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 XXVII.
The sun was setting in Braja, and Krishna, with companions was homeward leading the cows to be milked.
The hills were gold-tipped. The chirp of the birds in sleepy echoes fell on the ear, when far in the distance the hoofs of stamping steeds pounding the earth caused the boys to turn. Coming in royal splendor towards them they beheld a chariot with blazing banners of the colors of the royal house of Mathura.
The boys stood in amazement as nearer the chariot came; but Krishna smiled with His eye full of wisdom, and aslant He looked toward the boys and the cows and then at Akrura, the ambassador, who came in the chariot.