Stories From The Bhagawatham - Krishna Avatar - He Comes, He Comes, He Ever Comes!

 

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At midnight, a gentle breeze blew, bringing with it the fragrance of exotic flowers. The spiritually-inclined could hear music wafting from the celestial realms –divine Dhundubhi being played, the Gandharvas and Kinnaras singing, and the apsaras dancing. Flowers fell on the earth from the very heavens and under such auspicious circumstances, Maha Vishnu incarnated on the earth as the child of Vasudeva and Devaki.

Vasudeva looked at the divine infant in silent wonder and amazement. Any doubts he had about the divinity of his child vanished as he took in the sight of the infant –lotus-shaped eyes, chaturbhuja roopam with the shanka, chakra, gadha and Padmam in each of his hands,the mark of Srivatsa on his chest, the Kaustubha jewel gleaming on his neck and the yellow silk draped around him. The infant was dark but radiated light with his crown and ear-rings shaped like a fish.

Vasudeva kept gazing at the infant until he remembered that he had become a father and there were some rituals he had to perform. In his mind, he performed the rituals of bathing in holy rivers, worshipping learned people and gifting cows as was the prevailing ritual. He made a silent promise to himself that he would perform all the rites physically whenever he got a chance.

Vasudeva and Devaki folded their palms and looked at the divine child. Vasudeva said, “In order to save the earth, you have chosen to be born to us as a human being. There are no words to describe what I am feeling. I will not call myself unfortunate from now on. I am the most fortunate person in the universe. I am grateful that my wife has the honour of being the mother of Maha Vishnu himself.”

Devaki said, “Please do not let Kamsa see you in this form – a form that is not meant to be seen by ordinary eyes. Very few people are granted this vision. It breaks my heart that I cannot keep you for myself like other mothers. You know how the cruel Kamsa has killed each of my children. Even as I speak now, word must have reached him about your birth and he must be rushing in with his dreadful sword. Please hide your glorious form, he doesn’t deserve to see it.”

In front of their very eyes, the infant changed form and turned into an ordinary baby. Vasudeva heard in his mind a silent command – to take the newborn child to Gokula and leave it in the house of Nanda, the leader of the cowherds. He also understood that he had to bring Nanda’s child with him to Mathura.

The parents were wondering how this was to be done when a miracle occurred. The locks of their doors split open. Vasudeva silently walked to the doors and saw that the guards that were stationed outside the cell were in deep sleep. Vasudeva placed the infant in a small wicket basket and covered him with his garment.

Devaki looked at the child in grief, wondering whether she would get to see him ever again.

Vasudeva walked out of the palace without any trouble.

Outside, a storm howled. Thunder split the sky and lightning turned night into day. As Vasudeva reached the Yamuna river, it started raining very heavily. Vasudeva did not know how he was supposed to carry on, but relying on divine guidance he stepped forth into the river, holding the basket on top of his head.

Yamuna river was not going to let go of the chance to touch the divine infant’s feet! She surged just once until her waters touched the infant’s toes and immediately fell back, feeling like the purpose of her life had been achieved.

Where there is Maha Vishnu, there is Adisesha, his enormous serpent. As Vasudeva swam through the waters, Adisesha rose from the sea and with his thousand hoods, formed a protective cover over both the father and the son. Vasudeva marched forth, unaware that he and his child were being protected. But the infant smiled at the familiar sight of his Adisesha!

Soon, Vasudeva reached the house of Nanda. Here too, he could get inside without any trouble as everyone was in deep sleep. He saw a baby girl lying beside Yashoda, Nanda’s wife. He placed his infant beside Yashoda and picked up the girl.

For a moment, the father lingered, watching his son, his heart breaking with grief, which only doubled when he saw the baby in his arms. He reminded himself that this was happening by divine will.

He silently left Gokul and came back to his prison. He placed the child beside Devaki. As if a mist had been cleared, the doors of his cell locked up like before.

He and Devaki waited for the coming of Kamsa.  

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