Listen to the Story
Join little Krishna as he protects his friends from a family of demon giants! Discover how he faced the greedy Crane and his vengeful brother, the giant Serpent of the forest.
The Snap of the Sharp Beak
One sunny afternoon, Krishna and his band of cowherd friends led their cows to the sparkling Yamuna River. Waiting for them was Bakasura, a demon disguised as a giant white crane. He was the brother of the famous demoness Putana, and he was just as greedy! With a flash of his wings, Bakasura lunged forward and swallowed Krishna whole! The boys cried out in fear, but inside the crane’s throat, Krishna made his body feel as hot as a glowing coal. Choking from the heat, the giant bird was forced to spit Krishna out. When the demon tried to strike again, Krishna caught the crane by its beak and ended his reign of terror, freeing the riverbank from his greed.
Into the Mouth of the Serpent
When news of Bakasura’s defeat reached his younger brother, Aghasura, grew furious. 'Krishna has defeated my sister Putana and my brother Bakasura,' he hissed. 'I will have my revenge!' Aghasura transformed into a massive python, miles long, and lay across the forest path with his mouth wide open. His lower lip rested on the ground and his upper lip touched the clouds. The cowherd boys, thinking it was a magnificent new cave with a smooth red floor, cheered and ran inside. They didn't realize they were walking straight into the belly of the vengeful serpent.
The Great Expansion
Aghasura waited until everyone was inside before slamming his jaws shut. The forest grew silent as the boys trapped inside began to panic. Krishna, knowing he had to save his friends from the final sibling's trap, stepped deep into the demon's throat. Krishna began to grow. He grew taller than the trees and wider than the mountains. As he expanded, the giant serpent could no longer breathe. With a final burst of energy, Krishna shattered the demon’s hold, and a brilliant light escaped from the serpent’s head, signaling that the forest was finally safe from the trio of siblings. Krishna led his friends and the cows back into the sunlight, a hero once again.
What We Learn
Love is stronger than revenge. While the demon brothers were driven by anger and the past, Krishna was driven by the desire to protect his friends. In the end, a heart that cares for others will always be more powerful than one filled with hate.
