The Birth of Krishna
Last updated: Wednesday August 28th, 2024
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Notice
Lest anyone complain about this blog, I'll have you know that a Bible Verse blog was posted the other day. If you are offended by this, just think of it as an story. I do not intend to hurt any feelings, religion or group, just to inform you of this event. Enjoy!
What is Krishna Janmashtami?
Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishnashtami, is a Hindu holiday celebrating the birth of Krishna, who is considered one of the avatars (incarnations) of the deity Vishnu. This year, it occurred on August 26. Krishna is the eighth in the daśāvatāra, or 10 incarnations of Vishnu. Last year, it was celebrated on September 6.
Story
Once upon a time there was a tyrant who was the king of Mathura, whose name was Kamsa.
Some stories say he was a demon, or that he was a demon in the body of a man. Sources vary.
One day, Kamsa was draving a chariot with his cousin Devaki and her husband Vasudeva.
As he was leaving, a heavenly voice (akashavani, lit. sky-voice) told him that Devaki and Vasudeva's eighth child would be the cause of Kamsa's death. Enraged, Kamsa wanted to kill Devaki, but was stopped by Vasudeva, who promised to give each child to Kamsa, after which Kamsa would kill the child.
Her first six sons were killed by Kamsa, while the seventh, Balarama, survived after being transferred to the womb of Rohini, another of Vasudeva's wives.
When Devaki gave birth to Krishna, the prison cell doors, which were locked and protected by heavily armed guards, were open and unguarded, and the guards went to sleep.
Vasudeva carried the newborn Krishna across the raging Yamuna River to safety in the nearby village of Gokula.
Vasudeva exchanged Krishna with Yogamaya, the daughter who had been born to Nanda and Yashoda the same day, and returned to the cell.
Assuming that the child was Devaki's eighth son, Kamsa prepared to kill her, but the child slipped through his fingers. Assuming her true form, Yogamaya proclaimed to Kamsa that Krishna was born, and departed.
Kamsa tried several times to kill baby Krishna (ex: sending demons, &c), but failed each time. However, Krishna grew up in Gokula, in Nanda and Yashoda's home, and was a mischievous and playful child.
As prophesied, he later killed Kamsa and released his biological parents.
Notes
This is just the birth of Krishna, as I have paraphrased and summarized. Krishna is part of many other stories (especially as a kid, as well as during the Kurukshetra war) and is a central character in the Mahabhárata.
Conclusion
I hope you learned something and enjoyed the blog. I'm thinking of turning it into a series on the Spanish side. Sorry for the shortness of the blog, I tried to write it before the holiday ends.
- Neodymium