Śrī Kṛṣṇa's Līlās – Kṛṣṇa Kills Bakāsura, the Crane Asura

Story So Far

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma now live in Vṛndāvana, happily tending calves with their friends, playing by the Yamunā and under Govardhana Hill. Yet Kaṁsa's hatred continues, and more asuras are sent to harm the Lord, who protects Vraja in the simple form of a cowherd boy.

The Crane Asura in the Pasture

One day, Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma, and their friends took their groups of calves to a quiet reservoir so the animals could drink. After the thirsty calves had their fill, the boys also drank and rested nearby, enjoying the peaceful forest. Suddenly they noticed something strange beside the water.

A gigantic white body, stiff and towering, lay on the ground like a broken mountain peak. The boys felt a chill of fear.

This was Bakāsura, an asura sent by Kaṁsa, who had taken the form of a huge crane with a long, sharp beak. Without warning, he rose up and, with terrible speed, swallowed Kṛṣṇa whole. Balarāma and the boys froze in shock, like senses without life.

Bakāsura swallows Kṛṣṇa

But Kṛṣṇa is the Lord of all. Inside the asura's throat, He blazed like fire. Unable to bear the burning, Bakāsura quickly spat Him out. Seeing Kṛṣṇa completely unharmed, the asura grew furious and lunged again with his sharp beak.

This time, before he could strike, Kṛṣṇa seized the great beak with His two small hands. In front of all the cowherd boys, He pulled the beak apart, splitting it as easily as a child splits a blade of grass. The huge crane body shook, shuddered, and then fell lifeless to the ground.

From the heavens, the devas showered fragrant mallikā flowers from Nandana-kānana. Kettledrums and conch shells sounded in victory, praising Kṛṣṇa, the slayer of Bakāsura.

Kṛṣṇa kills Bakāsura

The boys felt their lives return to them. Flooded with relief and joy, they embraced Kṛṣṇa again and again, gathered their calves, and hurried back home to Vraja, loudly telling everyone what had happened. The gopas and gopīs listened in wonder. Seeing Kṛṣṇa safe, they could not take their eyes off Him, as if He had truly come back from the mouth of death. In his heart, Nanda Mahāraja remembered the words of Garga Muni and felt certain:

"This child is protected by a power far beyond our understanding."

Meaning for Devotional Hearts

  • Even when hidden as a simple cowherd boy, Kṛṣṇa remains the all-powerful Lord, easily destroying mighty asuras.
  • The residents of Vraja live in constant remembrance of His protection, teaching us to trust Kṛṣṇa in every danger, seen or unseen.