Balarama vs Dhenukasura: The Battle in Talavana

Near the town of Vrindavan, there was a beautiful forest named Talavana. It was full of tall palm trees that grew sweet, round fruits.

When the fruits ripened, a delicious smell drifted on the breeze. It smelled like fresh honey and sweet flowers. Everyone in the village could smell the sweet fruit, but no one ever ate it.

No one dared to step inside Talavana. Not the farmers, not the cowherd boys, and not even the deer or birds.

A terrible demon named Dhenukasura lived in the grove.

He worked for the wicked King Kansa and had the body of a huge, angry wild donkey. He had sharp teeth and powerful hooves, and he guarded the trees with a pack of other fierce donkey demons. If anyone came near, the forest shook with loud braying and angry stomping.

One sunny morning, Krishna, his elder brother Balarama, and their cowherd friends were playing nearby.

 
The wind blew, carrying the sweet smell of the palm fruits. Krishna’s close friend, Shridama, looked at the tall trees. His mouth began to water.

“Balarama! Krishna!” Shridama said. “Do you smell that? The palm fruits in Talavana are ripe and sweet! But Dhenukasura guards them, and we are all afraid. Balarama, you are so strong. Will you please go and get some for us?” Krishna and Balarama looked at their friends and smiled.

“Let’s go,” said Balarama. The boys followed Balarama and Krishna to the edge of the forest. The trees stood tall and dark against the sky.

Balarama walked up to one of the biggest palm trees. He wrapped his strong arms around the trunk and shook it with all his might.

THUMP! THUD! CRASH!

Dozens of heavy, sweet fruits fell to the ground. The forest floor was covered in delicious treats. Deep inside the dark trees, Dhenukasura was resting. The sound of shaking trees and falling fruit woke him up.

HEEE-HAWW!

His angry roar echoed through the woods. The ground rumbled as the gigantic donkey charged forward, kicking up clouds of dust.

The cowherd boys ran back in fear.

Dhenukasura galloped straight at Balarama. He turned around quickly and kicked Balarama right in the chest with his hard back hooves!

Balarama was so strong that he did not even move an inch. He simply smiled. Dhenukasura grew angrier. He turned to kick Balarama a second time.

Before the demon could kick, Balarama acted. With just one hand, he caught Dhenukasura by both hind legs! Balarama lifted the heavy donkey off the ground.

He spun the demon round and round in circles through the air, faster and faster, until Dhenukasura grew completely dizzy. Then, Balarama hurled the demon straight up into the tallest palm tree!

CRASH!

Dhenukasura struck the tree, bringing his evil deeds to an end. The tree snapped and fell onto another tree, and that tree fell onto another, knocking down a row of palm trees like dominoes.

Hearing the crash, the rest of the donkey demons rushed out from the shadows, showing their sharp teeth.

Krishna and Balarama were ready. As each donkey demon charged, the brothers caught them by their back legs, whirled them through the air, and tossed them into the palm trees.

Soon, the fight was over.

The dark forest was quiet and peaceful at last. The scary sounds were gone, and bright sunlight beamed through the trees.

The cowherd boys ran into the grove cheering. They picked up the ripe, fallen fruits and ate as many as they liked. Later, the cows walked into the forest to graze on the fresh green grass.

Thanks to Balarama’s strength and bravery, the secret of Talavana was no longer a scary mystery. The dangerous grove was now open and safe for all of Vrindavan to enjoy.

Episode 11: Balarama Defeats Dhenukasura — Balarama killed the demon Dhenukasura and made Talavana safe for everyone once again.

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