Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam: 16. A RESTLESS KAMSA

 

INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam:

16. A RESTLESS KAMSA

Kamsa, angry with the Yadavas, turned to face them. But the elderly members in the gathering checked him. They said, “O Kamsa, do not act in haste. How do we know that the voice had not come from some mischievous supernatural being? If it had, its aim is to make you do something heinous. As a consequence you will suffer. That’ll make the being gleeful.

“On the other hand, if the voice had come from some god and if the prophecy is true, no effort on your part will change the course of events.”

Even then Kamsa did not seem satisfied. Said Vasudeva, “Well, brother, I promise to surrender the children born of Devaki to you. Do what you like with them. So, you need not kill your sister.”

Kamsa knew that Vasudeva was one who never went back on his word. He calmed down. The marriage ceremony was soon over.

In due course, Devaki gave birth to a handsome baby boy.

“I must hand over the child to Kamsa as promised. Do not grieve. Providence will take care of our life,” said Vasudeva, to pacify Devaki.

“How can I give up my child to a demon like Kamsa? Destiny might have chalked out a certain course of events for us. But, surely, man is capable of changing the course through aspiration and effort! You must find out some way to ward off the wrath of Kamsa,” said Devaki.

“No effort can change one’s destiny. It is only the intervention of Divine Grace that can change it. What is happening to us is what is ordained for us according to our deeds in our previous lives. We cannot stop them from happening. With our conscious deeds, we can mould our future. In any case, we have made a commitment. We ought to be truthful to it,” said Vasudeva.

Devaki did not argue further. She sat shedding tears while Vasudeva took hold of the baby. All those who saw Vasudeva carrying the child to Kamsa praised his truthfulness, but felt sad at the same time.

Kamsa, too, agreed that it was noble of Vasudeva to bring the newborn to him. “But it’s only the eighth issue of Devaki who will be my foe. What do I gain by killing this one? Take it away!”

Vasudeva thanked him and went back with the child. Kamsa boasted of his mercy to his courtiers. They praised him. Sage Narada appeared there before long. Kamsa received him with due respect and courtesy.

“So, you spared the first issue of Devaki, didn’t you?” asked Narada.

“Indeed, I did. According to the ominous prophecy, it is only Devaki’s eighth child who would be my foe, not the earlier ones,” answered Kamsa.

“It is true that Vishnu intends to be born as Devaki’s eighth child and kill you. But don’t you think that your foe will be much stronger with seven brothers than if left alone?” asked Narada and he went away.

Kamsa immediately sent for Devaki’s child and smashed it to death.

There was a reason for Narada instigating Kamsa to do so.

Long, long ago, six young lads belonging to the heavenly spheres showed disrespect to Brahma. The lord then cast a curse upon them saying they will be born in the families of demons. Because of the curse, they had to be born as the sons of demon-kings. One day, they collectively prayed to Brahma so intensely that the Lord had to appear before them in a magnificent vision.

From Brahma they obtained certain boons. It was time for them to find release from their curse. They were born, one after another, as Devaki’s sons. By instigating Kamsa to kill them, Narada was really helping them to get their release from the curse.

Five more sons of Devaki were killed by Kamsa in the same manner. He heard that her seventh child was unborn. But the fact was different. The child was transferred from her womb to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva. The son that was born to Rohini was to be known as Balarama.

Before Devaki was to give birth to her eighth child, she as well as Vasudeva were confined to a prison. The child in Devaki’s womb was the incarnation of Vishnu.

The prison was guarded by armed soldiers. Soon it was time for Devaki to be delivered of her eighth child.

Kamsa was growing tense and anxious. Every now and then he alerted the guards.

‘There’s not the slightest likelihood of Devaki’s eighth child growing up and proving any menace to me. I’ll kill the child forthwith. I’m only anxious to steal a march over the gods who have prophesied my doom,’ he told himself and felt pleased that such a chance was at hand.

But the pleasure was not lasting. He could not enjoy his sleep properly. Waves of panic overtook him. He was trying to divert his attention at amusements, but in vain.

It was the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrava. Kamsa was informed that Devaki was about to give birth to her child. He sent word to his guards reminding them to remain extra vigilant. Nobody should be allowed to go near the prison. He was to be informed as soon as the child had been born.

The guards began pacing in front of Devaki’s room with greater alertness.

Devaki told Vasudeva, “It had been decided that I shall exchange my child with Yasoda, the wife of Nanda. But how can the exchange take place now that we are guarded so closely?”

Soon she gave birth to a lovely male baby. “Look at the baby. Have you ever seen such beautiful eyes? The finest image of an artist will look dim before the grandeur of this child’s appearance. Will you really offer him to the cruel Kamsa?”

Vasudeva kept gazing at the child, unable to take his eyes away.