PLATE TEN

“When all the cowherd boys were playing in the forest of Vrndavana,
the demon Pralambasura appeared to kidnap Krsna and Balarama. The
asura appeared disguised as a cowherd boy, but Krsna could understand
his trick. Krsna therefore divided all the cowherd boys into two parties.
One party belonged to Balarama, and the other party belonged to Krsna
Himself. Ultimately Krsna was defeated in this play, and according to the
wager, the defeated party had to carry the victorious party on their
shoulders. Krsna had to carry Sridama on His shoulders, and Bhadrasena
had to carry Vrsabha. The demon Pralambasura had to carry Balarama,
and when Balarama mounted his shoulders, the demon ran far away.
Finally the demon began to expand his body to a gigantic size, and
Balarama understood that he intended to kill Him. Balarama immediately
struck the demon’s head with His strong fist, and the demon fell down
dead as if he were a snake whose head had been smashed.” (p.380)
