Over 5,000 years ago, the world was drowning in darkness.

Evil kings ruled with greed and cruelty, justice was forgotten, and the cries of the innocent people echoed through the land.

Bhumi, the predominating deity of this earth, could not bear it any longer. Weighed down by the atrocities of countless demonic rulers, she took the form of a cow and, with tears in her eyes, approached Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, seeking relief.

Heartfelt Prayers to Lord Vishnu

Lord Brahma, moved by the suffering of Mother Earth, gathered the devatas, and together they approached the Milky Ocean, where Lord Vishnu eternally resides.

Standing on the shore, the devatas folded their hands and offered heartfelt prayers to appease the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu.

But, there was no response until Lord Brahma entered deep meditation and received the divine message from Lord Vishnu:

“Do not worry. I will soon appear on Earth. Before that, all devatas should take birth there. I shall come in My original form to protect the devotees, destroy the demons, and re-establish dharma.”

Hearing these words, Bhumi and the devatas were pacified.

The Prophecy From The Sky

In a grand chariot, Vasudeva, along with his newly wedded wife Devaki, was on his way home. Kamsa, Devaki’s brother, eager to please his sister, willingly took the role of the chariot driver.

Suddenly, a miraculous message resounded for Kamsa from the sky:

“Kamsa! The eighth child of your sister Devaki will be the cause of your death.”

Kamsa was known as one of the most demonic kings of the land, and upon hearing this prophecy, his heart filled with terror. In a fit of rage, he took out his sword, seized Devaki by hair, and prepared to kill her.

Vasudeva somehow managed to pacify Kamsa with calm and pleasing words. He even promised to hand over every child born to them. Trusting his word, Kamsa spared Devaki’s life.

Yet, blinded by fear, Kamsa imprisoned both Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva.

The Night of Divine Birth

Within the prison, Vasudeva and Devaki gave birth to a male child year after year, and every child was killed at the hands of Kamsa.

But, when Devaki was expecting her eighth child, a strange stillness covered Mathura. Around midnight, a radiant light filled the prison cell. Lord Vishnu appeared  before Vasudeva and Devaki in His four-armed form, holding the conch, discus, mace, and lotus.

The Lord said, “I have come as promised to protect My devotees and destroy evil. Now, take Me to Gokul and place Me in the care of Nanda and Yashoda.”

Having spoken, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a beautiful baby boy. At that very moment, all the prison doors swung open, and the guards fell into a deep sleep.

The Midnight Journey Over the River

Vasudeva placed the divine child in a wicker basket and began his journey across the raging Yamuna River. The waters parted to give him safe passage, and Sheshanaga, the divine serpent, spread His hood to protect the child from the storm.

In Gokul, Mother Yashoda had just given birth to a baby girl. Vasudeva exchanged the children, returned to Mathura, and placed the baby girl beside Devaki.

When Kamsa tried to kill the child, she slipped from his hands, rose into the sky, and revealed herself as Durga Devi, warning him:

“The One who will destroy you has already been born.”

The Purpose of Lord Krishna’s Appearance

Although many struggles surrounded His appearance and pastimes, Lord Krishna, being the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was always transcendental — untouched by material circumstances, and perfectly enacting His divine mission.

As foretold by the divine voice, when Krishna grew up, He killed not only Kamsa but also all the demonic kings who ruled the world, bringing light to a world once drowned in darkness.

As Krishna declares in the Bhagavad-gita 4.8:

“In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.”

True to His promise, He descended on earth and throughout His life, Krishna engaged in activities aimed at protecting the virtuous and restoring righteousness.

The Divine Message

Krishna also revealed to the world the righteous path to live—a path that can lead anyone from the darkest struggles to the brightest light of joy and peace.

On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna spoke the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita, guiding Arjuna and all humanity on how to overcome fear, confusion, and suffering through faith, duty, and loving devotion.

By following His instructions, we learn to live with courage, purpose, and detachment, ultimately realising the end goal of our life.

This divine message remains as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago, inspiring millions to firmly walk the path of dharma — living a life of virtue, responsibility, and devotion — and attain true spiritual fulfillment.

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