Celebrations at Nanda's Vraja

Srimad Bhagavatam - Celebrations at Nanda's Vraja 

Vasudeva took Krishna to Vraja and placed Him beside Yasoda and, in turn, took her daughter, Yogamaya. Due to the effects of Yogamaya, everyone was put into a deep sleep. 

Yasoda's husband Nanda, unaware of any of these happenings, was overjoyed to hear the birth of a son. 

Nanda, who was fully aware of vedic rituals, immediately called Brahmanas to conduct “Jatakarma”. (It's a ritual that has to be conducted after the umbilical cord is cut and before breast milk is fed to the baby). Soon after the said period restrictions begin (called Purudu). 

The ceremony was done in a hurry. It was followed by tarpana to pitru devatas, devata aradane (worship to Gods) and donations.

Nanda donated 2,00,000 cows to Brahmanas each decorated with gold ornaments. He also donated food articles and clothes in large quantities. News spread quickly about the birth of a son to Nanda and Yasoda.

Gokulam (alias Vraja) was in a festive mood. Each household was cleaned, decorated and displayed art work. Streets were decorated with flowers, colorful clothes and mango leaves.

Cows and calves were cleaned with turmeric paste and were decorated with gold chains. Cowherds too wore colorful dresses and ornaments. 

Women too dressed up well and were eager to see the new born baby and Yasoda. The entire village came to see the baby leaving their jobs. They blessed the child and prayed to Brahma for protection of the child. 

Some sang bhajans, songs and hymns, and few others played instruments. It turned into a sort of Utsav. 

On a question why such a celebration, Sage Sukamuni said Srihari steals the heart of the people. When Srihari Himself has descended, why shouldn't it happen.  

Indeed, there was no regular supply of milk, curd, butter or ghee to neighborhood villages. Milk, curd butter was generously donated. Nanda was very happy and donated cows, clothes to all the guests.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Kamsa Apologizes to Devaki and Vasudeva

Srimad Bhagavatam - Kamsa Apologizes to Devaki and Vasudeva 

Yogamaya slipped away from Kamsa and warned that the divine child is growing elsewhere and his whereabouts are not known to her. Fear overtook Kamsa, and he immediately freed Devaki and Vasudeva. 

He said, “ I am a sinner. I have killed all your children one after the other by hitting them on the floor. Indeed, I had no option. I behaved as if I had no relations. I will have to go to hell for committing Brahmahatya. I don't deserve to live. 

Actually, the divine voice that echoed on that day is responsible for these acts. I never thought devatas utter lies. I believed those words and committed crimes. I am extremely sorry.   

You both are highly revered souls. Each one of us has to bear the fruit of their action. Your children also had to undergo their sufferings. So, don't feel sad.

All living beings have to die one day or the other or move from one place to another. Nothing is permanent. Do not get worried. The soul has no death. I may have attacked the body but not the soul. Even if you feel I have killed your children, it is because of their karmic deeds.

Because of ignorance, one gets misery or gives misery to others. Forgive me as your child, you good hearted souls”.  

He shed tears and fell on her feet. Realizing they were chained, he instructed the guards to remove them. They were asked to go back to their home. 

Devaki, due to her brotherly affection ends her anger. Vasudeva sarcastically said, “ What you said is true. Ignorance is the root cause of sorrow. Beda drishti (differentiation - that I am different from you) leads to sorrow, happiness, greed, emotions, ego, etc. Hence, one attacks another, and people don't recognize the ill effects of it. They always look external”.

Vasudeva, who knew the secret birth of the Lord, brushed aside his talk and went away.

Kamsa felt happy that Devaki and Vasudeva were not angry at him. Going back to his palace, Kamsa called his ministers and detailed them, particularly on Yogamaya's warning.

Upon pondering, they decided to attack Vedas, Yagnas and Yagas, Brahmanas, Cows - all that provide strength to devastas and Srihari.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Yogamaya Warns Kamsa

Srimad Bhagavatam - Yogamaya Warns Kamsa

No sooner Kamsa heard the news of the birth of a baby girl, he quickly got up from his bed and rushed towards the prison where Devaki and Vasudeva were confined. 

Kamsa wasn't even concerned about his physical attire required for a king. With unkempt hair and a bare forehead, he almost ran towards the prison.He approached Devaki to hand over the baby. 

Devaki, who was feeling pity and helpless, said, “It's a baby girl. She is your niece and hence don't kill her. You shouldn't kill girls or women. When you killed my six other babies, I thought it's God's play and remained silent. At least leave this girl baby as I don't think I shall have another one anymore”. 

She held the baby tightly to escape from the clutches of Kamsa. Though Devaki was fully aware of divine intervention, she expressed her sorrow by crying loudly.  

Yet, Kamsa was least perturbed and grabbed the baby and, holding its legs, threw it on the floor with full strength. Selfishness overtook him, and hence, he behaved like a demon.

Before being hit, Yogamaya swiftly moved out and appeared as a Goddess with 8 shoulders. Each arm carried different armaments. She wore divine garland and divine clothes. 

She said,” O fool, what will you get by killing me. The one who is destined to kill you is already born. In your last birth (as Demon Kalanemi), too, he killed you. Do not waste time and accumulate sins by killing innocent children.” Saying so, she disappeared. 

As promised by Srihari, Yogamaya is worshipped at various places under various names.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

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