Celebration in Gokul

In the previous blog, "Vasudev exchanges the babies," we followed Vasudev as he crossed the river Yamuna, carefully placing the baby boy beside the unconscious Yashoda before picking up the newborn baby girl. Vasudev then returns to Mathura with the baby girl. The loud cries of the infant alerted the guards, who rushed to inform Kans that the eighth child had been born. This revelation ignited Kans' rage, prompting him to seize the baby girl with the intent to kill her. However, in a miraculous turn of events, the baby girl slipped from Kans's grasp and transformed into Yogamaya, proclaiming him a fool and revealing that the child destined to end his reign has already been born. Now, let's discover what unfolds next...

The Wrong Company and Mockery of the Divine

After parting from Vasudev and Devaki's jail cell, Kans quickly sought the company of his old and trusted associates. Yet, even in their presence, a deep sense of unease lingered within him. His mind was restless, clouded with fear and worry, unable to shake off the anxiety that gripped him.

These ministers were blinded by their own arrogance and pride; the air in the chamber was heavy with urgency as Kans recounted the strange and unsettling events that had occurred in the prison, as well as the ominous words spoken by Yogamaya. His revelations stirred a storm among the ministers, whose resentment toward the gods only fueled their fervour.

The ministers, emboldened by their hatred for the divine, responded with heated suggestions. "The child is hidden! He must be somewhere far away, perhaps among the cowherds, where no one would ever suspect," they insisted, their ambitions clear on their faces.

Driven by fear and determination, their proposals grew increasingly ruthless. "We must act swiftly. Let us eliminate every infant less than ten days old. In doing so, we will rid the land of any possible threat," they urged. "Kans, no celestial god can stand in your way. You have bested them in battle time and again, and now even the mention of your name strikes fear in their hearts."

The ministers’ confidence escalated into scorn as they mocked the very gods that haunted Kans’ thoughts. "Narayana cowers in the shadows, too afraid to confront you directly. And what of Lord Mahadeva? He is neither fully man nor woman—a being who cannot match your might. Brahma is insignificant, a mere speck compared to your greatness, and Indra’s power pales in comparison to yours."

Kans’ Fatal Decision

Kans, blinded by his arrogance and the illusion of safety, mistook the noose of death for a garland of flowers. Forgetting his own inherent virtues, he chose to trust his ministers, regarding them as loyal friends and advisors. Acting on their counsel, he swiftly organised the asuras to spread out in all directions, with orders to harass the brahmins and desecrate the yagyashalas. The asuras, unaware of the doom approaching them, carried out these destructive tasks with zeal.

There is no force more powerful in hastening one's downfall than harming good and righteous individuals. Such actions not only shorten one's life but also strip away wealth, fame, righteousness, family, and the hope of salvation. Ultimately, nothing can save those who are determined to commit evil deeds.

Grand Celebrations in Gokul 

Meanwhile, in Gokul, the moment Yogamaya was born to Yashoda, an extraordinary event unfolded. All its inhabitants fell into a deep trance-like sleep, aware only that Yashoda had delivered a child. In that state, they could not even discern whether the newborn was a boy or a girl. During this time, Vasudev arrived, and an exchange of children took place. Once the exchange was completed, the people of Gokul awoke from their deep slumber to a momentous announcement that swept through the village like wildfire: a son had been born to Nand.

The entire community of Gokul hurried to the house of their chief, eager to catch a glimpse of the newborn. There, they beheld the Lord of the Universe, resting beside his 'mother.' The child, small and delicate in Yashoda's arms, was said to resemble a blue lotus. Nand was overwhelmed with joy, feeling as though he was in the seventh heaven, for his son was as beautiful as the moon.

To protect the child from all harm, Nand invited the brahmins to recite sacred mantras. He generously distributed gifts to many people as part of the celebrations. The purification ceremony for the newborn, known as Jatakarma, was performed to bless and protect the child.

Gokul in Festive Splendour

With the birth of the new prince, Gokul was transformed; every street was filled with great festivity. Every household was decorated, and the streets were sprinkled with perfumed water. Women wore brightly colored clothes, and both the gopas and gopis danced in the streets.

In a gesture of goodwill and celebration, women waved silver plates filled with saffron water before the child, blessing him and wishing him a long, auspicious life free from harm.

The Two Sons 

Rohini, Vasudev's second wife, also gave birth to a son. She had been residing in Gokul, hiding from the tyranny of Kans, who persecuted the Yadavas and their women.

The two mothers, each with their sons, shone like queens among the Gopis. While Rohini’s son was fair in complexion, Yashoda’s son was dark; the mothers were filled with immense joy, which was shared with the people of Gokul.

Summary

After the exchange of the babies, Vasudev returned to Mathura with the baby girl, who transforms into Yogamaya and warns King Kans that his destined killer is alive and hidden. Following this revelation, Kans consults his ministers, who mock the gods and advise the king to swiftly eliminate all infants younger than ten days to preempt the threat, a decision Kans fatefully adopts by trusting their counsel. Meanwhile, Gokul is transformed by grand celebrations for the birth of a son to its chief, Nand, which is described as a miraculous event witnessed by the villagers after they awoke from a trance-like sleep. These festivities include ritual purification ceremonies, generous gift-giving, and village-wide dancing, highlighting the joy surrounding the new prince and his fair-complexioned cousin, Rohini's son, both residing in Gokul.