human understanding to measure, too large for human heart to embrace, yet acquainting each man with Himself.This love still untaught, still gazing on Him who was all encased in love, all made of love, all teeming with love, they knew themselves of His creation, and Him their Sovereign Lord.And Kangsa knew that by knowing Him the world would boldly recoil from the sickening deeds of his cruelty, the foul plots of his life, would be laid bare to all, and the world in rebellion would rise. And he knew, too, that he in his worldly powers as a weakling would be, by the side of the cow-herd Krishna.So among his councillors an edict went forth that festivities be held in honor of the Bow, on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, and that sacrifices in great abundance be made.He also said unto them that preparations be made, and pavillions be raised, and the arena cleared, and the amphitheatre festooned with flowers and banners; and proclamations were issued that all the inhabitants of his whole kingdom be invited to his capital and that the people of Braja be included therein.And last he sent his ambassador in great pomp and glory to call to his palace the seventh son of Devaki, Balarām, and the eighth son, Krishna, to witness the sports and partake in the wrestling contests and show to the kingdom their dexterity and strength.Thus spoke Kangsa, and called to Akrura and made him the ambassador that was to bring Krishna and Rāma to Mathura. But this also he ordered: "When here they are brought, see that the strongest and mightiest wrestlers of my kingdom be brought to match them and fairly or foully to lay them low." And he added: "If here death fails to meet them withal, keep the infuriated elephant close to the gate, so that he in his madness may tread out the life of Krishna at my command." These were his orders, and Akrura, his ambassador, bowing to him, departed to Braja.
CHAPTER XXVI.While the land of Brindāban was rich in the love which Krishna flooded it withal, the heart of Kangsa, the brother of Devaki, was filled with fear for his life; for it was known to his quaking heart that the eighth child of Devaki still walked the earth, and also he knew that writ it was that the hand of that child would lay him low.Far and wide he sought the child, the boy, whom he felt was the God who had come to bring to the virtuous and lowly man peace, and sweep from the land the oppressor and tyrant.The marvelous deeds of Sree Krishna, his beauty and strength, the might of his love, had been heralded far and wide, and all the then known world was turned towards the forest land of Brindāban with expectant eye and thirsting heart. For ever the heart of man doth pant for and turn to the place where love doth dwell.When tales of Krishna's wonderful life and glorious deeds came to the ears of Kangsa, he felt that the boy whom Yasodā and Nanda reared as their own, in sweet Brindāban, was the child that he sought to kill when it came from the womb of Devaki, and when by the hand of fate itself he had been baffled.And the dull, hungry flame of hatred and anger rose like fire in this bad man's heart, and an atmosphere as of hell about him rose, and all his peace slipped to the dust, and his secret fear that like a coiled serpent had lain in silence now uncurled its length and lifted its head and darted here and there to strike the prey that aroused it from its slumber.And long he sat and meditated evil against the youth that he could not slay in spite of his kingship. For the Name of Krishna was a balm to the hearts of all men who had ever heard it spoken, and though king he was and ruler over many, he knew that the strength of the fame of Krishna, the boy bred in Brindāban, more potency possessed than the name of Kangsa, the king. For he was ruler over the bodies of men only.His name dwelt on the tongues of men who prattled with words alone, and those words embodied not the thought from which they sprang—words that praised where praises were not due, and applauded where it was not deserved.Men who dared not note the indignity of his motives and their results, nor discriminate between the righteousness of his action and his blood-dyed deeds, vexed his ears with fawning acclamations to-day because of his power, yet to-morrow blamed and hissed him out of sight.But Krishna was ruler over all hearts by the might of his wondrous love. He was the Divine Incarnation, the Inner Call, the satisfied softness that all felt, compelling all, yet demanding naught. Uncovered, frank. He stood forth inviting all to look on Him to Know and to love and be saved,—too deep for the human understanding to measure, too large for human heart to embrace, yet acquainting each man with Himself.This love still untaught, still gazing on Him who was all encased in love, all made of love, all teeming with love, they knew themselves of His creation, and Him their Sovereign Lord.And Kangsa knew that by knowing Him the world would boldly recoil from the sickening deeds of his cruelty, the foul plots of his life, would be laid bare to all, and the world in rebellion would rise. And he knew, too, that he in his worldly powers as a weakling would be, by the side of the cow-herd Krishna.So among his councillors an edict went forth that festivities be held in honor of the Bow, on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, and that sacrifices in great abundance be made.He also said unto them that preparations be made, and pavillions be raised, and the arena cleared, and the amphitheatre festooned with flowers and banners; and proclamations were issued that all the inhabitants of his whole kingdom be invited to his capital and that the people of Braja be included therein.And last he sent his ambassador in great pomp and glory to call to his palace the seventh son of Devaki, Balarām, and the eighth son, Krishna, to witness the sports and partake in the wrestling contests and show to the kingdom their dexterity and strength.Thus spoke Kangsa, and called to Akrura and made him the ambassador that was to bring Krishna and Rāma to Mathura. But this also he ordered: "When here they are brought, see that the strongest and mightiest wrestlers of my kingdom be brought to match them and fairly or foully to lay them low." And he added: "If here death fails to meet them withal, keep the infuriated elephant close to the gate, so that he in his madness may tread out the life of Krishna at my command." These were his orders, and Akrura, his ambassador, bowing to him, departed to Braja.
While the land of Brindāban was rich in the love which Krishna flooded it withal, the heart of Kangsa, the brother of Devaki, was filled with fear for his life; for it was known to his quaking heart that the eighth child of Devaki still walked the earth, and also he knew that writ it was that the hand of that child would lay him low.
Far and wide he sought the child, the boy, whom he felt was the God who had come to bring to the virtuous and lowly man peace, and sweep from the land the oppressor and tyrant.
The marvelous deeds of Sree Krishna, his beauty and strength, the might of his love, had been heralded far and wide, and all the then known world was turned towards the forest land of Brindāban with expectant eye and thirsting heart. For ever the heart of man doth pant for and turn to the place where love doth dwell.
When tales of Krishna's wonderful life and glorious deeds came to the ears of Kangsa, he felt that the boy whom Yasodā and Nanda reared as their own, in sweet Brindāban, was the child that he sought to kill when it came from the womb of Devaki, and when by the hand of fate itself he had been baffled.
And the dull, hungry flame of hatred and anger rose like fire in this bad man's heart, and an atmosphere as of hell about him rose, and all his peace slipped to the dust, and his secret fear that like a coiled serpent had lain in silence now uncurled its length and lifted its head and darted here and there to strike the prey that aroused it from its slumber.
And long he sat and meditated evil against the youth that he could not slay in spite of his kingship. For the Name of Krishna was a balm to the hearts of all men who had ever heard it spoken, and though king he was and ruler over many, he knew that the strength of the fame of Krishna, the boy bred in Brindāban, more potency possessed than the name of Kangsa, the king. For he was ruler over the bodies of men only.
His name dwelt on the tongues of men who prattled with words alone, and those words embodied not the thought from which they sprang—words that praised where praises were not due, and applauded where it was not deserved.
Men who dared not note the indignity of his motives and their results, nor discriminate between the righteousness of his action and his blood-dyed deeds, vexed his ears with fawning acclamations to-day because of his power, yet to-morrow blamed and hissed him out of sight.
But Krishna was ruler over all hearts by the might of his wondrous love. He was the Divine Incarnation, the Inner Call, the satisfied softness that all felt, compelling all, yet demanding naught. Uncovered, frank. He stood forth inviting all to look on Him to Know and to love and be saved,—too deep for the human understanding to measure, too large for human heart to embrace, yet acquainting each man with Himself.
This love still untaught, still gazing on Him who was all encased in love, all made of love, all teeming with love, they knew themselves of His creation, and Him their Sovereign Lord.
And Kangsa knew that by knowing Him the world would boldly recoil from the sickening deeds of his cruelty, the foul plots of his life, would be laid bare to all, and the world in rebellion would rise. And he knew, too, that he in his worldly powers as a weakling would be, by the side of the cow-herd Krishna.
So among his councillors an edict went forth that festivities be held in honor of the Bow, on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, and that sacrifices in great abundance be made.
He also said unto them that preparations be made, and pavillions be raised, and the arena cleared, and the amphitheatre festooned with flowers and banners; and proclamations were issued that all the inhabitants of his whole kingdom be invited to his capital and that the people of Braja be included therein.
And last he sent his ambassador in great pomp and glory to call to his palace the seventh son of Devaki, Balarām, and the eighth son, Krishna, to witness the sports and partake in the wrestling contests and show to the kingdom their dexterity and strength.
Thus spoke Kangsa, and called to Akrura and made him the ambassador that was to bring Krishna and Rāma to Mathura. But this also he ordered: "When here they are brought, see that the strongest and mightiest wrestlers of my kingdom be brought to match them and fairly or foully to lay them low." And he added: "If here death fails to meet them withal, keep the infuriated elephant close to the gate, so that he in his madness may tread out the life of Krishna at my command." These were his orders, and Akrura, his ambassador, bowing to him, departed to Braja.