The birth of Lord Krishna is quite interesting and forms an important part of Mahabharata. Here is the story behind the birth of Lord Krishna.


Birth of Lord Krishna

Lord Krishna was born to bring an end to the tyrannical and savage king, kamsa as it was prophesized. Though, the date of birth of Krishna can't be stated with certainty but the Hindu scholars believe it to be somewhere between 3200 and 3100 BC. As described in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, it was the eighth day of the dark half of Shravana. Lord Krishna belonged to the Vrishni clan of Yadavas from Mathura and was the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Revered as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself, and born in a prison of Mathura, which lies in modern day Uttar Pradesh, the story surrounding his birth is a fascinating one. After his birth he was carried off to Gokul by his father on a fateful day and was raised by his foster parents Nanda and Yasodha. To learn more about the story behind the birth of lord Krishna scroll down.

Sri Krishna's Birth
The Prophecy
Kamsa was a tyrant, brutal and unscrupulous king who imprisoned his father, Ugrasena and seized the throne of Mathura. The day Kamsa's sister Devaki was married to Vasudeva, an akashvani or voice from the sky prophesized that the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva will kill the cruel king of Mathura Kamsa and will restore peace in the kingdom. The frightened and infuriated Kamsa unsheathed his sword to kill his sister. Vasudeva begged Kamsa to spare his bride, and promised that he will deliver each new born child to kamsa himself. Kamsa spared the life of Devaki and put both Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva in his prison.

The Birth of Lord Krishna
Krishna was born to Devaki while his parents were in prison of Mathura after seven of his elder siblings were killed by the demonic king Kamsa. Just before the birth of Krishna a bright light appeared in the prison in front of his parents and Devki's eighth son was born as prophesized at midnight. The child was the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Vasudev heard a divine voice which asked him to take the child to Gokul. Soon the gates of the prison were flung open opened and the guards fell fast asleep. Vasudev put the child in a basket and started his journey towards Gokul. It was very dark night and was raining extremely heavily. But as he stepped out of the prison the rain stopped and the dim light of the moon showed the way to Vasudeva. When he reached the shores of Yamuna, it was brimming due to the heavy rains. But, soon the water parted leaving a dry path for Vasudev to cross. A huge snake appeared and taking the shape of an umbrella protected the child from the rains. After crossing the river, Vasudev reached Nanda's house when everybody was sleeping. He went into the room of Yashoda, Nanda's wife and a small girl playing near Yashoda. He took the girl and left his son, Krishna, in her place, as he was instructed and immediately returned to Mathura.

The next day Kamsa came to know about the birth of Devki's eighth child. In a fit of rage he went and snatched the girl child whom Vasudeva brought from Gokul. Devki fell at his feet and pleaded her brother not to kill the girl. But kamsa remained apathetic and lifted the child by the legs and began to turn her around to smash her on a washing stone. All of a sudden the girl slipped from his hand and disappeared. In her place, and an image of the goddess appeared in the sky holding weapons in her four hands. She told to Kamsa that the person who will kill you has already taken birth and is growing elsewhere.


Birth of Lord Krishna | Janmashtami in Vrindavan & Mathura | Janmashtami Rituals