The Birth of Kansa – A Story from Ancient India

The Birth of Kansa – A Story from Ancient India

( Written by Lokanath Mishra based upon Brahma Vaivarta Purana , a Purana with many elaborations on Krishna’s life and
Harivamsha , an appendix to the Mahabharata, which narrates genealogies and additional stories of Krishna’s family)

A long time ago, during the Dwapara Yuga ( in the world in general and India in particular), India , then called Bharat Varsha which was divided into many small and big kingdoms. Some kingdoms, like Magadha, were very large and powerful. Some, like Mathura, were small and ruled by weak kings. Even the chiefs of a few villages proudly called themselves “kings.”

At that time, many kings dreamed of becoming the greatest ruler — a Chakravarti Samrat (Emperor of Emperors). To gain this title, they had to perform a very special ceremony called the Rajasuya Yajna. Among them was the mighty king Jarasandha of Magadha, who was strong, clever, and had made many kings his allies. Other kings feared him and accepted him as their overlord.

In the small kingdom of Mathura, the Yadava king Ugrasena ruled. His queen was the beautiful Padmavati.

One day, while King Ugrasena was away at war, Queen Padmavati went to bathe in the royal pond. The place was quiet, and she enjoyed her swim. But at that moment, a Gandharva named Drumila saw her from the sky. Struck by her beauty, he used his magic to take the form of King Ugrasena.

Padmavati was surprised to see her husband suddenly there but did not doubt him. Believing him to be her real husband, she welcomed him. But after some time, Drumila’s magic faded, and his true form was revealed. Padmavati was shocked and very angry. She cursed him, saying:

“A child born from this deceit will not be a Gandharva but a **Rakshasa (demon)!”

Frightened, Drumila ran away.

Later, King Ugrasena returned from his war victory. Padmavati confessed everything to him with tears and shame, even saying she wished to end her life. But the kind-hearted king comforted her:

“Dear Queen, you are not guilty. You thought it was your husband. You are pure, and you have no sin.”

Padmavati felt calmer after this, but her anger and sorrow did not leave her heart. These feelings stayed inside her and grew with the child in her womb.

In time, Padmavati gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. With much celebration, priests were called to name him. They gave him the name:

✨ Kansa ✨

That child, though handsome, carried within him the nature of cruelty — for he was born of deception and curse.

(To be continued…)