Krishna and Balarama then went towards the entrance of the wrestling arena. But they found that a fierce elephant, Kuvalayapida, was blocking the entrance.
Though they asked the keeper of the elephant, who was on top of the animal, to make it step aside for them to pass, the keeper refused to do so. Krishna knew that the man wanted to cause him harm, so he tightened his clothes and got ready to fight.
He said to the elephant keeper, "You mischievous man, I know you do not want to let us enter the arena. If you block our way with your elephant, I will kill you both!"
But the keeper only became angry and made the elephant attack Krishna. The elephant rushed towards Krishna, but Krishna stepped aside right on time and got behind the animal.
Kuvalayapida tried to catch Krishna with his trunk, but Krishna escaped him again. He caught hold of the elephant's tail and began to pull it. He dragged the elephant about twenty five yards as though it was weightless.
Then he pulled it from side to side. Next, Krishna stepped in front of the elephant and gave it a strong slap. Krishna then fell flat and placed himself in front of the elephant's two legs, causing it to trip and fall!
Krishna got up immediately but the elephant thought the boy was still under his feet and tried to pierce him with its tusk.