Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 43:1-14

Book 10: Forty-three Chapter (First Half)

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 43: Verses 1-14 The elephant Kuvalayapida killed (by the Lord) Sri Suka began again Having finished Their bath etc., the next day, and hearing the loud noise of the wrestlers and the din of kettledrums, 0 chastiser of foes, Sri Krsna and Balarama went to see the tournament. Having duly reached the entrance of the amphitheatre, Sri Krsna saw stationed there the elephant Kuvalayapida as directed by its driver. Tightening the cloth round His waist (by way of preparation for an encounter) and tying up His curly locks, Sri Krsna (a scion of Surea) challenged the keeper (as follows) in a voice deep as the rumbling of clouds:- "0 driver, 0 driver ! allow us passage; clear out without delay. If not, I shall presently despatch you alongwith the elephant to the abode of Death." Threatened thus, the driver full of rage goaded the elephant-which had (already) been enraged and which looked like Yama (the chastiser of beings subject to the ravages of Time)- towards Sri Krsna. Running towards Him, the lordly elephant quickly seized Sri Krsna with its trunk. He (however) slipped off from (the coils of) the trunk and, striking it (with His fist), disappeared in the midst of its legs. Failing to perceive Sri Krsna (the Ruler even of Brahma and Lord Siva), the infuriated animal, which could discover things through scent, caught hold of the Lord with the end of its trunk. He (however) forcibly escaped from its hold. Tightly seizing the mighty elephant by the tail, He (then) violently pulled it by way of sport to a distance of twenty-five bows (or a hundred cubits) without pausing even as Garuda (possessed of beautiful wings) would drag a cobra. (Keeping hold of its tail all the while) the immortal Lord whirled with the elephant, which was being caused to revolve contrariwise when it turned either to the left or to the right (in order to catch hold of Sri Krsna), even as a boy would with a calf that was (similarly) made to revolve (by him). Then, advancing in front of the elephant and striking it with His hand, the Lord in His attempt to throw it down ran swiftly (before it) so close that He looked as though being touched by it at every step. While running, the Lord sportfully toppled down on the ground and immediately got up (and stood aside). Taking Him to be fallen (yet) the angry elephant struck the ground with its tusks. Infuriated at its prowess having been frustrated and being urged by its keepers, the lordly elephant ran towards Sri Krsna in rage. Approaching the elephant (even) as it came rushing, Lord Sri Krsna (the Slayer of the demon Madhu), caught hold of its trunk with His hand and hurled it down to the ground. Treadingon the fallen animal like a lion (the king of. beasts), and sportfully extracting its tusks Sri Hari killed with it the elephant as well as its keepers.