Chapter 1: The Birth of Joy

In a small, humble house, Nandarani and Yashoda lay resting, oblivious to the world around them. But soon, a voice broke through the quiet. "Hari! Oh Nandarani and Yashoda, wake up, wake up!" called a nurse, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Look, you have a son! Look at his sweet face. See how beautiful his eyes are."

Yashoda, still drowsy, opened her eyes and gazed at the tiny bundle in her arms. Her heart swelled with love and joy. "May my little one live long," she whispered, her voice a tender lullaby. The nurse, eager to share the news, hurried off to find King Nanda.

"Oh King," she called as she found him, "bring milk, butter, and cream quickly. A baby boy is born!" Laughter filled the air as King Nanda rushed to the house, his heart brimming with happiness. "Oh, what a wonderful face he has," he marveled, gazing at the child.

But amidst the joy, there was a touch of superstition. "Be careful, or his mother’s eyes might cast a spell," someone teased. "Where can I find some kohl?" Yashoda asked, concerned. "Put a dot of kohl on the child’s forehead, or my eyes might cast a spell on him."

The nurse, ever helpful, reassured her. "What are you doing? You rest, Queen," she said gently. "I will do it. Tell me what you need."

As the celebration continued, a playful exchange unfolded. "No, Maharaja, you cannot touch the child yet," the nurse teased King Nanda. "But first, give me my reward, and then you can hold the child."

"What do you say, Queen Mother?" King Nanda asked, amused.

"Yes, yes, of course," Yashoda replied with a smile. "On such a happy day, you deserve a reward." She removed a pearl necklace from her neck and handed it to the nurse. "The news you brought about this precious gem makes this necklace seem small. Take it, take it."

"Long live King Nanda!" the villagers cheered, their voices ringing with joy.

Soon, more villagers arrived, eager to see the child. "Where is Maharaja Nanda? Where is our Nandarani?" they called, their excitement palpable. "Oh, what joyful news I heard today. I came rushing here. Where is your little one, King?"

"Yes, I came to see him," another added. "I heard you have a son who looks like a god. Congratulations, King Nanda, congratulations."

"Won’t there be a celebration in Nandagram?" someone asked eagerly. "Won’t there be dancing and singing?"

"Yes, yes, there surely will be," King Nanda replied, his heart full. "On such a joyful day, there must be a celebration, you are right. We have brought milk, ghee, cheese, and butter for our little one. Please, Nandaraj, take these inside."

"Oh, come in, come in," Nanda invited warmly. "See my little one with your own eyes. Come, come, let’s go."

As the villagers gathered around the child, their hearts filled with wonder and admiration. "Oh, I've heard that Nanda's son is as beautiful as a god," someone whispered. "Let's go see him with our own eyes. Come on, let's go!"

"Oh, Nandarani," another said, their voice tinged with envy, "we're so envious of your blessing."

But Yashoda, her heart overflowing with love, replied softly, "This boy is the jewel of our village, not just mine alone."

"Yes, you're right," agreed another. "My son is the pride of Gokul. He's everyone's child, loved by all."

"Nandarani, where did you find such a child?" a voice asked in awe. "I can't take my eyes off him. He's so wonderfully beautiful."

"With blessings and love, we have such a child," Yashoda said, her voice a gentle reminder. "Make sure you don't cast an evil eye on him."

"Listen to the queen for once," someone teased playfully. "It's not just about looking at him; I feel like stealing him away." Laughter erupted, filling the air with joy.

In the midst of this celebration, the story of the child's arrival unfolded. Yashoda had longed for a child, and her prayers had finally been answered. It was said that by divine magic, a daughter had been taken from her, and a son left in her care. But Yashoda knew none of this, and in her heart, she believed the boy to be her own.

Thus, with blessings and joy, the tale of Krishna's birth began, a story that would echo through the ages.

Chapter 2: The Celebration in Gokul

The air in Gokul was alive with excitement and joy, unlike anything the village had ever seen before. A grand celebration unfolded in honor of the divine child's birth, and the festivities were nothing short of magical. Curious to know more, a young disciple asked his wise teacher, "What kind of celebration happened in Gokul for the birth of the divine child? I'm very curious to know, my lord."

The wise sage smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with the memory of that joyous day. "Such a celebration had never happened in Gokul before," he began. "In the joy of his son's birth, King Nanda donated a hundred thousand cows to the Brahmins, along with countless treasures, clothes, and precious jewelry. Their hearts full of gratitude, the Brahmins blessed Nanda's son with all their might."

People from every corner of Gokul gathered at Nanda's house, drawn by the news of the miraculous birth. They came in groups, wearing colorful turbans, new clothes, and whatever jewelry they could find. Some carried bamboo sticks, others played flutes, all eager to see the newborn child. Each brought gifts, hoping to add to the celebration.

King Nanda stood at the entrance, his face radiant with happiness. With hands folded in gratitude, he welcomed everyone, saying, "Come, come, all of you, bless our son. After so long, we've seen the face of a child. Please bless him to grow up to be a good person."

As the guests admired the baby, whispers spread through the crowd. "What are people saying, Nandaraja?" someone asked. "Your son is as beautiful as a god. He must have a bit of a god in him. How else could he be so lovely?"

Nanda chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, no. My son is not a god. Please don't look for anything magical in him. My son is just an ordinary boy. Please accept him as he is. I beg you."

Nearby, Yashoda, the child's mother, listened with a worried frown. "Calm down, Yashoda," a friend reassured her. "Your son is as ordinary as he seems. No one has made him a god."

Another guest whispered, "Why is Yashoda so worried? Is she afraid of something?"

A wise elder explained, "After waiting for a long time, Yashoda finally had a child. So, she always fears losing him. That's why she got scared when she heard people calling him a god, worried someone might take him away."

Nandaraja gently comforted the anxious Yashoda, and the guests in Gokul smiled and bowed their heads in respect.

But amidst the throng, Nanda did not notice the other visitors who had come to Gokul. The young disciple leaned forward eagerly. "Who were they, the wise sages? Who else came to Gokul? Please tell me about them."

Many sages and great souls had descended silently from the heavens to witness the divine child. The sage continued, "Kapil, Pulastya, Sanat Kumar, and Sanandan came. They silently bowed to Lord Hari. Among them was my father, Sage Vyasa. I was also there in Braj to see the great one."

The disciple's eyes widened in awe. "Were you there, wise sage? How did you find the newborn Narayan?"

The sage paused, his voice filled with reverence. "How can I describe it, King? He is beyond words, otherworldly. His gentle baby face seemed to shine with the light of the entire universe. Looking at him, all fears and worries vanished. His smiling face made all the beauty in the world seem dull."

The disciple's curiosity was insatiable. "King, who else came to see him, Acharyadev?"

"Brahma came, Maheshwar Shiva came, the king of gods Indra came, the wind god Pavan, Yamaraj, Varun, and Agni came," the sage recounted. "Goddess Saraswati came, and on her swan, Lakshmi rode on a cow. Durga, the lion-rider, came with the nine planets. They quietly stood in Nanda's house. After seeing the child, they silently praised him. Then, feeling fulfilled, they returned to their own worlds."

A question lingered in the disciple's mind. "Is the joy among the people of Gokul just because a child was born in the house of King Nanda? Is it simply loyalty to the king, or is there another reason for their happiness?"

The sage nodded knowingly. "Actually, it's not because Nanda is a king; it's because the Lord himself has come to Gokul, and that's why there's so much joy everywhere. Where the Lord resides, no one can stay unhappy. His presence is irresistible, and everyone feels drawn to him. The people of Gokul felt joy for no apparent reason. When the Lord himself arrived, all his divine qualities came with him. That's why devotion, freedom, prosperity, and success were everywhere in Gokul. No one seemed particularly interested in these things separately. Everyone felt wonderfully fulfilled."

The disciple, still pondering, asked, "Well, you mentioned earlier, wise sage, that the Lord's divine energy, Ladini, came to Gokul from Goloka. Now that the Lord himself is here, where is his Ladini, dear teacher?"

The sage smiled softly. "She is also in Gokul, growing up with unmatched beauty like a lotus in the house of Vrishabhanu and Kirti. However, Sri Radha was not born from a mother's womb."

Intrigued, the disciple leaned closer. "So how was she born, wise sage? How did she come to Gokul?"

The sage's eyes twinkled with the promise of another story, ready to unfold.

Chapter 3: The Arrival of the Divine Daughter

The sage's voice carried the story like a gentle breeze, drawing the disciple deeper into the enchanting tale. "One day, as the sun bathed the banks of the Yamuna in golden hues, Vrishabhanu wandered along its edge, lost in thoughts of the child he and Kirti longed for. It was then that he saw it—a lotus leaf floating serenely on the water, cradling a baby girl."

The disciple leaned in, captivated. "A baby girl? On a lotus leaf?"

"Yes," the sage continued, his eyes twinkling with the magic of the story. "Her face was divine, her skin like fresh gold. Vrishabhanu was mesmerized, for never had he seen such beauty. Though a king in wealth and honor, he was childless, and his heart ached with longing. As he stood there, contemplating this miraculous sight, he wondered, 'Whose child could this be? Where did she come from?'"

The disciple listened, eyes wide with wonder. "And what did Vrishabhanu do?"

"With a heart full of hope and hesitation, he picked up the baby. The moment he held her, a divine feeling washed over him, filling him with unparalleled joy. Unable to contain his excitement, he rushed home to Kirti, his wife."

The sage paused, letting the disciple imagine the scene. Then, he continued, "Bursting through the door, he called out, 'Kirti, Kirti, look, see who I've brought! Oh my, she's so beautiful.'"

Kirti's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the baby. "Where did you find this girl, my king?" she asked, her voice a mixture of awe and curiosity.

"The goddess Yamuna has sent her to us," Vrishabhanu replied, his voice filled with reverence. "I lifted her from the waters. She is our daughter now. We will raise her, Kirti, with all the love we have. What boundless grace from the divine, to fill our home and hearts like this."

The disciple listened intently, feeling the joy and gratitude that must have filled Vrishabhanu and Kirti's hearts. But there was more to the story.

"Though their hearts were full," the sage continued, "a shadow of worry lingered. The girl was beautiful, gentle, and bright, yet her eyes remained closed. No matter what they tried, she never opened them."

"Did they fear she was blind?" the disciple asked softly.

"Yes," the sage nodded. "An unusual sadness took hold of them. Nine months passed, and on the ninth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra, the Nandotsav began in Gokul. The entire village was alive with celebration."

The disciple could almost hear the sounds of joy and laughter echoing through the village.

"Vrishabhanu and Kirti, carrying their precious daughter, went to see the new arrival at King Nanda's house. 'Congratulations, King Nanda,' Vrishabhanu greeted warmly. 'May Queen Yashoda live long. Enjoy this divine child with great joy.'"

Nanda welcomed them with open arms. "Welcome, King Vrishabhanu, welcome. What a fortune that you have come to my house. Please, come in. Bless our son."

The sage's voice softened as he described the scene. "As they stood beside Yashoda, Kirti holding the little girl, something miraculous happened. The dark-skinned baby in Yashoda's lap reached out playfully and touched the closed, lotus-like eyes of the girl in Kirti's arms."

The disciple held his breath, sensing the moment of magic.

"And then," the sage said, his voice full of wonder, "the little girl slowly opened her eyes, gazing at Yashoda's child. Her face shone with an otherworldly glow, and the baby in Yashoda's lap smiled blissfully."

"Look, look, Maharaja," Kirti exclaimed, her voice ringing with joy. "Our daughter has opened her eyes. She can see!"

Vrishabhanu's heart swelled with relief and gratitude. "This is incredible. What a miraculous thing has happened with your son's touch, King Nanda. You are truly blessed."

The disciple, enthralled by the story, couldn't help but ask, "Acharyadev, why haven't you mentioned the divine child's name yet?"

The sage smiled, a secretive gleam in his eyes. "Because, dear Parikshit, he hasn't been named yet. The birth celebration has just happened in Nandagram. The naming ceremony will be next."

The disciple nodded, eagerly awaiting the continuation of the tale, his heart full of anticipation for the next chapter of this divine story.

Chapter 4: The Naming of Krishna

Vasudev approached the secluded hermitage of Sage Garg with a heart full of hope and a mind burdened with worries. He bowed respectfully before the sage, who was meditating under the shade of a grand banyan tree. "Greetings, Master," Vasudev began, his voice a blend of reverence and urgency. "I have come to you with a request."

Sage Garg opened his eyes, his expression calm and knowing. "What is your request? Tell me, Vasudev."

Vasudev sighed, the weight of his fears evident in his eyes. "Master, you know everything. We could not keep our eighth child with us because we feared something terrible might happen to him. It is very important for him to stay safe."

The sage nodded, understanding the depth of Vasudev's concerns. "I know, Vasudev. I know everything. Your child is safe. Who can scare the one who has come to remove the world's fears? Don't worry, Vasudev."

"I know, Master," Vasudev replied, his voice tinged with longing. "But I am restless, thinking about when I will see him again. I hope he is well and grows up in peace. But today, I haven't come to talk about my child's happiness, Guruji. I have a request for you."

"Speak freely, Vasudev," Sage Garg encouraged, his eyes gentle and patient.

"Master, you are the guru of the Yadav family. You have named all the children of this family. You also named the child born to Rohini. Please go to Gokul once more, Master. We request you to name Devaki's eighth child."

Sage Garg looked thoughtful, a hint of concern creasing his brow. "Vasudev, all my efforts have been for this day. But I worry that if I fulfill this request, your child might be in danger. Kansa knows I am the guru of the Yadavs. If I go to Gokul to name Yashoda's newborn, he might become alert."

"Nothing is impossible for you, Lord," Vasudev insisted, his faith unwavering. "Kansa's schemes can never succeed against your spiritual power, Guruji. But if you don't name my son, it would be unfortunate for him."

Sage Garg smiled, a serene confidence in his voice. "Vasudev, how can anything unfortunate happen to the one who brings fortune? Alright, don't worry. I will go to Braj."

With Vasudev's heartfelt request in mind, Sage Garg made his way to King Nanda's house in Gokul. When Nanda saw the sage, his face lit up with joy. "Sage Garg, what a blessing to see you here!" Nanda exclaimed, his hands folded in respect. "Please, name our newborn."

But the wise Garg cautioned, "If I name this child, Gokul might face danger. You know about Kansa's tyranny. You surely know what harm he has done to Devaki and Vasudev. Kansa is still searching for Devaki's eighth child. But, Sage, a girl was born from Devaki's eighth womb, and Kansa couldn't catch her. So why would he harm us now, Lord?"

Sage Garg's eyes were thoughtful as he replied, "The mystery of Devaki's eighth womb is still unclear, Nanda. After what that divine girl told Kansa, he cannot rest easy. He will start plotting again, Nanda. If I name this child, he might suspect a connection to Mathura."

Nanda nodded, understanding the sage's caution. "I understand your hint, my lord. Please listen to my request, dear God. No one should know about my son's naming ceremony. Only Yashoda and I will know, not any of our relatives, my lord."

"Alright," said Sage Garg, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Tell me where I should sit and recite the blessings, King."

"My lord, this cowshed is very quiet. No one comes here. Please perform the naming ceremony here, dear God," Nanda suggested, leading the way.

At Nanda's request, the great Sage Garg sat in the humble cowshed to perform the naming ceremony. Only Nanda and Yashoda were present, ensuring the utmost secrecy. Holding Nanda's son, Gargacharya began, "Your son has been born in every age, Nanda. In each age, his skin color was different. Sometimes fair, sometimes red, sometimes yellow. In this age, he is dark-skinned, so I name him Krishna. One day, he will be known as Vasudeva because he will be born as Vasudeva's son. But in the world, he will be famous as Krishna, Nanda."

Nanda, filled with pride and curiosity, asked, "Please explain the meaning of the name Krishna, master."

"This name is infinite and eternal," Sage Garg explained, his voice resonating with wisdom. "Listen, Nanda, the 'K' stands for the Lord of Lotus, 'R' stands for Rama. The 'S' represents six special qualities. The 'N' reminds us of Narasimha. And the last 'A' has a meaning too, Nanda. It signifies the fire god, showing that even the fire god will bow to him."

"Is my son so virtuous, sage? Will he achieve such greatness?" Nanda asked, his heart swelling with hope and wonder.

The sage nodded, his eyes twinkling with the promise of the future. "Indeed, Nanda. Your son is destined for greatness, and the world will know him as Krishna."

Chapter 5: The Divine Revelation

Nanda listened intently, his heart filled with awe and disbelief. The sage's words echoed in his mind, "You are the virtuous ones, Nanda. Because of your and Queen Yashoda's endless virtues, the Supreme Being has come here. Mind, intellect, heart, and ego will all be his servants, Nanda. The Supreme Lord appears in every age to destroy the wicked and protect the good and the devoted. Now he has come to your home. Don't be surprised by his unmatched deeds. Nothing is impossible for him, King."

Nanda's eyes widened, and he asked, his voice trembling, "What are you saying, revered teacher? Has the Lord of the Universe really been born in our humble home? Are we so fortunate?"

The sage, Gargamuni, nodded solemnly. "I am speaking the truth, Nanda. The scriptures describe many names and forms. I know them all. He is the refuge of the universe. Now you will raise him. This is his wonderful play."

Nanda's heart swelled with a mix of pride and responsibility. Gargamuni continued, "Recognize your son Balarama as this Vasudeva's servant. But he is also another form of Krishna. They are not different from each other. Are we so lucky, great sage, that the eternal Narayana has descended into our home? Your devotion has brought him here. You are his followers. He has responded to your love. Remembering him, no one ever faces trouble in heaven or the underworld. Your son is the Supreme Lord himself. Seeing him brings endless blessings, King. We are blessed, my lord. We are blessed."

Gargamuni then spoke to Mother Yashoda, revealing the divine nature of their son. "Now, can anyone raise such a child as their own? Acharyadev would surely serve him, thinking of him as a divine being. This seems like the truth, doesn’t it? But do you know, Parikshit? All of Lord Krishna's pastimes are under the control of Yogamaya. She casts a veil of forgetfulness. How, you ask? People see him as God right before their eyes. They witness miraculous events. Yet, they forget everything afterward. That thought just doesn’t stick."

The sage paused, his eyes distant as if recalling a memory. "The same thing happened with Nandaraja and Mother Yashoda. They forgot Gargamuni’s words. Yes, King, they forgot everything. Their love made them forget. As soon as Gargamuni left, the newborn cried in the cowshed. Immediately, Mother Yashoda rushed over and picked him up. And King Nanda busied himself with the child. This is what we call 'maya' or illusion. Without this maya, divine play cannot happen. Even God’s creation is, in fact, this maya. Without maya, there is no creation. Do you understand, King?"

King Parikshit nodded slowly, absorbing the profound wisdom. "Yes, Acharyadev, now I understand. Gargamuni knew that Nanda and Yashoda would forget his words. That’s why he confidently revealed Lord Krishna’s true identity to them."

After leaving Nanda's home, Gargamuni made his way to the house of Vishabhanu Gopi. As he arrived, Vishabhanu greeted him with deep respect. "Greetings to Narayana. Is the master of the house at home? What a fortune, what a fortune! The one whom people strive to see has come uninvited to my door today. Gargacharya, accept Vishabhanu’s respects. May there be blessings, may there be blessings. With the saint’s holy presence, my house has become a place of pilgrimage. So, what service can I offer you, Lord? Please give me your command."

Gargamuni smiled kindly. "Vishabhanu, I haven’t come to give you any orders. I have come to see your daughter."

Vishabhanu's heart leaped with joy. "My daughter will be blessed by your visit, great sage. You have personally come to see her."

"Come with me to the banks of the Yamuna, Vishabhanu. I have a secret to share with you." Gargamuni's voice was gentle yet firm.

They walked together to the serene banks of the Yamuna, where the water flowed softly, carrying with it the whispers of ancient stories. Sitting down beside the river, Vishabhanu bowed to Gargamuni and asked, "Oh great sage, people may not get to see you even once in their lifetime. Yet, you have come to me personally. I don’t know if you will ever come again. Please, grant me an answer, Lord."

Gargamuni looked at him with compassion. "Tell me, Vishabhanu, what do you wish to know?"

Vishabhanu hesitated, then spoke from his heart. "Radhika, our eldest daughter... We have found an extraordinary way. We are raising her with great love and care. We can’t just marry such a daughter off anywhere. Please tell me where we should marry her in the future, Lord. That’s why I brought you here, Vishabhanu."

The sage listened, understanding the weight of a father's love and concern. The river continued its gentle flow, as if listening to the secrets shared upon its banks.

Chapter 6: The Divine Union

In the vast tapestry of countless universes, a remarkable event unfolded. The great lord Narayan himself had descended to earth, born as Nanda's son. Word of this divine birth reached the ears of Vrishabhanu, as someone advised him, "You should give your daughter to him, Vrishabhanu. You won't find a better match than Nanda's son."

Vrishabhanu was taken aback, his eyes wide with amazement. "What did you just say, wise sage?" he asked, his voice trembling with awe. "How fortunate must Nanda be? Why has the supreme lord come to his house? Please tell me; I can't wait any longer."

The sage smiled gently, understanding the urgency in Vrishabhanu's heart. "He has come to defeat the cruel Kansa and remove all sorrow from the world," the sage explained. "At the request of Lord Brahma, the supreme spirit has descended to earth. Does Radha have the fortune to unite with the supreme spirit? Is she truly worthy?"

"You don't know who has come to your home, Vrishabhanu," the sage continued, his voice filled with wonder. "Haven't you realized?"

Vrishabhanu shook his head, confusion clouding his mind. "I truly don't know," he admitted. "Our Radha, your Radha, chose for you and Queen Kirti to be born in Gokul. You are raising this pure daughter as your own. There is no difference in fortune between you and Nanda, Vrishabhanu."

"Forgive me, I don't understand," Vrishabhanu pleaded, his heart yearning for clarity. "Please don't keep me in the dark. Tell me, who is my Radha?"

The sage's eyes sparkled with the light of truth. "The supreme Radha of the universe is your Radha," he explained. "She is the love and joy of the supreme soul. Just as Nanda's Krishna is the supreme spirit, your Radha is his great power. That's why they were born together."

"In my home, such fortune!" Vrishabhanu exclaimed, his voice choked with emotion. He bowed his head before the wise sage Garg, tears glistening in his eyes. Overwhelmed by the revelation, he called for Queen Kirti to share this incredible news. Together, they talked about everything that had happened since they first saw Radha.

Slowly, the mystery began to unravel for Vrishabhanu and Kirti. They started to understand why Radha hadn't opened her eyes since birth and why she first looked at baby Krishna when he touched her.

"O wise sage, the union of Krishna and Radha is inevitable," Vrishabhanu requested earnestly. "If you could bring them together, we would be grateful."

"No, Vrishabhanu," the sage replied with a gentle shake of his head. "Even I am not worthy to unite the supreme spirit and his power. When the time comes, Lord Brahma himself will descend to do this. Don't worry; everything is already destined."

After seeing Radha and Krishna, Sage Garg left the land of Braj, his heart full of peace. In Nanda's home, Krishna and Balaram grew up with great care, while under the love of Kirti and Vrishabhanu, little Radha blossomed like the moon. Braj was filled with happiness and joy.

Meanwhile, a curious question lingered in the air. "I have a question, Acharyadev," a young student asked, breaking the serene atmosphere. "Kansa had freed Devaki and Vasudev, right? So why didn’t Vasudev come to see his own son in Brij?"

The wise teacher nodded, appreciating the question. "Even though Kansa released Vasudev, he kept a close watch on him. Do you know why?" he asked, pausing for effect. "Because Kansa couldn’t fully accept the mystery of Devaki’s eighth child. He couldn’t believe it, but he couldn’t deny what he had seen with his own eyes either. That’s why Kansa was looking for newborn babies. If Vasudev had gone to Brij, Kansa would have become more suspicious. So Vasudev had to control himself and stay put."

Another student, eager for more knowledge, inquired, "How did they get news about Krishna and Balaram, Rishivar? Even if Vasudev didn’t go to Gokul?"

The teacher smiled, ready to unravel the tale. "Nanda used to come to Mathura. Gokul was a region that paid taxes to Mathura. Nanda would come to pay taxes to King Kansa. Vasudev and Nanda had a very deep relationship. So whenever Nanda came to Mathura, he would meet Vasudev."

"When did Vasudev meet Maharaj after Krishna was born, Acharyadev?" another student asked eagerly. "Didn’t Maharaj understand anything when he saw Vasudev?"

The teacher's eyes twinkled with the joy of storytelling. "Just a few days after the Nandotsav in Gokul, Maharaj Nanda came to Mathura to pay taxes to Kansa. After finishing his duties at the palace, he went to see Vasudev. Seeing Nanda, Vasudev hugged him with joy and emotion."

"Welcome, King, welcome," Vasudev exclaimed, his voice filled with warmth. "I know the good news of your fortune. The joy I feel is beyond words. Your life is now complete, Nanda."

"Yes, Vasudev, God is truly merciful," Nanda replied, his heart overflowing with gratitude. "Without His grace, such a beautiful child like the moon wouldn’t have come to us at this age. He truly listens to the prayers of His devotees."

And so, the divine tale of Radha and Krishna continued to unfold, weaving its magic through the hearts of those who heard it.

Chapter 7: Shadows Over Gokul

Nanda's heart was heavy as he listened to Vasudeva's words. "I feel very sad for you, Vasudeva," he said, his voice filled with compassion. "You are like gods in human form, yet such terrible misfortune has befallen you. He didn’t even leave you with a single support to live by."

Vasudeva, ever noble, replied, "King, your son is like our son too. Your happiness is our happiness. If you are well, we are well. Besides, Balaram was born from Devaki’s womb. Rohini’s son is my son too. So stay, my friend, stay. May our Krishna and Balaram keep you well too. This is my prayer to God."

"You are raising my Balaram like your own son, Nanda," Vasudeva continued, his eyes filled with gratitude. "May he respect you and Queen Yashoda as his parents. Otherwise, his birth will be in vain."

Nanda shook his head, dismissing Vasudeva's concerns. "No, brother, don’t worry about that. Your Balaram shows very good signs. He won’t cause anyone any harm. God is benevolent. May He keep everyone well. May your Gokul remain happy and peaceful. Let there be no unrest there."

Vasudeva nodded, but his brow was furrowed with worry. "You’ve paid the taxes to Kansa. When will you return to Gokul, Nanda?"

"I’m thinking of spending a few days in the capital and then returning there," Nanda replied thoughtfully. "That way, I can meet you too. There’s not much work there right now."

Vasudeva leaned forward, urgency in his voice. "No, finish your work and go back to Gokul quickly, King. Otherwise, there might be trouble."

Nanda's eyes widened with concern. "What trouble? What are you talking about? What will happen in Gokul?"

Vasudeva sighed, his voice low and serious. "No, times are not good, Nanda. On top of that, there's Kansa's evil plans. You're not in Gokul. If he causes any harm there during this time..."

He paused, glancing around as if the walls themselves might be listening. "The ministers are even more cruel. They have no kindness or mercy. Without you, Gokul won't have any protection. That's why I was saying this."

Nanda nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face. "Yes, Vasudeva. You're right. I hadn't thought about it. Gokul is really unprotected now. Plus, my two little children are there. If anything happens to them—no, no, I must return to Gokul. Not another moment here. Who knows what's happening there?"

As Nanda prepared to leave, a question lingered in the air, whispered by a curious voice. "But why did Vasudeva advise Nanda to go back, Rishibar? Did he know of any danger?"

The wise sage, Rishibar, replied, "Vasudeva is also from the royal family. He hears news from the messengers. He always keeps an eye on Gokul, so he feels uneasy. He knew that Kansa's spies were searching for a ten-day-old baby. So, it's natural to be scared."

Meanwhile, as Nanda Maharaj traveled, his mind was a whirl of worries. "Vasudeva's words aren't false," he thought. "Why is he so scared about Gokul? Is there really some danger approaching? Oh Lord Hari, oh Narayana, protect my Gokul, protect Lord Krishna and Balarama. Keep them safe from harm."

As he called out to the danger-removing Madhusudana, Nanda continued on his way, his heart heavy with concern for his home and loved ones.

In Gokul, a real danger had indeed arrived. Its name was Putana. She was a terrible demoness, able to disguise herself with a beauty so enchanting that none could recognize her true nature. Putana was Kansa's most trusted ally, and she had come with a sinister purpose.