The Return to Mathura — the painful farewell to Vrindavan, the breaking of the sacrificial bow, the victory in the wrestling arena, and the slaying of the tyrant King Kansa.
वसुदेवसुतं देवं कंसचाणूरमर्दनम् — I bow to Krishna, son of Vasudeva, slayer of Kansa and Chanura
Mathura Lila (मथुरा लीला) details the transition of Lord Krishna from a simple cowherd youth of Vrindavan into a noble hero and liberator. Fulfilling the cosmic purpose of His avatar, Krishna departs for Mathura to face His uncle, the tyrant King Kansa. In a series of heroic events, He dismantles Kansa's power, frees His imprisoned parents, and restores justice and righteousness to the kingdom of Mathura.
Key events of Lord Krishna's return to Mathura and defeat of Kansa
King Kansa, terrified of the prophecy, organized a royal bow-sacrifice (Dhanush Yajna) in Mathura and sent Krishna's uncle, the noble Akrura, to invite Krishna and Balarama to the capital, plotting to kill them there. When Akrura arrived in Vrindavan, the cowherds and Gopis were struck with grief. Understanding His higher purpose, Krishna prepared to leave. The Gopis wept bitterly and blocked the path of His chariot, but Krishna consoled them with the eternal truth of His spiritual presence, marking His final physical departure from Vrindavan.
Upon entering Mathura, Krishna and Balarama walked through the city, drawing the adoration of all citizens. They reached Kansa's sacrificial hall where a colossal, divine bow was guarded by royal soldiers. No normal human could lift it. Krishna bypassed the guards, stepped forward, and picked up the giant bow. With a divine smile, He strung the bow and pulled the string back until the bow snapped in half with a thunderous crack. The sound echoed throughout Mathura, striking terror in Kansa's heart.
The next morning, Kansa prepared a trap at the wrestling arena. He first released the raging royal elephant Kuvalayapida at the entrance to crush the brothers. Krishna defeated and slew the beast, entering the arena carrying its tusks. Inside, Kansa's champions—the giants Chanura and Mushtika—challenged them. Krishna fought Chanura, and Balarama wrestled Mushtika. The young brothers easily matched the veterans, spun them by their limbs, and pinned them to the earth, ending Kansa's champion line.
With his wrestlers defeated, Kansa stood up in fury and ordered his guards to execute the brothers and imprison their families. Before Kansa could act, Krishna bounded onto the high royal gallery. Kansa drew his sword, but Krishna grabbed the tyrant by his hair, dragged him down to the arena floor, and slew Kansa. Krishna and Balarama then ran to the palace dungeons, broke the chains of Devaki and Vasudeva, and bowed before them. Krishna restored the righteous king Ugrasena to the throne, restoring peace to Mathura.
"I bow to Lord Krishna, the supreme Guru of the Universe, who is the son of Vasudeva, the slayer of Kansa and Chanura, and the source of ultimate joy to Mother Devaki."
