Chapter 73 - The nativity of Śrīkṛṣṇa

Vyāsa said:

1. In accordance with what was mentioned by the lord of Devas formerly, the mother of the universe i.e. the Yogic slumber Māyā took the six children to the womb of Devakī one by one and removed the seventh forcibly.

2. When the seventh child in the womb was transferred to the womb of Rohiṇī, Hari entered the womb of Devakī for helping the three worlds.

3. On the same day the Yogic slumber took birth in the belly of Yaśodā in accordance with what was mentioned by Brahmā.

4. O brahmins, when the part of Viṣṇu entered the Earth the seasons became auspicious. The planets in the sky moved perfectly (and favourably).

5. No one dared to look at Devakī due to her excessive refulgence. On seeing her blazing splendidly, the minds of onlookers became excited.

6. Day and night the deities eulogised Devakī who held Viṣṇu in her womb.

Devas said:

7. You are Svāhā, you are Svadhā, you are Vidyā, you are Sudhā (Nectar), you are splendour. For the protection of worlds, you have incarnated on the Earth.

8. Be pleased, O gentle lady, do what is auspicious to the universe. For the delight of all, bear Īśāna in your womb. It is by him that the entire universe has been sustained.

Vyāsa said:

9. Thus eulogised by Devas, she conceived the lord in her womb, the lotus-eyed lord, the cause of safety and security of the world.

10. The entire universe is like the lotus. In order to make it bloom the noble deity Acyuta manifested himself like the sun. It was Devakī’s womb that bore him even as the sky at dawn bears the sun.

11. When at midnight, Janārdana the support of all, was born, the clouds produced gentle sounds and Devas showered flowers.

12-13. On seeing the lord born, the lord whose lustre was like that of the petals of a full-blown blue lotus, who had four arms and whose chest was marked by the Śrīvatsa scar, Vasudeva eulogised him.

O excellent brahmins, after eulogising him with pleasing words, the highly intelligent Vasudeva who was afraid of Kaṃsa intimated to him thus:

Vasudeva said:

14-15. O lord of the chiefs of Devas, bearing conch, discus and iron-club, you have been realised by us as the lord. O lord, be pleased to withdraw this divine form. O lord, today itself Kaṃsa will begin to torture me on coming to know that you have incarnated in my abode.

Devakī said:

16. May that lord of Devas be pleased, the lord of Devas who has now revealed an infant’s form by means of his own Māyā, whose form is endless, whose form is this entire universe and who bears the world in his womb.

17. O lord, the Ātman of all, withdraw this four-armed form. O destroyer of Asuras, sons of Diti, let not Kaṃsa know about your incarnation.

The lord said:

18. Formerly, O gentle lady, I had been eulogised by you, desirous of a son. Since I am now born of your womb, your prayer has become fruitful.

Vyāsa said:

19. O excellent sages, after saying thus, the lord became silent. During the night itself Vasudeva took him and went out.

20. When Vasudeva set out, the watchmen became deluded. The porters and watchmen of the city of Mathurā were enchanted and deluded by the Yogic slumber.

21. When the clouds discharged a heavy and fierce downpour during that night, Śeṣa shielded Vasudeva by means of his hoods.

22. Bearing Viṣṇu, Vasudeva waded through Yamunā with the waters reaching only upto his knees though the river was majestic and agitated due to whirlpools.

23. On the bank of Yamunā he saw Nanda and other elderly cowherds who carried revenue to be paid to Kaṃsa.

24-25. At that time, O sages, Yaśodā too was deluded by Yogic slumber. She gave birth to a girl who was Māyā herself. When the people were enchanted, Vasudeva of unmeasured lustre, placed the boy on the bed of Yaśodā, took the baby girl and came away quickly.

26. On waking up, Yaśodā saw her new-born son, dark in complexion like the petals of a blue lotus. Thereat she rejoiced very much.

27. Taking the baby girl back to his abode, Vasudeva placed her on the bed of Devakī.

28. O brahmins, thereafter the watchmen heard the crying sound of the infant and got up suddenly. They intimated to Kaṃsa about the birth of a child to Devakī.

29. Kaṃsa rushed to Devakī and seized the baby girl from her even as Devakī tried to prevent him crying aloud “Leave off, leave off” till her throat ached.

30. He hurled her on the top of a rocky slab. On being hurled thus she flew up and took up a position in the sky. She assumed a formidable form with eight large hands armed with weapons. She laughed aloud (in derision) and furiously spoke to Kaṃsa thus:

Yogamāyā said:

31-32. O Kaṃsa, what do you gain by seizing me? He who will kill you is born. He is the entire possession of Devas. Formerly, he had been Death unto you. After considering this, you may do something quickly that may be conducive to your own welfare.

Vyāsa said:

After saying this, the goddess with divine garlands, scents and ornaments went away through the sky even as Kaṃsa stood watching. She was eulogised by Siddhas.