Krishna Awatara: Miracles in the Birth of the Peace Bringer
The story of the miraculous eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu who descended to Earth in human form to fulfil his promise to the Earth Goddess to eradicate evil with his sacred mission to fight the darkness that envelops the Earth and finally restore righteousness (Dharma) in the world.
In the era of Dwapara Yuga, the world was overwhelmed by rampant crime and injustice. Tyrannical kings and evil forces ruled the earth, causing deep suffering to mankind. The wicked king Kamsa of Mathura spread terror across the land and deception. People's prayers went unanswered as temples were desecrated, holy men were persecuted, and dharma—the sacred duty and righteousness—seemed to fade from existence. The earth, unable to bear the burden of such evil, cried out to the heavens for salvation. It was in this dark time that Lord Vishnu knew he must descend once again, this time as Krishna, to restore balance and protect the righteous.
Illustration of World Conditions in the Dwapara Yuga Era (Source: Personal Collection)
Goddess Bhumidevi or Mother Earth, who saw this suffering, was also concerned about what was happening, so she decided to seek help from Lord Brahma. Earth, embodied as Goddess Bhumidevi, appeared to Lord Brahma with a please for this evil to end.
Then hearing the please from Mother Earth, Lord Brahma who is the Creator God then conveyed this to Lord Vishnu, in the end Lord Vishnu promised to descend to earth in human form as his eighth Incarnation to destroy evil and restore dharma (truth).
The Cruel King Kansa (Source: Personal Collection)
In the kingdom of Mathura, a ruthless king named Kansa ruled with an iron fist. The entire people felt suffering and misery during the reign of the King of Kansa's. The King Kansa, had a sister named Devaki. The King of Kansa told Devaki to marry Vasudeva with the aim of making it easier for the King of Kansa to expand his power. Then in the end, Devaki and Vasudeva got married according to the will of the King.
One day, Kansa heard a prophecy from the heavens that he would be killed by his sister's eighth child, Devaki. Terrified of the prophecy, Kansa decided to imprison Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva. Every time Devaki gave birth to a child, Kansa mercilessly killed the baby. Devaki's first six children were killed by Kansa, while the seventh child, later known as Balarama, was miraculously transferred to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva's other wife, by divine power.
King Kansa Receiving a Prophecy from Heaven (Source: Personal Collection)
On the night of Krishna's birth, Mathura was hit by a great storm. The sky was filled with lightning and thunder, creating a terrifying atmosphere. Even so, miracles also began to happen. Krishna was born in a prison in the middle of the night, displaying divine signs that showed his identity as Vishnu awatara. With its glowing blue skin and sacred marks on his body, Krishna's birth was a moment full of miracles.
Illustration of Vasudeva's Journey to Swap Baby Krishna (Source: Personal Collection)
As soon as Krishna was born, the prison door miraculously opened and the chains that bound Devaki and Vasudeva came loose. Lord Vishnu gave an order to Vasudeva to take baby Krishna out of prison and exchange him for a newborn baby girl from Yashoda and Nanda in the village of Gokul. Vasudeva held baby Krishna and carefully crossed the overflowing Yamuna River. During the journey, the Shesha Snake protected Krishna from the rain with his hood. Upon arrival in Gokul, Vasudeva swapped Krishna's baby for the baby girl and returned to prison unaware of what had happened.
Krishna was raised by Yashoda and Nanda in the village of Gokul. He is known as a child full of magic and mischief. Krishna often stole butter from his neighbors' houses and seduced shepherd girls (gopi). However, every act of his mischief is always accompanied by a miracle that reveals his divine nature.
Little Krishna in Gokul (Source: Personal Collection)
Krishna also defeated demons in his life's journey, such as Trinavarta who tried to kidnap him by taking him to the sky, but Krishna destroyed the demons with his powers. When Yashoda scolds Krishna for eating the soil, Krishna opens his mouth and shows the entire universe in it, making Yashoda realize that the child he is fostering is a divine incarnation
As a teenager, Krishna and his family moved to Vrindavan, a city that has been the center of many of his heroic and romantic stories. In Vrindavan, Krishna became the leader of the herders and continued to perform miracles. He played his dazzling flute.
Krishna's presence caught everyone's attention, especially the gopi who fell in love with him. Krishna's love for Radha, a major gopi, became a symbol of pure and eternal divine love.
