THE RETURN TO MATHURA 195
goaded into fury till he would rush on those who might seek to enter, and trample them to death.
With dawn that morning Krishna and His brother Bolarama had risen, bathed, and offered worship, and now, hearing the call of the drums and trumpets, they came to the hall of sacrifice to be present at the tournament. As they entered the portals, however, they saw an immense elephant rushing furiously down upon them, goaded by his keeper. Quick as lightning Krishna girded His garments tightly about Him, and stood waiting for the onset. The elephant caught Him with its trunk ; but He struck it in the foot and released Himself. F'or a moment the angry beast lost sight of Him, then it caught Him again, and the same manoeuvre was repeated. At tliis moment, as if the thing were a mere joke, Krishna caught the mighty creature by the tail, and dragged it backwards, as some great bird might drag a snake. Again he darted back- wards and forwards, to right and left, following the turns of the infuriated elephant, even as the cow- herds of Brindaban would follow the movements of a turning and wheeHng calf. Now He faced it and struck it with His hands, and, again running hither and thither, He threw it to the earth with a kick from His foot. The elephant recovered its footing, however, and, again goaded by its keeper, made straight for Krishna. He, seeing now for the first time how overflowing must be the cup of
