The Eighth Avatar

By Manoshi Sinha Rawal

Circa 3230 BCE! Dwapar Yug, the end of the Third Age after Satya Yug and Treta Yug, described in the Purans! It was midnight on Ashtami Tithi in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapad, corresponding to August of the Gregorian calendar.

After six of the darkest nights in seven years when all of his six brothers were killed soon after their birth, there came another such night. Entire Mathura mourned with winds howling and dusk giving way to an appalling rainy night. Nature seemed to enlighten one and all about the birth of the eighth child specified in the prophecy. And a God was born on earth as a mortal. Because the rising evil had to be suppressed! He was Krishn. The seventh fetus was transferred to its step-mother s womb at three months. This fetus, after completion of the gestation period, was born as the elder brother of the God. The incarnation of Sheshnag, the king of all serpents and serpent deities, became the brother of the incarnation of Vishnu!

Fourteen years of twists and turns, one after another, in the life of Krishn! Who were his friends? What games did he play? How did he grow up? When did he start playing the flute? Who was his teacher? How did he become a hero by the time he became a teenager? Did he commandeer an army in the battlefield at fourteen? Who was Radha? Who was she married to?

Krishn awaits you

• Language: English
• Publisher: Notion Press
• Release date: May 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9789384878474

Book preview

THE EIGHTH AVATAR

Manoshi Sinha Rawal

Notion Press

5 Muthu Kalathy Street, Triplicane,

Chennai - 600 005

First Published by Notion Press 2015

Copyright © Manoshi Sinha Rawal 2015

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 978-93-84878-47-4

This book has been published in good faith that the work of the author is original. All efforts have been taken to make the material error-free. However, the author and the publisher disclaim the responsibility.

No part of this book may be used, reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Hare Krishn

Dedicated to

MAA (Anupoma Sinha)

You live within us and in our souls eternally

Author’s Note

This book is a blend of mythology and fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products from mythology and from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is merely coincidental.

The Krishn portrayed in many a book and the Krishn we know about and worship is not the real Krishn. His noble character has been stigmatized for long, portraying him as a lover, indulging in love-affairs with Radha and gopis. This is all false! He was a multi-faceted, accomplished, and ideal personality, endowed with all virtues and free from all blemishes. He was a Yogpurush, the savior, the protector, the Supreme Being, and an efficient ruler. He was a doting son. Krishn Trilogy depicts the story of Krishn from birth to death, delving on every aspect of his life besides refuting the many myths associated with him. The Eighth Avatar describes Krishn’s journey from birth till the fourteenth year of his life.

Ten manifestations of Lord Vishnu, collectively known as the Dashavatar (Ten Avatars), are mentioned in the Garuda Puran. The first four Avatars are Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasingh (half man-half lion), who appeared in the Satya Yug. The next three Avatars are Vaman (Brahmin in the form of a dwarf boy), Parashuram (sage with the axe), Ram (king of Ayodhya), who appeared in the Treta Yug. The eighth manifestation of Lord Vishnu is Krishn, who appeared in Dwapar Yug. Gautam Buddh (sage) is considered the ninth Avatar, who appeared in the present Kali Yug. The tenth Avatar, Kalki (eternity), is predicted to appear at the end of the present age.

According to some versions, Balaram is considered the eighth and Krishn the ninth Avatar. Few consider Krishn as equivalent to Lord Vishnu, thus omitting the manifestation.

Hare Krishn!

Acknowledgement

It is a dream I have nurtured since my childhood days. The shaping of this dream has ensued! It is only the beginning. It is a tip of the iceberg! There are many who have steered me, with their love, with their support, with their guidance, and with their motivation, helping me step in the dawn of my dream. I thank them all.

Foremost, I offer my gratitude to my maa Anupoma and baba Mahendra, who have brought me to this world, who have laid for me a strong foundation so that I work miracles in my life, weaving my life amid the many challenges I come across from time to time.

Krishn, my God and the God of millions, for blessing me, for planting in me the seed of creativity from where words flow spontaneously, inciting me to type them, which have turned into a saga in print.

Yogaditya, my husband, who has made me a complete being. Without his love, without his encouragement, without his support, without his guidance, my book wouldn’t have been a reality. He mentored me and piloted me throughout, right from conception till the publishing of my book.

Smt. Sudha Verma, my mother-in-law, who often narrated to me about Krishn as a Yogpurush, as a one-wife man, and as no beloved of Radha and gopis portrayed in folklores and many a book. Herself a postgraduate in Sanskrit and Hindi, she often acquainted me with the philosophies of life, depicted in the Veds in the coffee-table at home and during the evening stroll. I offer my gratitude to her.

My rakhi brothers Sri Rameshwar Teli, member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and elected to the Lok Sabha from the Dibrugarh, Assam (Lok Sabha constituency) in the general elections of 2014 and Sri G.D. Chelleng, Managing Director of M/S Security Agency for encouraging me throughout in my venture.

I am indebted to my brother Raja Ram Sinha, who has helped me in the final editing of my book. Though younger to me by several years, I do bank upon him for his strong editing skills.

My sisters Manobi, Manomi, Millee, and Anamika, my brother-in-law Pragyaditya, my sister-in-law Sumedha Nidhi, my brothers-in-law Shibu, Bhaskar, Tapesh, and Manoj, for being by my side, in my heart, every moment. How can I miss my nephews Nishesh, Vishesh, and Taksheel, who are always a source of bliss for me! Without them all, my world lacks.

My special thanks to my teacher from school, Ms. Renuka Sharma, who now resides in Mumbai and my friend from Pune, Mayuri Baruah for always motivating me and instilling in me the confidence to write! They are the crux of my existence.

Worth mentioning here is Sultan, our pet dog, a Great Dane, gifted to us by Ms. Viddhi Malla Ohri, a family friend. Sultan often amuses us all with his pleasantry pranks, bringing smiles and laughter to our lips.

I cannot miss taking the names of Pushpa Dyarakoti, my ex-colleague, Amy Dhillon, one of my neighbors in my hometown, who is now settled in the USA, my friend Manjula Tarar, an SEO expert from Gurgaon, and Jagbir Singh, SEO expert from Chandigarh, who in some way, influenced me.

My gratefulness to the publishing team at Notion Press - Naveen Valsakumar (Cofounder), Yamini Sekar (Publishing Consultant), Gracy Preeti Gomes (Project Manager), Neil Philip (Manager), Soundari (Typesetter), and Chandru (Illustrator / Cover Designer) for translating my manuscript into a book. My special thanks to Gracy Preeti Gomes for coordinating with me for every minute detail related to my book during the publishing process.

I thank you, the readers, for the love you shower on me by reading about the Krishn residing in the souls of many of you.

Appreciation for Krishn Trilogy - 1

"The Eighth Avatar is a mythological fiction, replete with action, divinity, friendship, love, philosophy, secrets, games, heroism, virtues, and principles. Manoshi does not let down the reader as she portrays Lord Krishna in a new perspective. The narrative is impressive."

- Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State, Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India.

Manoshi’s book tries to unfurl the saga of Krishn which many of us are not acquainted with or haven’t ventured into knowing Him the way she imagines and tries to understand Krishn. Her mythic imagination is engrossing, chapter after chapter, breaking many myths related to Krishn.

- M Maniram, Filmmaker; National Award winner for Mon Jai.

Manoshi brings a fresh style of writing to mythology and history. The narrative creates keenness in the reader’s mind to read with immense interest, line after line, page after page.

- Rameswar Teli, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha).

"The Eighth Avatar opens up the reader to a world which has been grossly distorted by myths. The plot is invigorating and detailed. Krishn’s journey from a cowherd boy to a warrior is truly the reader’s delight."

- Zubeen Garg, Music Director, Composer, Singer, Actor.

Contents

Title

Copyright

Dedication

Author’s Note

Acknowledgement

Appreciation for Krishn Trilogy - 1

1. A God in the Making

2. Birth of the Eighth Child

3. The Maya of Goddess Yogmaya

4. Cruelty of the King

5. Rejoicing in Nandvash

6. When Two Bosom Friends Meet

7. The Suckling of Poison

8. Encounter with the Whirlwind

9. When Two of the Divine Triad Meet

10. A Mother’s Vision of the Universe

11. Love for Milk and Milk Products

12. The Stern Punishment

13. Fruits to Fruition

14. Shifting of Abode

15. Magic in Radha’s Cooking

16. Playing with Colors

17. Double Confrontations

18. Love for the Bansuri and Genesis of the Raaslila

19. Where Revenge Accords Eternal Rest

20. Radha’s Army of Maidens

21. The Upanayan Ceremony

22. Call of the Palmyra Fruits

23. Poisoning of the Yamuna River

24. Teaming of Two Devilish Forces

25. The Wrath of Indra, Lord of Rain

26. Dealing with the Bull Demon

27. Shivratri at Ambikavan

28. Revelation of Truth

29. Execution of the Last Summons in Vrindavan

30. Countdown to the End of a Tyrannical Rule

31. Exploring the Marketplace of Mathura

32. Breaking of the Royal Bow

33. The Game of Malla-yuddh

34. End of a Tyrannical Rule

35. The Re-Union

36. At Guru Sandipani’s Ashram

37. The Gurudakshina

38. Homecoming from Sandipani’s Ashram

39. Revenge by Jarasandh

Krishn Trilogy – 2

Glossary

About the Author

Chapter 1

A God in the Making

Circa 3230 BCE! Dwapar Yug, the end of the Third Age after Satya Yug and Treta Yug described in the Purans! It was midnight on Ashtami Tithi in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapad, corresponding to August of the Gregorian calendar. It was a dark fortnight, the eighth night of the receding moon. With long days and short nights representing one of the hottest months of the year, tropical Bhadrapad was all set to change the humdrum lives of the people of Mathura. Though spring bid adieu for the year, yet a spring-like ambience breezed in all around to mark the birth of a God in the making.

Two most indivisible elements of Indian summer in this region were scorching heat and blowing of hot winds during the day and a torrid night, not as extreme as it is today, impacted by global warming. The gentle breeze of the Yamuna, flowing through the area, dispensed the much needed refreshing and pleasant aura, furnishing the entire region with a sense of bliss. The prevailing Krishn Paksh and Rohini Nakshatra with a robust Singha sun sign and Vrishabh moon sign anticipated the naissance of a new era, of a new beginning. And then torrential rain engulfed the entire area of Vrindavan, Mathura, and adjoining areas, creating a desolated expanse with houses sheltering the beings.

The people of Mathura had witnessed six of the darkest nights in seven years when the six children of Devaki and Vasudev were slain immediately after their birth by Kans. And there came another such night with entire Mathura mourning, winds howling, and dusk giving way to an appalling rainy night, all geared up for the unborn eighth child specified in the prophecy! Yet, Nature clandestinely rejoiced, crafting a spring-like ambience amid her fury and gloom, creating hope in the hearts and minds of the people of Mathura that their protector would soon take birth and put an end to the prevailing pandemonium, a hope that the prophecy that shook Mathura would come true.

In an era where kings steered kingdoms and empires, Mathura was then the capital city of the Vrishni kingdom, ruled by King Sursen, the father of Vasudev. The Vrishni clan, part of the Yadav dynasty, were descendants of Yadu, the eldest son of king Yayati and his queen Devayani, which finds mention in the Rigved. Besides Vrishni, there were several clans under the Yadavs who were descendants of Yadu, the key clans being Sattavatt, Bhoj, Haihai, Chedi, Andhak, Kukur, Shainya, and Vidharbh, each having a chief and each ruling a kingdom. The chiefs decided to unite as one, authorizing powers to a single king who might or might not be subject to heredity. While the chiefs would continue ruling their respective states, the key powers would rest on the king. In the semi-democracy that was established, Ugrasen of the Kukur clan was declared the king with Mathura as the capital city. He was humble, god-fearing, skilled in warfare, and looked after the welfare of his people. He was the most powerful of all the Yadav chiefs.

Kans, the son of king Ugrasen and queen Padmavati, took the reigns of Mathura after overthrowing his father. If ‘rulers’ and the ‘ruled’ were inseparable terms, the phrases ‘tyrannical ruler’ and ‘terrified ruled’ held true for Kans. The number of evil rulers during that time increased manifold. Unable to bear the burden of sins committed by the rulers, Mother Earth pleaded the creator of the Universe, Lord Brahma, for help. Lord Brahma, in turn, appealed to Lord Vishnu, who promised to be reborn to put an end to the prevailing chaos. Lord Vishnu decided to be born to Devaki (sister of Kans) and Vasudev in Mathura.

Devaki was married off to Vasudev, a Yadav chief. Vasudev was the brother of Kunti, the wife of Pandu and mother of the Pandavs. He was also the brother of Srutadev, the wife of Damaghosh and mother of Sishupal of Mahabharat fame. Kans himself drove the royal couple home, soon after their marriage, demonstrating his courtesy and showering his love for the couple. Despite Kans’ lavishness and unfair rule, Mathura found reasons to sport a sportive look on that day. The once desolated streets and dejected surroundings then flaunted a joyful aura, though temporarily.

Amid the blissful ambience, suddenly, Nature started to show her fury. The bright day, in no time, turned dark accompanied by a mild storm. The abrupt change of weather did perturb Kans, the couple in the wedding chariot and the attendants, on the way to Vasudev’s abode in Mathura. And then a divine voice from the sky was heard!

O Kans! thundered the voice, "The child from the eighth garbha of Devaki shall be your destroyer. This boy shall put an end to your tyrannical rule!"

A dismayed and terrified Kans could not stop himself from unsheathing his sword immediately to kill Devaki. He caught hold of Devaki by her braid and raised his sword to strike her. Vasudev interrupted, coming to his consort’s rescue by falling at Kans’ feet.

O Kans, pleaded Vasudev, I beg you to spare my bride. In return, I shall surrender to you every child born to Devaki.

Kans, who loved his sister, the only person he loved from the core of his heart, stopped. Vasudev had been his friend for a long time. It was he who initiated for the marriage to be solemnized between his sister and his friend. Sparing his sister’s life against the promise made by Vasudev came as a welcome surprise for him.

Contented that the situation was under control, Kans said, From now on, you will live as prisoners in a dungeon at my palace. You will remain under constant watch. You will deliver me every child born to Devaki. I shall free you two after the birth of your eighth child.

A dark and damp prison in the heart of Mathura served as the abode of Devaki and her husband Vasudev. Ever since their marriage, the couple had spent their life in chains in that prison cell, also called Garbha Griha, which now is a part of the present Krishn Janmabhoomi temple premise at Mathura. Such were the security measures deployed and structures robust that Kans had complete confidence on their confinement. He was certain that they would never run free until he desired.

The stone walls of the dark dungeon within the palace premise bore the years of untold miseries, moments of serenities, and barren happiness the couple shared and enjoyed throughout the years – from marriage to the period Kans was deprived of existence. Within these four walls of squalid conditions and denied of all freedom, Devaki and Vasudev found love in themselves and faith in the Lord as the reasons to survive and live further. An elevated platform with a slab served as the furnishing, the only coarse adornment of the prison cell. This slab served as the open cupboard for the couple’s clothes. Attached to the prison cell was a small washroom. The guards provided only two buckets of water during the day. The living conditions of the cell were suggestive of the cruelty of Kans on his sister and brother-in-law.

To Devaki and Vasudev were born six sons, one after another, within a span of seven years. As promised, Vasudev, bearing a stone heart, offered each child in a little while after birth to Kans. Each time, Kans immediately slaughtered the child offered, in front of the parents, ignoring the prophecy that it would be the eighth child that would be his destroyer. He slaughtered all the six children, scorning the repeat pleadings of his sister to spare them.

According to legend, the seventh fetus was secretly transferred to Rohini, Vasudev’s first wife. Rohini had been staying secretly at Gokul in Vrindavan at Vasudev’s friend Nand Rai’s place for safety, ever since the couple was imprisoned. Nand Rai was the chief of Vrindavan. Nand and his wife Yashoda took good care of Rohini. Her presence at their place was not known to anyone in Gokul yet, though she had been living there for several years.

Goddess Yogmaya, a form of Goddess Durga, appeared before the childless Rohini at night amid a beam of light.

My child, you will soon become pregnant with Vasudev’s child. You will give birth to a baby boy.

Rohini, taken by surprise, thanked the Goddess, happy that she would become pregnant through divine intervention. Suddenly, thinking about how the society around would react on her pregnancy, she said,

My husband has sent me here for safety. What will my husband think of me? Though the people here are unaware of my presence, yet, one day, they will know the truth. They will suspect that the child is an outcome of my unlawful relationship with Nand. How do I remove their suspicion?

Do not worry, my child. Your husband will not suspect you. I ensure you that the people of Gokul will consider your child to be Vasudev’s.

The Goddess disappeared from there and appeared in the dream of Nand Rai.

O son, Rohini is soon going to give birth to a baby boy of which Vasudev is the father. The people here still do not know about the presence of Rohini at your abode. I want you to declare to the people of Gokul that you have officially brought Rohini, Vasudev’s first wife, from Mathura to Gokul. People will then believe that she conceived in Mathura and the boy is Vasudev’s.

Nand Rai bowed to the Goddess, his eyes filled with tears of happiness. The next day, he did as was instructed by Goddess Yogmaya.

Goddess Yogmaya transferred the seventh fetus from Devaki’s womb to Rohini’s, following the instructions of Lord Vishnu.

This transferred fetus, the incarnation of Lord Sheshnag, the king of all serpents and serpent deities, was to be born as Balaram. In his earlier birth, Sheshnag was Lakshman, Lord Ram’s brother. It was Sheshnag’s wish to be born again as the brother of Ram (seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu) in his next manifestation as Krishn. It was his desire to be born not as his younger brother, but as his elder brother.

Feeling her flat belly, Devaki started wailing and shedding tears, saying she had a miscarriage. Both Devaki and Vasudev were unaware of the transfer of the fetus through divine involvement. Her wailing alerted the guards. The news reached Kans. Furious, Kans rushed to the prison cell. He shouted at the couple that they had hidden the baby. He took out his sword in a bid to kill them when a horde of poisonous serpents, invisible to Vasudev and Devaki, came to the rescue. They attacked Kans by spewing out venom at him until he fled from the scene. The king’s sudden change of behavior only stunned the couple. It was Lord Sheshnag who sent the army of serpents to save his parents from Kans’ fury.

Later, Goddess Yogmaya appeared in Vasudev’s dream, enlightening him about the safe nurturing of Devaki’s seventh fetus at his elder wife Rohini’s womb. Vasudev could not control his tears, delighted that at least one child of his would soon take birth and stay alive under Nand’s care.

Kans mulled over on when and how he slaughtered his sister’s six sons one after another. The prophecy emphasized about the child from the eighth garbha as his demolisher, and hence the tyrannical king’s sigh of relief that it was the seventh garbha that encountered a miscarriage. Kans impatiently waited for the birth of the eighth child.

To be born as the eighth child is Krishn after nine years of Devaki’s and Vasudev’s confinement in the dungeon. To be born to Devaki is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the great proponent and propagandist of the Bhagavad Gita, the Supreme Being, the protector, and the God to millions.

Quote from the Bhagvad Gita 4.8:

Paritranaya sadhunam vinashaya cha dushkrutham

Dharma santshapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge/

(‘To save the righteous people, to eradicate evil, to restore righteousness and principles firmly, I appear age after age’).

Why did Kans kill all of the first six children of Devaki and Vasudev though the prophecy emphasized that it would be the eighth child that would be his destroyer? Constant wars between Devs and Asurs being a common phenomenon during those days and preceding eras and a history of Devs deceiving Asurs, Kans contemplated that it could be any of the children born to Devaki that might become his destroyer. Mythological tales about Bakasur, Hiranyakashyap and other Asurs being cheated by Devs gave Kans reasons to mull over of not sparing any child born to Devaki and Vasudev. Besides, Narad, the wise Vedic sage, who traveled constantly to distant worlds, singing hymns and prayers devoted to Lord Vishnu, cleverly instigated Kans to commit the sin. Sage Narad played an active role in prompting him to take the step. Going scientifically, if miscarriages occurred to Devaki, Kans would have no idea about which child was the eighth or whether all of the eight children were to be born!

Chapter 2

Birth of the Eighth Child

Such is the ramification and effect of the developing of the eighth fetus that a divine radiance envelops the prison cell round the clock. This radiance emanates from Devaki. No one can gaze at her. Whoever tries to take a glance at her radiance experiences disturbed minds!

[Various hymns find reference to this golden radiance, of the golden child, nurtured inside Devaki’s womb. The Vishnu Puran describes the resting of Lord Vishnu in Devaki’s womb and the consequences thereof.]

Abdominal pain, similar to those experienced before the birth of her six sons, cautions Devaki that her child may take birth in some time. As the hour of birth of the Supreme Being approaches, Devaki’s anxiety starts increasing manifold. Like her earlier six sons, this son shall face the same fate!

Amid the apprehension, the couple soon falls asleep. A little before midnight, they wake up, enlightened by a beam of light, visible to them and experienced by them only. As they open their eyes, they see Lord Vishnu in front of them, in His Supreme form – four arms with a lotus, a conch, Sudarshan Chakra, and a mace adorning an arm, respectively. His bluish complexion adds to His mysticism. Human eyes, without divine bliss, will get damaged; such is the intensity of the radiance beaming all around in the prison cell! The Lord blesses the couple with divine sight. The couple, unable to believe their eyes, falls at the Lord’s feet.

O Vasudev and Devaki, you have done harsh penance in your previous birth. You wished that I be born as your son. The time has come. I shall take birth as your eighth son.

Devaki and Vasudev are overjoyed. Tears fill their eyes. They look at each other and then at the Lord. They feel that if the Lord is to be born as their child, Kans cannot kill the baby. How can the Lord, who is eternal, be killed!

Yet, Devaki inquired, Will you be free from my brother’s wrath? As soon as you will be born, Kans will get the news. He will then come and slaughter you, as he had slaughtered our six sons one after another in front of our eyes.

This time, Kans cannot give shape to his goal, as I shall be born. He cannot kill me, said the Lord smilingly.

A cheerful Devaki said, If you are to be born in this form, I shall end up worshipping you. Bless me with motherhood. Take birth as a normal infant and let me feel how a mother feels for her child.

As you desire so O Devaki! I shall take birth as a normal infant. Both you and Vasudev will forget everything you have encountered now here in this prison cell. You will forget that your son is the Supreme Being. You will feel how normal parents feel for their child, experiencing worldly joys and sorrows.

Lord Vishnu disappears from there after blessing the couple. The Lord then approaches Goddess Yogmaya.

O Goddess, Nand’s wife Yashoda will soon give birth to a baby daughter. During the same time, Devaki will give birth to her eighth child. I shall be born as Devaki’s son. I want you to enter the womb of Yashoda and take birth as her daughter. Guide Vasudev to take me to Nand’s house soon after my birth and get me exchanged with you without anyone’s knowledge. Take your place as the eighth child of Devaki in the eyes of Kans and the people of Mathura.

As you say so, O Lord!

Lord Vishnu then enters the womb of Devaki. Goddess Yogmaya, as instructed by Lord Vishnu, is all ready to initiate the further course of action that is to take place soon after the birth of the eighth child.

The midnight hour approaches. At the strike of the midnight is born the Supreme Being in human form. Such is the quietness of the nativity that neither the guards nor Vasudev, who is by now in a semi-conscious state of sleep, is aware of the birth of the infant! Goddess Yogmaya appears in Vasudev’s dream.

O Vasudev, wake up. Your eighth child is born. Kans will soon come to know about the birth. Before the news reaches him, take your child across the Yamuna to Nand Rai’s place at Gokul. Yashoda has given birth to a baby daughter. Exchange the babies. Before it strikes dawn, be here with the exchanged baby. No one will know about this incident.

Vasudev wakes up, disturbed, still thinking the dream to be true! To his utter surprise and rejoice, he sees a bluish dark child cuddled in the arms of a delighted mother. He notices his wife’s countenance exhibiting mixed feelings of joy and sorrow – the joy that she is mother to another child, the sorrow that Kans will soon snatch him and put him to death. They have forgotten their encounter with Lord Vishnu. They have forgotten that their child is the Lord, who cannot be killed.

As Vasudev stands up to approach Devaki, he remembers the dream. How will he free himself from the chains that deter his free movement? He can move in chains, but how will he take the child to Gokul when the cell is locked from the outside? How will he move out when the guards are keeping constant watch?

Suddenly, miracles ensue one after another. To the couple’s utter surprise, the guards are all asleep, unaware of the birth of the child. Vasudev finds himself free from the chains. The huge iron-barred doors miraculously unlock and open, alluring Vasudev to rush out hastily.

O Devaki, we have to save our child from the cruel hands of Kans otherwise he will face the same fate as was faced by our six sons. I have been instructed by Goddess Yogmaya in my dream to get our child exchanged with my friend Nand’s child. At this time, a daughter is born to Yashoda. Have faith in the Lord and keep patience until I come, said Vasudev.

But, Yashoda’s child will not be spared by my brother. How can we bring Yashoda’s child to die in the hands of my brother?

This is what the deities want. Don’t you see the miracles here, right in front of your eyes? Look at how I am freed from the chains! Look at how the doors opened! Look at the guards, who are in deep sleep. It is divine intervention. If these events are miraculous, Yashoda’s child will be miraculously saved too.

Devaki kisses the child, her eyes moist.

"Give me that saree of mine, lying underneath your clothes on the slab. I shall wrap him up with it," said Devaki.

Vasudev obeys. Devaki folds the saree, creating a small cushion-like surface. Vasudev notices a basket, miraculously available in the prison cell. Smilingly, he gets his only spare dhoti, folds it several times and places it in the basket.

All the while, both their eyes are fixed at their baby, so distinctive from any other baby they have ever seen! His bluish complexion creates a divine aura all around the prison cell. His eyes, though closed, seem to speak to them. The couple smiles and he smiles at them too. Overjoyed and their eyes moist with tears, they kiss their baby.

The years of imprisonment and lack of enough water have made the couple look sullied. While Devaki’s long coarse hair is tied into a knot, Vasudev’s hair falls below his shoulders. The length of his beard and hair is roughly equal. He has grown almost bald. The nine long years of imprisonment have made them look dull, fatigued, grotesque, fragile, and downcast. Devaki was once the talk of many cities owing to her beautiful looks. Now no one can recognize her! Vasudev no longer sports the macho physique he often boasted of before the imprisonment.

Devaki wraps the child with the cushioned saree and places him cautiously in the basket. Vasudev holds the basket and proceeds out of the prison door. A series of doors lead to the main exit. As Vasudev proceeds in hurried steps, the doors open one by one, until he steps out of the prison. It is after nine years that Vasudev is seeing the world. Dark Mother Nature seems to welcome the father and child with open arms.

The rains have stopped and the whole of Mathura is silent. Not a soul is to be seen, except the barking of dogs near and far, the sound of toads begging for more rains, and mixed reverberations of insects that soothed Vasudev’s ears. Tiny pools of muddy water and the mucky road do not seem to affect the steps that Vasudev treads forward. And then thunder reverberates. Lightning strikes, as if showing Vasudev the way amid the dark, yet indicating the approaching of another torrential rain.

Rather than rejoicing on his temporary found freedom, Vasudev hurries forward. He soon reaches the Yamuna. At her full, the overflowing Yamuna does not seem to welcome him. She now resembles an ocean rather than a river with roaring waves echoing around and curbing all other sounds. Vasudev looks around for a boat and a boatman who can ferry him across the river. To his utter dismay, he finds none. He realizes he has no time to wait, as dawn shall soon approach. He then kisses his child, holds the basket over his head, and steps into the furious river. By now, rain starts pouring in torrents.

As he treads forward, the water level increases from knee-deep to his waist. Soon, it reaches his chest and then his neck. He holds the basket further high at the same time feeling helpless for not being able to shelter his child from the incessant rains. Suddenly, Lord Sheshnag appears from the back and shelters the child with his hood. Vasudev is oblivious of this fact that his child is being protected and sheltered from the rains at every step. Does the Supreme Being need protection? Certainly not! But being born as a human, he needs shelter! Sheshnag could not stop himself from covering the child from the rain.

The river Goddess becomes conscious of the Supreme Being in the form of the child carried by Vasudev. Paying obeisance and deeming herself fortunate to feel the presence of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, she touches Krishn’s feet. Droplets of water swirl, falling at Krishn’s feet on the basket. She then gives way, letting the worried father cross without hindrance. A surprised Vasudev finds a water-free path in front of him, with the river full above his head on his either side. He proceeds, uttering praises of the Lord and thanking the river Goddess at heart. Vasudev crosses the river safely. A concerned father brings down the basket to check if his child is safe, as the rains worried him. He thought drenching might have harmed the child. But seeing him dry, he considers it to be another miraculous act of the Lord. Meanwhile, the rains stop.

Reviews for The Eighth Avatar

[Yogaditya Singh Rawal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

excellent read..... mesmerising story of Lord Krishn, a must have