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Atrocities continue

Soon the illusion created by Almighty vanished; the baby started crying, and the guards hearing the cry rushed to their Master Kamsa to inform the fateful birth of his terminator, the eighth child of Devaki. Rushing to the prison, Kamsa snatched the baby from the crying Devaki. He was surprised to learn that the child was a female, but the pleas to spare the girl fell on deaf ears. Determined, as he was to leave no trace of any child of Devaki, Kamsa, the maternal uncle of the child, was about to hit the baby on the stony prison wall. But Lo! The child Maya escaped from his hands and swirled high in the sky, making one more pronouncement: "O cruel king, what's the use of trying to kill me. Your destroyer has already taken birth; be certain your end has come near. No power on the earth would now be able to save you from the final annihilation at the hands of the Lord."

Kamsa could not understand this intriguing announcement. How could anyone escape from his heavily guarded prison! He threatened Devaki and Vasudeva of serious consequences, if they did not tell him the truth, all truth about the pronouncement. But the couple was now fearless, as both of them had seen God. They knew that nothing evil could befall upon them whom the Lord Himself was protecting. Hence no threat could make them tell the story of the previous night.

Enraged and worried, Kamsa hit upon a plan; he ordered that all babies born in his kingdom during those last days should be killed. Whole kingdom was on put on alert, sins compounding sins further! The tragedy was heart rendering for many innocent mothers, babies being snatched from their breasts and put to death. This is how sins increase, adharma manifests. Reason and compassion lose their value and importance in the eyes of cruel. The Mother Earth weeps silently and prays for respite from the Lord.

Childhood of Sri Krishna

Here at Gokul, Yashoda came out of the spellbinding sleep and heard the child crying beside her. Pleased to see the most beautiful, healthy, and radiant child, she put him to her breast, tears of joy flowing from her eyes. She was not aware of the unusual thing of the exchange of babies at the behest of none other than the Lord with his Power of Maya.

Morning saw the news spread all over the village, Nandalal was pleased, and so was everyone. A festive atmosphere prevailed all around. Merriment and jubilations, dancing and singing was in the air. Women folk assembled in the spacious house of Yashoda, now Yashoda Maiyya (mother). Everyone wanted to look at the beautiful newborn, every woman desiring to cuddle the child. It was customary in those days to allow breastfeeding of the child by other lactating mothers of the village as well. Joy of Yashoda and Nandalal knew no bounds.

Childhood Lilas 1

The Killing of Putana

In the first week messengers of Kamsa informed about the birth of a new baby at Nandalal's house. Gokul and Nandalal were loyal to the king, hence Kamsa decided to handle the situation with some finesse. Instead of directly ordering his soldiers to kill the baby, he summoned one of his lady attendants, Putana, and instructed her to kill the baby Krishna by some or other trick. Putana was capable of changing herself into a variety of forms through her magical powers. Thus, assuring her chief Kamsa about the desired result to his plan, she left for Gokul.

In the Gokul atmosphere was full of gaiety and lavish decor, filled with sweet singing of customary songs for the newborn. Ladies filled the room, dressed in most lovely costumes adorning most enchanting jewelry and perfumes. The demoness Putana changed herself into a beautiful and young lactating mother when she reached the house of Yashoda. Posing herself as a distant aunt of baby Krishna, Putana requested Mother Yashoda to allow her to take the child to her breast, for she said, 'the flow of milk from her breast could not be stopped now on seeing such a wonderful child'.

Putana had changed herself into such an attractive and enchanting motherly lady that Yashoda never suspected any foul play. Moreover, so many women had gathered in her house that it was not easy to know each and every one of them. Thus, unhesitant and simple-minded Yashoda allowed Putana to breastfeed the baby in the inner chamber of her house that allowed some privacy. What was the plan of the killer Putana? How was to kill baby Krishna?

Putana had thought of a novel plan. She was pretty sure that Yashoda would allow her to feed the child. All that she needed to do was to apply a large amount poisonous potion to her breasts. Thus, pleased with the opportunity to serve the wicked boss Putana put the baby to her breast. Lord Krishna knew everything; for the whole purpose of His incarnation was to destroy the wicked. Poison would not affect Him in the least, but He also had to send the message to Kamsa and others of His arrival and His power.

Thus, instead of suckling the breast, baby Krishna bites the breast tissue with all His power. The unexpected and severe pain was too much for Putana to bear. She tried to escape, but of no avail. The Lord had taken her hold and no power could free her. Short of breath, writhing and sweating in pain and distress, Putana shouted for help and mercy. Soon she turned blue and died, baby Krishna playing on her chest. Magic power of Putana left her after her death, and the 'enchanting and attractive' lady form changed to most ghastly and ugly look of a demon. Rushing at the unusual noises and cries, Yashoda and other ladies saw the most terrifying sight of their lives. The demon was lying with unusually large and dark form, and the fair boy playing calmly over her huge chest! Terrified and anxious Ma Yashoda took the child in her arms and started praising the Lord for the safe escape of her child from the clutches of the demon, with Lord in her arms!

Soon with the maya power of the Lord, everyone forgot about the unusual display of power by a mere baby!
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