U Lakshman Rao
In the vast domain of the Nexus, many kings and demons held sway, perpetrating heinous acts upon common folk and unleashing their wrath, especially upon women. Without conscience, they laid waste to nature, plundering her sacred wealth for selfish gain. Mother Earth, aggrieved by the calamity befalling her, took the form of a divine cow and approached Brahma, the Creator, pouring forth her sorrow and the unbearable state of the world.
Moved by compassion, Brahma consoled her and, accompanied by sages and gods, went to Lord Vishnu. The Supreme Lord assured them that he would descend in a divine incarnation to restore dharma and deliver the world from its affliction. Brahma, thus instructed, advised the gods to take human birth in the Yadu clan to aid the incarnation in his divine mission. Upon receiving Hari’s assurance, all the celestial beings departed to fulfill their destined roles.
In the Yadu dynasty, King Surasena ruled the city of Madhura. His queen, Marisha, bore him a son named Vasudeva. Vasudeva married Devaki, the daughter of King Ugrasena. On the occasion of her wedding, her brother Kamsa, filled with affection, took the reins of their chariot to escort them to their abode. But as they journeyed, a divine voice thundered from the skies: “O Kamsa! The eighth child born to your sister shall bring about your doom!”
Shaken by the prophecy, Kamsa unsheathed his sword to slay Devaki, but Vasudeva intervened with wisdom and persuasion. Kamsa agreed not to kill her immediately but instead imprisoned both and declared that every child born to them would be handed over for execution. Thus, for six consecutive years, each son of Devaki was slain by the tyrant.
When the seventh child was conceived, divine will intervened. Sage Narada appeared and enlightened Kamsa, warning him that the Yadu clan itself was the dwelling place of celestial beings and that Lord Vishnu would soon descend to destroy the wicked. Alarmed, Kamsa intensified his oppression. He imprisoned his noble father, brothers, and friends. His court was crowded with demons and unrighteous kings—Pralamba, Mustika, Arishta, Dvivida, Trinavarta, Putana, Bana, the King of Magadha—and these wreaked havoc across sacred kingdoms such as Kekaya, Panchala, and Vidarbha.
At this juncture, Devaki conceived the divine child, destined to restore righteousness. Lord Vishnu instructed Yogamaya to transfer the divine embryo from Devaki’s womb to that of Rohini, Vasudeva’s other wife, residing in Gokula. “Thereafter,” said Vishnu, “I shall be born as Devaki’s son. You, Yogamaya, shall be born to Yasoda. Exchange the children at the hour of my birth.”
In due course, Devaki went into labour. The cosmos itself seemed to rejoice. Oceans stilled, clouds echoed sacred chants, stars gleamed with celestial brilliance, and the fragrance of flowers perfumed the breeze. The lakes glistened, lotus blooms danced with bees, and the skies rained blossoms upon the earth. At midnight, during the dark fortnight of the month of Sravana, under the star Rohini—favourite to Brahma and beloved of the Moon—Krishna was born.
Within the prison, Vasudeva beheld the divine child. The newborn had four arms bearing conch, discus, mace, and lotus. His eyes were like blooming lotuses, his form radiant with yellow silk, a garland of jewels adorning his chest, and golden ornaments gracing his limbs. Vasudeva and Devaki trembled with awe. The Lord then revealed to them their divine connection through past births: as Prishni and Sutapa, as Aditi and Kashyapa, and now, again, as his earthly parents.
At the Lord’s bidding, Vasudeva carried the divine child across the Yamuna to Gokula. The gates of the prison opened by divine power, and all obstacles faded. Reaching the house of Nanda, he exchanged the infant Krishna with Yogamaya, born to Yasoda, and returned.
When Kamsa learned of the birth, he rushed to kill the child, unaware that it was Yogamaya in disguise. As he raised the child to dash her to death, she slipped from his hands, rose into the sky, and declared, “Foolish Kamsa! Your destroyer is born elsewhere. You cannot escape your fate.” Alarmed and humbled, Kamsa released Vasudeva and Devaki, though he secretly plotted anew. He summoned his advisers and resolved to kill all newborns in the region.
Meanwhile, Krishna flourished in Gokula, performing divine feats. The demoness Putana came to poison him through false motherhood, but the infant devoured her life instead. Trinavarta, the whirlwind demon, was also slain. Krishna’s mischief delighted all, though he often frightened the villagers with his divine acts. One day, when caught eating soil, his mother Yasoda beheld the entire universe in his mouth.
Bound to a grinding stone for his pranks, Krishna dragged it between two trees, which fell and revealed two cursed celestial beings—sons of Kubera—liberated by his grace. Demons continued to assail him: Vatsasura, the calf-demon; Bakasura, the monstrous crane; Aghasura, a serpent that devoured all; and Dhenukasura, the ass-demon, all met their end at Krishna’s hand.
The Yamuna was tainted by the serpent Kaliya, but Krishna subdued him and commanded his departure. When the cowherds were trapped in a forest fire, Krishna swallowed the flames and delivered them. He played his flute, charming all beings and teaching that unity, love, and devotion are the essence of life. He rejected Indra’s worship and exalted Govardhana Hill, lifting it on his little finger to protect his people from the storming god’s wrath.
Later, Krishna freed Nanda from a serpent’s grip and vanquished Sankhasura, a demon who menaced the Gopis. Kamsa’s attempts to kill Krishna intensified. He sent demons like Keshi and Vyomasura, both slain. Ultimately, he summoned Krishna and Balarama to Madhura under the guise of honour.
Warned of deceit, the brothers journeyed with Akrura. On arrival, Krishna broke a mighty bow gifted to Kamsa, enraging him. The next day, Krishna and Balarama entered the wrestling arena, defeated the monstrous elephant Kuvalayapeeda, and slew the wrestlers Chanura and Mustika. Kamsa, in fury, attacked, but Krishna seized him, dashed him to the earth, and ended his tyranny. His brothers, too, were slain. Joy swept through the land, and Krishna met his parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, once more.
Thereafter, Krishna and Balarama studied under Sage Sandipani. As guru-dakshina, Krishna retrieved the sage’s lost son from a demon. Meanwhile, Jarasandha, father-in-law of Kamsa, repeatedly attacked Madhura with vast armies. Each time, Krishna and Balarama routed him. When a powerful barbarian king threatened the city, Krishna secured land from the Ocean God and had Vishvakarma build a resplendent city—Dwaraka—where the Yadavas were relocated.
Krishna lured and defeated the invincible Kalayavana by drawing him into the cave of Muchukunda, who reduced the intruder to ashes. Later, Krishna married Rukmini, slayed Sishupala, and defeated the demon Narakasura with the help of Satyabhama. He also retrieved the Syamantaka jewel from Jambavan, marrying both Jambavati and Satyabhama.
Krishna continued to rescue and protect his people, defeating the likes of Banasura, restoring cosmic balance, and becoming the guiding force of dharma on earth. His deeds were innumerable, his glory boundless, and through him, the Earth found peace once more.
