A story of Dvapara Yuga in Prose ( part-8)

A story of Dvapara Yuga in Prose ( part-8)

By Lokanath Mishra

One morning, a messenger from King Kansa came to Nanda’s house. He brought a letter saying Nanda must pay taxes and visit Mathura. Nanda became worried. He feared Kansa might ask about baby Krishna. Still, he gathered milk, curds, gifts, and money, and went to Mathura.

After he left, a very beautiful woman entered the village. She looked so pretty that people thought she might be a goddess. She said sadly, “I had a baby, but he died. My breasts are full of milk. Please let me feed a child, so my pain will lessen.”

The simple villagers believed her. They took her to Yashoda’s house. That day, Krishna was crying with hunger. Yashoda thought, “This woman has come at the right time. She can feed my son.” She placed Krishna in her arms.

But the woman was not really kind. She was the demoness Putana. She had smeared poison on her breast to kill the baby. When Krishna began to drink, something amazing happened. Instead of the poison harming him, Krishna drank away her life. Putana screamed in pain, ran outside, and fell dead with a huge crash. Her body grew to the size of a mountain, with sharp teeth and fiery eyes. Everyone was afraid.

The cowherd boys quickly rescued Krishna and gave him back to Yashoda. She hugged him tightly, kissed him, and cried with relief. The villagers performed protective rituals for Krishna.

When Nanda came back from Mathura, he was shocked to see Putana’s giant body. He rushed home, lifted Krishna from the cradle, and thanked God for saving his child. The villagers burned Putana’s body, and a sweet fragrance spread everywhere, because Krishna had purified her.

From then on, sages and even gods sometimes came in disguise to see baby Krishna. Once, Lord Shiva came dressed as a wandering saint. He asked to see Krishna. At first Yashoda was afraid, but she finally allowed him to look at the child. Shiva bowed to baby Krishna, and Krishna smiled at him. Both showed love and respect to each other.

Narada, the heavenly sage, saw this and said, “How wonderful! Shiva carries Krishna’s foot dust, and Krishna rolls in Shiva’s footprints. Who is master, and who is servant? It is impossible to tell!”

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A story of Dvapara Yuga in Prose :