Akrura was wondering what was going on. Krishna appeared before Akrura in the dazzling form in which he was in Heaven before he descended to the earth in human form. "What did you see, Akrura?" asked Krishna. "Lord, you knot it all. There is nothing more beautiful under water or on the earth than yourself." Nearby villagers had gathered to catch a glimpse of Balarama and Krishna and they wanted to be touched by Krishna, the darling. Finally, Krishna’s party reached the outskirts of Mathura and Akrura was asked to go to his house in Mathura.
The news of the arrival of Krishna and Balarama in the city spread like wild-fire. People of Mathura crowded into the streets, wherever the two brothers went or just tried to get a glimpse of them by looking through the windows of their houses. The beauty and charm of Krishna was just enthralling. The heavenly voice announcing the eighth child of Devaki had also been heard by them. Now they actually saw the divine being in human form, vibrant and filled with energy. Everyone wanted to take the lad into his or her hands, fondle him and kiss him.
In the tournament arena, a mighty bow was kept under security. Krishna took up the bow and broke into two pieces. The security guards tried to take Krishna and Balarama prisoners but could not succeed. The brothers defeated the guards and entered into the wrestling grounds. The wrestlers arrived with a lot of fanfare.
As planned, at the gates of the wrestling stadium, the mighty elephant, Kuvalayapida was set upon Krishna and Balarama. The elephant seized Krishna with its trunk. Krishna slipped out of the hold and hid behind the animal’s legs. Krishna caught hold of the elephant’s tail and the elephant turned around and tried to crush Krishna under its feet. It also tried to gore him to death with its tusks. The tusks broke into pieces. Krishna caught the trunk of the animal, shoved it to the ground and killed it with one of its own tusks.
Armed with the broken tusks of the elephant, Krishna and Balarama entered the wrestling arena. Chamura the wrestler, came to the lads and said, "O sons of Nanda! Welcome to Mathura’s wrestling match. Come, show your skills and please our majesty, Kamsa."
Krishna responded, "Balarama and I are happy to be here. We are only lads, we are not professional wrestlers. Do you think it will be a fair match?" Chamura told Krishna that he and Balarama were not mere boys, their exploits were well-known all over the kingdom. I will take you on. Mushtika will fight with Balarama."
The challenge was accepted. The spectators protested that this was an unfair contest between two professional wrestlers and two innocent boys; it was like a contest between rocks and flowers. Kamsa ignored the protests and flagged off the contest.
The professional wrestlers tried all their skills and tricks to down Krishna and Balarama and failed miserably. The boys were agile and smart in their movements and tired out the professionals. The wrestlers were now gasping for breath. Krishna clung to the neck of Chamura and brought him down. Balarama punched Mushtika on his face and chest till the latter vomited blood and fell down.
Kamsa was in fury, "Seize these evil lads. Seize all the visitors from Brindavan. Put them in chains."
