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feet and threw him away. The Asura regained consciousness and again
ran after Krishna. He thrust his hand inside the mouth of the Asura
and killed him at once. The Devas rained flowers over him and prayed.
Rishi Narada also appeared and adored him, making reference to
his future deeds.
VYOMA.
SKANDHA X. CHAP. 37.
The Gopas were grazing cattle on the flat summit of a hill.
Some played the part of thieves, some, that of cattle keepers and
some the part of sheep. The Asura Vyoma, (the word meaning
Akasa), son of Maya, assumed the form of a Gopa, and playing the
part of a thief carried away many Gopas, who became sheep and
he confined them in a hill cave closed by stones. In the playground
only four or five Gopas remained. Krishna found out the mischief,
attacked the Asura and killed him.
AKRURA.
Akrura was mightily pleased that he would see the lotus feet
of Rama and Krishna. His devotion to Krishna knew no bounds
and he knew full well that, whatever his mission might be, the Lord
would find out his inward devotion. At sunset he reached Gokula
and, on seeing Rama and Krishna, fell down at their feet. They duly
honored him. Nanda also shewed every respect to Akrura. At
night AkrOra made a clean breast of everything to Rama and Krishna,
telling how Kansa oppressed the Yadus, how Narada informed him
of their presence in Vraja and who they were, how he planned their
death, and the mission on which he sent him. Rama and Krishna
only laughed. The next morning they informed Nanda about the
command of the king. Nanda asked the Gopas to prepare themselves
with presents.
And the Gopa girls? Who could measure the depth of their
sorrow? Their plaintive strains were most heart-rending. They wept
They followed the chariot carrying Rama and Krishna. Krishna to
console them sent word that he would come back. At last the
chariot became invisible and the Gopis went back to their homes.
On reaching the banks of the Yamun^ the brothers took their
bath in the river and refreshed themselves with its water. They took
their seat again in the chariot. Akrura asked their permission and
went to bathe. He plunged himself in the waters and duly performed
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