Demons are delivered

In our earlier blogs, we explored the captivating story of Putana, whose funeral pyre emitted a divine fragrance despite her being a demoness. We also examined her lineage and the deep desire she harboured to nurse the Lord—a wish that was ultimately fulfilled through His boundless mercy.

Let us now continue this fascinating narrative. Can you imagine the lengths to which Kans was willing to go in his attempts to harm the innocent child of Yashoda? Driven by fear, hatred, and a relentless determination to alter his foretold fate, he repeatedly sent powerful demons to Gokul, each with the mission of destroying the young Krishna. Yet, what unfolded was far beyond anything Kansa could have anticipated.

A Special Milestone and Celebration

The little son of Nand and Yashoda was growing rapidly, and at just three months old, he had already learned how to turn over onto his belly. This small achievement brought immense joy to Yashoda, who watched her son lying on his stomach and smiling up at her. To mark this special milestone, which coincided with the auspicious day of his Janmanakshatra, Yashoda decided to host a grand celebration.

She extended an invitation to all the people of Gokul, and soon, a large group of men and women gathered together to celebrate by the banks of the Yamuna.

The celebration by the Yamuna was alive with the vibrant sounds of drums and flutes mingling with laughter and the chant of sacred mantras. The air was thick with the sweet fragrance of jasmine garlands, fresh milk, and incense drifting from nearby shrines, and the sun sparkled on the river as women danced in bright saris and children spun in circles of joy. In the heart of this jubilant scene, the child was ceremoniously bathed, his delighted cries echoing above the music as brahmins intoned blessings. Gifts wrapped in colourful cloth were handed out to every guest, spreading happiness throughout the crowd.

As the festivities wound down, Yashoda noticed how the excitement and the bath had left her little son looking drowsy. His eyelids fluttered, and his tiny arms curled up in contentment. Smiling tenderly, she placed him in a cradle set snugly beneath the cart that had carried them all to the riverbank, trusting that he would rest amidst the gentle hum of celebration. Yashoda settled down nearby with her friends, her heart full and her mind momentarily at ease.

The Overturned Cart

But as time passed, the child awoke from his nap, his small face puckered in displeasure at being ignored in the commotion. His cries, though soft at first, grew more insistent, yet the music and chatter drowned out his voice. Frustrated, he lashed out with his tiny legs, delicate yet powerful beyond imagination. In one stunning instant, his foot struck the cart with a resounding crack—the impact echoed, sharp and unexpected, cutting through the melody and conversation.

For a moment, silence swept over the gathering. The cart shuddered, then toppled dramatically to its side, sending pots and vessels tumbling and shattering, the wheel spinning off and clattering across the ground. Stunned, the crowd stared in disbelief, unable to comprehend what had happened.

Yashoda's heart lurched as she rushed toward the overturned cart, her mind racing with fear and confusion. Desperate, she called out to her son, pushing through the bewildered crowd. Relief washed over her when she discovered her child was unharmed, nestled calmly amid the wreckage, his eyes bright with innocence. Overwhelmed, Yashoda swept him into her arms, tears of gratitude mixing with the lingering scents of jasmine and incense. 

Some of the little boys who had witnessed the event exclaimed that the child had kicked the cart, and this action had caused the commotion and destruction. The people listened to the boys’ account but remained in disbelief, unable to fathom how such a small child could perform an act so extraordinary. 

The Liberation of Shakatasur

Unknown to the villagers, Kans had dispatched one of his henchmen, an asura named Shakatasur, to Gokul with a sinister mission: to abduct and ultimately kill the child who was said to be a threat to his life. Determined to carry out Kans's evil plan, Shakatasura stealthily disguised himself and hid within the wheel of the cart under which the infant Krishna lay. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike, the asura remained hidden, blending in with the surroundings. However, the Lord, aware of Shakatasur’s dark intent, acted decisively; with a single kick of his sacred foot, he vanquished the asura, ending the threat before anyone realised what had transpired.

In a previous life, Shakatasur was born as Utkach, son of Hiranyakash. Being arrogant and proud of his strength, Utkach one day crushed all the trees in the hermitage of Sage Lomash. Annoyed by the damage caused for no apparent reason, Sage Lomash pronounced a curse that Utkach would become disembodied.  Realising his mistake, Utkach fell at the feet of the Sage and begged for forgiveness. The Sage, who could not take back his curse, told Utkach that he would be liberated from the curse when the Supreme Lord would touch him with His lotus feet. Seeking his salvation, the disembodied Shakatasur had entered the cart in his subtle form. He was liberated as soon as the Lord touched the cart with His foot.

The Arrival of Trinavart

When Kans found out that both Putna and Shakatasur had been unsuccessful in their mission, he sought help from another asura named Trinavart to eliminate Devaki’s eighth son. Trinavart had the ability to transform himself into a powerful storm. Directed by Kans, the demon made his way to Gokul. The child was about one year old by this time. Sitting comfortably in Yashoda's lap in the courtyard of their home, he listened with delight as she narrated a story. Suddenly, Yashoda felt that the child was getting heavier and heavier. She had to remove Him from her lap and put Him on the ground. She went inside the house for a few minutes to stretch her legs, confused by why she could no longer hold her child.

Suddenly, the asura Trinavart appeared in the form of a tornado enveloping the entire Gokul with particles of dust that blinded the eyes. He picked up the baby who was sitting alone and carried Him away. For the next hour, Gokul remained covered in dust and darkness. It was impossible to see anything. Mother Yashoda came running outside. She started calling out for her child, frantically running here and there looking for Him. Overcome with grief at not finding her child, she eventually fell on the ground and lost consciousness. 

Victory in the Skies

With the child in his grasp, Trinavarta rose higher and higher into the sky. He planned to throw the baby to the ground so that it would die instantly. Suddenly, Trinavart could not rise any higher, because the child became too heavy for him to carry. The child now caught hold of Trinavart’s neck and started squeezing it. Trinavart tried hard to break free from the grip of the child, but was unsuccessful. Trinavart fell from the sky and died on the outskirts of Gokul.

Once the storm subsided, the search party of cowherds who had been sent to look for the child were astonished to see Him clinging to the chest of a huge asura so far away from home. They wondered how the baby had survived the tornado and the fall. Everyone thought it was a miracle that Yashoda’s son was safe and thanked God for His kindness. 

Summary

This blog recounts two miraculous interventions involving the child, who manifests divine power to defeat malevolent forces sent by the tyrant Kans. The three-month-old child shatters a heavy cart with a single kick, an act that secretly liberates the asura Shakatasur from an ancient curse. Then, it describes how the demon Trinavart abducts the young child by manifesting as a violent whirlwind that plunges the village into darkness. Despite the asura's attempt to kill him, the child becomes immensely heavy and throttles the demon in mid-air, killing the demon and causing the massive body of the demon to come crashing to the ground.