Tales froM Indian Mythology

Author(s): A S Raman
Publisher: Kutub Popular

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Tales from Indian Mythology
Gokul. She clasped Yasoda's baby warmly and kissed and hugged her with all the passion of a mother who had to sacrifice all her children the moment they were born.
The news of the birth of Devaki's eighth child reached Kamsa before daybreak, and he at once stormed into her cell. But he was intrigued to find a niece instead of a nephew lying by the side of his sister. As he did not want to take risks, he seized the baby and when he was about to strike her against the stone which had already licked the blood of Devaki's seven children, the infant flew from his hands, and soared higher and higher assuming the form of the fierce eight-armed Shakti (the Supreme Mother) who declared, "Kamsa, you cannot kill me. And the boy who shall destroy you is safe at Gokul.” She disappeared, leaving Kamsa, Devaki and Vasudeva in a stupor. Bitterly frustrated, Kamsa kicked his sister and brother-in-law and, swearing to slay his enemy at Gokul, he returned to the palace.
With the dawn, Gokul and the neighbouring villages woke up to receive the happy tidings that Yasoda had given birth to a son, as blue as the sky and radiant like the sun. Men, women, children—all vied with one another to be the first to kiss him. And Yasoda's house became a veritable temple. The baby was passed from hand to hand and after everybody had finished with fondling and blessing him, he was put back in the cradle. Nanda and Yasoda, with the approval of the sage Garga, christened the boy "Krishna" ("Dark”). But he would not open his eyes or cry, and soon the women began to gossip. "I should not ask such a question