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all his attendants." While Kansa was thus bragging Krishna got angry
and with one jump, he got upon the platform. Kansa stood up with
his sword and shield. Krishna held him by his hair and threw him
down from the platform. He then jumped over Kansa and his life
departed. He then dragged the dead body of Kansa in the presence
of all. Kansa through fear and anxiety had always thought of
Krishna and now being killed by his hands, he attained the Rupa of
Krishna. The eight brothers of Kansa attacked Krishna but they
were put to death by Balarama. There was great rejoicing amongst
the Devas.
The wives of Kansa loudly lamented the death of their husband.
Bhagavan consoled them. He then liberated his father and mother
and touched their feet. He then took leave of Nanda and the Gopas,
promising a speedy return to them.
THE THREAD CEREMONY AND BRAHMACHARYA.
SKANDHA X. CHAP. 45.
Krishna placed Ugrasena on the throne. The Yadus, Vrishnis,
Andhakas, Madhus, Dasarhas and Kukkuras, who had left Mathura
for fear of Kansa, now returned to that town. Vasudeva called the
Purohita (family priest) Garga and performed the Upanayana cere-
mony (investiture of the sacred thread) of his sons. They then
became twice-born. (Dvija-Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas are
the twice-born classes. Krishna was a Kshatriya by birth). After
Upanayana, one has to practise Brahmacharya /. e. he has to reside at
the house of his Guru, learn the Vedas from him and practise
asceticism at the same time. According to practice, Rama and Krishna
went to reside at the house of Rishi Sandipani of Avanti of the line of
Kasyapa. The brothers learned the Vedas, the Vedangas and all the
branches of learning in sixty four days. Then they requested their
Guru to name hia Dakshina. (When a disciple leaves his Guru after
the completion of study, he has to give some Dakshina or present
according to his power to the Guru). Sandipani in consultation with
his wife asked for the restoration to life of his son, who had been
drowned in the sea at Prabhasa Kshetra. " All right," said the brothers.
They took their chariot and went to the sea-side. The sea brought
presents. But Krishna asked for the restoration of his Guru's son.
The sea replied: "I did not carry him off, but one Asura named
Panchajana, who lives in my waters in the form of a conch." Krishna
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