Mathura, 2016.11.06 (VT): Shri Krishna killed the gigantic elephant Kuvalayapida on Sunday at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. The Kuvalayapida vadh pastime of Shri Krishna was staged by local artists in Mathura. The audience was mesmerized by the performance. The event was organized by the Kuvalayapida Hathi Vadh Mahotsava Samiti.
A procession with Krishna and Balaram sitting on a chariot was taken out from Swami Ghat. The procession began after arati was performed to Krishna and Balaram. A tableau of images of the Kuvalayapida elephant, Ganesh ji, Banke Bihari ji, Giriraj Dharan and Lord Shiva with his family were followed by the chariot carrying the divine Brothers. People walking with the procession carried sticks in their hand to display their support of the Lord. The procession passed through different parts of the city, where it was welcomed by the devotees.
Finally it reached the designated site where the demonic elephant was killed 5,000 years ago. Then the elephant was symbolically killed by Lord Krishna, as He ripped off the tail, trunk and tusks of the elephant’s effigy.
Five thousand years ago, the evil king Kamsa tried many tricks to kill Krishna, but he failed every time. He invited the Lord and His brother to a wrestling match. When Krishna and Balaram went to the wrestling arena, their way was blocked by the gigantic elephant Kuvalayapida deliberately, at the urging of his keeper, on the direction from Kamsa.
Understanding the situation, Shri Krishna tightened His cloth and tied back His hair. The elephant’s keeper started goading the elephant to attack Lord Krishna. The elephant charged at Krishna, trying to seize Him with his trunk. Krishna deftly moved behind the elephant, however, thus disappearing from his view. Becoming infuriated at not being able to see Krishna, Kuvalayapida searched for Him with his sense of smell.
Lord Krishna then grabbed the powerful elephant by the tail and playfully dragged him twenty five bow lengths, while pulling him from side to side. Then, letting go of his tail, Krishna came in front of the elephant and gave it a strong slap, after which He retreated to a short distance. Kuvalayapida pursued the Lord, who then suddenly lay down, placing himself under the elephant’s legs, causing him to trip and fall.
After Krishna dodged about, sometimes playfully falling on the ground and then again standing up, the infuriated Kuvalayapida repeatedly tried to gore Him with his tusks. Becoming frustrated, Kuvalayapida became mad with rage, but the driver still goaded him to charge at Krishna once again.
Being thus confronted, Krishna grabbed the elephant by the trunk with one hand and pulled him to the ground, causing the caretaker to fall from his back. Krishna then pounced upon the elephant and pulled out a tusk, and with it He killed the beast along with his keeper.
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