Infant Krishna’s Ceremonial Ritual

Srimad Bhagavatam - Infant Krishna’s Ceremonial Ritual and Utkaca's Liberation 

Yasoda desired to perform a ceremonial ablution to her son to commemorate His turning on the bed which coincided with Janma nakshatra (Rohini Star). 

Women were playing musical instruments, some singing songs, and a few others chanting sacred texts. Brahmanas blessed the child and were honoured with clothes, food articles and meals. They were even asked to take away a cow and its calf of their choice.

The infant felt ‘drowsy’ and Yasoda gently put Him to sleep on a cradle underneath a cart undisturbed by others.

For a while, Yasoda was busy honouring her guests and did not hear the cry of her hungry son. Waiting for a suck, He tossed up His feet in an angry mood.

Hit by His tiny feet, the cart turned upside down. The heavy vessels/jars that were filled with milk, ghee, and curd got scattered, and the vessels broke. The wheels of the cart broke open, axle was cut, making a huge noise.

 

Yasoda, Nanda, and Gopikas, who had assembled there, were shocked and couldn't comprehend the situation. Gopalas who were playing there told that the cart was knocked down by the infant while crying. However, the elders did not accept it, as such an effect cannot be caused by an infant. 

Utkaca, a demon, was sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna. He entered the cart in body less form. When the cart was turned upside down, he was crushed by the weight of metal jars and wheels of the cart. 

Utkaca, in his previous birth, was born to Hiranyaksha. He was well built and powerful. He did not harm anyone but crushed trees at Sage Lomasa's hermitage. The Sage cursed him to be body-less, and hence, Utkaca had to survive on air. 

On seeking pardon, the Sage said Srihari would descend in Dwaparyug as Srikrishna, and by the touch of His feet, he would be liberated. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana