Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, emerged as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Devaki, the sister of the cruel King Kansa, was married to Vasudev under Kansa’s arrangement. However, a celestial voice proclaimed Kansa’s impending demise upon the birth of Devaki’s eighth son.

Upon hearing this prophecy, Kansa, fearing his fate, sought to immediately end Devaki’s life. Vasudeva, in a desperate plea, persuaded Kansa to spare her life, promising to hand over each newborn to him. Despite the promise, Kansa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva.

To further secure his reign of terror, Kansa imprisoned even his own father. As Devaki bore children, Kansa ruthlessly executed each newborn on the day of their birth, perpetuating a tragic cycle of tyranny and loss.

Krishna and Vishnu are inseparable, with Krishna being the revered 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu, a central deity in Hinduism. Adored by devotees, Krishna is a symbol of love and tranquility. In every Yuga Chakra, he manifests to safeguard and uphold Dharma.

From mischievous infancy to an enchanting dark-skinned youth, Krishna’s depiction in Vedic scriptures is diverse. The name Krishna, signifying night or black, mirrors his allure. With playful charm, he captivates young gopis and the residents of Vrindavan through his radiant eyes and divine aura. His flute melodies steal hearts, creating a profound connection with his worshippers.

Following the tragic demise of Devaki and Vasudeva’s six children, apprehension surrounded the impending birth of their seventh son. However, Lord Vishnu intervened, instructing Goddess Mahamaya to relocate Balaram from Devaki’s womb to that of Rohini, Vasudeva’s first wife residing in Gokula. Mahamaya successfully transferred the child, ensuring the safety of Devaki’s son. Rohini, who resided with Yasodha and Nanda Raj, Vasudeva’s brother-in-law, became the guardian of the protected child.

Kansa was taken aback when he learned of the miscarriage of Devaki’s seventh son. Yet, Goddess Mahamaya revealed to Devaki and Vasudeva that she had transferred the child to Rohini’s womb, ensuring his safety. Devaki and Vasudeva rejoiced, grateful for Lord Vishnu and Mahamaya’s intervention.

A year later, Devaki conceived Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Kamsa, wary of the prophecy, stationed guards to monitor them closely, seeking constant updates on the birth. On the midnight of Ashtami, amidst heavy rain, Lord Vishnu manifested as Devaki and Vasudeva’s son, blessing them.

Krishna was born while Kamsa’s guards and informers slept soundly. Devaki fervently prayed for her son’s protection from Kamsa’s impending threat.

Kansa was astonished to discover the apparent miscarriage of Devaki’s seventh son. However, Goddess Mahamaya intervened, informing Devaki and Vasudeva that she had transferred the seventh child to Rohini’s womb to ensure his safety. Devaki and Vasudeva rejoiced, grateful for the protection bestowed by Lord Vishnu and Mahamaya.

A year later, Devaki conceived Krishna, the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu. To closely monitor them, Kamsa stationed guards and sought detailed information about Devaki’s son’s birth. On the midnight of Ashtami, amidst a torrential downpour, Lord Vishnu himself appeared, blessing Devaki and Vasudeva by embodying their son.

Despite Kamsa’s guards and informers being asleep, Devaki earnestly prayed for her son’s well-being, imploring the Lord to shield Krishna from Kamsa’s impending wrath.

In a miraculous turn of events, the sturdy iron chain binding Vasudeva snapped, and the prison doors swung open. Devaki embraced Krishna, the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu, for one final time before entrusting him to Vasudeva. Following Indian mythology and the Bhagavata Purana, Vasudeva cradled Krishna and hastened towards Gokula.

Amidst heavy rainfall and the overflowing river Yamuna, a providential basket appeared on the riverbank. Placing Krishna in the basket, Vasudeva wasted no time, lifting his son over his head to navigate across the rushing river.

As the Yamuna River’s water surged and posed challenges for Vasudeva, he skillfully navigated the obstacles while safeguarding his son. Despite the rising water levels reaching Vasudeva’s head, he pressed on, gradually crossing the river. The Yamuna’s currents intensified, submerging Vasudeva and the basket.

In this critical moment, little Krishna, turning around, extended his tiny foot to touch the Yamuna, miraculously calming its turbulent waters. The water level instantly receded, yet the rain continued unabated. Enter Sheshnaag, the divine serpent and Lord Vishnu’s bed, coming to the rescue.

Initially apprehensive, Vasudeva soon realized that the enormous serpent had appeared to protect Krishna, forming a canopy with its hood to shield him from the relentless raindrops. Thus, Sheshnaag ensured Krishna’s safe passage across the river until they reached Gokula.

Upon reaching Nandaraja’s home, Vasudeva discovered that Yashoda had given birth to a baby girl. Nandaraj and Yashoda, though surprised, were both shocked and joyful at Vasudeva’s unexpected arrival. Vasudeva recounted the harrowing tale to them.

Yashoda, moved by compassion and shared sorrow, expressed her readiness to safeguard Devaki’s eighth son, Krishna, the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu. She proposed an exchange, urging Vasudeva to swap her newborn girl for his son to conceal the truth from Kamsa.

Touched by this profound gesture, Vasudeva welled up with tears, gently placed the little girl in his basket, and made his way back to Mathura.

Upon returning to the prison, the iron chains once again bound Vasudeva, and the doors closed. The newborn girl’s cries alerted the guards, who informed Kamsa about Devaki’s eighth child. Kamsa arrived and seized the infant from Devaki’s hands.

In a plea for mercy, Devaki and Vasudeva revealed that the baby was a girl, beseeching Kamsa to spare the child. As Kamsa prepared to harm the baby, she vanished into the sky, transforming into the goddess Mahamaya. She warned Kamsa that his destroyer was in Gokul and would soon arrive to confront him.

Yashoda and Nandaraj organized a naming ceremony for the baby, bestowing upon him the name Krishna, signifying the cherished son of Nand and Yashoda. Raised under the care of Yashoda and Rohini, Krishna grew up alongside Balarama.

Growing up in the warm company of Radha, Gopis, and fellow cowherd boys in Gokula, young Kanha radiated joy. With his dark-blue complexion, exquisite limbs, and lotus eyes, he stood out as the most charming boy in the group. Carrying a flute, he enchanted everyone with his divine music, earning love from all of Gokula’s residents. Encounter with this dark-skinned enchanter was enough for anyone to fall under his spell.

Krishna’s mischievous nature shone through as he playfully engaged in pranks, especially relishing the act of stealing Makhan or butter, shared with his cowherd companions. Radha and the Gopis adored him, always present during the herding of their cows around Govardhan Parvat.

During Krishna’s infancy, while he was still crawling, Kamsa dispatched Putna with the intent to eliminate him. Putna transformed herself into a nursemaid and visited the home of Nandaraj and Yashoda. Posing as a caregiver, she took Krishna in her arms, offering to feed him with her poisonous milk. However, Krishna, the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu, not only drained her of all milk but also took her life, ultimately defeating her.

Concurrently, Kamsa deployed numerous powerful and perilous demons in various disguises to search for the young Krishna and eliminate him. Encounter after encounter, Krishna, the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu, faced demons like Sakatasura, Bakasura, Trinavarta, Aghasura, Varsavia, and many others. Despite their attempts to harm Kanha, they met their demise instead.

In a tale of old, Krishna and his companions frolicked in the Yamuna waters, but abruptly, his friends started losing consciousness.

Investigating, Krishna discovered that poison tainted the river. He plunged into the water and identified Kaliya Naag and his family as the culprits, poisoning the river. Krishna confronted Kaliya, extracting him from the river, and engaged in a dance upon his hood. Eventually, Kaliya surrendered, consenting to depart from Yamuna and relocate to the ocean.

According to Hindu mythology and various ancient texts, Indra, the Lord of Heaven, unleashed a torrential downpour upon Gokula to impart a lesson to its residents. In response, Krishna prohibited the worship of Indra and the observance of Indra Yagna, asserting that it was Indra’s responsibility to nourish the people on Earth. Enraged by this, Indra unleashed heavy rain upon Gokula for seven consecutive days and nights. Nonetheless, Krishna shielded the entire community, along with animals, birds, and other creatures, beneath Govardhan Hill. Holding the hill aloft like an umbrella with his tiny finger, Krishna ensured the preservation of life in Gokula.

Having failed in his previous attempts to eliminate Krishna, Kansa devised a new plan involving the Dhanoriya Yagna. He extended an invitation to Krishna and Balarama, intending to bring them to Mathura and execute his sinister plot with the assistance of Akrura. Despite the reluctance of the Gokula residents, who were apprehensive about Krishna going to Mathura to confront Kamsa, Krishna persuaded the entire community. He emphasized the fulfillment of his duty towards his parents and the purpose of life. Accompanied by Akrura, Krishna and Balarama were driven to Mathura.

Upon their arrival in Mathura, an elderly lady, Tribakra, emerged before their chariot, presenting sandalwood for Krishna and Balarama. Despite her physically deformed shape, believed to be a result of a curse stemming from past actions, she was once Manthara. Tribakra applied sandalwood to Krishna, the 8th Avatar of Lord Vishnu, transforming into a beautiful lady with a perfect body.

Upon learning of this positive turn of events, Kamsa instructed his minister to unleash Kuvalayapida, a deranged elephant. Released in the Mathura market, where Krishna and Balaram were exploring, Kuvalayapida wreaked havoc. Undeterred, Krishna, wielding his sword, severed the elephant’s trunk and triumphantly vanquished the mighty beast.

Kamsa orchestrated a wrestling match, presiding over it from his throne and decreeing that losers might meet their demise. He arranged a duel between Mushtika and Krishna and another between Chanura and Balarama, both formidable and invincible warriors in Kamsa’s service. Balarama, the son of Rohini, engaged Mushtika, wielding his mace.

With a resounding thud, Mushtika fell, roaring in pain. Subsequently, Krishna engaged in a prolonged battle with Chanura, ultimately prevailing and securing Chanura’s defeat.

The demise of Mushtika and Chanura left Kansa in shock, as they were among the finest warriors in his army yet succumbed to Krishna and Balarama.

With a resounding roar, Krishna forewarned Kamsa of his impending fate. In a desperate attempt to escape, Kamsa fled for his life, striving to defeat Krishna, the 8th Avatar of Lord Vishnu. However, Krishna apprehended Kamsa and swiftly decapitated him using the Sudarshan Chakra.

(Excerpted from: http://www.vedicstory.com)
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