A story of Dvapara Yuga in Prose : ( part-4)

A story of Dvapara Yuga in Prose:
( part-4)

By Lokanath Mishra

Thus, year after year, Kansa destroyed six sons.
Who can describe Devaki’s grief? Day and night she was drowned in unbearable sorrow.

These six children were once the sons of Vishvavasu, the Gandharva. In the celestial court they delighted Indra and the other gods by dancing with the Apsaras. Once, while dancing, they became distracted by the beauty and charm of Urvashi. Losing their rhythm and beat, they repeatedly drew near her, disturbing her own graceful movements. Indra, Lord of the heavens, noticed this and grew displeased. In anger he cursed them:
“Be born in the wombs of mortals!”

The six fell at Purandara’s (Indra’s) feet, begging for mercy. They pleaded that the punishment was far greater than their small offense. Indra calmed somewhat and said:
“My curse shall not be in vain, but the period of your suffering will be short. For a brief while you must indeed be born in the mortal world.”

Thus those six Gandharvas were born from Devaki’s womb and died immediately after birth, thereby indirectly adding to Kansa’s sins.

The vessel of Kansa’s wickedness was nearing its brim. The time for the Lord’s descent upon earth was drawing close. Into Devaki’s seventh pregnancy entered Shesha, the eternal serpent. As her womb grew heavy, Devaki lamented:

“Looking at my own body, I sigh in anguish.
What sins did I commit in past lives, that I must once again bear this burden?
How long must I endure the torment of the womb?
Cruel fate has decreed this suffering.
Thinking thus, I am overwhelmed, and tears flow from my eyes.”

At that time, Lord Vishnu remembered Mother Durga. Seating her near Him, He said:
“Ambike, you must play a crucial part in My divine plan. Ananta (Shesha) has now completed his stay in Devaki’s womb. Vasudeva’s other wife, Rohini, resides in Gopapura. You must transfer the unborn Shesha from Devaki’s womb into Rohini’s. Later, you shall yourself enter the womb of Yashoda, wife of Nanda, so that you may be born at the same time as I.”

He instructed further:
“You shall be born in Yashoda’s womb, while I descend upon the prison floor.
Though Devaki will give birth to Me, Vasudeva will carry Me away.
He will place Me in Nanda’s house, and bring you back in My stead.
No one will know this secret.”

At Narayana’s command, the Divine Mother journeyed to the mortal world. She removed the embryo from Devaki’s womb and placed it in Rohini’s. In a dream she revealed this mystery to Rohini, instructing her to keep it hidden. Yet rumors began to spread. At last, the family priest Garga disclosed the secret to the people of Gopapura in an assembly. He declared:
“This child belongs to Rohini’s own husband; her chastity is untouched. For your welfare, guard this mystery in silence.”

When news reached Mathura that Devaki had miscarried, all the people of Gopapura believed Garga’s words.

Devaki, writhing in pain, screamed from the torment of that forced miscarriage. The midwife appointed by Kansa examined her and announced that the pregnancy had ended. The Yadavas rejoiced at this news. Even Kansa felt a fleeting relief, thinking that for a time he was spared the torment of killing yet another child.

A few days later, Rohini gave birth to Shesha.
On the day of Simha Purnima, Rohini delivered a son.
Joy filled Nanda’s house at the birth of the boy.

For the naming ceremony, priest Garga was invited. In meditation he understood that this child had been transferred into Rohini’s womb. He named him Sankarshana (the one who was drawn away). From his sturdy limbs and powerful frame, it was clear he would grow strong; therefore he was also given another name: Balarama.

Soon after, news spread that Nandarani Yashoda had also conceived. In truth, Mother Katyayani (Durga) herself had entered her womb.

A story of Dvapara Yuga in Prose :

For Kansa, the hour of grave peril drew near. For the Yadavas, it was a moment of hope and anticipation. For Vasudeva and Devaki, it was the time of ultimate trial. Kansa strengthened his ring of guards around the prison. The Yadavas prayed fervently for the fulfillment of the prophecy. Vasudeva and Devaki wondered:
“Will fortune indeed bless us? Will we cradle Madhava in our arms?”

But their present was only sorrow: the misery of imprisonment, the torment of separation from their children, a future shrouded in darkness. Both thought, “Better death than this life.” Their days passed in only two acts—shedding tears and offering prayers. Sustained only by the hope that the Lord Himself would one day be born as their son, they endured that cursed existence.

The Lord Narayana knew of Devaki’s suffering. Rising from His oceanic bed, He came to Mathura. Entering Vasudeva’s body as a divine light, He passed into Devaki’s womb—the Supreme Being, the source of the world’s welfare, now dwelling within her. Devaki’s body shone with radiance as she carried Krishna within her womb.

A story of Dvapara Yuga in Prose :