Among the many names of Lord Krishna, “Keshava” is one of the most popular. But have you ever wondered why Krishna is called by this name?
The fields of Vrindavan were alive with laughter. Krishna, the dark-skinned cowherd boy with a flute, roamed with His brother Balarama and their friends, tending cows and playing in the groves. To the villagers, He was the very heart of joy. But far away in Mathura, King Kamsa lived in dread. A prophecy haunted him: Devaki’s son would be his destroyer.
When the sage Narada whispered the truth—that the playful cowherd of Vrindavan was none other than the child of destiny—Kamsa’s fear burned into fury. He summoned one of his fiercest allies, the horse-demon Keshi, and sent him thundering toward the village.
The Demon Arrives
It began with a roar that was not a roar, but a neigh so loud it shook the sky. Birds scattered, cows bellowed, and the earth itself seemed to split beneath the pounding of hooves. Dust rose like storm clouds as Keshi galloped into Vrindavan, a monstrous horse with eyes blazing like fire. His mane swept the air so wildly that even the clouds seemed to scatter.
Villagers ran for cover, clutching their children. Mothers cried out for Krishna, for who else could protect them? Amidst the chaos, Krishna stood calm, His flute resting at His side, His eyes steady.
Krishna Meets the Challenge
Keshi charged. His mouth yawned open, dark as a cave, as though he would swallow the very sky. His massive hooves struck the ground with thunder as he lunged at the small boy standing before him.
But Krishna did not move away. With effortless grace, He caught the demon’s forelegs mid-strike. In a flash, He swung the massive horse around, whirling him as Garuda might whirl a serpent, and flung him across the riverbank. Keshi landed with a crash, stunned but not defeated.
Snorting and enraged, the demon rose again. His eyes burned hotter, and he galloped once more at Krishna, jaws stretched wide to devour Him whole.
The Divine Arm
This time, Krishna smiled. As Keshi lunged, the boy thrust His left arm into the gaping mouth. To the onlookers, it seemed almost effortless—like sliding a stick into the earth. But to Keshi, it was torment.
The moment his teeth touched Krishna’s arm, they shattered and fell away. Then the arm began to grow, swelling larger and larger, filling the demon’s throat and chest. Keshi’s eyes bulged, his breath choked, sweat poured from his body, and his legs thrashed wildly. Unable to bear the divine power, the mighty demon finally collapsed and fell dead at Krishna’s feet.
The Vishnu Purana adds that Keshi’s body was torn apart and destroyed completely. Either way, the end was the same: the terrifying demon was gone forever.
Celebration from the Heavens
The dust settled. The villagers peeked from their hiding places to see Keshi’s great body lying still, and Krishna standing serene, not a trace of pride in His face. From the skies above, the demigods rained down garlands of flowers, and celestial music filled the air.
Sage Narada soon appeared, bowing before Krishna. He reminded all that Keshi’s roar had once frightened even the gods, driving them from their heavenly seats. And yet here he lay, slain with ease by the boy of Vrindavan. From that day forward, Krishna was lovingly called Keshava, slayer of Keshi.
And so, the children of Vrindavan slept peacefully that night, knowing no demon, however terrible, could harm them as long as Krishna walked among the cows and played His flute in the forest. The tale of Keshi lives on, not just as a victory over a demon, but as a reminder: whenever darkness threatens, the divine stands ready to protect.
