The Story of Devaki and Vasudeva

King Parikshit bowed his head and spoke with deep feeling.

"I am becoming deeply amazed, Lord. Deeply amazed. Shri Hari is endless. The more I hear about him, the more my inner soul floats in joy. Lord, now please tell me about my pole star. O great sage, tell me about my life-giving Lord Shri Krishna. Let my mind find a little peace now."

Shukadeva Goswami looked at the king with calm kindness and said, "Now I will tell you about Shri Krishna, Maharaj. After the Rama avatar, the Lord again came to earth in the name of Krishna. Jaya and Vijaya were born this third time to die. Narayan also came again to free them. But compared to the other avatars, this avatar of his is the most important."

Parikshit at once asked, "Why, Lord? Why do you say that?"

Shukadeva replied, "This Krishna avatar is the supreme lord of divine play. In each of his acts, one of his glories was shown. In no other form was so much divine glory shown together like in this one, O King. In this Krishna form, the shining of God’s endless greatness was seen."

The king listened closely and said, "Why was there less glory in the other avatars? Please tell me that, O sage."

Shukadeva said, "Do you know what an avatar is like, Maharaj? It is like a wave. A huge ocean. From it, many waves rise. Some waves are very big, and some are small. The bigger the wave, the more water it carries. Is that not so? Avatars are just like those waves."

Parikshit asked, "Then who is that great ocean?"

Shukadeva grew grave. "That is a very deep matter, O King. Will you hear it? That ocean is Sat-Chit-Ananda Brahman himself. From that Supreme Brahman, avatars are born. The waves are the avatars. Whatever the scriptures may say about their number, avatars are truly endless. A bigger wave means that avatar has much greater power and glory."

The king asked again, "Why is there a difference in the power of avatars, Acharyadev?"

"He takes exactly as much power as each age needs," Shukadeva answered. "The work and purpose of every age are not the same. So the power of the avatars is also not the same. And before the Dwapar age, the world was much simpler. Its demands were not so great. So there is no comparison between Shri Krishna and the other avatars, O King."

Parikshit leaned forward. "Then what is special about the Krishna avatar? Please tell me, Acharyadev."

Shukadeva said, "Before this, such a sharp conflict between dharma and adharma had never been seen on earth. Until then, people thought that reaching heaven was the highest goal. They had not even heard of moksha. They wrongly thought ritual action alone was religion. In this Krishna avatar, people learned to know action, religion, heaven, moksha, and nature as separate things. So as long as creation lives, there is no path other than the one shown by Shri Krishna, O King."

The king folded his hands. "Tell me about that teaching of Lord Shri Krishna, and about his divine play."

"I will surely tell you, Maharaj," said Shukadeva. "But before that, let me tell you about the family in which playful Hari was born. In the Treta age, Ramachandra came in the Solar Dynasty. And in Dwapar, Shri Krishna came in the Lunar Dynasty."

Parikshit asked at once, "But how did this Lunar Dynasty begin? Please tell me that, Lord."

Shukadeva began.

"From the lotus growing from the navel of the Supreme Narayan, Brahma was born. Brahma’s son was named Atri. In virtue, he was equal to his father. From the tears of Atri’s eyes, his son Soma was born. Another name of this Soma is Chandra. Brahma loved Chandra very much. After Brahma, Chandra became the lord of the Brahmins, herbs, and the world of stars."

He paused, then said, "But Chandra had a good deal of pride from the beginning. He was very handsome. And by royal power, his strength also increased greatly."

"One day, the proud Chandra looked upon Tara. Tara was the wife of Brihaspati, the guru of the gods. Even Urvashi and Rambha grew dim beside her beauty. Chandra carried Tara away."

Parikshit listened silently as the sage continued.

"Brihaspati made no effort at first to rescue her. Brihaspati was the guru of the gods. He was the son of Sage Angira. He was very gentle by nature. He had no liking for war. He requested Chandra to free his wife. But when that request failed, Brihaspati saw no other way and declared war against Chandra. Indra, king of the gods, joined Brihaspati’s side with all the gods. But Shukracharya was angry with Brihaspati, the guru of the gods. So in this war he took Chandra’s side."

"Fearing that a terrible disaster might break out among the gods themselves, Sage Angira hurried to Prajapati Brahma."

Angira cried, "Lord, save us. You are the father of the Vedas. You are the creator. If you do not protect us, this creation will be destroyed, Lord. Save it."

Brahma asked, "What has happened, Angira? Why are you so disturbed? Has some great trouble happened somewhere?"

Angira answered, "A terrible disaster is about to happen, Lord. If you do not stop it, no one else can. Under my son Brihaspati, all the gods are preparing to attack Chandra. The preparations for war have begun, Lord."

Brahma was shocked. "What are you saying? The gods are going to war among themselves? What a terrible wrong. Go to Mahadev, Angira. He can stop this war."

But Angira said helplessly, "No, Lord, there is no hope in that now. Pleased by the praises of Indra, Mahadev himself has joined my son Brihaspati with his followers. And on the other side, the teacher of the demons, Shukracharya, has stood with Chandra. In this condition, who but you can stop this disaster, Lord?"

Hearing the whole matter from Sage Angira, Prajapati Brahma became red with anger. He could no longer bear Chandra’s pride and blazing power. At once he went to Chandra with Angira and thundered, "O wicked Chandra, stop this wrong at once. How dare you all go to war among yourselves? How have you become so proud? There is no forgiveness for the injustice you have done to Brihaspati. Free Tara at once. You can have no right over her. If you do not listen to me, destruction will fall upon you."

Chandra at once bowed. "Your command is on my head, Lord. I am freeing Tara at once. Be calm, be calm."

At Brahma’s roar, Chandra set Brihaspati’s wife Tara free. But after her release, it became known that Tara was carrying a child. Then Brihaspati and Chandra almost came to a duel over who was the father of Tara’s child.

Standing between them, Tara trembled in shame, fear, and insult. In an angry voice Brihaspati said, "Evil-minded sinful woman, cast away the child in your womb this very moment. Throw away that sin, Tara. That child is not mine, never mine. I do not want to see its face."

Tara answered with pain and courage, "No. A blameless child has come into my womb. As a mother, I cannot give it up. This child has done no wrong. How can you, the teacher of the gods, give such an order, husband? If someone must be abandoned, abandon me. I will protect this child with my life."

No one was willing to accept fatherhood for the child in Tara’s womb. Both Brihaspati and Chandra were loudly denying any duty toward it, when suddenly the creator Brahma came and stood before them. In a gentle voice he asked, "Mother, you yourself tell us who the father of your child is. Do not be shy, mother. I want to hear this truth from your own mouth."

Tara bowed her head and said, "My husband is not the father of my child, Lord. The father of this child is Chandra."

After Tara’s child was born, both Brihaspati and Chandra were charmed by the baby’s beauty and grace. Both longed to hear the child call them father. But by Brahma’s order, Chandra received the right of fatherhood over the child Budha.

Shukadeva said, "The son of Chandra and Tara’s son Budha was named Puruba. That Puruba was the first forefather of the Lunar Dynasty."

Parikshit asked, "Then if Lord Shri Krishna was born in the Lunar Dynasty, why is he called a Yadava, O sage? Please tell me how the Yadava line began."

Shukadeva nodded. "Then let me tell you a story. Listen, Parikshit. Hearing of the name and beauty of Budha’s son Puruba, the heavenly apsara Urvashi became attached to him. From the union of Puruba and Urvashi, the descendants of the Lunar Dynasty were born. In that line, a later king was Yayati. The eldest son of Yayati and Devayani, the daughter of Shukracharya, the teacher of the demons, was named Yadu. From Yadu came the Yadu line, Maharaj."

The king still wondered. "But why was Yadu, the son of Yayati, not also simply called part of the Lunar Dynasty, O sage? How did a new line begin from him?"

Shukadeva said softly, "That is a story of wrong and sorrow, Maharaj."

He began.

"Devayani, the daughter of Shukracharya, and Sharmishtha, the daughter of the demon king Vrishaparva, were very close friends. But one day, while they were playing in the water of a lake with their companions, they suddenly saw Shiva and Parvati passing through the sky. At the sight of Mahadev, the girls felt great shame. They quickly put on the clothes left on the bank. But in the hurry, Sharmishtha mistakenly wore Devayani’s clothes."

Devayani became furious. "How dare a Kshatriya girl do such a thing! You are very bold, Sharmishtha. Do you not know that we Brahmins are the greatest? You are only asuras. So you are our disciples. Even so, even so, you have worn my clothes. How dare you?"

Sharmishtha replied, "I did not do it on purpose, Devayani. Believe me."

But Devayani only grew harsher. "Just as Shudras have no right to recite the Vedas, you also have no right to touch the clothes of Brahmins, wicked asura. How dared you, how dared you do this sinful act?"

Then Sharmishtha’s anger blazed up. "So that is it, unlucky girl, is it? You speak such big words to me? Have you seen how a dog sits at its master’s door waiting for food? In just that way, you all depend on my father for the sake of others. Think first about whom you are speaking to."

Devayani shouted back, "Is that so? Then you sinful girl, such big words from you! I will throw you into that well. Let us see, let us see who saves you."

Instead, it was Sharmishtha who truly pushed Devayani into a well and then went back to her palace with her companions.

A little later, King Yayati came that way while returning from hunting. Looking for water to quench his thirst, Yayati saw the well from a distance. But when he came near, he was amazed. Inside the well lay a very beautiful young woman. He threw his upper cloth toward the girl and rescued her from the well.

After being freed from the dark well, Devayani, full of gratitude and love for King Yayati, said, "O King, how strange this is. Our meeting in this way is not ordinary at all. The gods of heaven themselves have brought us together. You rescued me from the well, and from the water of that same well you quenched your thirst. Now, now please marry me, Maharaj."

Yayati asked, "What is your identity? Were you born in a Kshatriya family?"

Devayani answered, "No, no, Maharaj. No, no, I am not a Kshatriya. My name is Devayani. I am the daughter of Guru Shukracharya."

"Then you are a Brahmin girl," said Yayati. "Why do you wish to marry a Kshatriya like me?"

Devayani replied, "Because of the curse of Kacha, the son of Brihaspati, I will not marry any Brahmin man, Maharaj."

Yayati hesitated. "But this goes against society. Still, I cannot deny my attraction toward you. Very well, I accept your words. I will marry you."

After Yayati returned to his kingdom, Devayani went weeping to Shukracharya and told him of the insult by Sharmishtha. To Guru Shukracharya, living by the mercy of a Kshatriya king now felt like poison. Holding his daughter’s hand, he came out onto the road.

By then, the demon king Vrishaparva had heard everything from Sharmishtha. Hearing it, he was deeply troubled. What disaster was this! If Guru Shukracharya once helped his enemies win, what would happen? Or what if, to avenge his daughter’s insult, he cursed them?

At once Vrishaparva ran to Shukracharya. He met him on the road. Sitting at his feet and begging again and again, the sorrowful Vrishaparva said, "O Gurudev, please do not leave my kingdom. I beg you. My life, my life itself will be in danger if you do, Gurudev. Do not leave me, Lord. Please return to your home. Show mercy."

Shukracharya said, "Maharaj Vrishaparva, I have no complaint against you. But I cannot stay alone in your kingdom without my daughter Devayani, O King. My daughter no longer wishes to stay there. Whatever you have to say, say it all to Devayani, Vrishaparva."

Vrishaparva turned to her and pleaded, "Guru’s daughter Devayani, do not be angry with me. Tell me, tell me, what can I do for you? Speak freely. Whatever you say, I will do. But, but do not leave this kingdom."

Devayani answered, "Maharaj, after the insult by your daughter Sharmishtha, I have no wish at all to remain here. But since you yourself are asking, very well, I will not leave. But you must also give me one promise, Maharaj."

"Tell me, Devayani. Whatever you ask, I will give it to you. Tell me, what do you want?"

Devayani said firmly, "After my marriage, Sharmishtha must go with me, along with her companions. They will all serve me as maids. Tell me, are you willing to agree to this, Maharaj?"

Vrishaparva lowered his head. "Yes, Devayani. It shall be as you say. Sharmishtha will be your maid. I give you my word."

After receiving King Vrishaparva’s promise, Devayani returned home with her father. In due time she was married to King Yayati. Sharmishtha, daughter of the demon king Vrishaparva, also went with her 1000 companions to serve Queen Devayani.

At the time of the bride’s farewell after the wedding, Shukracharya called King Yayati and said, "Maharaj Yayati, remember one thing. Sharmishtha is Devayani’s maid. Treat her like a maid, Maharaj. Do not give her a place in your bed."

Yayati bowed and replied, "I will remember your words, Acharyadev."

For quite some time after marriage, Devayani lived happily. Then one day, she gave birth to two sons by King Yayati. Their names were Yadu and Turbasu.

Seeing Devayani become a mother, Sharmishtha also secretly began to long for a child. But would she ever be free from serving Devayani? And even if she did, how?

At last, one day, a chance came to Sharmishtha all at once. That day King Yayati was sitting alone in his garden. Devayani was nowhere there. No guards or servants were there either. Sharmishtha was nearby that garden. She was then in her fertile time. Seeing the king, forgetting her state of slavery, Sharmishtha ran to him and prayed, "Protect my womanhood, Maharaj. Give me a child."

Yayati drew back. "Stop, Sharmishtha. I cannot disobey the words of Shukracharya."

Sharmishtha answered, "And what about your duty as king? I, I am asking for alms, O King. Do you wish to refuse a beggar? Will your dharma remain then?"

Yayati was troubled. "That is also true. Though Acharyadev had forbidden me to do this. But if I send you away, then I will not be doing my duty. No, no, that would be a great wrong. Very well, I will give you a child. I promise."

Yayati kept his word. Sharmishtha gave birth to three sons named Druhyu, Anu, and Puru.

Later, one day, Devayani came to know who the father of those children was. In great anger and sorrow, she returned to Shukracharya. Though Yayati tried hard, he could not calm his wife. Yayati also came before Shukracharya along with Devayani.

Hearing everything, Shukracharya lost his senses in anger and cursed Yayati, saying, "Lustful, lying wretch Yayati. I curse you. Let old age and decay enter your body at once. Let your beauty be ruined."

Yayati folded his hands and said, "Acharyadev, your words never fail. I know that my youth will be destroyed at once. But then darkness will also fall on your daughter’s life, Acharyadev. In punishing me, you have ruined Devayani’s life too. Tell me the way to a remedy, Gurubar. Tell me how I may be freed from this terrible curse."

Shukracharya answered, "Listen, Yayati. If someone willingly takes your old age, then you will get back your former form, beauty, and youth. Then you will again be able to enjoy life."

At the very moment of King Shukracharya’s curse, dreadful old age fell upon Yayati. Under its weight, Yayati’s wonderful beauty was destroyed. His body was covered only with the marks of age.

In sorrow, he went to his eldest son Yadu and said, "Son Yadu, can you, can you give me your youth? The decay your grandfather has given me, I want to give to you, son. I still have desire for enjoyment. The power of the senses has not yet faded. This old age is driving me mad, son. Save me with your youth. Yadu, save me."

Yadu replied with folded hands, "Forgive me, father. What you ask, I cannot give. I have not yet even tasted the pleasures of life. If I take that old age now, everything in this life of mine will be finished. I will have no choice but to destroy myself. No, I can never do this, father. I, I beg your forgiveness with folded hands."

Yayati’s face darkened. "What? You did not obey me? You did not carry out your father’s command. From this moment I cast you out from this line. I will not give you the throne. You may remain in this kingdom. But you are no one of Yayati’s line. Keep that in your mind."

Not only him, none of Yayati’s other three sons wanted to take his old age either. At last the youngest son Puru came and said to his father, "I want to take this old age of yours, father. Because this body of mine was given by you. So your command is to me like the words of the Veda. Take my youth and enjoy the kingdom. I accept your old age."

Yayati was deeply moved. "Son Puru, I am greatly pleased with you. You, you will gain eternal heaven. Your name will be written in golden letters in the world, son. In golden letters."

Taking Puru’s youth, Yayati enjoyed the world for several thousand years. Then he became detached from worldly pleasure. Taking leave of Devayani, Yayati went to the deep forest to do penance. But before going, he gave his throne to his youngest son Puru.

Shukadeva then said, "The line founded by Yayati’s eldest son Yadu came to be known as the Yadava or Yadu line. Lord Shri Krishna was born in this line. And the line that came from Puru is the one to which you belong. That means the Kauravas and the Pandavas."

Parikshit then asked, "Acharyadev, I have a question in my mind. Did Shri Hari come in the form of Krishna only to free Jaya and Vijaya? Was there no other reason for his coming? I very much wish to know the background of Shri Krishna’s birth. What exactly was the state of the earth at that time? Please tell me all this, Lord. I am very eager."

Shukadeva said, "You have asked a very fine question, Maharaj. Truly, the earth had become greatly troubled. Hiding her face, she trembled in deep fear under the cruelty of demons and asuras. Even after many efforts, the earth could not save herself. Tired, frightened, and sad, she took the form of a cow and came weeping before Brahma."

In a sorrowful voice the Earth said, "I have come to you in great danger, Lord. Save me. If you do not protect me, I will truly be destroyed this time, Prajapati. I can no longer bear my burden."

Brahma said gently, "Be calm, mother. Be calm, calm. If you become so restless, then all living beings will be destroyed. We must accept the law of the Creator, mother. Do not grieve. I am trying to lessen your sorrow."

The Earth replied, "You yourself are the Creator, Lord. If you wish, you can do everything. Why should you depend on anyone else, Lord?"

Brahma said, "Come, mother. I will take you to the one on whom I depend. He alone removes danger. No one but he can rescue you from this trouble. Come, I will take you to remember him."

Taking the sorrowful earth in the form of a cow, Brahma came to the shore of the Ocean of Milk. Seeing Prajapati Brahma himself, the other gods also came and stood on that shore. Then Brahma began to praise the Supreme Lord.

"O Narayan, supreme among beings, Shri Hari who removes the burden of all creation, awaken, Lord. Lighten the burden of the earth. O Narayan, protect the earth, Lord."

While chanting the sacred hymn and offering praise, Brahma entered deep meditation. After his meditation ended, he said, "I have heard the words of Shri Hari. Now I will tell them to you, listen."

The gods said, "Tell us, father. We are eager to hear."

Brahma said, "He knows of the earth’s suffering. He himself is coming to lighten her burden. With the help of his power of time, he will free the earth from impurity. O gods, you too must become helpers in his divine play."

The gods answered joyfully, "We will gladly do that, father. We will become companions in Shri Hari’s divine play. What great good fortune this is."

Brahma continued, "Listen, O gods. Shri Hari will be born in the Yadu line on earth. You too must take birth in that line. As long as he lives on earth, you will help nourish his divine play."

The gods said, "We will surely carry out that duty, Lord. In whose house in the Yadu line will Shri Hari be born?"

Brahma replied, "This time the Supreme Hari will be born in the house of Vasudeva. His own power will descend to earth as his beloved. Thousand-headed Anantadev will come to earth before him as his elder brother. Let the daughters of the gods take birth on earth to serve them."

One of the gods asked, "And will Yogamaya, who is the divine power of Narayan, also dwell on earth with the Lord, father?"

Brahma answered, "Yogamaya, who keeps this creation enchanted, will also go to earth with Shri Hari. Without the help of Yogamaya, the Lord’s divine play cannot happen. Narayan with all his companions will descend to earth. All the sorrows of earthly beings will be removed. Mother Earth, be at peace. Mother, the Lord himself is coming to lighten your burden. Why should you grieve anymore?"

The Earth bowed in relief and devotion. "I offer endless crores of prostrations to playful Shri Hari. From today I will remain eager to hear the footsteps of that Supreme Lord, Lord. Ah, will I truly have that good fortune? The very thought of it makes me tremble with joy, father. Victory to the Supreme Lord. Victory to Shri Hari."

Parikshit’s eyes shone. "At last that great moment—if I hear of that moment, my own life will be blessed, Lord. I, I will conquer death. Tell me of the family, the line, the house where my Janardan was born, O sage. I am very curious to hear of Shri Krishna’s forefathers."

Shukadeva said, "An ancient king of the Yadu line was named Surasena. He ruled in Mathura. I do call him a king of the Yadu line, but there was no single ruler over this whole line. There were many small and large groups or clans. Each group had its own leader. That leader was the ruler of the group. The leader with greater power could keep more than one group under his control. But generally, the rulers of this line never thought of spreading influence over groups outside their own. Of course, there were exceptions."

"Now this Surasena was the ruler of the Mathura group and the Surasena group. Surasena was a very powerful ruler. From his time, Mathura became the capital of the Yadava kings. Lord Shri Hari always dwells in this city of Mathura."

Parikshit asked, "What was the relation between Janardan Krishna and King Surasena, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva answered, "Shri Krishna’s father Vasudeva was the son of this Surasena. Like his father Surasena, he had all noble qualities—strength, courage, kindness, forgiveness, wisdom, honesty, and more. Surasena had many other children besides Vasudeva. Among his sons, Devashrava and Devabhaga were notable. Among Surasena’s daughters, Pritha was important. When King Kuntibhoja adopted this Pritha, her name became Kunti. Shrutashrava, the mother of Shishupala, and Shrutadeva, the mother of Dantavakra, were also daughters of Surasena. Vasudeva’s dearest friend was Nanda, the lord of Gokul. He was the son of King Devamidha."

The king asked, "Then in the Krishna avatar, who were Jaya and Vijaya, O sage?"

Shukadeva said, "They were Shishupala and Dantavakra. They were the sons of Vasudeva’s two sisters."

Parikshit then asked with reverence, "O Acharyadev, now please tell me about Devaki, who carried Lord Shri Krishna in her womb. Who was she?"

"Devaki," said Shukadeva, "was the daughter of Devaka, the brother of King Ugrasena. She was the sister of Kamsa in relation. She had many other sisters such as Pauravi, Madira, Vaishakhi, Bhadra, Sunama, Sahadeva, Shrideva, and others. At that time, the fame and honor of Vasudeva had spread everywhere in the Yadava line. All the princesses wished to marry him. A bond of affection grew between Yadava king Ugrasena, his son Kamsa, and Vasudeva. By Kamsa’s wish, arrangements began for Vasudeva to marry Devaki and her other sisters. Kamsa himself took the main role in that marriage."

Parikshit said, "All over Mathura there was a strange excitement. What great fortune had Vasudeva and Devaki earned that the Supreme Lord himself came as their son! I am restless to hear this."

Shukadeva smiled faintly. "Is it so easy to carry the Lord in one’s womb? Only after many births of penance can the Supreme Lord come as someone’s child, O thoughtful king. No one in the whole world had done penance like Vasudeva and Devaki."

Then he told the older story.

"Sutapa, a mind-born son of Brahma, and his wife Prishni were childless. Desiring a child, they began penance. Pleased with their deep penance, Lord Narayan appeared before them and said, 'I am pleased with your hard penance, Sutapa. You need suffer no more. You have gained success. I will grant a boon to Prishni and to you. Tell me, Sutapa, what do you want? I will fulfill your prayer.'"

Sutapa and Prishni bowed before the Lord. Sutapa said, "O Lord, by receiving your sight we are blessed. Our heart’s desire is fulfilled, Lord. But we are childless. Please bless us with a child, Lord."

The Lord asked, "What kind of child do you want?"

Prishni spoke from the depths of devotion. "Lord, what can we say? Before receiving your sight, our minds were in one state. Now they have changed. After seeing your holy face, we can think of no one else. Lord, please come as our child. Let me be blessed by carrying you in my womb. If I have that fate, then I beg for you, O Lord of the world."

Narayan said with grace, "You surely do have that fate. Otherwise I myself would not have come to you, Prishni. Very well, nothing is greater to me than the prayer of a devotee. Since you have asked for me, you shall have me. Tathastu, tathastu."

Shukadeva said, "Narayan said 'tathastu' three times. So he came as their child three times. In the first birth, he was born as Prishnigarbha, the son of Prishni. In the second birth, Sutapa became the sage Kashyapa, and Prishni became Aditi, mother of the gods. In Aditi’s womb, the Lord was born as Vamanadev. And in the third birth, Sutapa became Vasudeva, and Prishni became Devaki. In her womb was born Lord Shri Krishna."

Parikshit bowed his head. "Hearing the wonderful story of Vasudeva and Devaki, I am blessed, Acharyadev. Now please tell me in detail about this Krishna avatar of the Lord, O sage."

Shukadeva said, "Before telling you fully about Vasudeva and Devaki, hear about Kamsa, Maharaj. Kamsa was a king of the Bhoja line and very cruel by nature. He was completely opposite in nature to his father Ugrasena."

Parikshit asked in surprise, "But how did Kamsa become king while Ugrasena was still alive, Lord? And how did he become so completely different from his father? I am greatly surprised to hear this. Please remove my curiosity, Bhagavan."

Shukadeva answered, "King Ugrasena’s wife was named Padmavati. She was wonderfully beautiful. At that time, there was no woman anywhere as lovely as she was. Seeing her, the demon king Drumila became filled with desire. Once, in Ugrasena’s absence, that Drumila came to Padmavati taking the form of Ugrasena. Thinking him to be her husband, the queen went without doubt with that demon into her private chamber. From union with Drumila in Ugrasena’s form, the queen gave birth to Kamsa. That is why Kamsa had none of King Ugrasena’s true qualities."

"Yet although he was cruel, harsh, and merciless by nature, Kamsa loved his sister Devaki very much. That is why he himself gave his sister in marriage to his dear choice, Vasudeva."

Parikshit still wondered. "Why did you call Kamsa the king of Mathura, O sage? The king is Ugrasena. Then who arranged Devaki’s marriage?"

Shukadeva replied, "Before speaking of Devaki and Vasudeva, it is necessary to say more about Kamsa. Kamsa’s cruelty had become so extreme that life in Mathura was being shattered. He never listened to anyone’s warning. He even disobeyed his father, Maharaj Ugrasena."

The king asked, "Was there some outside evil power helping Kamsa, Acharyadev?"

"Yes, there was," said the sage. "That power was Magadha. The king of Magadha, Jarasandha, had the greatest strength in the world at that time. No one could even think of making an enemy of Jarasandha. Kamsa married Jarasandha’s two daughters, Asti and Prapti. Strengthened by Magadha’s power, Kamsa was feared by all."

"When the cruelty of fierce-natured Kamsa reached its height, the frightened people of Mathura had no path left except to remember Narayan. Under Kamsa’s oppression, no holy man, sage, or rishi in the kingdom of Mathura could properly perform worship or sacred acts. To be freed from that terrible suffering, the people of Mathura shed tears day and night. Even though the other Yadava groups did not truly accept Kamsa’s leadership in their hearts, they were forced by fear for their lives to accept him as leader."

Parikshit asked, "Vasudeva himself was also a prince of the Yadava clan. Was he hostile to Kamsa, O sage?"

Shukadeva said, "The nature, conduct, and mind of King Surasena and his son Vasudeva were such that all of Mathura respected and honored them. Even Kamsa loved and respected Vasudeva’s sweet nature and strong personality. That is why no conflict ever arose between Vasudeva and Kamsa, at least not before the marriage to Devaki."

Parikshit now asked, "What happened on the day of Vasudeva’s marriage with Devaki, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva began to describe that fateful day.

"Devaka, Devaki’s father, left no lack in the wedding arrangements for his daughter. At Devaki’s marriage he gave as dowry 400 elephants with golden garlands, 5 thousand horses, 18 chariots, and 200 very beautiful and richly dressed maidservants. The whole city of Mathura was decorated for the wedding. Dance, song, lights, decoration, joy, and celebration—nothing was left out."

"After the wedding, Kamsa took the place of charioteer on the chariot of Vasudeva and Devaki. Kamsa himself drove the chariot to take his sister to her husband’s home. Seeing that sight, the people of Mathura stood still in wonder. Through the loud music and excitement, Kamsa drove the chariot carrying Vasudeva and Devaki onward."

"Devaki’s chariot had not gone very far. Just then, suddenly it seemed that the sky over Mathura had filled with dark clouds. In a flash of light sharp like lightning, Kamsa’s eyes were dazzled. And at that very moment a clear heavenly voice was heard from behind the clouds, 'O wicked Kamsa, now your sins will bear fruit. Fool, listen well. The very woman whom you are taking on this chariot—by the hand of her eighth child your death is certain. Devaki’s eighth son will be your killer, Kamsa.'"

Kamsa’s face changed at once. His voice shook with rage and fear. "My killer? Who said that? Who dares threaten me? Who dares?"

Those around him cried out in alarm.

"Royal priest, command us, Maharaj."

"Do you know who said this? Is this prophecy true, Maharaj? This is no ordinary voice. No one has tried to frighten you, Maharaj."

"Here, here, a divine voice! We all heard the divine voice, Maharaj."

But Kamsa shouted like a madman, "Will some small god called fate frighten Kamsa? There can be no god greater than Kamsa. How much power does a god have? How much power to destroy Kamsa! Devaki’s eighth child will come and destroy me? Look now, O gods. Before that, I will kill Devaki herself. I will not let any of her children be born. Devaki! Devaki!"

Kamsa leaped down from Vasudeva’s chariot. With a drawn sword in hand, he rushed toward Devaki. All affection, love, and tenderness had vanished from his heart. To save his own life, he would have to take Devaki’s life. Like a cruel killer, Kamsa seized Devaki by the hair.