After the couple became engaged, Devaki quickly became
pregnant. The couple, being a part of the royal family, did not want to have a
child out of wedlock because the media would criticize them a lot for it. Kansa
did not delay in the planning of their wedding. Although he did not have a lot
of time to plan the wedding, he did not hold back. He made sure that this was
the most extravagant wedding that the city of Mathura will ever see. Everyone
from Mathura was invited to celebrate this joyous occasion. There were endless
feasts, circus entertainment, ballroom dancing, ice sculptures, and anything
else that you could possible want at a wedding. Everyone had a great time and
the couple was happily married.
Kansa had a surprise for the couple after the wedding. He
told them that in a couple months he would take Vasudeva and Devaki to a
private island just off the outskirts of Mathura to enjoy their honeymoon. A
couple months passed and Devaki’s stomach swelled due to her upcoming delivery.
She assured Vasudeva and Kansa that she would be fine to go to the island.
Kansa prepared the flying chariot, and they departed for the island.
On the way to the island, Devaki went into labor. Kansa told
Vasudeva to take control of the chariot while he coached his sister through
giving birth. To their amazement, she had eight kids! They were all fraternal
twins. As the kids were being delivered, Kansa heard a divine voice say that
one of these children will slay you in battle. Kansa’s love for the family
quickly turned to hate. He grabbed all eight kids and one by one threw them out
of the flying chariot to their death. Devaki and Vasudeva were confused at the
situation, angry at Kansa, and sad that their children were dead. Kansa then
ordered his royal guard to arrest the couple. He immediately turned the chariot
around and placed the couple in a dungeon.
Kansa made a great miscalculation that day. One of the kids
he attempted to kill was a reincarnation of Vishnu. He was brought up by a
regular family and went by the name of Krishna. Throughout his childhood he
continually amazed the community he lived in with his accomplishments. He
possessed supernatural qualities and personality traits that were comparable to
a God. Word of this boy got around to the kingdom of Mathura. Kansa suspected
that this was the child that was predicted to kill him in battle. He was
outraged that he did not kill him 18 years ago when he was born.
Kansa did not waste any time. He assembled an army of men
and started to attack the young men in his kingdom. In his madness he led his
army to kill every man that looked like they were eighteen years of age. One
day he finally came across a village where he met his match. He had just got
done killing another innocent man as he was approached by Krishna. “You will
not take anymore innocent lives,” Krishna screamed as he charged the army.
Krishna jumped into the air and struck the ground with his fist. A huge crack
opened up and swallowed the entire army except Kansa. In the blink of an eye
Krishna closed in on Kansa. With one strong chop to the neck, Kansa was
beheaded.
The entire kingdom of Mathura was praised Krishna for his
heroic deeds. Krishna then used his divine powers to resurrect all of the
innocent lives that were lost. He then freed his parents from the dungeons and
appointed his father Vasudeva as king.
Here is a picture of Krishna fighting Kansa.
Author’s Note:
In the original story Krishna was switched with another baby around birth so that Kansa would not be able to kill him. After learning that Krishna was still alive he ordered every baby to be killed within his kingdom. Krishna used his divine powers to stay alive. After many years passed Krishna would eventually slay Kansa. I wanted to have a different take on the story. I thought it would be cool if Devaki gave birth to eight fraternal twins and Krishna would kill Kansa later in his life.
Author: Nivedita
Title: Nivedita Krishna
Year: 1907
