Saturday, November 24, 2012

34 Bhagavatha: Yogamaya

Vasudeva returned to the palace with the Yasodha's child, which was Yogamaya. The gates were closed as before.  On hearing the baby cry, the guards were wide awake and rushed to report the birth of the eighth child to Kamsa.
Kamsa, who was awaiting anxiously for this, got up hurriedly from the bed and with tottering steps and disheveled hair, went to the chamber where Vasudeva was locked up. Devaki pleads with Kamsa: "She is like a daughter-in-law to you, O blessed brother, You ought not to kill a female child. You have killed many a child. Can you not gift this child to me?" She wept and hugged her child. The wicked Kamsa snatched the feet of the baby forcefully and dashed against the hard surface, the method he used to kill all other children. Flying off his hand, the baby, younger sister of Krishna, instantly rose to the heavens and was seen in the form of a goddess, with eight mighty arms equipped with weapons. She spoke: "What would you gain by my being slain, O foolish one -- your destroyer has been born some place or the other.  Do not kill helpless children in vain."  Having warned him. the almighty Maya disappeared. (She stayed on as a deity under diverse appellations).
Amazed, Kamsa spoke with humility: "Oh, cousin and O brother-in-law, i have killed many a son of yours -- i am a sinner and a notorious wretch. Forgive me for my wickedness." Regretting his actions, he clasped Vasudeva's and Devaki's feet seeking pardon. Seeing the fully repentant Kamsa, Devaki and Vasudeva gave up their anger and forgave him. He retires to his palace.
Kamsa summoned his counsellors and told them about Yogamaya and her words. The demons who were resentful towards the gods, instigated their king: "If that is so, O Bhojaraja, we shall kill all babes born within ten days in our towns, villages, and other places.What can the cowardly gods do. Command us to destroy Vishnu. The only way to do that will be to extirpate the rishis." The sycophants praise him.  Kamsa commands the demons (who could assume any form at will), to oppress the righteous in all quarters, as a means to kill his adversary.
At Gokula, Nanda and Yashoda were thrilled with their baby boy. There were festivities all over Gokula. Gargacharya, their guru, seeing the dark and attractive child, named him Krishna. 

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Srimad Bhagavatham