KRISHNA CORIOLIS#4: Lord of Mathura by Ashok K. Banker Read Free Book Online Page A

body that was still beneath the surface, deep within the earth. By the time it travelled to its maw and burst from the open orifice, it emerged as a cruel imitation of laughter. Lacking a mouth, the creature spoke with a mentally projected sound that resembled boulders gnashing against each other in an avalanche. 
     
     
     
    it said. 
     
    
     
    Krishna’s eyes blazed deep blue, his dark skin exuding a glow that cancelled the darkness of the worm’s shadow in the woods. 
     
    ‘Who are you, demon?’ Krishna demanded. 
     
    
     
    ‘You are a worm!’ Krishna said. ‘I will crush you underfoot.’ 
     
    
     
    ‘I command you to release them at once. They had nothing to do with the deaths I caused. I killed your demon kin. I am the one against whom you should direct your vengeance!’
     
    Agha’s maw lolled this way then that for a moment as if considering Krishna’s words. 
     
    
     
    ‘I will be your meal, or you mine. That is between us and we shall settle it…once you release those innocents and set them back on the ground unscathed and alive.’
     
    Agha’s maw lolled for another moment. Then the asura reached a decision. The giant worm head swayed and lowered itself to the ground in a clearing caused by its own retreat. 
     
    The instant its mouth touched the ground, Krishna shouted to his fellow gopas and gopis. ‘Radha, Sridhara…my brothers and sisters of Vrindavan! Flee! Take your herds and flee from here.’
     
    An exodus began, as the frightened children and cattle emerged from the maw of the gargantuan demon-worm, stepped once more upon solid earth, and backed away fearfully, gazing up at the great creature into whose mouth they had all trooped so unsuspectingly. Many were coughing and choking, some even spewing the contents of their belly, sickened by the stench and filth of the creature’s interior.
     
    Balarama arrived just then, winded but spoiling for a fight. Speaking to Krishna with the mind-voice they had both used almost since birth to communicate with one another, he shouted silently:
     
    Brother, I am here, shall we attack the creature together? 
     
    ‘No,’ Krishna said firmly. ‘You must lead Radha and the others with their herds to safety. Take them back home. Keep the elders and others away from this part of Vrindavan. Get as far away as possible. This battle may range over a great distance. I do not want anyone injured.’
     
    Balarama’s face darkened when he heard that he was not to stay and fight. 
     
    But then he looked up at the size and adjudged the length of the asura and knew that what Krishna said was wise and necessary. His natural propensity for aggression was subsumed by his unquestioning devotion to his brother. His anger subsided and was sublimated instantly into energy, the energy he would need to do as Krishna bade. 
     
    He nodded and began herding the children and cattle away. They disappeared into the woods and Krishna sensed them making their way back towards the village as quickly as they could possibly go. This time they traversed the same route sombrely, many in tears, others angry and furious with the demon; there was no singing or playing or frolicking. 
     
    Krishna resented the asura for that more than anything else; it may not have harmed any of them but it had nevertheless instilled terror into the hearts of the innocent. For that alone, he would make this creature pay dearly. 
     
    ‘Come, Aghasura,’ he said,