Vaudev Exchanges The Babies

In the previous blog, "The Eighth Wonder Is Here...", the miraculous appearance of Lord Narayan unfolds as He reveals Himself before Devaki and Vasudev in His divine form.

Now let's continue with the story....

Miraculous Escape from Prison

The locks opened on their own, and the heavy iron doors swung open wide. To Vasudev’s astonishment and mounting hope, he found that the guards were in a deep, unshakable sleep, allowing him to slip into the night with his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. Upon reaching the banks of the Yamuna river, a tempest awaited him—a sky thick with brooding clouds, rain lashing down, and the river raging, threatening to swallow all in its path. Fear and uncertainty swept over him, casting doubt on how he would ever cross the river.

Yet, trusting in the Lord with trembling resolve, Vasudev stepped into the turbulent waters, every nerve of his weary body alive with worry for the child he carried. Unknown to him, Adishesha watched protectively, shielding the infant with his thousand hoods from the relentless rain. Mother Yamuna, overcome with longing and devotion, surged upward in ecstatic waves, desperate to touch the sacred feet of her Lord. As her waters reached the tiny feet of the divine child nestled in the basket, a miracle unfolded: Yamuna instantly withdrew and parted, allowing Vasudeva safe passage, filling him with awe and gratitude as he crossed safely through the storm.

Exchange of Children in Gokul

Arriving at Nand’s home in Gokul, Vasudev slipped into Yashoda’s quarters, where the faint glow of dawn revealed a child lying in tranquil innocence beside her mother. Every second felt heavy with fate as Vasudev, trembling yet resolute, placed his precious son at Yashoda’s side and, with trembling hands, lifted her child—a girl—into the basket. Outside, the entire village of Gokul lay enchanted in a supernatural slumber, utterly oblivious to the world-altering drama unfolding in their midst.

Return to Mathura and Awaiting Fate

Vasudev retraced his steps to Mathura and returned to his prison cell. He placed the girl child beside Devaki and noticed that the doors had locked themselves once again. He secured the iron chains to his wrists and ankles once more. Together, Vasudev and Devaki awaited Kans’ arrival, their hearts filled with uncertainty about what fate had in store for them.

Driven by fear

Kans was lying in his bed, restless and exhausted, desperately seeking sleep that had long abandoned him. Ever since he learned that Devaki was pregnant with her eighth child, he had known no peace. The prophecy that foretold his doom weighed heavily on his mind, and the unearthly glow that seemed to surround Devaki only deepened his fears. He realised that the child she was about to give birth to would be the cause of his death, and the thought relentlessly gnawed at him, leaving him unable to rest.

The loud, piercing cries of a newborn baby suddenly awakened the palace. The sound echoed through the halls, unsettling all who heard it. Outside the royal chamber, the guards stationed at the doors reacted instantly, their faces pale and tense.

Without hesitation, they hurried through the corridors to find Kans. As soon as they reached him, they announced the birth of the child, their voices urgent and anxious:

"My lord, Devaki's eighth child has been born. We came quickly to inform you."

When Kans heard that the baby had finally been born, panic and dread seized him. Without a second thought, he grabbed his sword, the cold metal trembling in his grip. His hair streamed behind him as he rushed through the palace, driven by fear and desperation, toward the prison where Devaki and Vasudev were being held.

Inside the prison, Devaki saw Kans approaching. The sight of her brother in such a state filled her with terror. It was as if the god of death himself had come for her. Overwhelmed by fear, her face reflected her anguish as she fell at Kans’ feet, pleading desperately:

"My beloved brother, please do not kill this child. It's a girl. Please spare her life."

A Mother's Plea

Devaki, overwhelmed by sorrow and desperation, pleaded with Kans to spare her newborn daughter. She reminded him that every son she gave birth to was handed over to him and then mercilessly killed, but this child was a girl. Devaki questioned what harm a poor girl could do and insisted that the baby girl could not fulfil the prophecy which haunted Kans. She begged for mercy, emphasising that killing a woman was a terrible sin and urged him to show mercy. Recalling the love they once shared, Devaki clung tightly to her child, her tears bathing the newborn as she made her heartfelt appeal.

Devaki's Desperate Plea and Kans' Ruthlessness

Devaki's prayers fell on deaf ears. Overcome by terror and driven by the prophecy of his own death, Kans was transformed into a creature blinded by fear and cruelty. In his mania, he ignored his sister's desperate appeals for mercy, showing no compassion or hesitation. He snatched the child roughly from the weak hands of his sister and, holding the child with its tender legs, tried to dash her against a slab of stone. 

The Miraculous Transformation of Yogamaya

The child, revealed as Yogamaya, slipped effortlessly from Kans's grip and ascended into the sky.

High above, the majestic form of Durga appeared, commanding the attention of Kans. She stood resplendent, adorned with a garland of sweet flowers draped around her neck. Gleaming jewels shone from her neck, arms, and feet, reflecting her divine radiance. In her eight hands, she held weapons of destruction: a bow, a trident, arrows, a sword, a conch, a discus, and a mace, symbolising her power and readiness to protect righteousness.

The Proclamation

Poised above the world, Durga addressed Kans directly, her voice echoing with authority and divine purpose. She said:

“Stupid fool! How foolish of you to try to kill me! What do you hope to gain by attempting to end my life? There is nothing you can achieve from this act.

Your true enemy, the lord, the child who is destined to bring about your downfall, has already been born. No matter what you do to me, the course of destiny cannot be changed.

Do not kill innocent people without cause. There is no reason to shed innocent blood. Such actions will accomplish nothing and only bring needless suffering.”

Her proclamation made it clear that Kans's efforts to thwart fate were in vain and that his cruelty had served no purpose. With these words, Durga vanished, leaving the world enveloped in darkness.

Kans became despondent after hearing these words. He apologised to Devaki and Vasudev for killing their babies and shuddered at the thought of having committed such acts of cruelty. With tears in his eyes, Kans fell at their feet and sought forgiveness from them. He then released them from their chains and set them free. Seeing Kans genuinely remorseful for his actions, Devaki and Vasudev forgave him.

Summary

Obedient to a divine command, Vasudev carries the child to Gokul, where he miraculously crosses the raging Yamuna River after all prison doors and locks open, and the guards fall into a deep sleep, aided by Adishesha and Mother Yamuna. Vasudev then swaps the divine baby for a baby girl at Nanda Baba's home and returns to Mathura. Subsequently, Kans is informed of the birth and, driven by fear of the prophecy of his death, rushes to the prison, ignores Devaki's desperate pleas, and tries to kill the infant girl, who is then revealed as Yogamaya, a majestic form of Devi. Yogamaya proclaims that Kans’ killer has already been born and vanishes, causing Kans to feel deep remorse, apologise to Vasudev and Devaki, and set them free.