Srikrishna is Shifted to Nanda's Vraja

Srimad Bhagavatam - Srikrishna is shifted to Nanda's Vraja

Krishna reveals His identity to Vasudeva and Devaki, and thereupon assumes the form of a baby. Vasudeva, wasting no time, placed Him in a bamboo basket covered with soft linen.    

Gate-keepers were deprived of all their cognitive faculties, and the citizens too slept by Yogamaya's power. Prison gates were open by themselves. 

Vasudeva carried Lord Krishna on his head. Clouds rained mildly while Sesa (serpent) followed Him, giving protection. 

Yamuna river afforded passage to divine Krishna. Reaching Nanda's Vraja and finding cowherds buried in sleep, Vasudeva placed his son beside Yasoda and returned to the palace, taking with him Yogamaya, her divine daughter. Yasoda, fully exhausted, was in deep sleep from the effects of Yogamaya.   

Laying the divine baby girl on Devaki’s bed, Vasudeva put on the chains and stood confined as before.

Everything went back to normalcy. Locks were keyed, and guards woke up when they heard the baby's cry. Yogamaya's effect ended by then. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Srikrishna Reveals Devaki's Previous Births

Srimad Bhagavatam - Devaki Offer Prayers and Krishna Reveals Devaki’s Previous Births   

On seeing her son with characteristic of Lord Mahavishnu, Devaki, who was hitherto afraid of Kamsa, was much delighted and bore a broad smile. 

She said, “ You are Lord Vishnu Himself, unmanifest and devoid of activity. At the end of the lifetime of Brahma, the universe is dissolved by the force of Time. 

The five gross elements alongwith 10 indriyas, the mind (including the deities presiding over them) merge in Ahankara. 

Ahankara is merged with Mahat-tattva, the Mahat-tattva in the Unmanifest (Yourself).

You are left alone and therefore called Sesa (the residue).

Afraid of the serpent of death, the mortal is not able to find a place void of fear. Protect us as we are afraid of terrible Kamsa. 

I pray, do not reveal to the ignorant this divine form. Let not the wicked one know about Your birth through me. Hence, withdraw this four armed form of Yours.

Lord Krishna said to Mother Devaki “In Swayambhu Manvantara, you were known as Prasni, and your husband Sutapa was Prajapati. You were commanded by Brahma to beget progeny.   

You both practiced rigorous austerities fully controlling your senses. Enduring peculiarities of various seasons and subsisting on withered leaves and on air alone and with impurities wiped out from your mind performed my worship with a calm mind. When I asked to seek a boon, you chose a son like Me. Hence, I was born to you as Prasnigarba. 

Once again, in your next birth as Aditi and your husband as Sage Kashyapa, I was born as Upendra (Indra’s younger brother) and also known as Vamana. 

    

In this incarnation, I was born to you and Vasudeva in four-armed form. My word is true. This form has been revealed to you again for reminding you of My previous descents and knowledge of my identity is not revealed to anyone else. 

I shall assume the form of human babe as desired by you. Constantly thinking of Me as a son and also as Brahman, and having bestowed love on Me, you both will attain the highest state of union with Me.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Srikrishna's Birth

Srimad Bhagavatam - Advent of Lord Krishna   

Sage Sukha Muni said to King Parikshit that atlast good time has arrived. It is a good time for all, including Kamsa, but none were aware of it.

There were celebrations in every village, cities and cowsheds. Rivers were flowing smoothly, and water was pure. Ponds were full of lotuses, and trees were full of flowers. Birds and bees were humming. 

The wind was flowing gently and emitting a pleasant smell. The fire in the yagna was burning well. Sadhus and Sages had no fear of demons. 

However, Devathas were ringing bells in heaven, Kinnaras and Gandarvas were singing songs. Siddhas were reciting hymns. Vidyadhara women and Apsaras were dancing. 

Devatas showered flowers but were converted into mild rain as they didn't want to reveal the secret of Srihari's descent.

Just after midnight, the Moon was set. It was Shravana Bahula Ashtami thithi.    

When the Lord descended, Vasudeva was fortunate to have the first glimpse of wonderful and delightful Srihari. He had seen the delivery of six other babies, but this was quite unique (the seventh foetus was unborn). 

The Lord in the baby's form had eyes similar to lotus leaves. It had 4 shoulders and hands holding up with conch, mace, discus, and arrow in each hand. It had a srivatsa mark on the bosom, a kaustubha jewel on his neck, clad in yellow silk, a waist belt, jewellery on its hand and feet. He had a crown on his head. 

Vasudeva was astonished and felt this baby has features similar to that of Sriman Narayana. He convinced himself by seeing Him again and again. Vasudeva had earned sufficient merit to see Sriman Narayana in person, and hence, he is also called Anaka Dundubi. 

Srihari showed Vasudeva and Devaki His natural form only to make sure of His presence and to fulfill his promise to them in their previous births.   

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Srikrishna Enters Devaki’s Womb

 Srimad Bhagavatam - SriKrishna Enters Devaki's Womb

Kamsa, who had imprisoned Vasudeva and Devaki, killed their six newborn babies. Lord Anantha, a manifestation of Lord Srihari, entered Devaki’s womb as her seventh child. 

Rohini, one of Vasudeva's wives, afraid of Kamsa, was staying in Gokula headed by Nanda. Krishna said to Yogamaya (His creative energy) to transfer the fetus of Anantha growing in Devaki's womb into the womb of Rohini. 

Krishna said, “I shall then enter Devaki’s womb with all My divine potential. You shall be born as a female to Yasoda, wife of Nanda.

People will worship you as the bestower of all desires. Men will erect temples on earth in various forms such as Durga, Bhadrakali, Vijaya, Vaishnavi, Kumuda, Chandika, Krana, Madavi, Kanyaka, Maya, Barayani, Isani, Sharada and Ambika”.

Accordingly, Yogamaya transferred the seven month old fetus of Anantha from Devaki’s womb and placed it in Rohini's womb. Soon after, news spread that the embryo of Devaki had perished. 

The Lord, who gets rid of all fears of his devotees, gave His presence into the mind of Vasudeva with all his divine potency. The glorious Devaki conceived in her mind the Lord duly communicated by Vasudeva through mere sight.

Devaki, who bore the invincible Lord with her, had an uncommon lustre. Kamsa noticed her and said, “Hari, who is going to kill me, has already entered her womb, like a lion entering a cave; for she was not like this before. 

Kamsa thought if I dispose of Devaki herself, before my enemy is born, such destruction, who is not only a woman but has conceived. My reputation and prosperity will cut short my life by such an act. I would certainly go to hell.

Pondering thus, Kamsa ceased from that dark thought. He kept awaiting the birth of Srhari, cherishing a feeling of enmity for Him. All the more, with great fear, he was constantly thinking of Him.

Source : Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Sage Narada Appraises Kamsa

Srimad Bhagavatam - Sage Narada Appraises Kamsa

Devaki and Vasudeva were imprisoned, and in the course of time, Devaki gave birth to their first son. As promised, Vasudeva,with a heavy heart, handed over the infant to Kamsa. 

Initially, Kamsa hesitated to kill the infant as he had no fear from the first born baby. Vasudeva, though not sure, quickly carried back the infant to his house.

To facilitate the process of early manifestation of the Lord, Sage Narada appraised Kamsa that cowherds in Vraja, the Vrsnis, and Yadava women are in disguise the manifestation of devatas. 

He said Lord Srihari will manifest as the eighth son of Devaki to destroy daityas, who were becoming a burden to Mother Earth.

It was also made known to Kamsa that he was born as Demon Kalanemi in his previous birth and was stained by Lord Vishnu. 

Soon after Sage Narada left, Kamsa felt Srihari was his enemy and immediately ordered imprisonment of Vasudeva and Devaki. He never hesitated to kill their first born infant. He went on to kill 6 other infants of them. 

He entered into hostility with the Yadus, imprisoned his father, King Ugrasena, and ruled over Surasena territory.

  

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Vasudeva Pleads Kamsa

Srimad Bhagavatam - Vasudeva Pleads Kamsa and Makes Toughest Promise

Kamsa, the cousin of newly wedded Devaki, was curious to get rid of her as the ethereal voice indicated that her eighth child would kill him. He thought if the source is destroyed, future risk can be avoided.

Vasudeva said,” You are born in glorious Bhojas lineage. How can you slay your own cousin, a woman, who is just married?

Aren't you aware death is destined for those who are born. It is inevitable whether it comes this day or at the end of a hundred years. 

When the body is about to expire, the soul following the course of its destiny quits the former body on mentally obtaining another corporeal form.

Just as Caterpillar leaves a blade of grass only when it has caught hold of another, so does the embodied soul following the course of its destiny leave the former body when it has caught hold of another.

Why, then, should the soul burden itself with wrong doings. Your cousin is a helpless girl and is like a daughter to you. You ought not kill this girl who has just gone through the auspicious nuptial rites. 

To save his newly wedded wife, Vasudeva made the toughest promise of handing over his and Devaki sons to Kamsa. 

Kamsa, who knew the integrity of Vasudeva, agreed to his proposal and allowed them to reach their home. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Why Srikrishna was born in Yadu Dynasty?

Srimad Bhagavatam - Why Srikrishna was born in Yadu Dynasty?

King Parikshit was eager to know more about Srikrishna, the one who saved his life when he was in his mother's womb, and who guided his grandfather and grand uncles.

He requested Suka Muni to detail Srikrishna’s life on why he was born in the Yadu dynasty, who is the mother of Balarama - Devaki or Rohini, and why he killed kamsa, his own maternal uncle?   

Suka Muni was pleased and said, “Oppressed with adharma, Mother Earth in cow form with wet tears sought Lord Brahma intervention. Daityas, disguised as humans, became rulers and nurtured adharma.

Brahma, along with Mother Earth, Lord Shiva, and devatas proceeded to Vaikunta, the adore of Lord Srihari to seek his intervention. Brahma recited his prayer (Purusha Sukta) and awaited the Lord's response.

A divine voice was heard to Brahma, giving directions for the future course of action. Thereafter, Brahma told devatas to immediately be born as Yadus or send their form to the earth and await Srihari's appearance. The Lord will walk on earth and will do the needful to reduce the burden of Mother Earth. 

Lord Adishesha, a part manifestation of Lord Srihari, will precede Him as His elder brother. The divine Maya (potency) of Lord Srihari will also be born to assist Him”. Having instructed, Brahma returned to His abode.

Vasudeva Weds Devaki 

Mathura is the capital city of the Yadava kings, and Surasena, chief of Yadavas, was residing in that city. Vasudeva, son of Surasena, married Devaki and was on the way home on a chariot.  

Prince Kamsa, son of King Ugrasena and cousin of Devaki, offered to become a charioteer. The procession started in a grand manner with conch, clay TomTom, and kettledrum sounds.

Just then, an ethereal voice from the sky was heard warning Kamsa that the eighth child of Devaki would slay him. Kamsa grew ferocious, seized his cousin Devaki by hair, and with sword in hand proceeded to kill her.

The highly blessed Vasudeva pleaded hard to convince kamsa to desist from such action.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana