Krishna’s Birth: Restoring Balance to a World Burdened by Demons

During Dwapara Yuga, the Earth was burdened by arrogant kings who were actually demons in disguise. To relieve this burden, Earth sought help from Brahma, narrating her suffering. Brahma, moved by her plight, gathered Shiva and other deities, and they went to the Milk Ocean. There, they praised the Supreme Lord with the Purusha Sukta. Brahma then entered deep meditation and heard a divine voice.

The voice reassured the deities that the Lord knew of Earth’s distress and would soon incarnate to reduce her burden. Brahma advised the deities to take birth in the Yadu clan with their wives to help in the Lord's divine play. He mentioned that Lord Shesha would incarnate as the Lord's elder brother, and Yogamaya would also incarnate to aid in divine activities. After comforting Earth, Brahma returned to his abode.

At that time, King Ugrasena ruled Mathura. His brother Devaka had a daughter named Devaki, who married Vasudeva, son of Shura. After their marriage, Vasudeva and Devaki set out for home in a chariot. Devaki's cousin, Kamsa, took the reins to please her. Suddenly, a divine voice warned Kamsa that Devaki's eighth child would kill him. Terrified, Kamsa drew his sword to kill Devaki. Vasudeva pleaded with him, but he didn't listen.

Finally, Vasudeva promised to hand over each child born to Devaki. Trusting Vasudeva, Kamsa spared Devaki. As promised, Vasudeva handed over their firstborn, Kirtiman, to Kamsa. However, Kamsa returned the child, saying he only wanted the eighth one.

Later, Narada visited Kamsa and informed him that Nanda, his wife, Vasudeva, and the women of the Yadu clan were gods and goddesses  incarnated on Earth. He warned that they were preparing to eliminate the demons burdening the Earth. This prompted Kamsa to imprison Vasudeva and Devaki. As each child was born, Kamsa killed them.

Lord Shesha incarnated as the seventh child of Devaki,. But Lord Hari commanded Yogamaya to transfer the fetus to Rohini, Vasudeva's other wife, in Gokul. This was to protect Balarama from Kamsa. The people of Mathura thought Devaki had miscarried. Later, Lord Krishna appeared in Vasudeva's heart. Devaki conceived her eighth child, glowing with divine radiance.

At that time, the gods came to praise the unborn Lord and Devaki. When the auspicious moment arrived, under the Rohini constellation, the sky cleared, rivers flowed pure, and lotuses bloomed at night. Trees blossomed, birds chirped, bees hummed, and a cool, fragrant breeze blew. Sacrificial fires spontaneously ignited, and saints felt joyful. It was then that the Supreme Lord appeared. Celestial drums resounded, kinnars and gandharvas sang, siddhas and charanas praised, and apsaras danced. The gods showered divine flowers. In the dark night of Bhadrapada, Lord Krishna, radiant with all divine qualities, was born from Devaki, like the full moon rising in the east.

Vasudeva praised the miraculous child, and Devaki, overwhelmed with joy, sang his praises. The Lord reminded them of their previous lives. He told them that in Svayambhuva Manvantara, Devaki was Prishni, and Vasudeva was Sutapa, a pious Prajapati. They performed intense austerities, controlling their senses to please the Lord and receive a son like him. Their penance lasted twelve thousand years, during which they subsisted on dry leaves and air. The Lord was pleased with their devotion and appeared to grant their wish.

The Lord recounted that they had no worldly desires or children at that time. Under his divine power, they asked for a son like him instead of liberation. Granting their wish, the Lord left them, and they enjoyed worldly pleasures. In their next birth, Devaki became Aditi, and Vasudeva became Kashyapa. The Lord incarnated as their son, Upendra, also known as Vamana due to his short stature.

The Lord assured Devaki that just as he had incarnated as their son in previous lives, he had come again as their child, fulfilling his promise. He revealed his divine form to remind them of his past incarnations and assured them that through love and devotion, they would attain his supreme abode.

Key Aspects of Krishna's Nature and Role:

1. Cosmic Balance: Krishna incarnates to restore balance when evil forces disturb it. He appears during crises, like the burden caused by arrogant kings (demons in disguise), underscoring his role as the preserver of dharma.
2. Supreme Power: Krishna is the Supreme Being, aware of Earth’s suffering before the gods approach him. His actions are deliberate, showing his absolute power over cosmic events.
3. Divine Play: Krishna's incarnation is part of his lila, involving both gods and humans. His invitation to other divine beings to assist in his mission shows the interconnectedness of his actions with the broader cosmic plan.
4. Compassion and Guidance: Krishna is motivated by compassion for the Earth and his devotees. He reassures the gods and the Earth of his intervention and comforts and guides his parents, reminding them of their past lives and divine purpose.
5. Transcendence and Immanence: Krishna embodies the duality of being both transcendent and immanent. He is the Supreme Lord beyond the material world yet takes human form to fulfill his devotees' desires and participate in worldly affairs, showing his close connection with them.
6. Devotees' Desires: Krishna responds to his devotees' desires. Vasudeva and Devaki’s past lives show that through devotion and penance, they were granted Krishna as their child in successive births, showing his readiness to fulfill sincere wishes.
7. Eternal Incarnations: Krishna's revelation to his parents about their past incarnations and his promise to be born as their child repeatedly emphasizes the eternal nature of his incarnations, showing his continuous involvement in the world’s affairs across different ages and lifetimes.
8. Divine Protector: Krishna is the divine protector, the restorer of righteousness, the compassionate guide, and the beloved Bhagavan who fulfills the deepest desires of his devotees, embodying the supreme and eternal nature of the divine.

Knowledge Bank

King Kakudmi and Revati: A Journey Through Time

In the Srimad Bhagavata Purana, there is a story about King Kakudmi and his daughter Revati. They traveled to Brahmaloka to find a suitable husband for her. However, when they returned to Earth, they discovered that time had passed differently. Many ages had gone by, and everyone they knew had passed away. Revati then married Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. This story highlights the concept of time dilation in our scriptures.

Is Māyāvāda Itself an Illusion?

मायावादम् असच्छास्त्रं प्रच्छन्नं बौद्धम् उच्यते मयैव विहितं देवि कलौ ब्राह्मण-मूर्तिना (Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa 43.6) - According to the Padma Purāṇa, Māyāvāda, which posits that the world is an illusion, is itself considered deceptive or misleading, labeled as 'hidden Buddhism'. This philosophy diverges from traditional Vedic teachings by negating the personal aspect of divinity and considering the material world as merely illusory. Engaging with such doctrines in the Kali Yuga can pose a challenge to one's spiritual path, as it promotes detachment from the material realm without recognizing the underlying reality of the divine. It is essential to approach this philosophy with discernment, embracing its contemplative insights but not losing sight of the essence of Vedic wisdom. Recognize that while Māyāvāda encourages seeing beyond material existence, it should not lead to neglecting the personal and spiritual growth offered by understanding and participating in the divine creation. Balance between the spiritual and material realms is crucial for true enlightenment.