Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran- Canto: 10, Chapters: 2-3
The time arrives for the divine appearance of Shree Krishna on this earth. The Supreme Bhagwan, who eternally resides within all beings as the indwelling Presence, manifests Himself from the unmanifest state in the heart of Vasudevji. The moment Vasudevji receives the divine effulgence of Bhagwan within him, he becomes radiant like the sun, so brilliant that people are dazzled by his presence. At that time, no one could overpower him by strength, speech, or influence.
That effulgent portion of Bhagwan, which Vasudevji carried, is then received by Devi Devaki. The moment Bhagwan takes His seat in Devaki’s womb, her face blossoms with a divine smile, and a celestial radiance spreads all around her. Seeing this transformation, Kans realises in his heart, “Surely this time Vishnu Himself has entered Devaki’s womb, for she was never like this before.”
Kans does not wish to bear the infamy of killing his pregnant sister. Therefore, he refrains from slaying Devaki, but his hatred toward Shree Krishna deepens even further. In every moment, whether rising, sitting, eating, or sleeping, he begins to see only Shree Krishna, appearing before him as the very embodiment of Time itself.
Shukadevji tells Parikshit that as soon as Bhagwan entered Devaki’s womb, Shankarji and Brahmaji came to Kans’s prison. Along with their attendants, all the devas, including Narad and others, also arrived there. They offered their praises to Shree Hari and then returned to their respective abodes.
Shree Krishna Appears in the Prison of Kans
Now arrived a most auspicious and beautiful moment. The constellation of Rohini was presiding in the sky. The stars, planets, and heavenly bodies had become calm and benevolent. All directions appeared pure and serene. The clear night sky glittered with stars. The great cities, small villages, the settlements of cowherds, and even the mines of gems and diamonds seemed filled with auspiciousness.
The waters of the rivers turned crystal clear. Lotuses bloomed in the ponds even at night. The trees and plants in the forests were laden with colourful flowers. Birds sang melodiously, and bees hummed joyfully. The wind blew cool, fragrant, and soothing. The sacrificial fires of the Brahmins, which had been extinguished due to Kans’s tyranny, reignited on their own. The hearts of saintly men filled with peace and joy as if they knew the long night of Adharma was about to end.
In the heavenly realms, drums began to play by themselves. The Kinnar and Gandharva started singing, and the Apsaras began to dance. The sages and gods showered flowers from the heavens, while the clouds rumbled gently near the ocean, as if to welcome the divine moment.
In this pure and tranquil atmosphere, when darkness enveloped the world, Bhagwan, who resides in the hearts of all beings, manifested Himself from the womb of Devi Devaki. He appeared just as the full moon rises in the eastern sky with all its splendour.
Vasudevji beheld before him an extraordinary child. His eyes were large and soft like lotuses. In His four beautiful hands, He held the conch, mace, discus, and lotus. The sacred mark of Shrivatsa adorned His chest, and the Kaustubh gem shone brilliantly on His neck. His dark-blue form was as enchanting as a raincloud, and a dazzling yellow silk garment adorned His divine body.
His crown and earrings of precious vaidurya gems glowed like the rays of the sun, lighting up His curly locks. A shining jewelled belt decorated His waist, and armlets and bangles sparkled on His arms and wrists.
When Vasudevji realised that the Supreme Bhagwan Himself had appeared as his son, he was first filled with immense wonder, then with boundless joy. His eyes glowed with delight, and his whole body trembled in ecstasy. In the happiness of this divine birth, he resolved to donate ten thousand cows to the Brahmins.
The maternity chamber glowed with the brilliance of Shree Krishna’s ornaments and divine radiance. With a serene heart, Vasudevji offered prayers to Bhagwan, saying, “O Lord, You are the Almighty, the Master of all. You have descended into my home to protect this world. At present, many demonic rulers have usurped kingdoms and gathered vast armies. You will destroy them all. Kans is a great tyrant. When he learned that You would take birth in our home, he slew Your elder brothers out of fear. Upon hearing of Your birth, he may arrive here at once with weapons in hand.”
Shukadevji tells King Parikshit that when Mother Devaki saw her divine son, she immediately understood that He was not an ordinary child but the Supreme Personality Himself. At first, she felt fear of Kans, but then serenity arose in her heart, and with devotion and a gentle smile, she began to pray to Bhagwan.
Devaki said, “O Lord! You are the remover of fear from Your devotees, yet we are deeply terrified of Kans. Please protect us. This divine, four-armed form of Yours is meant for meditation by sages; let not ordinary people behold it.
O Madhusudan! Let not Kans come to know that You have taken birth from my womb. I am terrified that my composure is fading. This form of Yours, adorned with conch, discus, mace, and lotus, is supremely divine. Please conceal it from the world.
At the time of dissolution, You effortlessly contain the entire universe within Your body. O Supreme Person, O Paramatman! That very You have now entered my womb, what can this be if not Your wondrous human pastime?”
Who Were Devaki and Vasudev in Their Previous Births?
When Devaki and Vasudev offered their heartfelt prayers, Bhagwan Shree Krishna smiled gently and said to Devaki, “O Devi! Long ago, during the reign of Svayambhuva Manu, your name was Prishni and Vasudev’s name was Sutapa Prajapati. Both of you possessed pure hearts. When Brahmaji instructed you to create progeny, you restrained your senses and undertook severe austerities.
You endured rain, cold, heat, and wind, purifying your minds through deep penance. At times, you survived by eating only dry leaves, and sometimes merely by breathing air. Your minds were calm and steadfast. With the desire to attain Me, you both worshipped Me with unwavering devotion.
Your penance continued for twelve thousand celestial years. Pleased by your steadfast faith, love, and constant remembrance, I appeared before you and said, ‘Ask for a boon.’ You both requested, ‘May You Yourself be born as our son.’
At that time, you were detached from worldly pleasures and had no children. Thus, by the influence of My Maya, you did not seek liberation but desired to have Me as your son. I granted your wish, saying, ‘so be it,’ and then disappeared.
Later, when you both entered the householder stage, I saw that there was none equal to you in virtue, nature, and compassion. Therefore, I Myself appeared as your son in that birth, known as Prishni Garbha.
In your second birth, you were born as Aditi, and Vasudev was born as Rishi Kashyap. Then I manifested as your son in the Vamana incarnation, also known as Upendra, and because of My small form, people called Me Vamana.
Now, in this third birth, you are Devaki and Vasudev, and I have again appeared as your son. My words never prove false. I have revealed this divine form to remind you of My previous incarnations. Otherwise, seeing only My human form, you would not have recognised Me.
Now, see Me both as your son and as the Supreme Brahman. With love and constant remembrance, you will attain My highest abode.”
Having spoken thus, Bhagwan fell silent. Then, through His Yogmaya power, while His parents watched, He immediately assumed the form of an ordinary human infant.
Vasudev Carries Shree Krishna from Mathura to Gokul
Moved by the divine will of Bhagwan, Vasudevji understood that he must carry his newborn son out of the prison. By the power of Yogmaya, the guards and townspeople fell into a deep sleep, their senses completely subdued. Every door of the prison was locked, secured with massive iron chains and heavy bolts; escaping seemed impossible. Yet, the moment Vasudevji lifted baby Shree Krishna in his arms and approached the gate, all the doors miraculously opened on their own, just as darkness vanishes with the rise of the sun.
Outside, a gentle rain was falling, and the clouds rumbled softly in the sky. To protect the newborn Lord, Sheshnag emerged and spread His hoods wide above them, forming a divine canopy as Vasudevji walked ahead. The river Yamuna was in flood, her waters were deep and swift, waves rising high and whirlpools forming everywhere. But, just as the ocean had once parted to make way for Shree Ram, Yamuna too gave way, creating a clear path for Shree Krishna and Vasudevji to cross.
When Vasudevji reached Gokul, he saw that all the cowherds were fast asleep. Quietly, he placed baby Shree Krishna on Yashoda’s bed and picked up her newborn daughter, Yogmaya, in his arms. Then, without disturbing anyone, he returned to Mathura.
Upon re-entering the prison, Vasudevji gently laid the baby girl beside Devaki, fastened the shackles back onto his own feet, and sat once again as a prisoner, just as before. Meanwhile, Yashoda, awakened faintly from the effects of childbirth and Yogmaya’s illusion, only felt that she had given birth, yet she could not tell whether it was a son or a daughter.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 13.10.2025
