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Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Sri Caitanya Siksamrita describes the

demons Krishna killed in His Vrindavana pastimes and the anarthas (unwanted

things)

that they represent.

 

Putana - the pseudo guru

Sakatasura (the cart demon) - carrying the burden of a cart-load of old and

new bad habits, lethargy and vanity.

Trinavarta (the whirlwind demon) - false pride which comes from material

scholarship, which leads to bogus philosophies.

Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva (breaking the twin arjuna trees) -

Arrogant pride which comes from puffed-up prestige, which is rooted in a

madness

for wealth.

Vatsasura (the calf demon) - a childish type of mentality which gives rise to

a type of greediness which results in a wicked type of mischievousness.

Bakasura (stork demon) - Cunning duplicity, deceptiveness and false types of

behavior.

Aghasura (the snake demon) - Cruelty and violence.

Brahma-vimohana Pastime (Lord Brahma steals the cowherd boys and calves) - mun

dane activities and speculative scholasticism.

Dhenukasura (the ass demon) - gross materialistic intelligence, ignorance of

spiritual knowledge.

Kaliya (chastising the Kaliya serpent) - brutality and treachery.

Extinguishing the Forest Fire - inter-communal discord among Vaishnavas.

Pralambasura (killing the Pralamba demon) - lusty inclinations; desire for

personal gain and honor.

Second Forest Fire - disturbance of religious principles and interference

with religious people who are atheist.

Brahmanas Performing Sacrifice - indifference toward Krishna caused by pride

because of one's status (position) in varnasrama.

Overcoming the Pride of Indra - demigod worship, and the tendency to think "I

am Supreme."

Nanda Maharaja Captured by Varuna - thinking that spiritual life can be

enhanced by intoxication.

Nanda Maharaja Swallowed by Vidyadhara (the snake) - rescuing the truth of

Krishna consciousness from being swallowed by the impersonalists.

Sankhacuda (killing the conch-shell demon and getting the jewel that was

stolen by him) - proneness toward acquiring name and fame, and desire for

sensuous

enjoyment, under the plea of devotion.

Aristasura (the bull demon) - pride arising from indulging in false religions

invented by cheaters which causes neglect of devotional service (bhakti).

Kesi (the horse demon) - The feeling that "I am a great devotee and spiritual

master."

Vyomasura (the demon in the sky) - associating with thieves and other

rascals, and with people who put themselves forward as avataras.

 

Bhaktivinoda Thakura says: "The devotee who worships the holy name should

first petition the Lord for the strength to cast out all these unfavorable

tendencies and should pray thus before Lord Hari on a daily basis. By doing

this

regularly, the devotee's heart will eventually become purified. Sri Krishna has

 

killed a number of demons which may arise in the kingdom of the heart, so in

order to destroy these problems, a devotee must cry very humbly before the Lord

 

and admit defeat then the Lord will nullify all contaminations."