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DHENUKA.
SKANDHA X. CHAP. 15.
On attaining the Pouganda age, Rama and Krishna were
placed in charge of cows. Vrindavana looked gay and Krishna
amused himself with his companions in the forests. One day Sri-
daman, Subala, Stoka and other companions spoke to Rama
and Krishna " Not far off is a forest of palm trees (Tala). Tala
fruits fall in abundance there, but one Asura Dhenuka, with many of
his kin obstruct all access to them. The Asura has the form of an
Ass. We smell the fragrance of the fruits even from here. They
are very tempting indeed." Rama boldly entered that forest and gave
a shake to the Tala trees, and Talas fell in abundance. Roused by
the noise, the Ass rushed forth and kicked Rama with its hind
feet. The Asura brayed and made a second rush, when Rama
held it by the hind feet and whirling it round in the skies threw
It dead on the trees. The kith and kin of the Asura then came
rushing forth, but they were one and all killed by Rama and
Krishna. When they returned to Vrindavana the Gopis who had
been feeling the separation went out to receive them and, being pleas-
ed to see them, cast bashful glances at them.
THE KALIYA SERPENT AND THE FIRE.
SKANDHA X. CHAP. 16-17.
The Nagas or serpents made offerings to Garuda on appointed
days. Kaliya, proud of his own valour, did not make any offering
himself and snatched away the offerings made by others. Garuda
attacked him and, being overpowered in the fight, Kaliya sought
shelter in a deep pool of water in the Yamuna.
Of yore, Garuda had caught a fish in that pool of water and
was about to eat it, when Rishi Soubhari asked him not to eat, but
Garuda heeded not his words. The wailings of the fish moved the tender
heart of the Rishi and for their future good he cursed Garuda with
death, if he entered the pool any more.
Kaliya knew about this and he therefore sought protection in
that pool of water with his family. The water became deadly poison
and even the adjoining air breathed poisonous death.
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