Demons always attempt to subvert the divine and on learning about the Preserver descending onto earth in human form, the underworld sent a stream of emissaries to eliminate the avatar. A demon disguised as a maid befriended Krishna's foster mother, who had no idea that her child had been exchanged. The maid tried to kill Krishna by applying poison on her breasts and feeding her milk to him, but Krishna sucked all the life out of her and the demon lay dead, leaving everyone bewildered as to what had happened. As Krishna grew older, a series of attempts were made on his life. A multi headed cobra attacked him while he was swimming, but Krishna climbed onto the top of its many heads and started to tap dance savagely, working up a frenzy and battered it lifeless with his feet. A serpent dragon tried to swallow him, while he was bathing in the pond, but Krishna climbed into its mouth and tore it apart with his bare hands.