Lilas Of Lord Krishna

Bhudevi was very much oppressed by the burden of several Asuras in the form of haughty kings. Therefore she sought refuge in Brahma. Brahma said, "Lord Narayana is going to incarnate in the house of Vasudeva as Krishna. Adisesha will be born as his elder brother to do service to Him. The celestial women also will be born in the world to serve Him. The sages will take the form of cows. You will not be troubled any more. Lord Krishna will punish the wicked and establish Dharma."

Kamsa himself reigned over the kingdom after he imprisoned his father Ugrasena, the king of the Yadus, the Bhojas and the Andhakas. He with the support of Jarasandha, the Magadha king, his father-in-law, oppressed the Yadus. The demon chiefs Baka, Chanura, Dhenuka, Putana, Kesi, Bana, Bhauma, Pralamba, Trinavarta, Mahasena, Mushtika, Arishta and Dvivida also helped Kamsa.

In the city of Mathura a king named Surasena reigned over the kingdom of Surasena. He was the chief of the Yadus. On one occasion in that city, Vasudeva, the son of Sura, ascended his chariot as bridegroom with his bride Devaki. For the procession, Kamsa the son of Ugrasena and brother of Devaki drove the chariot to please his sister.

On the way an aerial voice said to Kamsa, " The eighth child of Devaki, your sister, will kill you." At once the wicked Kamsa caught his sister by the hair and tried to kill her. Vasudeva urged kamsa not to kill a woman and that too his own sister, during the marriage occasion. Also, Vasudeva promised to surrender him all his children the reason of Kamsa's worries.

Kamsa desisted from his wicked act and put fetters for Devaki and Vasudeva.

The six children of Devaki were killed by Kamsa. The seventh conception was that of a ray of Ananta. This was the boy Sankarshana, so called from his being drawn away from Devaki's womb.

The Lord ordered Yoga Maya, His own Sakti and said, "O blessed Devi! Go to the hamlet Vraja in Nanda Gokula. There lives Rohini, the first wife of Vasudeva. There is Adisesha my own Amsa (partial Avatara) in Devaki's womb. Take him away and place him in Rohini's womb. I will be born as the son of Devaki. You must be born in the womb of Yasoda, the wife of Nanda."

Yoga Maya agreed and went to the earth and acted accordingly. The all-pervading Lord entered the mind of Vasudeva in full form. Devaki shone with the holy spirit of the universal Lord imparted mentally by Vasudeva. Vasudeva and Devaki did severe penance in their former lives to have Krishna as their child.

Kamsa was more watchful at the eighth time. He kept Devaki and Vasudeva under close custody. Krishna was born in the prison house.

Brahma with Rudra, and Rishis like Narada, and Devas came and praised the God in the womb,"O blessed Mother Devaki! the supreme Lord has incarnated in you for our glory and well-being and the welfare of this world at large. Your son will become a Saviour. Kamsa will be destroyed soon. Fear not."

Then the auspicious hour came. The star Rohini was shining. It was Vijaya Muhurta. The elements were extremely pleasant at the birth of Krishna. Winds were blowing auspiciously. The stars were shining with lustre. The lakes were filled with lotuses. Lord Krishna incarnated at midnight on this earth. The gods played divine music. The Kinnaras and Gandharvas sang. Siddhas and Charanas praised. The Vidyadharas (various grades of celestial beings) danced along with Apsaras, sages and Devas. There was a rain of flowers from the heavens in joy.

Vishnu incarnated with lotus eyes, with four hands, armed with conch, disc, mace and lotus, with the diamond Kausthuba, with the mark Srivatsa adorning the chest, wearing silk Pitambara, with ear ornaments made of diamonds, with the crown made of several emeralds, with bracelets in the lower and upper arms and valuable waist-string. Vasudeva saw this marvel of a divine child.

The Lord said, "Let both of you often meditate with love on Me as a son as you will obtain eternal bliss and immortality."