The Cry For Krishna

King Parkishith said to Shukdev Paramhans:

"My lord, you have narrated the tales of the kings descended from the sun and the moon lineage, yet I humbly request you to share the enchanting story of Lord Krishna during his time on this earth. How did he spend his childhood? What adventures marked his youth? How did he navigate his later years? I am particularly curious about the circumstances surrounding the death of his mother's brother—what drove him to commit such a grave act? Please, delve into these events in detail.

I am particularly eager to hear the stories of Lord Krishna, for it was He who saved me during the great Kurukshetra war, safeguarding my life while I remained within my mother's womb. When Ashwatthama sought to annihilate me with the dreadful Brahmastra, it was Krishna's divine chakra that shielded me from harm. Please grant me the favour of these illuminating tales."

Shukdev, with a beaming smile, responded:

"I am immensely impressed by the deep and genuine devotion radiating from you, Parikshit, which has prompted you to ask me to tell the beautiful tales of Lord Krishna.

Your mind is in the right place, and no wonder you’re so eager to immerse yourself in the thrilling tales of Lord Krishna. Each of these stories is like a powerful tide that sweeps away the impurities of the heart, not just for the narrator but for all who listen and the one who seeks to hear them.

So, lean in closely, for I am about to unfold an extraordinary saga, revealing the events that compelled Lord Narayana to take human form on this tumultuous and sinful earth."

Mother Earth's Plea and Divine Intervention

In the Dvapar Yug, the earth was under the oppressive rule of numerous evil kings who committed acts of cruelty and injustice, overwhelmed by the suffering caused by these tyrannical rulers. Mother Earth, in pain, could not bear the burden of the sins and suffering anymore.

Mother Earth transformed into a cow and went to Brahma, the creator, for help. She stood before him, weeping loudly with tears rolling down her cheeks. Brahma asked her what the reason was for her sorrow. She told him that she could not bear the sins being committed by the kshatriyas, protectors of the society, who were polluting her, and there was no righteousness left on this earth.

Brahm promised to help her and accompanied her, along with Lord Shiva and celestial beings, to the abode of Lord Vishnu, where they all stood on the shore of the Ocean of Milk.

Brahma closed his eyes and prayed to the Lord, meditating upon his beautiful form. Lord Brahma heard the Supreme Lord say:

"I know about the distress of Mother Earth. To relieve her of this pain, I will appear in the family of Yadus in the house of Vasudev. My associates, including Sheshnaag (the thousand-headed serpent on which Lord Vishnu sleeps in the Ocean of Milk) and Yogmaya (God’s divine power), will also take birth along with Me."

After hearing the words of the Supreme Lord, Mother Earth found solace, and all the devas returned to their realms with joyful hearts, knowing that the world would soon be freed from her suffering.

The Lineage of Yadavs

The Yadavs were the descendants of Yadu, who was the son of Yayati. This lineage was divided into two principal regions: Mathura and Shoorsen. There were two brothers named Ugrasena and Devak. Ugrasena ruled over the kingdom of Mathura and had a son named Kans. Devak, on the other hand, had a daughter named Devaki.

Devaki's Marriage

Prince Kans was very fond of his sister Devaki, and they both grew up together and shared a very strong and special bond since Kans had no other sister of his own.

Vasudev was the son of Shoorsen. A marriage was arranged between Vasudev and Devaki. Prince Kans was extremely happy that his sister was getting married and personally paid attention to all the details of the wedding.

At the time of farewell of the bride. The newlywed couple were seated on a beautiful golden chariot. Devak gave lavish gifts to the newly married couple with chariots piled high with ornaments. Prince Kans, the loving brother, told the charioteer to descend and replaced him as the charioteer. He wanted to spend more time with his sister and offered to accompany her to Vasudev's palace. Prince Kans took up the reins of the horses in his hands. This was his grand gesture of affection for his sister.

The Ominous Prophecy

With the sound of conches, clarinets, and drums resonating through the air, Prince Kans lightly cracked a whip against the backs of the horses, signalling the start of the grand procession. Suddenly, an ominous voice echoed from above, cutting through the festive atmosphere and bringing everything to an abrupt halt. A collective gaze swept the crowd, searching for the source of the commanding voice.

"You fool!" it declared, directed straight at Prince Kans. The voice lingered for a moment, ensuring it had captivated the attention of every onlooker before continuing with a foreboding tone:

"You fool! Your sister Devaki, whom you are escorting to her husband's home, will ultimately lead to your death. The eighth child born to her will be the one to take your life."

Kans' Fury

In an instant, Kans leapt down from the chariot, consumed by rage and fear. He seized his sister's long hair with one hand while drawing his sword with the other.

"You are destined to be the mother of my killer."

He declared furiously. "In this moment, I will send you to the abode of Yama Lok. Then, I will know no fear, for no one will be able to slay me."

With his hand poised to strike.

But Vasudev rushed forward, gripping Kans' right arm tightly.

Vasudev's Desperate Plea and Clever Bargain

"How can you kill your sister, the one you love dearly, on the very day of her marriage?" He pleaded. "You are destined to be the king of Mathura, revered by your people. Don’t let this cruel and unjust act define you. I beg you, spare her life."

Kans remained indifferent to Vasudev's pleas. His determination to kill Devaki, whom he viewed as a threat, was unwavering. Realising that his words had little impact, Vasudev recognised the need for swift and clever action if he was to save his wife.

Vasudev thought to himself:

"I will speak to Kans and tell him that I intend to offer him my future sons as a gift. Since my children have yet to be born, I prefer to wait and see how things unfold before their arrival. At the very least, their mother will be alive until then. Who knows?

Death might even come for Kans before the children are born. And even if he survives until their birth, there's a chance he could meet his end at the hands of one of my sons. The heavens have foretold this, and their words cannot be false."

With a calm demeanour that masked his inner turmoil, Vasudev spoke to Kans,

"The heavenly voice did not predict your death at the hands of Devaki; rather, the true threat lies in her children. I vow to deliver them to you immediately after they are born. Please, spare the life of this young bride of mine, your dear sister."

After a moment of contemplation, Kans considered Vasudev's words and found them reasonable.

He lowered his sword and replied, "So be it."

Summary

This tale begins with King Parikshith's earnest request for the life story of Krishna, highlighting his connection to Krishna, who saved him in the womb. The narrative then shifts to Mother Earth's plea to Brahma concerning the rampant evil, which ultimately leads to Lord Vishnu's promise to descend and alleviate her suffering. A significant portion of the text elaborates on the lineage of the Yadavas and the marriage of Devaki and Vasudev, culminating in a prophecy from a divine voice that Devaki's eighth child will kill her brother, Prince Kans. This prophecy incites Kans's rage, leading him to attempt to murder Devaki, only for Vasudev to intervene and promise to hand over all their future children to Kans, thus saving Devaki's life.