Shri Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born in Mathura's prison on the night of Bhadrapad Krishna Ashtami during the Dwapara Yuga. The eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva, Krishna was taken by Vasudeva across the Yamuna to Yashoda in Gokul, out of fear of Kansa, where he was raised.
Shri Krishna Janmakatha (Birth Story): In the Dwapara Yuga, on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami of the month of Bhadrapad, under the Rohini Nakshatra and at midnight, Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar, Shri Krishna, was born in Mathura's prison. To protect Krishna, the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva, from Kansa's atrocities, Vasudeva miraculously escaped the open prison and handed him over to Nand and Yashoda in Gokul across the Yamuna. There, a goddess-like girl warned Kansa that the one who would kill him had already been born.
The Prophecy of Krishna's Birth
According to the tale, King Kansa of Mathura was on his way to escort his sister Devaki to her in-laws' house after her wedding. At that very moment, a divine voice echoed, proclaiming that Devaki's eighth child would be the cause of Kansa's destruction. Hearing this, Kansa's face filled with anger and fear. He immediately resolved to kill his sister, but upon Vasudeva's humble request, he agreed to spare her life, provided they hand over each of their children to him as soon as they were born.
Imprisonment and Merciless Killings
Kansa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva. One by one, Devaki gave birth to six children, but Kansa mercilessly killed them all immediately after birth. The names of these children were Kirtiman, Sushena, Bhadrasena, Riju, Sammardana, and Bhadra. The seventh child was transferred by Yogamaya from Devaki's womb to the womb of Vasudeva's other wife, Rohini. This child was later born as Balarama.
Midnight Miracle
As the eighth child, Lord Vishnu himself came into Devaki's womb as Krishna. Shri Krishna was born at midnight on Ashtami, under the Rohini Nakshatra. At the time of birth, a wonderful miracle occurred in the prison. The guards fell into a deep sleep, the doors opened on their own, and the shackles on Vasudeva's hands broke. It was raining heavily outside, but the water of the Yamuna River began to give way before Vasudeva's feet.
Journey towards Gokul
Vasudeva placed his newborn son in a bamboo basket and carried him on his head, setting out from the prison. His goal was to reach Gokul and go to the house of Nand and Yashoda. On the same night, Yashoda had also given birth to a child. Vasudeva left his son Krishna there and returned to Mathura with Yashoda's newborn daughter.
Appearance of the Divine Girl
When Kansa learned that a daughter had been born from Devaki's womb, he immediately rushed to the prison to kill her. As soon as he picked up the infant, she slipped from his hands and appeared in the sky as a goddess. The goddess told Kansa that the one who would destroy him had already been born and was now out of his reach. Saying this, she vanished into the sky.
Thus Began the Tale
With the birth of Krishna, a series of events began in Mathura and Gokul, which later progressed towards the end of Kansa and the establishment of Dharma. That rainy night from the prison to Gokul remains a symbol of faith and devotion for devotees even today.
