The Krishna Story

This Krishna story is about the birth of the Vishnu incarnates in Mathura. The sufferings of the peasants were indescribable. The prayers chanted in the helplessness of the masses moved the Gods to free them from their woes. So, Devaki, Kansa’s sister, gave birth to Sri Krishna, who killed Kansa and freed people from his persecution.

This story is one of the best ways to let children understand who Lord Krishna was and how he overpowered evil and preserved well in this world. Children can read this story and learn more about Hindu mythology a lot more.

Summary of the Birth of Sri Krishna Story

Things in Mathura began to stir when the crown prince Kansa imprisoned his father, the noble king, Ugrasena, to be the ruler himself. Unlike his father, Kansa was an evil person and a worse ruler. He sought violence and often engaged his army in wars and bloodshed with the Yadus. The peasants and artisans were the worst affected and remained sad for most of the time.

A brief happiness was introduced to them when the wedding news of Devaki and the King of Yadus, Vasudev, was announced. They hoped the wedding would end the bitter relations between Mathura and Yadu. Kansa was a hateful king, but he loved his sister Devaki dearly. After the ceremonial rites of the wedding, he decided to give the newlywed couple a kingly welcome by taking them home himself. As he took the reins of the chariot in his hands, he heard the voice of an Oracle speaking to him. The loud voice roared and said, “Evil Kansa, you fool! You are clueless about signing your death warrant by marrying Devaki off to Vasudev. Your nemesis will be born as her eighth son, and he will kill you.”

Kansa was terrified. His impulse asked him to kill Devaki, and he almost gave in as he drew his sword. Vasudev fell to his knees and begged Kansa not to. He vowed to hand over every child born to Devaki to him. This way, the voice of the Oracle would never come true. Kansa agreed but placed the condition for Devaki and Vasudev to be captives in Kansa’s palace.

As promised, Vasudev kept handing Devaki’s children to Kansa as soon as they were born. The merciless king threw each of them on a boulder and killed them. The smears of blood painted the walls of the cell. Devaki wailed in immeasurable pain. But nothing shook Kansa’s cruel will to kill his nemesis before he could kill him. Even when the nemesis was an unborn child.

Kansa killed all of Devaki’s seven children. It was when the birth of the eighth child was due by a day that she had a meltdown. She kept begging the Gods to save her child from the hands of the demon that her brother was. The misery and helplessness spread like a plague across Mathura. It seemed as if the people knew, and their hearts ached for Devaki. They mourned the death of the unborn child with her.

The night flew away, and the sun was atop. The sun went down, and the night sky took over. Thick clouds, and gushing and roaring winds covered the entire Mathura.

Amid all the commotion, the eighth son of Devaki was born. Every noise fell silent. A blinding luminosity illuminated the cell. Devaki passed out. The same voice of the Oracle spoke. This time to Vasudev. The voice instructed Vasudev to carry the child across the Yamuna to Gokul and exchange his son with his friend Nanda’s newly born daughter.

Vasudev was split in conflict because how was he supposed to carry the infant outside the palace without being noticed by the soldiers? When he stepped out with the basket in his hands that carried the child, he was stunned to see all the soldiers asleep as if in hypnosis. He knew Lord Krishna was born.

Kamsa snatching the infants from Devaki

Moral of the Birth of Sri Krishna Story

The Birth of Sri Krishna story is a mythological story that depicts the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most powerful Gods of Hindu culture. This mythological story can help kids come closer to their Hindu culture and Hindu mythological stories. Not only that, but Kansa’s ending can also help kids understand that pride takes no one anywhere. It is the most destructive thought and eventually destroys people.

Note to the Parents

The above-mentioned story about the birth of Lord Krishna is worth repeated reading. So, parents can read this story to their children to help them understand who Lord Krishna was and how and why he killed Kansa. Since the prophecy was that Krishna would kill Kansa and free the people of Mathura, kids can also understand that pride is destructive and it can be the reason for someone's fall.