Parāçara said;—Being thus eulogised by the celestials; Devaki conceived
in her womb the lotus-eyed deity—the saviour of the universe. The sun of
Achyuta rose in the dawn of Devaki to cause the lotus-petal of the
universe to expand. On the day of his birth, all the quarters were
lighted up with joy and it gave delight to all people like unto the rays
of the moon.
The pious obtained new delight; the strong wind were pacified and the
river flowed silently when Janārddana was about to be born. The oceans
made music with their murmurings, the Gandharvas began to sing and the
Apsaras began to dance. At the time of Janārddana's birth the
celestials, stationed in the sky, began to pour flowers and the holy
fires glowed with a mild flame. At midnight, when the supporter of all
was about to be born, the clouds began to emit low sounds and pour down
rain of flowers.
As soon as Anakadundhubhi saw the child, looking like full-blown
lotus-petals, having four arms and the mystic mark Sribatsa an his
breast; he began to chant his glories in terms of love and respect and
represented the fears he entertained of Kansa. Vasudeva said, "I have
known thee, O sovereign lord of the celestials, O thou the holder of
conch, discus and mace. Be pleased to withhold this thy celestial form,
for Kansa will surely destroy me when he will know that thou hast
descended in my dwelling". Devaki said,—"God of gods, who art identical
with all things, in whose person all the religions of the world exist
and who, by illusion, hast assumed the condition of an infant, have pity
me, withold thy four-armed shape. Let not Kansa, the wicked son of Diti,
know of this birth".
To this Bhagavat replied—"O worshipful dame, I was worshipped by thee
before to be born as thy son. Thy prayers have now been granted and I am
now born as thy son". So saying he was silent and Vasudeva, taking the
babe, went out the same night. The guards and gate-keepers of Mathura
were all charmed by Yoganidrā and none of them obstructed the passage of
Anakadundhubhi. It was raining heavily at that time and the many-headed
serpent Sesha followed Vasudeva spreading his hoods above their heads.
And when he, with the child in his arms, crossed the Yamuna, deep as it
was and dangerous with numerous whirlpools, the waters were silent and
rose not above his knee. On the bank he saw Nanda and others who had
come there to bring tribute to Kansa, but they did not see him. At that
time Yasoda was also influenced by Yoganidrā, whom she had given birth
as her daughter and whom the wise Vasudeva took up, placing his son in
her place by the side of the mother. He then speedily came back home.
When Yasoda awoke, she found she had been delivered of a boy as black as
the dark lotus-leaves; and she was greatly delighted.
Vasudeva, taking the female child of Yasoda, reached his house
unperceived and placed the child in the bed of Devaki. He then remained
as usual. The guards were awakened by the cry of the new-born babe and
starting up they informed Kansa that Devaki had given birth to a child.
Kansa immediately went to the house of Vasudeva where he got hold of the
infant. Devaki faintingly prevented him, crying out again and again—"Do
not destroy it! Do not destroy it". Kansa dashed it against a stone; it
at once went up to the sky and expanded into a gigantic figure, having
eight arms each bearing a formidable weapon. This terrible figure
laughed and said to Kansa. "What benefit have you derived, O Kansa, by
hurling me to the ground? He is born who shall destroy thee, the mighty
one amongst celestials, who was formerly the destroyer, Considering this
do thou accomplish what shall tend to thy welfare". Having said this,
the goddess, decorated with heavenly unguents and garlands, and
glorified by the spirits of the air, disappeared from the sight of the
king of the Bhojas.