“The moment Vasudeva held Krishna over his head and began to walk, the doors of the prison cell opened automatically. The clouds thundered mildly. It began to rain incessantly. Using his hood, serpent Adiśeṣa ensured that the little infant did not get drenched in the rain.

Indra, the Lord of rain, ensured that it rained heavily. At that time River Yamuna, the sister of Yama, which was filled with deep waters began flowing rapidly creating waves and whirlpools. The waters of the river were chaotic and turbulent. Nevertheless, just as the ocean made way for Lord Rama in the past, River Yamuna now made way for Vasudeva who was carrying infant Krishna.

Vasudeva, who was simultaneously overcome with both fear and happiness, crossed the river and reached the village where Nanda resided. He saw the cowherds who were in deep slumber due to the influence of Yogamaya. Placing his son beside the sleeping Yasoda, he picked her new-born daughter who was sleeping beside her. Carrying her, he returned to the prison cell and placed her beside Devaki. He then fixed the shackles around his feet. The prison doors closed automatically and it was restored to the original position.

The influence of Yogamaya, had caused Nanda’s wife Yashoda to slip into deep sleep. She, who was tired due to child-birth, was aware that she had delivered a child but remained ignorant of whether it was a son or a daughter”.

With this the third chapter of the tenth canto comes to an end.

Tenth Canto Chapter Four

In this chapter, Yogamaya frees herself from Kamsa’s grip, flies away and prophesizes the future.

Maharishi Śuka continued, “As soon as Vasudeva reached the prison cell, all the doors of city including the prison doors, closed automatically and were restored to their original positions. At this juncture, the new-born infant wailed loudly.

Hearing her loud cries, the prison guards were awakened from sleep. Without wasting a second, they hastened to King Kamsa and informed him that Devaki had delivered her eighth child.

This was the moment for which Kamsa had been eagerly awaiting. “Oh, this is the child which is destined to kill me.” Thinking thus, he anxiously jumped from his bed.

Dreading this eighth child of Devaki, from a long time Kamsa had given up sleep, food and relaxation of every kind. Every minute was spent in fear of the eighth child. Upon hearing that the child had taken birth, Kamsa uneasily thought, “My death has arrived. I need to kill it”. Grabbing his sword, he rushed towards the prison cell. His hair was scattered. He was unaware of his actions. His mind ceased to function. In that agitated and anxious state of mind, time and again he stumbled on the path. Falling and getting up he madly ran towards the prison and quickly approached Devaki.

Seeing her brother nearing her, the chaste woman Devaki, in a pitiful voice, pleaded with him, “O auspicious one! This girl is your niece. It is wrong to kill a girl. My dear brother! So far you have killed many sons of mine who were glowing like fire. Please spare my daughter. Have mercy upon me.

A niece is equal in position to a daughter. Please do not kill her. Spare her. This dearest sister of yours is also the most unfortunate one. Sparing the life of this girl, who is my last child, will be for your well-being”. Devaki then held the girl close to her chest and wept piteously.

The wicked Kamsa however ruthlessly pushed her away and grabbed the child from her arms. As his heart was filled with selfishness, feelings of love had evaporated in him. He held the new-born infant by her legs and hit her forcibly against the stone as roughly as a washer-man washes the clothes.

This infant girl, who was born after the birth of the Supreme Lord, however slid from his grip and flew away into the skies. There She manifested as Mother Goddess with eight arms in which she held eight weapons!

The Divine Mother was wearing auspicious clothes. Gem-studded ornaments, chains and garlands adorned Her neck. She had applied sandal paste and other perfumes upon her body. It was an auspicious divine form. She held the bow, arrows, trident, sword, conch, shield, discus and mace in her eight hands. She was being praised by celestials such as Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Apsarasas and Nāgas. They offered her costly gifts.

The Divine Mother addressed Kamsa and, in a stern voice, rebuked him saying, “O wretched fool! What benefit will you get by killing me? The person who is destined to kill you has already taken birth elsewhere. Hence refrain from unnecessarily torturing helpless children.” Saying so, Yogamaya, turned invisible”.

Narayana Narayana