PLATE FIFTEEN

One day a great demon named Aghasura appeared in Vrndavana. Hav-
ing been sent by King Karnsa to kill Krsna, Aghasura assumed the form
of a huge python, as thick as a big mountain and as long as eight miles.
He spread his mouth like a big mountain cave and laid down on the road,
expecting to swallow Krsna and His cowherd boy friends. Upon seeing
this wonderful demon, the cowherd boys were unafraid. On the contrary,
at first they thought that it was a statue made in the shape of a great
python for their enjoyment. Then they began to discuss the demon
among themselves. “Dear friends,” said one boy, “‘is this creature dead,
or is it actually a living python with its mouth spread wide just to swallow
us all? Kindly clear up this doubt.” At last they decided that the creature
was indeed a huge python who intended to swallow them up. Then one
boy began to point out the unusual features of the creature: ‘“‘Dear
friends, just see, this creature’s upper lip resembles a cloud reddened by
the sunshine, and its lower lip resembles the reddish shadows of the
cloud. On the left and right, the two depressions resembling mountain
caves are the corners of its mouth, and the high mountain peaks are its
teeth.” Then all the boys said, “‘If this creature tries to swallow us, Krsna
will immediately kill him, just as He killed Bakasura.”” Thus, looking at
the beautiful face of Krsna and laughing loudly and clapping their
hands, the boys entered the mouth of Aghasura. (pp. 278-86)
