Lord Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. He is also known as the source of all creation, and the embodiment of love and joy. His birth was a miraculous event that marked the beginning of a new era of righteousness and peace. Krishna's birth is celebrated and observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in month of Bhadra of Hindu Calendar.
The prophecy and the persecution
Krishna's parents are Vasudeva and Devaki. Mother Devaki had a cousin brother, the tyrannical king Kamsa of Mathura kingdom. Kamsa overthrew his father Ugrasena after he refused to voluntarily retire from his position and threw him in the prison. Kamsa was a cruel and wicked ruler who oppressed his subjects and defied the gods. He was obsessed with his own power and feared losing it to anyone. One day, he heard a aakashvani, voice from the sky, that predicted that the eighth son of Devaki would kill him and end his reign of terror. Kamsa was enraged and decided to kill his sister Devaki and her husband. However, Vasudeva pleaded with him to spare his wife's life and promised to hand over every child they would have to him. Kamsa agreed, but imprisoned them in his palace and kept a close watch on them.
As the years passed, Vasudeva and Devaki gave birth to six sons, and Kamsa killed them all mercilessly. The seventh son, Balarama, was miraculously transferred to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, who lived in the village of Gokula. He was saved by the grace of Lord Vishnu, who had planned to take birth as the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva.
The miraculous birth and the escape
On a dark and stormy night, Devaki gave birth to her eighth son, who was none other than Lord Vishnu himself. He appeared in his four-armed form, holding a conch, a discus, a club, and a lotus. He wore a crown, jewels, and a yellow garment. He smiled at his parents and filled their hearts with joy and wonder. He told them that he had come to deliver them from Kamsa's tyranny and to fulfill his mission on earth. He asked them to take him to Gokula, where his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda, were waiting for him. He also told them to exchange him with the baby girl who was born to Yashoda that night. He assured them that he would protect them from any danger and that they would be reunited with him soon. He then changed his form to that of a normal baby and closed his eyes.
At that moment, a miracle happened. The guards who were watching the prison fell asleep, and the chains that bound Vasudeva and Devaki broke. The doors of the prison opened by themselves, and a divine voice guided Vasudeva to take the baby and escape. Vasudeva took the baby in a basket and headed towards the river Yamuna, which was flooded due to the rain. He crossed the river with the help of the serpent king, Shesha, who protected the baby from the rain with his hoods. He reached Gokula and found the house of Nanda and Yashoda, who were asleep. He exchanged the babies and returned to the prison with the baby girl. He placed her in the arms of Devaki and waited for Kamsa to come.
The end of Kamsa and the reunion
As soon as Kamsa heard the news of the birth of the eighth child of Devaki, he rushed to the prison and tried to kill the baby girl. However, the baby slipped from his hands and flew into the air. She transformed into the goddess Durga and warned Kamsa that his killer was already born and that his days were numbered. She then disappeared, leaving Kamsa in fear and confusion.
Meanwhile, the baby boy, who was named Krishna, grew up in Gokula with his foster parents and brother Balarama. He performed many amazing feats and charmed everyone with his beauty, intelligence, and mischief. He also killed many demons sent by Kamsa to kill him. He became the beloved of the cowherds and the gopis, especially Radha, who was his eternal consort. He revealed his divine identity to his devotees and gave them the highest bliss of love and devotion.
When he was sixteen years old, he went to Mathura, the capital of Kamsa, along with Balarama and other friends. He entered a wrestling arena where Kamsa had arranged a match between him and his powerful wrestlers. He defeated the wrestlers and then confronted Kamsa. He dragged him from his throne and killed him with his bare hands. He then freed his parents. He freed his grandfather Ugrasena, who was the rightful king of Mathura and reinstated him to the throne. He reunited with them and embraced them with love. He also met his other relatives and friends who had been waiting for him. He thus fulfilled the prophecy and liberated the earth from the oppression of Kamsa. He established the rule of righteousness and justice and became the king of Dwaraka. He continued to manifest his divine pastimes and teachings for the benefit of all living beings. He is the source of all joy and the ultimate goal of all souls.