Kamsa had deputed several demons to find the baby Krishna and kill him. Demons appeared in numerous forms in Gokul to kill baby Krishna. Horse demon Keshi was one among them.
Krishna killed Aristasura, a demon in the form of a bull.
But before the cowherd settlement in Vrindavan could take up the threads of their peaceful existence, Demon Keshi leapt upon Gokul as a fierce, unbridled horse.
Gopas, gopis and other residents of Gokul flood from the village and took refuge in the forest.
Krishna arrived on the scene and asked the residents of Gokul not to be afraid.
You Krishna ran towards Keshi and attempted to stop the unruly horse demon. The horse began to kick at him but Krishna twisted the horse’s front legs, pushed the beast back, lifted it up and threw it far away.
The horse came back towards him neighing fiercely. Krishna pushed one of his hands into its throat and gave a heavy shove to its stomach.
Horse demon Keshi fell down dead with blood gushing from its eyes, ears, nose, mouth and the rest of the body parts.
Great sages, Indra and other Devas, and Lord Brahma showered flowers down from the sky.
Nandagopa and Yasoda rushed to their son embraced him with great relief and love.
Balarama, Krishna and other gopas and gopis celebrated the defeat of the demon.
Symbolism Of Demon Keshi
Keshi demon represents the anartha of pride in one’s own devotional practices and achievements. Keshi also represents the sense of vanity and ego. Keshi was a horse. Horses are controlled by pulling their mouth with ropes. So, Krishna put His hand right in the mouth of Keshi and controlled him. Proud people often boast about themselves with their own mouth and criticize others. So, one should curtail these demoniac tendencies by restricting ones tongue from engaging in prajalpa (unnecessary gossip) and by chanting the holy names of Krishna. (as told by Radhanath Swami)