How Lord Krishna Was Born

In Hinduism, Lord Krishna is worshipped as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu according to the Vishnu Purana. His birth is considered a miraculous and cosmic event meant for the destruction of evil and injustice and the re-establishment of dharma (righteousness).

According to the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna or Shri Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Sanatan Dharma believes Him to be the Supreme God Himself and the complete incarnation (Purna Avatar) of Vishnu. The Gita states that whenever there is a decline in righteousness and a rise in unrighteousness, He appears on Earth in various forms — sometimes human, sometimes non-human — to protect the virtuous and destroy the wicked. This divine descent is known as an “avatar”.

1. Background

Kansa was the tyrannical king of Mathura, who imprisoned his own sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva. After hearing a divine prophecy that Devaki's eighth child would cause his death, Kansa became consumed by fear. As a result, he brutally killed every newborn child of Devaki immediately after birth.

2. The Birth of Lord Krishna

One day, Lord Krishna began to incarnate in Devaki’s womb. At the time of His birth, the prison was enveloped in darkness, and natural phenomena started to occur. Heavy rain poured from the skies, and the sound of thunder echoed all around. During Devaki’s painful labor, Vasudeva carried the newborn child out of the prison and reached the banks of the Yamuna River. Finally, Lord Krishna was born to destroy evil and restore dharma.

3. Crossing the Yamuna and Reaching the Gopis

The Yamuna River’s flow miraculously calmed down, allowing Vasudeva to cross it safely. Vasudeva reached Gokul and left the infant Krishna with Nanda and Yashoda. In return, he brought back Yashoda’s newborn daughter to the prison.

As per Lord Vishnu’s divine instruction, Vasudeva exchanged the babies during the stormy night of Krishna Paksha (dark lunar fortnight) to save Krishna's life.

When Kansa learned of the birth of Devaki's eighth child, he rushed to the prison. As he tried to smash the baby girl against the ground, the infant slipped from his hands, rose into the sky, and declared, “Kansa, the one who will kill you is growing up in Gokul!” This baby girl was none other than Goddess Yogmaya.

Since then, a popular proverb has arisen in our society aimed at oppressors and wrongdoers:

“The one who will destroy you is growing up in Gokul.”

4. Devaki and Kansa’s Reaction

Upon returning to the prison, Devaki noticed her child had disappeared. Around this time, Balarama, Devaki's eighth child, was born — actually through Vasudeva’s other wife Rohini.

When Kansa realized Krishna was alive, he began plotting multiple ways to kill Him. Failing to find Krishna, Kansa ordered the demoness Putana to kill all six-month-old babies by breastfeeding them with poisoned milk. Putana murdered many infants but met her end when she found baby Krishna. Just six months old, Krishna sucked out all the poison from her breast and ended her life.

One by one, Krishna destroyed many other demons and evil beings — including Kaliya the serpent, and ultimately, King Kansa himself — through His divine acts (leelas).

5. Role of Lord Krishna

From childhood to youth, Krishna performed many miraculous deeds, such as subduing the venomous serpent Kaliya, lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers, and eventually bringing about the fall of the evil Kansa.

Krishna descended on Earth to uphold dharma and righteousness.

Conclusion

The birth story of Lord Krishna teaches us to fight against sin and injustice and to walk on the path of truth and righteousness. He is a symbol of peace, love, and honesty in human life.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna represents the victory of good over evil. He declares that whenever there is a rise in evil and a decline in righteousness, He will reincarnate to guide humanity back to the right path. Janmashtami, Krishna’s birthday, is celebrated as the triumph of good judgment over evil forces.