Kansa Calls Shakti

Shakti’s PR Firm was growing at an alarming rate. Since Shantanu and Ganga had visited, Rama and Sita made an appearance, and the phone started ringing off the hook. Because so many people were calling in need of her empowering consultations, press interviews, or simply just a tour of the firm, Bala and Neerav had to start turning people down. They decided to propose a meeting with Shakti to figure out what her priorities were, so that they could filter in the right clients for Shakti’s needs.

“What kind of clients do you want to work with?” Bala asked as she furrowed her brow and held a pen closely to her notepad, ready to write. Before Shakti could answer, the intern chimed in.

“Big names? Good guys? Only women?” Neerav rapidly questioned.

“Big names…” Shakti said while thinking. “Bad guys.”

“Bad guys?” Bala was shocked. “What do you mean? Are you about to throw away the integrity of this office? You’ve worked so hard - no, we’ve worked so hard to maintain a good-”

“Bala!” Shakti interrupted her. “Are you about to tell me that you don’t believe in second chances? I say give me the meanest, most evil client. Let’s make him good. Let’s turn his negative image into a positive image. It’s in our name!”

“Well…” Neerav nervously said. “There is this one client…”

“Absolutely not, Neerav,” Bala exclaimed. “I do not want him setting foot into this firm.”

“Who?” Shakti asked.

“Kansa…” Neerav began telling Shakti the story of Kansa and Krishna. “For some reason that he won’t share with us, ever since Krishna was born, Kansa has been trying to destroy him. We’re talking about a grown man sending demons and basically hit-men to kill a baby, a child, and now he’s grown into a young man. Kansa wants your help, Shakti. He wants to turn his life around and become more trusted by the public.”

“This has been going on for Krishna’s entire life,” Bala firmly stated. “Before Krishna was even born, Kansa was a full-out murderer! He killed Devaki's other children... He is evil. A murderer! We’re just supposed to believe that he’s normal now? All of a sudden?” She stood up in protest.

“I imagine he’ll be paying us quite a bit for this service?” Shakti asked Neerav as she ignored Bala.

“Oh absolutely!” Neerav answered while nodding his head.

“Bala,” Shakti finally addressed her receptionist. “if we can turn his life around and truly give him a second chance at a good life, think about the raise that I could be able to give you and Neerav!”

“Raise?” Neerav said. “This is an unpaid…”

“Fine,” Bala interrupted. “I’ll set up an appointment with him.”

“Better yet, get him on line one.” Shakti started walking to her office from the conference room. “I want to hear his side of the story from him, personally.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bala walked to her desk and got Kansa on the line.

“Hello?” Kansa answered.

“Kansa, this is Plus Image PR,” Bala said. “Shakti wants to speak with you at this time before we start working together. I’ll transfer you if you have the time.”

“I have the time.” His voice sent a chill down Bala’s spine. He sounded exactly like she could have imagined what a murderer sounded like. Bala couldn’t believe that she had to welcome him into her office soon, but she needed more money to save for law school. She hoped to one day put criminals like Kansa behind bars, but as for now, she had to invite him over for tea.

“Shakti speaking,” Shakti picked up her phone. “I need to know everything.”

“Listen, I found out that Krishna is the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.” Kansa started telling his story. “He’s supposed to kill me, and I just wanted to keep that from happening. Since I found out that it really is Krishna, I’ve made countless efforts to end his life before he can end mine. Is that so bad? I don’t want to die.”

“I see…” Shakti said, as she thought about how to handle the situation. “Why don’t you come on in to the office tomorrow at sunrise?”

“See you then.” Kansa hung up the phone.

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Later that evening, Shakti was in her home preparing to go to sleep, and her phone rang.

“Shakti, it’s Bala.” Bala sounded worried. “We’ve lost a client…”

“Who? How?” Shakti became furious.

“It’s Kansa…” Bala quietly said. “Krishna killed him.”

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(Krishna defeats Kansa. Image from Indian Astrology.)

AUTHOR's note:

My theme is a PR consultant firm with the main character, Shakti, who advises her clients of ways to protect or improve their reputations in India. Shakti is a made up character, but I hope I am able to write her in a way that brings her to life just as much as the Indian Epic characters are alive for you already. A few weeks ago, I read Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories, and I was very intrigued with the characters Kansa and Krishna. They reminded me of Hades and Hercules, if I have any readers from the Greek mythology course.

In this story, Krishna was the reincarnation of the Lord Vishnu, and he was destined to slay Kansa and anyone who is an ally to Kansa. Kansa became very nervous and weary of the soon-to-be child that he knew would be the one to bring him to his demise, so he sent out many searches to locate this specific child. Once he found Krishna, he sent many demons to try to kill the boy, but each failed.

I thought it would be interesting to have a conflict between Shakti and Bala to add more character depth to Bala, and to show how powerful Shakti is. As per the original story, Krishna kills Kansa, and I thought that it would be a surprising and unique way to end the story. I hope you enjoyed it!

Bibliography: Title: Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories / Author: C. A. Kincaid / Year: 1920