Arishtasura - The Bull Demon

Dadi: "Beta Guddu, do you know what makes the earth shake under your feet?"

Guddu: "An earthquake, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Sometimes, yes. But in the ancient times of Vrindavan, when the ground trembled, it meant something far more terrifying was approaching. One day, the villagers felt the earth shake with each thundering step. Dogs howled. Cattle panicked. Children ran to their mothers."

Guddu: "What was coming, Dadi?"

Dadi: "A demon named Arishtasura, beta. He had taken the form of a monstrous bull - not like the gentle cows we see today. No, this creature was a mountain of muscle and rage. His horns were massive, curved like siege weapons, sharp enough to pierce city walls. His eyes glowed red with hatred, and they were fixed on one target."

Guddu: "Who was he looking for?"

Dadi: "Little Krishna, of course. King Kansa kept sending demons to destroy the child he feared most. The villagers scrambled for shelter, but there was nowhere safe. This demon could demolish houses with a toss of his head."

Guddu: "That is so scary! What did Krishna do?"

Dadi: "He stepped forward, beta - this small boy placing himself between the demon and his entire village. He called out to Arishtasura, "You want me? Come and get me.""

Guddu: "But he was just a child!"

Dadi: "Ah, but what a child! The bull charged. The ground cracked beneath his hooves. He moved like an avalanche aimed directly at Krishna. And do you know what Krishna did?"

Guddu: "Did he run away?"

Dadi: "He stood perfectly still, watching the demon approach. At the very last moment, he simply sidestepped, grabbed one horn, and redirected the charge. The bull went crashing past, bellowing in confusion."

Guddu: "Like a bullfighter!"

Dadi: "Exactly, beta! The demon charged again and again - and each time Krishna danced aside, touching a horn, guiding Arishtasura harmlessly past. To the watching villagers, it looked like a game."

Guddu: "The demon must have been so angry!"

Dadi: "Furious! His attacks became wilder, more desperate. Finally he bellowed, "Stop playing with me! Fight!" And Krishna simply replied, "If you insist.""

Guddu: "Then what happened, Dadi?"

Dadi: "On the next charge, Krishna did not sidestep. He met the demon head-on. His small hands caught both those massive horns and stopped the charge completely. The ground cracked beneath their feet as they struggled - but neither moved."

Guddu: "Krishna was that strong?"

Dadi: "Stronger than any demon could imagine. Krishna said to him, "You are strong, but strength alone is not enough." Then he twisted - and tore off one of the demon's horns!"

Guddu: "Oh my!"

Dadi: "Arishtasura screamed in agony. Half his weapon, gone like a twig from a tree. And then Krishna struck with that very horn. The pointed tip pierced the demon's heart. Arishtasura fell with a crash that shook houses and toppled fences."

Guddu: "The villagers must have been so happy!"

Dadi: "They were celebrating, beta. But Krishna stood apart, thoughtful. His brother Balarama said, "Another one. Kansa must be running out of demons." But Krishna replied, "There are always more demons. What concerns me is the people. They should not have to live like this, waiting for the next attack.""

Guddu: "Did he do something about it?"

Dadi: "He knew that one day, he would have to go to Mathura and face Kansa himself - the source of all this violence. Not yet, but soon. Sometimes, beta, we must stop the symptoms, but eventually we must address the root cause."

Guddu: "What does this teach us, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Two things, my child. First, that true courage is not about being the biggest or strongest - it is about standing firm when others need you. That small boy protected an entire village. Second, that we should not just keep solving the same problems again and again. Sometimes we must find the courage to address what is really causing the trouble, even if it is frightening."

Guddu: "Like when I keep having the same fight with my friend?"

Dadi: "Exactly! Instead of arguing each time, maybe talk about what is really bothering both of you. That is wisdom, beta - seeing past the immediate problem to what lies beneath. Now, shall I tell you about another demon Krishna faced?"

Guddu: "Yes please, Dadi!"