Little Krishna - Part 7

It was believed that during the Dwapara Yuga, the Yadavas were made up of two groups – the Vrishnis and the Andhakas.

The Yadavas was supposedly a republic and not a monarchy as it was in the other parts of the country. 

In this republic the area of Mathura and thereabouts was ruled by the Andhakas. The ruler of the Andhakas was Ugrasena.

The Vrishnis were ruled by Surasena. Surasena's son was Vasudeva.

Ugrasena and Surasena were generally considered as the chieftains or the kings by their respective tribes.

Thus Vasudeva was one of the main noblemen of the Yadavas.

One day, he approached his friend Sini for some help. 

Sini of the Yadavas was the best friend of Vasudeva and frowned wondering what the nobleman wanted.

"Princess Devaki, the daughter of King Ugrasena is having her swayamvara." Vasudeva said quietly. [Swayamvara is where a princess chooses her own husband.]

Sini understood immediately. 

Sini realized that Devaki and Vasudeva loved each other and that he had to kidnap the princess during the wedding.

Sini happily agreed to this and successfully kidnapped the princess and brought her to Vasudeva.

Even the marriage of Devaki and Vasudeva was performed with great pomp and show.

At that time, no one paid attention to Kamsa, the son of King Ugrasena and Padmavathi. But at that time, no one had any reason to.

(There are four anecdotes connected with this incident.

One, is that Vasudeva also married the other daughters of Ugrasena. It remains unknown as to why Ugrasena conducted a swayamvara, if Devaki wanted to marry Vasudeva in the first place. And there is absolutely no doubt that Vasudeva loved Devaki a lot. Vasudeva had done a lot in his life to save Devaki's life.

One of the other wives of Vasudeva is Rohini. She is Devaki's co-wife and is very important in Krishna's story.

The second anecdote is about Sini. Sini fought off the king Somadatta during the kidnap of Princess Devaki.

This battle between Sini and Somadatta caused an almost generational feud between Sini and Somadatta which ended only in the Kurukshetra war where a descendant of Sini – Satyaki killed Somadatta.

The third anecdote is that Vasudeva was the brother Nanda. According to the book "Harivamsa", Nanda was the head of the Gopa tribe which was another powerful group among the Yadavas.

The fourth anecdote is that of Kamsa.

The Puranas mention Kamsa as the son of Ugrasena and Queen Padmavathi. But there have also been some off shoots regarding this story. Padmavathi is the daughter of King Satyaketu of Vidharbha. It is said that after her marriage, she had once gone to her father's home and there she was seen by a gandharva (Gandharvas are celestial singers and dancers in the Court of Indra) named Dramila or Godila.

Godila lusted after Padmavathi.

And so Godila took the appearance of Ugrasena and approached Padmavathi. Padmavathi presumed Godila to be her husband.

Their mating is said to have resulted in the birth of Kamsa.

Despite his parentage, it can be presumed that until Devaki's marriage, Kamsa loved his sister as any brother would and that Kamsa bore her no ill feelings towards her.)

Little Krishna - Part 6

In the Satya Yuga, Diti and Sage Kashyap had two powerful sons - Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu.

Unfortunately, both the brothers were very ambitious and very blood thirsty.

First, Hiranyaksha performed severe penance towards the Gods and became extraordinarily powerful. After getting these powers, Hiranyaksha then took over the Skies and had the Devas thrown out of there. Hiranyaksha ruled like a dictator and he killed anyone who stood up against his rule.

Therefore to protect earth and the other realms from Hiranyaksha, Lord Vishnu incarnated as a Varaha (Varaha in Sanskrit means a "Boar") and killed Hiranyaksha.

The world was free from the tyranny of Hiranyaksha. The Devas came back to the Skies and the people everywhere rejoiced. All except for one man - Hiranyakasipu.

Once Hiranyakasipu learnt about how Lord Vishnu had killed his brother, Hiranyakasipu was filled with blind hatred. Hiranyakasipu promised himself that he would complete his brother's undone work and this time do it more ruthlessly and swiftly.

Hiranyakasipu set about performing penance towards Lord Brahma for several years and after that HIranyakasipu obtained an impossible boon from Lord Brahma. The boon that Hiranyakasipu obtained made him near impossible to kill. Because Hiranyakasipu prayed that he could not be killed by any creature created by Brahma and that he should not be within or outside any residence while he was killed or during daytime or night or in the ground or the sky. [Lord Vishnu incarnated as "Narasimha" - which means "Half Man - Half Lion" and also fulfilled the other conditions to kill Hiranyakasipu.]

Before Lord Vishnu incarnated as the Narasimha, however, Hiranyakasipu followed his brother's footsteps and ruled like a tyrant. People everywhere were scared of Hiranyakasipu as he took over the throne of Indra, and killed people mercilessly. In fact it went so bad that Hiranyakasipu even killed people who worshiped any of the Gods.

It was during this time that there was another asura in the court of Hiranyakasipu called Kalanemi. Kalanemi had six sons - Hamsa, Suvikrama, Kratha, Damana, Ripumardhana and Krodhahantha who were collectively called as the Sada Garbhas.

While Kalanemi supported Hiranyakasipu's conquests, the Sada Garbhas opposed Hiranyakasipu. In fact, the Sada Garbhas were extremely devoted to Lord Vishnu.

Ignoring Hiranyakasipu's teachings of disregarding the Gods, the Sada-Garbhas prayed to Lord Brahma.

They performed severe penances and austerities and finally pleased Lord Brahma appeared before them.

When Lord Brahma appeared, he was so pleased with the Sada Garbhas that he was pleased to grant them any boon of their choice, "I know of your pious nature and I am very pleased with all of you. Please ask me any boon," The Creator God told the Sada Garbhas.

The Sada Garbhas made Brahma even more glad by the boon that they asked him. "Please grant us a boon that we would not be hurt by any humans, animals or divine or the Demi-Gods! And if you are very pleased with us, grant us the boon that even the great sages would not be able to hurt us with their curses!"

Lord Brahma was completely pleased with the pious Sada-Garbhas and happily granted the boon to the six of them.

However the Sada-Garbhas were in a world of trouble.

When Hiranyakasipu heard of the boon that the Sada Garbhas had from Lord Brahma he was very angry with them, "You approached Lord Brahma?" Hiranyakasipu fumed angrily at the six Sada Garbhas, "And you wanted protection!" Hiranyakasipu said in a disgusted voice.

"I am the only God you should worship. Not Brahma or Vishnu!" Hiranyakasipu thundered and angrily cursed all of them, "You think Brahma's boon will protect you!' He sneered. "I curse you that all of you will be killed by your own father!"

Little Krishna - Part 5

"I shall not return the Kamadhenu to you," Sage Kashyap told a flabbergasted Lord Varuna.

"But...But..." The Lord of the Oceans - Varuna, was completely flummoxed. Not only was Varuna not expecting such an outright rejection, Varuna just did not know what to do.

The problem was that Sage Kashyap was to perform a particularly difficult yagna (fire sacrifice) a few months back.

And as was custom, the sage had needed a cow for performing the yagna.

Without any warning of any sort, Sage Kashyap had taken away Kamadhenu - Varuna's cow from Varuna's home.

And when Varuna had asked for the cow back, the sage blatantly refused to hand over the animal.

"It is mine, henceforth," the sage told Varuna. "And I have no intention of handing over Kamadhenu to you."

At first Varuna wanted to use brute force and take back his Kamadhenu. But Varuna stopped himself.

Despite the fact that Sage Kashyap had stolen Kamadhenu, the sage was powerful and had immense powers of penance. Varuna knew that if he used force, it was very probable that the sage could use his powers and curse Varuna. And Varuna did not want that.

So Varuna did the next best thing.

Varuna complained to Lord Brahma, about Sage Kashyap's actions.

Lord Brahma was shocked as Varuna continued, "The calves of Kamadhenu, my lord," Varuna said in a pleading voice. "The calves keep whimpering for their mother." Varuna took a deep breath looking unhappy. "Please, Lord Brahma do something."

Lord Brahma was terribly angry as he summoned Sage Kashyap to come before him.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Lord Brahma shouted at Sage Kashyap as soon as Sage Kashyap appeared before him.

Sage Kashyap saw Varuna and Lord Brahma and suddenly paled.

"My Lord," Sage Kashyap said bowing before the Creator God. "I need Kamadhenu for my yagna! Without the cow, it is impossible to complete the yagna!"

"FOOLISH MAN!" Lord Brahma thundered angrily as Sage Kashyap looked shocked unable to talk any further.

"You do not deserve the place of respect that people give you here!" Brahma said angrily. "Go to earth and tend to the cows there. That would be a fit job for you. That is the only thing which will teach you what a wrong thing you have done right now!" Brahma said angrily.

Sage Kashyap's eyes widened as he shook his head trying to stop his father.

"Go now!" was all Lord Brahma said as he refused to listen to anything that Sage Kashyap had to say. 

Little Krishna - Part 4

Looking at the smug face of Indra, Diti knew that Indra had done something unforgivable.

"You hurt the child in my womb, didn't you?" Diti asked her eyes smoldering. "You call yourself the king of the Skies and you did something like this?" Diti asked her voice turning dangerous. "And what did you do all this for?" Diti said coming very close to Indra who still had his Vajrayudham in his hands. "Power? So that you could always rule your kingdom?" Diti demanded sneering.

Indra was lost for words as Diti continued, "Hear the curse of a mother, Aditya! You shall never be able to rule the Skies peacefully!" Diti thundered. "Your rule shall always be hindered by someone or something for one or another reason!"

Indra was aghast as he realized that Diti's words were powerful enough for it to come true and he suddenly found his voice as he shook his head, muttering the first thing which came to his mind, "But it was my mother who told me...." Indra said his voice trailing off, looking even more aghast.

"This was Aditi's idea?" Diti demanded as her revulsion at what Aditi had done was matched only by her hatred for Indra. "I curse Aditi that she would be in prison and she would watch as her children get slaughtered and she would not be able to do anything to prevent it," Diti said softly. "Not one thing!"

Sage Kashyap appeared before his wife and realized that he was too late to save Diti's child as Diti was trembling and Sage Kashyap sensed Diti's curse to Indra and Aditi.

"Diti!" Sage Kashyap said as both Indra and Diti turned to watch him, "The children in your womb are safe!" Sage Kashyap said.

Children? Diti wondered shocked.

Sage Kashyap nodded. "Because of Indra's actions you do not have just one child but you have seven children - the Marutas!" Sage Kashyap said, "They would be phenomenally powerful and they would be allies of Indra." Sage Kashyap told his wife.

Diti let out a ragged breath almost stumbling on the chair behind her. She had wanted one powerful child, more powerful than Indra. But then now having seven powerful children as allies of Indra, was better than nothing.

Slowly Diti felt her anger dissolve itself.

Indra was however flabbergasted. "Diti cursed....she cursed me and mother," Indra whispered, looking horrified.

"I am afraid you will have to suffer her curse. So will Aditi," Sage Kashyap said with finality.

After this, Indra was never able to rule the Skies in peace. Indra always had problems of some kind and his rule was always thwarted one way or the other.

And Aditi's curse took a long time in coming.

But Diti's words came true with devastating efficiency in the Dwapara Yuga.

Little Krishna - Part 3

"Mother! How are you?"

Diti was shocked when she saw Indra standing before her bowing at her with utmost humility. She clutched her belly tightly almost pulling out her weapon to attack Indra.

But slowly, Diti was able to control herself. Indra looked unarmed and though it was mighty suspicious, that was really not a reason to hurt Indra.

"Aditya!" Diti said in a frigid voice pointing at the chair in her home. "What are you doing here?"

"You are carrying a child, mother, and look at you!" Indra said ignoring the chair, as there was a part of him which realized that his mother was right. Diti looked beyond beautiful. There was an aura around Diti which seemed powerful. Actually more than powerful.

"You are lean and pitifully thin. Please, let me take care of you, for some time." Indra said.

Diti was instantaneously suspicious. She knew something was wrong. Very wrong. But Diti did not know what and she did not know how to turn Indra away. And that was when she remembered the words of her husband. The rituals...Diti realized as she studied Indra with an almost chilling smile that Indra could not hurt her. Not as long as she carried out her rituals. She knew that the rituals were powerful enough to keep Indra at bay. And Diti realized that it would indeed be fun to watch Aditi's son try and fail.

"I am so glad you wish to help me," Diti said with a smile. "You are most welcome in my home!" Diti said much to Indra's shock and surprise.

And so Indra was in Diti's home.

That night when Diti finished her rituals, she went to sleep. Indra used his Vajrayudham (Thunderbolt weapon) which was a very powerful weapon and aimed it at the womb of Diti.

And Indra was in for a shock of his life.

Nothing happened. His weapon which was a powerful weapon, did not touch Diti or her womb.

And that was when Indra realized the importance of the rituals which Diti carried out every day religiously. That was what was protecting her.

Indra was seething and he realized that he had to wait. He had to serve Diti and wait. Wait for Diti to make a mistake. Otherwise, there was nothing that Indra could do to prevent this child from being born. A child whom Indra knew was more powerful than him.

And so the cat and mouse game between Diti and Indra started.

Diti kept to her rituals daily.

But the problem was that one night Diti was really tired. Very tired. And after she had finished her rituals she forgot to clean her feet and fell asleep just like that.

And that was the only thing which Indra was waiting for. Using the unclean feet, Indra was able to use his powers and he entered Diti's womb and there he cut the womb into seven pieces (Some Puranas mention this number as 49 pieces)

The pieces in the womb started crying as Indra used his Vajrayudham on it.

Worried that Diti would wake up and realize something was wrong, Indra soothed the crying fetus, "Ma Ruta!" [In Sanskrit "Ma Ruta" means "Do not cry"]

And after sometime, Indra got out of the womb, his work done.

Somewhere in the dense forest, Sage Kashyap with the powers of his mind came to know what Indra had done and that broke his meditation. He immediately used his powers and tried to come to Diti as soon as possible.

Back to Diti and Indra, Diti woke up with a start and she knew that something was wrong. Something far more than she could correct.

Little Krishna - Part 2

"Have you seen Diti of late, Indra?" Aditi's question was sharp as she saw her tall son settle himself in her chambers.

Indra was confused as he studied his mother. "Diti?"

Aditi nodded and was unhappy because she realized that Indra had not noticed anything of importance.

"She is carrying a child!" Indra said shrugging. "Why is that so important...?" Indra asked.

"HAVE YOU PROPERLY SEEN HER?" Aditi shouted as Indra fell silent.

"I do not understand, mother!" Indra said as he wished his mother would speak fast. The riddles she was speaking was confusing Indra. He just could not understand why his mother would be so worked up about something so trivial.

"Ninety nine years back, my sister went to see our husband in the forests and now she looks radiant." Aditi said.

"Radiant?" Indra asked wondering when his mother was going to get to the point.

Aditi sighed because she just could not believe how foolish Indra could be for not noticing something so obvious. "I am more than sure that the child that Diti is carrying is going to be more powerful than you," Aditi said in a scathing voice.

"WHAT?" Indra demanded feeling numb, his brain unable to comprehend what he was hearing.

Aditi nodded, "Son, you are the ruler of the Devas and you rule the skies. And more often than not, you and the Daityas have fought countless battles and most of the times her children have been routed in battle because of your strength and superior technology!"

Indra was barely listening as Aditi continued, "However, this time I think that Diti has outdone herself. I think that Diti, with the blessings of your father, now carries in her womb a child who can be as powerful as you are."

Indra looked unable to speak as Aditi nodded and continued, "Have you seen how radiant Diti looks? I am afraid! Every time I see Diti, I get afraid! I am afraid that if you let this child come to the world....it could mean your end!"

Indra was shocked at his mother's words at first. But then he realized that his mother's words could be true. The Daityas were always fighting with the Devas for the control over the three worlds.

If Diti's child was indeed very powerful....Indra took a shaky breath.

He looked around and he had no idea when he had stepped out of his mother's chambers. Indra had been so deep in thought that he did not even know where he was walking.

But now that Indra had made his decision, Indra knew where he was going.

Little Krishna - Part 1

Diti was walking through the dense forest unmindful of the dangerous path. She had left her hermitage some time back and she was very angry as she had started with her journey, which was why she did not mind the perilous journey through the dense forests.

She was looking for Sage Kashyap, her husband, in the dense forests around her. Her husband....Sage Kashyap was a "manasputra" [Mind-Born Son] of Lord Brahma, the Creator God. As the son of Lord Brahma, Sage Kashyap was given the task of populating the earth.

For this, Sage Kashyap married the 12 daughters of Daksha and through them, Sage Kashyap fathered the humans, the animals and even the birds.

In the present, the reason Diti was here so angry was because of her own elder sister - Aditi. Aditi...Diti felt a wave of hatred almost consume her as she was unable to believe how she and Aditi could even be related. And Diti was sure that she could never forgive either Aditi or the Adityas (Adityas literally translated means the children of Aditi).

The Adityas or the Devas who were luminescent and shining beings ruled the skies and they also had powers over the natural elements. Indra, the eldest son of Aditi was the King of the Skies with his kingdom in Amaravathi. Diti was thinking all this as she reached the clearing where she found her husband deep in meditation. Diti, knowing the yogic power of the sage was silent as she sat in front of her husband, and was waiting for him to open his eyes. Diti was seething inwardly but she let nothing show on her face right now.

And as Diti was waiting, she studied the powerful aura which emanated from her meditating husband. Usually, just watching her husband calmed down Diti. But today, she was just mad through and through.

It took a long time for Sage Kashyap to finish his meditation but Diti was determined. She did not disturb the meditation and finally Sage Kashyap opened his eyes.

And Sage Kashyap was slightly stunned to see his wife sitting before him and from the looks of it, it looked like she had been waiting for a really long time.

"What is it, my dear?" Sage Kashyap asked immediately, sensing that something was wrong.

Once Diti realized that she had her husband's undivided attention, Diti started, "I have come here to ask for a boon, my Lord," Diti said in a steely voice.

Sage Kashyap was a man of few words and said nothing. He realized that Diti was really angry and let her talk.

"Aditi's sons are called the Devas - the Gods and they live in Amaravathi. And I have heard that Amaravathi is built entirely with diamonds and other precious stones and their palaces and even their furniture, is made entirely of gold!" Diti said in a fuming voice.

Sage Kashyap now had a vague idea where all this was leading to. But he did not interrupt his wife.

"And I have heard that Vishwakarma, the architect of the Devas," Diti said in a sneering voice. "...built the place such that the fragrant smells of the flowers from the garden flow all over the palaces. And that there is music, dancing and all sort of enjoyment all the time there." Diti said struggling to control herself.

"Your children the Daityas, live in the Patala, my dear!" Sage Kashyapa spoke for the first time. "And though it is the netherworld, it is no secret that the Patala is more beautiful than the Skies. I have heard that though there is no sunlight in the Patala, there is no darkness there. All the darkness in Patala is dispelled by the rich jewels which are worn by the people there."

Diti was about to angrily interrupt Sage Kashyap when he held up his hands. "The Patala does not even have old age or disease of any kind!" Sage Kashyap said in a proud voice studying Diti.

"THIS IS NOT ABOUT THAT!" Diti yelled unable to control herself.

Sage Kashyap said nothing as he continued to study his wife.

Diti panted for a few seconds and with great difficulty controlled herself. "The Adityas and my children have fought!" Diti said with barely controlled rage. "Though they have the same father, they have always fought and because the Adityas are more powerful than my sons, the Daityas have more often than not, been defeated by the Devas!" Diti said in a sneering voice. "I have lost more sons than I can count in these battles with the Adityas!" Diti said closing her hands in a tight fist to prevent them from shaking.

"It is the law of nature! We cannot change what is..." Sage Kashyap said in a soothing voice.

"I can and I will!" Diti said in a fuming voice.

Sage Kashyap was silent as Diti spoke in the same voice. "I wish to have a son who is more powerful than Indra and the other Devas! One who can defeat all the Adityas!" Diti said in the same voice.

Sage Kashyap wanted to speak but he knew that his wife would not listen to him. She would not budge. Not one inch.

Sage Kashyap did the only thing he could do. "Bearing such a child is no easy task!" Sage Kashyap said in a sharp voice. "You will have to keep yourself clean and carry out all the rituals while you bear the child for a hundred years!" [The concept of time in the Skies and the Patala was different from the time as computed on earth, though the time was always referred to as the time on earth.]

"I will do it," Diti said firmly in a voice brooking no argument. "I will do whatever is necessary! But the child that I bear should be the most powerful of them all."

"It shall be exactly the way you desire my dear," was all Sage Kashyap said.