At the thunderous rainy night.
'Vasudev' left 'Mathura' on heavy rain, and soon approached the banks of the 'Yamuna' river. The river seemed to be boiling white and seething with anger, due to fierce winds and rain. It looked alive and ready to devour the first person to set foot in it!
The Father looked at his the face of his infant child and hesitated in doubt. As if the river sensed his fear, the boiling subsided. But he had to proceed nonetheless. Then a miracle happened. As soon as the feet of Lord immersed in the river, the flow became normal and 'Yamuna' made way for the Lord. To his amazement, 'Vasudev' saw a huge black snake raising its head from the water behind him. He was scared out of his wits at first, but soon realized that it meant no harm when he saw the serpent positioning its hood like an umbrella to save the new born baby from rain. This snake was none other than 'Nag' Raj 'Sheshnag', the Snake-God, who is known to be the roofing canopy of Lord 'Vishnu'.
'Vasudev' bowed to the Snake-God, and thank him for the help.
'Vasudev' did not delay any further and proceeded in waist-deep water with much difficulty. But in the end, not entirely believing his eyes, 'Vasudev' was able to cross the opposite bank of the river safely and entered the village of 'Gokul'.
It was past midnight and the people of 'Gokul' were fast asleep. Thus, 'Vasudev' had no trouble in entering the Palace of king 'Nanda', for the Palace doors were, as always, wide open. 'Nanda', unlike 'Kansh', was a fair king and the people under his reign didn't fear for intruders or thieves in the night.
'Vasudev', by this time, had some idea that his child is really someone special, it was a divine child. All his fears vanished for he understood that when he has come this far, he will surely be able to complete the rest of his journey. And that was what happened.
In no time, 'Vasudev' reached his friend's palace. Treading softly, 'Vasudev' entered queen 'Yashoda's quarters. She was sleeping peacefully in her bed and her baby girl beside her was awake, staring at the door. It was almost as if she was expecting him to come!
'Vasudev' scooped 'Yashoda's baby girl in his other arm and placed his son in the empty space next to 'Yashoda'. With tears in his eyes, 'Vasudev' kissed his son's forehead. "Goodbye, my son," he whispered.
When he about to pick up the child of his friend he felt immense amount of guilt, remorse, with shaky hand he picked up the child and continually whispered "sorry child , I'm sorry. "
Then, he left with tears of guilt and remorse, he left 'Gokul' with 'Nanda's daughter in his arms.
With 'Sheshnag' assisting him like before, 'Vasudev' returned to the prison with the girl-child. He entered his dark cell and laid the baby by 'Devaki's side. As soon as the child felt the hard floor on her back, she opened her mouth and cried loudely.
Claannnk!!! The prison doors closed. All shakal of 'Vasudev' re tightend on his hand and legs. The guards suddenly awoke from their sleep and became aware that a baby was born. They rushed to 'Kansh' to deliver him the news. The eighth child, slayer of 'Kansh', was born!
The evil King was both pleased and afraid to hear of the birth of his nephew. He was pleased that he could finally kill the eighth child of his sister and he was also afraid that he might not be able to do so.
Putting away all his fears, he rushed to the palace dungeons to execute the child who was said to be his slayer. He reached the dungeons in great anger. The palace guards trembled at his enraged face. 'Kansh' entered the cell where his sister and her husband lived for the past nine years.
He roared at the now-awake 'Devaki'.
"Where is he?, Where's my slayer?"
"Devaki" had regained her consciousness only after "Vasudev" switched the babies and so, she thought that her eighth child was a daughter. She appealed to her brother,
"O 'Kansh', my brother- my eighth child is a girl, and not the son that the Oracle warned you about. How can she harm you? There is no way she can. Please let your only niece live!"
'Kansh', as always, ignored her cries. He loved his life more than anything else in the world. Love for his life had clouded his common sense and he forgot the Oracle's warning about his slayer being a boy. In blind rage, 'Kansh' snatched the baby girl from 'Devaki's lap, and hurled the child against the prison wall.
While watching all of this 'Vasudev' felt immense amount of guilt, sadness, pain, unstoppable tears powering down from his eyes.
Suddenly this time the baby did not die, instead, she flew up and for a second remained suspended in the air to the utter amazement of everyone present there. Then the prison was filled once again with a blinding light. 'Kansh' covered his face from the intensity of the light. As the light subsided, they realised that the child had changed into a ferocious Goddess!.
She rose above 'Kansh's head as the eight-armed form of Goddess 'Durga'. Dressed in shining garments and dazzling jewels, she looked terrible and divine at the same time.
The Goddess looked in contempt and pity at the bewildered 'Kansh'. She said,
"Foolish Kamsa, there is no force on Heaven and earth that can kill me. So how can you, wretched creature? You even if you could, you would have gained nothing by killing me. For your slayer is already born! He is now well and alive in a safe place. And one day, he will come in search of you and kill you! You can't resist him, no matter how hard you try!"
Saying so, she disappeared, leaving behind a terror-stricken 'Kansh'. 'Kansh' felt humiliated by the turn of events. In his confusion, he freed 'Vasudev' and 'Devaki' from prison.
'Vasudev' then narrated what happened on that night to his wife. 'Devaki', though sad at her separation from her son, was happy for the baby. Both of them prayed to God that her son should not fall into the clutches of his evil Mama (uncle) 'Kansh'.
Meanwhile, there was great rejoicing in 'Gokul'. The cowherd tribes of 'Gokul' were smiling from ear to ear. A new baby boy was born to their loved King 'Nanda' ! The streets were swept clean and the houses were decorated with colors, streamers and fragrant flowers. The whole place wore a festive look.
Everyone in the household of King 'Nanda' was in a joyous mood. 'Nanda' named the child 'Krishna'. Everybody in Gokul danced with joy and flocked to Nanda's house to see the baby boy and to offer gifts.
But it cannot escape everyone's eyes that the child was like no ordinary child. This child is special child. His skin had a dark complexion as is seen in a cloud filled with water during the monsoon season. Has a outherworldy aura. His eyes twinkled merrily. He never cried and always had a smile for everyone. His smile so much soothing that everything smiled seeing him smiling.
'Yashoda' felt very proud. "Ah my son!" she crooned lovingly at Little Krishna . "My cute little son! You are surely going to be pampered and spoiled by us!".