The Seventh Child: A Divine Intervention
Just joining us? Catch up on the last part of the Mathura prison story here. For the complete adventure, start from the very first chapter on King Kamsa’s prophecy.
When Devaki conceived for the seventh time, Lord Vishnu summoned Yoga Maya—the divine power of illusion—and explained the plan. “The seventh child is actually Sesha, my eternal serpent companion, who will incarnate as Balarama. But Kamsa must not know this.”
On a quiet night, as Devaki slept, Yoga Maya carefully transferred the unborn child Balarama, also known as Sankarshana, from Devaki’s womb to Rohini’s womb in Gokula. Rohini was Vasudeva’s first wife, living safely away from Mathura under the protection of Nanda, Vasudeva’s dear friend.
When Devaki woke up, she felt empty. The prison guards rushed to inform Kamsa: “The queen has miscarried. There is no seventh child.”
Kamsa was suspicious but relieved. “One less threat to worry about,” he thought. Little did he know that baby Balarama was growing up safely in Gokula, destined to become Krishna’s beloved elder brother and closest companion.
Cultural Insight: This divine transfer is called “Garbha Sankramana” in Sanskrit texts—a miraculous process that shows how divine will operates beyond physical limitations.
The pieces were being set on the cosmic chessboard. The stage was being prepared for the entrance of the main character.
The Night That Changed Everything
And then came the eighth pregnancy.
The eighth pregnancy was unlike anything before. Devaki started having the most amazing dreams – she would see the entire universe, hear heavenly music, and feel this incredible peace even in that dark prison cell.
Other prisoners noticed too. Flowers would somehow bloom near Devaki. The cold stone walls felt warm around her. As Devaki’s pregnancy progressed, strange things began happening in Mathura. Flowers bloomed out of season. Birds sang sweeter songs. Even in the darkness of their prison, Devaki seemed to glow with an inner light that no amount of suffering could extinguish.
It was like divinity itself was growing inside her.
Meanwhile, Vasudeva spent his time meditating and praying. In his dreams, Lord Vishnu would appear and give him instructions for what was coming.
By now, Kamsa’s paranoia had reached new heights. He had posted additional guards around the prison. He had consulted astrologers who all confirmed that this child – this eighth child – would indeed be his doom. Some versions of the story say that Kamsa couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, couldn’t find a moment’s peace because of nightmares where a dark-skinned child with lotus eyes kept appearing to mock him.
The night of Krishna’s birth was unlike any other in the history of the world.
Bhadrapada month, Krishna Paksha Ashtami (the eighth day of the dark fortnight – waning moon) – this date would forever be etched in cosmic history as Janmashtami. It falls in late August or early September in our calendar. The monsoon clouds had gathered thick and dark, as if nature itself was preparing a curtain for the cosmic drama about to unfold.
In the prison cell, it was midnight when Devaki went into labour, but instead of pain, she felt pure joy. The prison cell started glowing with soft, golden light.
The Bhagavata Purana describes how divine light began emanating from her, so bright that the guards had to shield their eyes. The very air seemed to vibrate with celestial energy.
This Janmashtami, find a lovely Laddu Gopal statue for your home temple here. And celebrate the joyous arrival of the butter thief!
The Birth of the Divine
And in that light, Devaki gave birth to a child who was clearly no ordinary baby.
According to the ancient texts, as the moment of birth approached, the demigods started showering flowers from the heavens, celestial musicians sang divine hymns, and an unusual peace descended upon the earth—even the wind stopped blowing.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, Hari in His original form, appeared as Viṣṇu so that His father and mother could understand that their son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Lord Viṣṇu appeared with four hands, holding a conch shell, a discus, a club, and a lotus flower – the traditional symbols of Vishnu. His skin was dark like monsoon clouds, but it seemed to contain the entire universe within its depths. A crown adorned his head, and divine garments draped his tiny form.
The divine plan is unfolding! Read the next part of the Krishna Janmashtami story.
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