Radha Krishna Love Story – Chapter 1: The Divine Birth of Krishna

The Divine Birth of Krishna

From past eras, Dharma was declining, and unrighteousness was increasing. After imprisoning King Ugrasen, Kansa became the tyrannical ruler of Mathura. Mother Earth became distressed by the suffering of her children, and she pleaded with the gods for help.

The Distressed Prayer of Mother Earth

Mother Earth was trembling, and rivers were filling with her tears. The burden of sins had become so great that it was difficult for her to bear. She saw how the people were crying out in agony due to Kansa's tyranny, how the blood of the innocent was being shed. Her compassionate cry reached the heavens. "O gods, this cannot be endured any longer! Free my children from this suffering. Save the earth from Kansa's tyranny!"

Goddess Aditi looked at the gods and said, "Listen to the cry of Mother Earth. Now we must do something. Pray to Lord Vishnu, He alone can remove this crisis." Indra closed his eyes and began to meditate on Lord Vishnu, and the other gods joined him.

The Prison of Devaki and Vasudeva

At the same time, in Mathura, Devaki and Vasudeva were imprisoned. Kansa had heard a prophecy that Devaki's eighth son would be the cause of his death. Therefore, he had imprisoned his own sister and brother-in-law. As soon as Devaki gave birth to a child, Kansa would kill it. Kansa had mercilessly killed seven infants, and Devaki and Vasudeva lived in fear and sorrow every moment.

Vasudeva prayed to God every moment, "O God, protect us. Save Devaki and our innocent children from Kansa's tyranny. We hope that You alone will establish Dharma on this earth." Devaki had tears in her eyes, but her faith in God was unwavering.

The Birth of Krishna and Journey to Gokul

On the midnight of the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada, a wonderful light spread in the prison. Lord Vishnu Himself incarnated as Krishna from the womb of Devaki. Vasudeva saw that there was a divine aura around the child Krishna, He was holding a conch, chakra, mace, and lotus in His four-armed form.

At that moment, Vasudeva's shackles opened, and the doors of the prison opened on their own. Lord Krishna said to Vasudeva, "Take me to Nand Baba and Yashoda Maiya in Gokul. There, I will be safe." Vasudeva placed the child Krishna in a basket and carried it on his head towards the Yamuna River. In the pitch-dark night, the water level of the Yamuna was high, but as soon as Vasudeva placed the feet of the child Krishna in the water of the Yamuna, the river gave them way. Sheshnag himself was walking behind them, protecting Vasudeva and the child Krishna. Reaching Gokul, Vasudeva put Krishna to sleep next to Yashoda Maiya and returned to the prison with her newborn daughter.

Next chapter: Childhood Pastimes in Gokul.