Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 4:1-14

Book 10: Fourth Chapter (First Half)

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 3: Verses 1-14
Slipping from the grip of Kamsa, Yogamaya ascends to the heavens and utters a prophecy

Sri Suka resumed : (Vasudeva having returned to the palace,) all the outer (main) gates as well as those of the gynaeceum were closed as before. Then, on hearing the cry of a babe, the guards of the palace got wide awake. Hastily approaching Kamsa, they now reported to the ruler of the Bhojas of that (particular) childbirth (the birth of the eighth child) of Devaki, which he anxiously awaited. Rising hurriedly from his bed and distressed to think that the baby was his death, he went in all haste to the lying in-chamber with tottering steps and dishevelled hair. Wretched as she was, the shining and virtuous lady pathetically Vasudeva can be accused here of callousness by the unwary reader in removing his own son and deliberately delivering the child of his friend, Nanda, to the hands of Death.
But thoughtful readers would acquit him of this charge, knowing as they do that Vasudeva did all this under the express command of the Lord Himself, as is clear from verse 47 above. addressed her aforesaid cousin (as follows):- "She is (deserving of protection like) a daughter-in-law to you, 0 blessed one; you ought not to kill a female child. Many a babe, brilliant as fire, has been killed by you, impelled as you were by Providence, 0 brother! This solitary and helpless girl may (kindly) be gifted to me. Since I am undoubtedly your younger cousin, whose sons have been killed and who is therefore miserable, 0 lord, you ought to bestow on me, hapless as I am, this last progeny (of mine), 0 dear brother!" Sri Suka went on : Thus entreated by Devaki-who wept like a most helpless woman, hugging her daughter-and, roughly rebuking her with vehemence, the wicked one snatched the baby from her hand. Seizing by the feet his cousin's daughter, who had just been born, Kamsa-whose affection (for his cousin) had been uprooted by self-interest-dashed her against the (hard) surface of a slab.
Flying off his hand, the younger sister of Sri Krsna instantly rose to the heavens and was seen in the form of a goddess with eight mighty arms equipped with weapons. Adorned with ethereal wreaths, raiment, sandal-paste, and bejewelled ornaments, She wielded (severally) a bow, a pike, an arrow, a shield, a sword, a conch and a mace (in Her eight hands). While being hymned by Siddhas, Caranas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Kinnaras and Nagas, who offered various articles of worship (to Her), She uttered the following words:- "at would you gain by My being slain, O foolish one; for your destroyer, (who is) your erstwhile adversary (too), has been born at some place or other. (Therefore) do not kill (other) helpless children in vain." Having warned him thus, lo ! the almighty Maya (disappeared and) stayed on earth as a deity under diverse appellations in shrines of different names. [1] Highly amazed to hear the words uttered by Her and having completely liberated Devaki and Vasudeva, Kamsa spoke with humility (as follows):

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References

  1. Vide II. 11-12 above

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