Pralamba Vadha - The Demon in the Game

Dadi**: Guddu beta, did you know that demons sometimes tried to trick Krishna by pretending to be his friends?

Guddu**: They tried to fool God?!

Dadi**: They tried! Tonight's story is about a demon who disguised himself as a village boy and joined Krishna's games - but he didn't know he was playing with the wrong brother!

Guddu**: What happened?

Dadi**: In Vrindavan, the cowherd boys loved to play games every afternoon after the cows were settled. They would wrestle, race, climb trees, and play their favorite game - carrying contests!

Guddu**: What's a carrying contest?

Dadi**: They would divide into two teams. After each round, the losing team had to carry the winning team on their shoulders to a designated spot. Lots of fun, lots of laughter!

Guddu**: That sounds like fun!

Dadi**: One day, a stranger appeared. He was tall and strong, and he said his name was Pralamba, from a nearby village. "Can I play?" he asked.

Guddu**: Was he really from a nearby village?

Dadi**: Not at all! Pralamba was a demon sent by King Kamsa to kill Krishna. He had transformed his appearance to look like an ordinary boy.

Guddu**: Did Krishna know?

Dadi**: Krishna recognized him immediately! But instead of exposing him, Krishna arranged the teams in a special way. He put Pralamba on Balarama's team - the team playing against Krishna.

Guddu**: Why Balarama's team?

Dadi**: Wait and see, beta! The games began, and Krishna's team won the first round. Per the rules, the losers had to carry the winners.

Guddu**: Did Pralamba have to carry someone?

Dadi**: He saw his chance! Balarama, Krishna's elder brother, was even more valuable in some ways. "Kill the brother, and Krishna might be weakened by grief," Pralamba thought.

Guddu**: Oh no!

Dadi**: Pralamba bent down, inviting Balarama to climb on his shoulders. Balarama suspected nothing and climbed on. But instead of walking toward the finish line...

Guddu**: What did he do?

Dadi**: The demon ran in the opposite direction! Away from the group, into the deep forest! And as he ran, his disguise began to fall apart.

Guddu**: His disguise?

Dadi**: His body started growing - larger, more monstrous. His skin darkened, his eyes blazed red. The friendly village boy transformed into a terrifying demon!

Guddu**: Balarama was on a demon's back?!

Dadi**: Being carried away from everyone he knew! But here's what Pralamba didn't understand, beta. Balarama wasn't just Krishna's brother - he was an incarnation of the cosmic serpent Shesha, incredibly powerful in his own right!

Guddu**: What did Balarama do?

Dadi**: At first, he was startled. Then he realized what was happening. His face grew calm, then fierce. He clenched his fist and struck Pralamba on the head with tremendous force!

Guddu**: One punch?

Dadi**: One punch was all it took! Balarama's fist crashed down like a thunderbolt. Pralamba's head shattered. The demon fell dead, crashing to the ground like a mountain struck by lightning.

Guddu**: Balarama was that strong?!

Dadi**: As strong as his brother in different ways! He walked calmly back to the games, carrying the demon's garland as a trophy. The other boys cheered when they heard what had happened.

Guddu**: The demon thought he was tricking them, but he was the one who got tricked!

Dadi**: Exactly! Evil always underestimates good. Pralamba thought he was hunting - he didn't realize he was the prey all along.

Guddu**: And Krishna knew it would work out?

Dadi**: Krishna arranged everything. He put Pralamba on Balarama's team precisely because he knew what would happen. The demon sealed his own fate the moment he decided to play.

Guddu**: Never mess with Krishna's family!

Dadi**: Never mess with those protected by the Divine! Goodnight, beta.

Guddu**: Goodnight, Dadi!