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The story of Shri Krishna’s birth is a significant narrative found in several ancient texts, primarily the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, and Harivamsa. These scriptures offer detailed accounts of the divine circumstances surrounding Krishna’s birth, the intricate play of divine forces, and the profound spiritual significance behind each event. Here’s an elaboration of the story, rooted in these scriptures:
The Background: The Earth’s Plea to Lord Vishnu
According to the Bhagavata Purana, the Earth, personified as the goddess Bhudevi, was overwhelmed by the increasing burden of unrighteousness and adharma due to the tyrannical rulers and demons on the planet. Unable to bear the weight of the evil forces, Bhudevi, in the form of a cow, approached Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, for help.
Moved by her plight, Lord Brahma, along with Bhudevi and other gods, went to the shore of the cosmic ocean where Lord Vishnu resides. They collectively prayed to Lord Vishnu, who assured them that he would descend to the Earth in his divine form to restore dharma and relieve the burden of the Earth.
The Curse of Kamsa
The roots of the story can also be traced to a curse in a previous life of Kamsa. It is said that Kamsa was an incarnation of a demon named Kalanemi, who was slain by Lord Vishnu in a previous era. Due to his demonic nature and enmity towards Vishnu, Kalanemi was reborn as Kamsa, destined to meet his end at the hands of Vishnu in his incarnation as Krishna.
The Birth of Devaki and Her Marriage to Vasudeva
Devaki, who would become Krishna’s mother, was born as a princess in the Yadava clan, the daughter of King Devaka. She was a pious and virtuous woman, well-known for her devotion. She married Vasudeva, a nobleman from the same clan who was known for his righteousness and valor.
The Vishnu Purana elaborates on the joyous occasion of their marriage, where Kamsa, her cousin and the ruler of Mathura, took it upon himself to personally drive the chariot carrying the newlyweds to their home. However, this joy was short-lived as the prophecy of Kamsa’s downfall was soon revealed.
The Prophecy of Akashvani
As Kamsa drove the chariot, a divine voice, known as Akashvani, resonated from the sky. The voice proclaimed that the eighth child of Devaki would be his destroyer. This prophecy, as recorded in the Bhagavata Purana, shook Kamsa to his core. Enraged and terrified, Kamsa unsheathed his sword, ready to kill Devaki on the spot.
Vasudeva, with great presence of mind, intervened, begging Kamsa to spare Devaki’s life. He promised to hand over each child born to them to Kamsa, thus pacifying him temporarily. Kamsa agreed but threw both Devaki and Vasudeva into a heavily guarded prison to ensure that the prophecy could not come true.
The Births of Devaki’s Children
Devaki and Vasudeva’s first six children were born in the prison. Each time, as per his promise, Vasudeva handed the newborns over to Kamsa. Without any mercy, Kamsa killed each child by smashing their heads against the prison walls. This act of brutality is depicted vividly in the Harivamsa and other texts, showcasing Kamsa’s increasing fear and desperation.
The Mysterious Seventh Pregnancy
When Devaki conceived her seventh child, the scriptures describe a miraculous event. This child was none other than Ananta Shesha, the thousand-headed serpent on whom Lord Vishnu rests in the cosmic ocean. Lord Vishnu commanded Yogamaya, the goddess of illusion, to transfer the fetus from Devaki’s womb to that of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva who lived in Gokul, away from Kamsa’s reach. This divine transfer is called Rohini Nakshatra (transfer of Rohini), and the child born from Rohini became known as Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.
To the world, it appeared as though Devaki had miscarried, adding to her and Vasudeva’s grief.
The Divine Birth of Krishna
In the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna’s birth is described as a divine spectacle. The night was marked by the Rohini Nakshatra (auspicious star), a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. The environment was serene, with nature herself celebrating the impending arrival of the Supreme Being.
At midnight, the precise moment foretold in the scriptures, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Krishna in the prison cell. He appeared in his divine form, adorned with four arms, holding his characteristic symbols: the conch (shankha), discus (chakra), mace (gada), and lotus (padma). His form was effulgent, illuminating the dark prison with divine light.
Seeing this divine manifestation, Devaki and Vasudeva were overwhelmed with devotion and fear. They praised the Lord with folded hands, offering their prayers. Devaki, though elated to see her divine son, was concerned about his safety. She pleaded with Lord Vishnu to take on a more human form so that Kamsa would not recognize him as the prophesied child.
In response to their prayers, Krishna transformed into an ordinary infant. He then instructed Vasudeva to carry him to Gokul, where Nanda and Yashoda lived, and to bring back the newborn girl lying beside Yashoda.
The Miraculous Journey to Gokul
The Bhagavata Purana describes how, upon Krishna’s instructions, the chains binding Vasudeva fell off, and the prison doors, guarded heavily, opened silently. Vasudeva placed the infant Krishna in a basket and began his journey to Gokul.
As he approached the Yamuna River, a powerful storm was raging, and the river was swollen with strong currents. However, as soon as Vasudeva stepped into the river, the waters parted, creating a safe path for him to cross. Ananta Shesha, in the form of a divine serpent, appeared above Vasudeva, protecting the infant Krishna from the torrential rain.
Upon reaching Gokul, Vasudeva entered the house of Nanda and Yashoda, who were both asleep. He quietly placed Krishna beside Yashoda and took the newborn girl. He then returned to Mathura, where the prison doors closed behind him, and the guards awoke, unaware of what had transpired.
The Deception of Kamsa
The next morning, the news of the birth of Devaki’s eighth child reached Kamsa. He rushed to the prison, determined to kill the child. However, when he tried to strike the newborn girl, she slipped from his hands and rose into the sky, transforming into the goddess Yogamaya. The goddess, laughing at Kamsa, told him that the one who would kill him had already been born and was safe elsewhere. She then disappeared, leaving Kamsa in a state of despair.
Kamsa, now more paranoid than ever, ordered a mass slaughter of all newborns in his kingdom, hoping to eliminate his destined destroyer. Despite his efforts, Krishna grew up safely in Gokul, under the loving care of Yashoda and Nanda, and eventually returned to Mathura to fulfill the prophecy by defeating Kamsa.
The Spiritual Significance
Krishna’s birth is celebrated as Janmashtami, marking the descent of the Supreme Divine into the material world to establish dharma and defeat adharma. His birth story is not just a narrative of events but also carries profound spiritual symbolism. The prison represents the material world, the shackles symbolize ignorance, and Krishna’s arrival signifies the dawn of spiritual awakening. Vasudeva’s journey across the Yamuna symbolizes the soul’s journey towards liberation, guided by divine grace.
This story, steeped in divine interventions and miraculous occurrences, encapsulates the essence of Krishna’s life and mission – to rid the world of evil, establish righteousness, and bring joy and enlightenment to all beings.
