Krishna killed Kansa by confronting him directly during a public event arranged by Kansa. After defeating the wrestler Chanura, Krishna faced Kansa, who pulled out his sword to attack him. Krishna ran up to Kansa, grabbed him by the hair, and pulled him down, causing Kansa to lose grip of his sword and fall backward. Krishna then took the sword and beheaded Kansa with a single strike. To prove Kansa was dead, Krishna dragged his body around the wrestling ring, just as a lion drags a dead elephant, displaying his victory to everyone present

. This act fulfilled the divine prophecy that Kansa would be killed by the eighth child of his sister Devaki, Krishna. After killing Kansa, Krishna freed his parents and grandfather, and the people of Mathura rejoiced at the end of Kansa's tyranny