This most enticing and wonderful descent of the Lord Narayana is the last and ninth avatar that has taken place so far.
Let us now get down to the story – A detailed account appears in the greatest epic Srimad Bhagavatam. How then the Rishis, Munis, Azhvars went into raptures over this most beautiful avatar and also sung HIS GLORY will be seen at the end of this article.
In Dwapara yuga, when mother Earth (Bhoomadevi) could not longer bear the brunt of the atrocities that were being committed by the Asuras, she took the form of a cow nad appealed to Brahma in appeal. Brahma realized that this was beyond him and hence he along with Bhoomadevi and devas went to Lord Narayana to pour their woes. Thereupon Lord Narayana replied saying that eh would descent on the Earth as the son of Vasudev and Devaki (believed to be the reincarnation of Bhargava and Aditi). Anantha as the son of Rohini and Vasudeva (as Balarama) and yogamaya as the daughter of Yasodha and Nandagopan (in Gokulam).
After the marriage of Devaki and Vasudev, Kamsa drove the marriage chariot in which Devaki and Vasudev were seated as bride and bridegroom. He was driving them to the bridegroom’s house. As the chariot was being driven, a voice from outer space was heard saying “Oh, you fool Kamsa; you will be killed by the eighth child of your sister Devaki. So Beware!” Kamsa immediately flew n rage and pulled his sword to do away with Devaki and Vasudev though Devaki was his dear sister. Vasudev, on seeing this, pleaded with Kamsa stating that there would be no point in killing her right now. Besides, he promises Kamsa that he would hand over all his children as soon as they were born. He could dispose them off as he pleased. Kamsa calmed down on hearing this but would take no chance. So he ordered that they be placed in jail and that the jail be closely guarded.
As promised Vasudev handed over his six babies as they were born and Kamsa would hit the children on the stone. When Devaki conceived her seventh child, the Lord Narayana directed yogamaya to transfer this foetus to the womb of Rohini, the other wife of Vasudev. This child was Balarama, the elder brother of the Lord. Thus, the Lord kept his promise of sending Ananthan as Balarama to his world. Word went round stating that the seventh child got aborted and this was conveyed to King Kamsa. Devaki then conceived the eighth child for which Kamsa was waiting anxiously.
The Lord descended on the Earth in the Tamil month of Avani (July – August) under the auspicious star Rohini in Ashtama thithi. In contrast, Ramavatar took place in Navami thithi (declaring HIS paratvam). If we multiply the number 9 by any number, the end result will be 9. For eg, 9 x 1 = 9, 9 x 2 = 18 and so on.
Whereas number 8 (Ashtami) divided by any number would be in descending order. For eg., 8 x 2 = 16 = 7, 8 x 3 = 24 = 6, and so on indicating his soulabhya, the ease which with his devotees.
Coming back, it was midnight, ditch dark and rains were lashing with no respite. At this point, the Lord descended in all his resplendent glory fully ducked up with all his ornaments sanku, chakra, gadai and padmam on his four hands as HE appeared in Vaikunta. It was Mahalaxmi who seated on his chest who lit up the jail. On seeing the Lord in all splendors, his parents Vasudev and Devaki were beside themselves in joy. But fearing HIS safety (as normal parents would do), they requested the Lord to transform himself into a small infant. This darshan of Lord was given to his parents as HE had already decided to transport himself from Mathura to Gokulam. To accomplish HIS task in this world of doing away with Adharma,
“Yadha Yadha Dharmasya, Gnani…………….”
The Lord then transformed himself into a normal child and requested his father Vasudev to carry him to Nandan’s place in Gokulam and bring back the girl child of Yasoda and Devaki born simultaneously whereupon the chain that had bound Vasudev’s legs fell off, the jail doors opened and the security and other staff of the jail went into a deep slumber.
Vasudev then put this blue baby boy into a basket, put the basket on his head and started walking in spite of the heavy rains. Ananthan spread his hood to act as an umbrella. Vasudev proceeded to Gokulam. When he reached the banks of river Yamuna, she gave away way by making road for Vasudev to cross the river.
In the meanwhile in Gokulam, Yasodha gave birth to a baby girl (yogamaya). The task assigned to Vasudev by the Lord was to exchange this girl for the blue boy of Devaki, which he unfailing did. When Vasudev entered Gokulam the entire city was asleep including the household of Nandagopan. Having exchanged the babies, Vasudev had to return to Mathura back in jail. When he thus came to the river bank, Yamuna again gave way for Vasudev to cross the river. Thus Vasudev reached Mathura back in his jail. As soon as he reached the jail, the gates closed, the chains were put and everything was back in place as before. The security and other staff work up from their slumber and they heard the cries of the infant, which was the child placed by the side of Devaki by Vasudev.
King Kamsa was informed that a baby girl was born to Devaki and he came rushing in with his sword to kill the eighth child of Devaki for which he was waiting anxiously. Devaki holding the child tightly to her breast pleaded with Kamsa her brother not to kill at least this infant as she was a girl not a boy as predicted. Kamsa though perplexed over this not relent and scoffed at Devaki. He lifted the child and swerved her to hit her on a stone; the child flew from his hand and announced that the boy who was to kill Kamsa was already born elsewhere.
It is this girl child (Yogamaya) who today in the world is known by various names as Kali, Mahakali, Durga, Narayanee, Vaishnavi, Ambika etc. This irritated and perplexed Kamsa.
So he convened a meeting of ministers wherein it was decided that all babies in and around his kingdom within past ten days be killed mercilessly.
In the mansion of Nandagopan and Yasodha celebrations were on the arrival of this blue boy and people eager to have a glimpse of this child stood in a long queue outside Nandan’s house.
Thereafter the naming ceremony of this child was done in great secrecy as suggested by Garga muni, the guru of the yadava clan. The muni indirectly hinted to Nandagopan that this boy was avatar of Lord Narayana. The rishi added that those who adore him will attain HIM and those who give trouble to this boy will perish. HE will bring prosperity to all those around HIM.
Now coming to the orders of Kamsa, it was ordered that Poothana, the asura woman would be sent first to finish this blue black boy. When Poothana entered Nandan’s house, she saw the child in the cradle, were she steadily approached. While the gopis were wondering as to who this lady was she took HIM on her lap and started breast feeding. She had anointed her breasts with poison with the intention of snuffing out the child Krishna’s life. Krishna sucked the life of Poothana as though he was drinking milk. She fell on the ground with a great thud with her long arms outstretched. Thus ended Poothana’s life. She attained moksha because of her contact with the Lord. The delightful sports of the Lord did not end here. Many more incidents took place which referred in the following paragraphs.
When Sri Krishna was three months old, celebrations were on in Nandagopan’s house. Yasodha devi was busy attending to the needs of the people who had come in for the celebrations. So she put in a safe place under a stationery bullock cart. The child as though crying out of hunger kicked his legs forcibly which hit the cart. And lo! The cart broke into pieces and the asura named Chakatasuran sent by Kamsa who was hiding within the cart fell on the ground with a loud sound. The gopis, gopas, yasodha, nandha all came running on hearing this loud sound and they were astonished to see Krishna, the child lying unhurt and smiling among the debris. A trembling yasodha picked up the boy in fear as to what could have happened!!
Yet another day, when mother yasodha was carrying Sri Krishna who was a year old, the weight of the child slowly increased to such an extent that she could no longer hold him on her arms that the she put the baby down. She then went inside the house to attend to her domestic chores. An asura called Thrinavarthan sent by Kamsa caused the wind blow so much that the dust created by the wind enveloped the entire village to such an extent that one could not see another. The asura took advantage of this and carried the child away much to the dismay of Yasodha and others who were searching for the child. But the child in Thrinavarthan’s arms became extremely heavy and the asura was losing his strength. Then the boy killed the asura by strangling his neck; he fell on the ground with a thud.
In yet another incident, when Sri Krishna, Balaraman and other gopas were playing, Sri Krishna put a handful of mud into his mouth. On coming to know about this, yasodha asked him to open his mouth whereupon the Lord depicted in his mouth the entire universe, seas, mountains, gokulam, yasodha, Nandagopan and others which made yasodha realize that this boy was no ordinary child and fell at HIS FEET. In an instant the scene went off and he returned to normalcy and she forgot what had happened a moment ago.
One day when Yasodha was trying to remove the butter from curd, Sri Krishna came running sat on her lap and quenched his hunger by feeding at mother’s breast. At this time, yasodha who sense that the milk she had put on fire was over boil and had started overflowing, she put the child down and went to put the vessel down. Sri Krishna being annoyed at being put down while being fed, broke the curd / butter pot and butter / curd scattered all over the floor. When Yasodha came back searching for Sri Krishna, saw him sitting on a grinding stone, distributing the butter and he eating at the same time. This upset Yasodha so much that she ran to catch him.
Kannan played hide and seek and finally the mother caught the child. The child looked at her as though helpless and with a pouting mouth requested her not to punish him. She wanted to tie him with a rope around the stone so that he does not run away. However much she tied, she found the rope always a bitter short and finally out of extreme pity, he made himself available for being bound by providing enough rope. So finally she tied him and went about her daily chores. Thus he got the title Damodharan.
As soon as Yasodha left, Krishna who was tied, noticed two old age trees. They were Nalaguperan, Manigreevan, sons of Kubera who were cursed by Narada muni for their laughtiness. They were cursed to become trees and then deliverance would be only when they were touched by the feet of the Lord.
When the trees fell with a thud, Nandagopan, Yasodha and others came running and saw the child laughing and playing in the midst of trees. The trees by then had got their original form and went to their abode praising the Lord for HIS kindness. Nandagopan picked up the child and took him home. This happening upset the minds of the entire yadava clan and they decided that this place was an ill omen and so they decided to move on to Brindavan.
In Brindavan, Sri Krishna with Balaraman and other gopas, gopis playing on the flute enjoyed HIMSELF and walking on foot all over the places. This act of the Lord touched the heart of many munis / rishis and Swami Desikan composed 20 hymns called “Gopala Vimsathi”.
While looking after the cows, one day Krishna noticed a calf with strange behaviour. It was the asura called Vatsasuran and instantly he threw the calf with a bush by swirling it in the air. Again on another day, thirst led the gopas and gopis to go in search for water and when they neared the pond, they notice a huge sized duck standing in the water. It came running to hit the blue boy. He tore the mouth of the duck. Thus, ended the life of Bhasuran, who had come in the form of duck.
On the other day, children were playing; they noticed a huge cave and entered it. Actually it was the mouth of huge mountain like snake called Agasuran. The children inside the mouth of the snake unable to breathe felt strangulated. Sri Krishna resaved them by increasing HIS size and standing at the mouth of the snake. Agasuran was torn at his neck and the gopa boys and girls thus came out and the asura got moksha.
Seeing the destruction of Agasura, Brahmadeva took away the calves and some yadava boys. Knowing this Sri Krishna took various forms of lost calves and yadava boys and pleased the cows and mothers of the lost one. At the end of one year, Balaraman realized this and Brahma could not make out whether they were the lost or new calves and boys and was baffled. At that time, all the new calves and boys gave darshan with four arms and shanku and chakras. Brahmadev immediately realized his mistake and fell at HIS FEET.
When HE attained the age of 10 (called Pankanda age), Sri Krishna took up the grazing of cows. While doing so, HE along with Balaraman entered the forest of an asura called Denukan. The servants of Denukasuran took the form of jackals and came to attack Sri Krishna who with ease disposed them off.
One muni by name Sowbhari did tapas in and under water for 12 years to have Sri Krishna’s darshan, but he did not allow any harm through Garuda to the animal kingdom. To this pond, came a poisonous snake called Kalindi. Not knowing this the gopa kumaras and kumaris out of sheer thirst drank the water from this pond and fell dead. Hearing this Sri Krishna came and gave life to the dead boys and girls.
The plant kingdom on the bank of this pond wore withered look. Sri Krishna jumped on one of the trees, broke one of the branches, which feel into the water measuring feet long. Then Sri Krishna jumped on the head of the snake who tried to tie Krishna and throttle him. HIS playmates fearing Krishna’s death stood on the banks of Yamuna. In an instant, Krishna deftly jumped and danced on the five heads of the snake called Kalinga. This famous Kalinga Dance (Kalinga Narthanam) pleased one and all and it is far superior to the dance of Apsaras and even Naradha was stupefied. The poison that came out of the snake filled the pond and it dropped dead. Sri Krishna gave life to Kalindi and asked it to go to a place Ramanagam with its wives, where Garuda could not go.
Again on one day the forest in which the boys and girls were playing gets fire and they were surrounded by a ghastly fire. Sri Krishna asked them not to fear and sit calmly closing their eyes. HE instantly swallowed the fire and protected the children. Thereafter Sri Krishna with his brother Balaraman spent his time joyfully and sports fully with the yadava boys and girls.
In this article, the various sports of the Lord with the gopis are not detailed, but that would be a separate chapter by itself.
The days went by and Sri Krishna noticed that the yadava community was gathering pooja articles for conducting a pooja and propriated to get good rains to Indra. Sri Krishna made the gopas understand that it was Varuna who gave rains. It would suffice if the pooja was offered to the Govardhana hillock. They did accordingly and incurred the wrath of Lord Indra. Indra thereupon unleashed the clouds and it rained cats and dogs trying to destroy the yadava community with their cattle and belongings.
They ran helter shelter when the blue boy lifted the Govardan Mountain with the little finger of the left hand and held it aloft so that the entire community of yadavas could seek shelter under the mountain. After they were secure, they rained praises on Sri Krishna. Indra relented and asked Sri Krishna’s pardon. Indra sent the cow called Kamadhenu who give milk to do abhisheka for Sri Krishna. The elephat Iravata brought water ganga for the abhisheka. This was Govinda Pattabhishekam.
HE killed many more asuras and also gave moksha to many such as Vidhyadhara, Sankachanda, Arishtasuran, Vyomasura, Pralambasuran and rest of all Asura Kesi sent by King Kamsa.
There are many more such thrilling exploits of Sri Krishna. The indesmable “Rasa Kreeda” which put even the rishis / munis into a dizzy state is not being dealt with in this article. That can be a chapter by itself.
Then came the most important task of the killing of King Kamsa for which this Krishnavatar was undertaken by the Lord. Sage Narada informs Kamsa about Krishna who is growing elsewhere and who will destroy him. In the pretext of inviting Sri Krishna to the Dhanur yagnam, which he intends performing, Kamsa sends Akrura to Sri Krishna to attend this yagna. Akrurar being a great devotee is at first reluctant to undertake this task. But since this was an opportunity to see, touch, be with the Lord Sri Krishna, he proceeded to Gokulam from Mathura. All along the path, he was in constant meditation on the Lord, praising HIS glory. He reached the Mathura made his intention to Sri Krishna, to which he readily agreed. The entire yadhava clan made a tearful farewell to Sri Krishna and Akrurar.
They reached Mathura in the mid afternoon; after having lunch and sufficient rest roamed in the streets of Mathura, where the men and women of that place were gaping at Sri Krishna and his wonderful form.
During this period Sri Krishna performed many miracles such as plucking of the head of a dhobi who refused to part with the clothes meant for King Kamsa, gave moksha to a weaver who brought clothes specially woven for HIM, brought prosperity to a florist, straightening of the back of a hunch back lady who anointed Sri Krishna with sandalwood paste.
Next day morning, Krishna along with his brother Balaraman entered the wrestling arena where the elephant named Kuvalalya Peetam was made to stand as a barrier. The elephant on Sri Krishna nearing him put up a fight with the intention of finishing HIM. Sri Krishna killed the elephant with ease and then ran up the stairs and reached the balcony where Kamsa was standing. Then ensued a big fight and Sri Krishna killed Kamsa, his uncle who was anxiously waiting for so many years to kill Sri Krishna. Thus ended the life of King Kamsa. HE then killed the eight brothers of Kamsa, released Ugrasena from the jail, mail him the King of Mathura. Then he released his parents Vasudev and Devaki from the jail in which they were languishing under the orders of Kamsa. Mathura was released from the tyrannical rule of Kamsa and all the citizens were happy.
Then he made friends with Uddava, who was sent to Gokulam to know about the plight of gopis he had left behind. When Uddava returned along with Balaraman, Sri Krishna visited Akrurar; He enumerated the injustice done to Pandavas by Dhritarashtran.
In the meanwhile Jarasandhan, the king of Magada and father-in-law of Kamsan hearing the news of the killing of Kamsa (son-in-law) flew into a rage and attacked Sri Krishna. They fought each other 16 times and the war started 18th time. Sri Krishna with the help of Vishwakarma established a city wherein HE shifted all his relatives and friends with an army of three crore yavanas, Raja Yavana appeared before Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna ran towards a hillock where Muchukundan was lying and hid himself there. When yavanas toe touched Muchukundan, he reduced yavana to ashes. With the army of yavans, Sri Krishna fought jarasandan but allowed him to win the war. Thereafter he entered the city of Dwaraka created by in the midst of the ocean.
In between the princess of Vidarbha, only daughter of Bhismakar, who was in love with Sri Krishna sent him a note expressing her love. She added that her brother Rukmi, who was opposed to this, tried to settle her marriage with Sishupalan, the prince of Chedi and if her marriage with Sri Krishna did not fructify, she would end her life and join him in the next birth. The marriage pandal was extremely well decorated and also closely guarded by the armies of Selvan, Jarasandan, Dhanvantaran etc., When Rukmini was returning after worshipping Ambika devi before the marriage, Krishna entered the pandal and took Rukmini by hand, put her on his chariot and drove away. All the kings present there were vanquished and Rukmi the brother of Rukminidevi was put to shame by Sri Krishna by shaving a part of his chin. Sri Krishna drove her to Dwarka where they were married with great pomp and splendour.
The rare gem stone named Syamanthakamani obtained by Satrajit from sun god was handed over to his brother Prasenan. A lion swallowed this gem stone taking it from Prasenan. Jambavan fought this lion and handed over to his daughter. When Sri Krishna went in search of this stone, Jambavan after a fight realizing Sri Krishna was GOD handed over the stone, and his daughter Jambavathi to HIM. Sri Krishna handed over this gem to Satrajit, who in turn gave his daughter Satyabhama in marriage to Sri Krishna and also the gemstone which Sri Krishna promptly returned to Satrajit.
Sri Krishna returned to Dwarka after attending the marriage of Draupadi and getting Subhadra (Sri Krishna’s sister) married to Arjun. In Dwarka Sri Krishna married Mitravinda (daughter of his aunt Rajathidevi). Then HE married the daughter of Nagnajit, the king of Kosala Desa, then married the sister of Sandadanan, King of Kaikeya Desa named Badra who was also the daughter of Aruthkeerthi. Then again he married Lakshmanai daughter of king of Mathra. Thus Sri Krishna had eight wives.
Sri Krishna also fought Lord Shiva. This war was between Pasupathasthram of Lord Shiva and Narayansthram of Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva had granted a boon to Banasuran that he would fight on his behalf. Banasuran’s daughter Usha was in love with Aniruddan, grandson of Sri Krishna who was brought to the chamber of Usha by her friend Chitralekha, by her yoga shakthi. When Godra, the mother of Banan appeared nude in front of Sri Krishna, HE turned his face away and Banan escaped. To vanquish his pride, Sri Krishna cut off all 998 hands of Banasuran and left him with only two arms. Sri Krishna told Banasuran that he would not kill him because he had promised not to kill any of the descendants of Bhakta Prahaladan and Banan belonged to this lineage. Usha and Aniruddan were united and Sri Krishna returned to Dwarka. Sri Krishna also killed one person who called himself Paundruka Vasudevan and avatara of Lord Narayana, Salvan and Dhantarakran.
Duryodhanan of the Kourava race cunningly cheated Dharmaputrar of the Pandava race and sent them to the forest for fourteen years. At the end of the fourteen years inspite of Sri Krishna acting as a mediator, Duryodhana would not part with their share of kingdom and hence war had to be declared. The army of Sri Krishna was to be handed over to Kouravas and Sri Krishna without any arms / army had to join the Pandavas. Sri Krishna acted as a charioteer. When the armies were arrayed in the battlefield, Arjuna seeing his relatives on the opposite wanted to withdraw. It was then that the Lord had to pep up Arjuna and speak to him about the Dharma / Adharma and various aspects of life. Thus was born the BHAGVAD GITA – the message of the Lord, which even today stands to speak about our Sanatana dharma. It is a message to one and all irrespective of cash, creed and religion. Sri Krishna who had vowed not to take up arms against anybody in the Mahabharatha war took the discus against Bhishma Pitamah. It was during this war that Bhishma lying on the bed of arrows awaiting his death composed VISHNU SAHASRANAMAM in praise of Lord Krishna.
The war was over with Duryodhana being slaughtered by Bhima. Pandavas got their kingdom back and Sri Krishna returned back to Dwarka. With Sri Krishna leaving Pancha Pandavas, Arjuna lost all his powers who then realized that it was by Sri Krishna’s grace that he had such powers.
Sri Krishna lived on the Earth for 125 years. When he was taking rest under a tree stretching his legs, a hunter mistaking his leg for an animal shot his arrow and thus ended Sri krishna’s life. Of course, this was HIS PLAN.
A few references here are made as to how the Rishis / Munis wondered at this beautiful avatara.
In Srimad Bhagavatham, Sri Suka while describing this avatara to Parikshit Maharaja states thus
“Thamadbutham Balakambujekshnam…………
……………Sahasa Kunthalam…………….
…………………..Virochamanam Vsudev Ikshat..”
Nammazhvar, (one of the twelve vaishanava saints called Azhvars) was extremely in love with this avatar. On one occasion, it is believed that he went into a trance for six months while enjoying the description of the sports of Sri Krishna.
Another Azhvar named Periazhvar treated Sri Krishna as his own child and composed hymns describing HIS plays from childhood to adulthood. He was the only Azhvar who sang benediction to the Lord.
Swami Desikan called HIM Kreeda Vallabhan, while Sri Ramar was called Karuna Kaknethan in his “Dasavatara Stotram.”
Narayana Bhattadri, the author of Narayaneeyam has dealt with Sri Krishna avatara in detail and hails this avatara as Adbutham Ascharyan.
Again, Uddavar a great devotee of Sri Krishna, even as a boy of five was engaged in worshipping HIM and would not respond to the call of his mother for betaking his breakfast. He always expressed “wonder” at the thought of this avatara of the Lord and his delightful leela.
There are other saints like Jayadeva, Kanakadasa, Purandaradasa, Meera, Andal who were in raptures at the mere thoughts of the Lord. But to attain the status of the above, one should have passed many births as stated by Sri Krishna HIMSELF in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Volume 19.
The saddest part of the whole episode that many souls who lived during this period did not realize that it was Lord himself who had descended on this Earth as Krishna,son of Devaki and Vasudev. This thought has been expressed by Sri Krishna in “Bhagavad Gita” while addressing Arjuna that
“Avajananthi Mam Mooda Manushim……………………
Tanumasritham………………….Bhootha Maheswaram”
(Ch 9 V.11)
Om Namo Yoseshwaraya