But far in the distance a light was seen that spread wider and broader its glow, and higher its flame leapt, and every second nearer and nearer yet it came, like a living sheet of fire.
And so it was. A castor plantation a burning world had become and quickly surrounded the merrymakers, who held in their midst the joy of their hour, and they cried in a fright: "O Krishna, Thou Child—or God, whatever Thou art, protect us from this death in this roaring flame. We care not for our lives, O Krishna, for they are thine by our love for Thee, but oh, the anguish the parting would mean—to die and not see Thy face again! Oh Thou, who by Thy strength dost slay the Asuras and drive from the land the serpent all powerful, save us from this, the parting with Thee and Thy loved companion Rāma, he that is most like Thee. O Most Lovely One, deliver us, we pray!"
Light as a leaf in the wind the Boy bounded to meet the coming flames. For a moment He stood in the seething sea of fire and lifted His hand on high, and lo, the fire was not—but the flames were seen to enter His mouth!
And again, with dancing and singing praise to the Boy, they made for His home with joy and delight.
CHAPTER XVIII.
One summer day Krishna and Rāma and their companions in the shade of the trees were a-sporting among themselves, when they saw coming toward them a stranger, a boy, clad as a tender of cows.
He joined in the games and soon all were merry, but Krishna, the knower of all, and the all-seeing One, in him beheld an Asura, named Pralamba, who had come in their midst to bring calamity, though friendship he feigned.
Krishna proposed a game to be played by dividing the boys into equal numbers and fighting, in sport, one with the other. Krishna was chosen the leader on one side and Rāma the leader on the other.
The defeated side, it was proposed, must carry on their backs the winners of the victorious side, and so the play began.
Krishna's side was defeated, and it was ordered that, among others, Pralamba, the Asura, carry Rāma on his back.