When Krishna Swallowed the Forest Fire to Save Cows and Cowherd

On a scorching summer day, young Krishna and his sakhas (cowherd friends) led their cows to the banks of the Yamuna River. The cattle drank deeply, quenching their thirst under the blazing sun, before wandering freely to graze. Engrossed in playful games, the boys lost track of time—and their cows.

Unnoticed, the herd strayed into the dense thickets of Munjavan, a forest known for its labyrinthine paths. By the time the sakhas realized the cows were missing, the animals had vanished into the wilderness.

Alarmed, the boys rushed to search for the herd, leaving Krishna and his elder brother Balarama behind.

Deep within Munjavan, the cows wandered helplessly, disoriented by the maze of trees. As the sakhas ventured deeper, danger loomed: agents of the tyrant Kansa, ever scheming to eliminate Krishna, seized their chance. They ignited a raging fire that engulfed the dry forest, trapping the boys and cows in a ring of flames. Smoke billowed, heat roared, and escape seemed impossible.

Terrified, the sakhas cried out, “Krishna! Save us!” Their desperate pleas pierced the heavens. In an instant, Krishna, the divine protector, appeared before them, his presence radiating calm. “Close your eyes,” he instructed, his voice steady.

Without hesitation, the boys obeyed. As their eyes shut, Krishna inhaled deeply, drawing the colossal inferno into himself. The flames twisted like a fiery serpent, swallowed whole by his divine power. When the sakhas opened their eyes, the forest was serene, save for the charred earth beneath their feet.

The rescue at Munjavan became legend. The site, thereafter called Munjatavi or Isikatavi (the “Saved Forest”), stood as a testament to Krishna’s boundless compassion and might. His act not only thwarted Kansa’s malice but also reaffirmed his role as the guardian of the devout.

The sakhas, awestruck and grateful, marveled at how their beloved friend had once again turned peril into peace—a reminder that faith in the divine could conquer even the fiercest trials.