Ugrasena was the king of Mathura. He had a cruel son called Kansa and Devaka. Ugrasena's brother had a daughter by name Devaki, Kans and Devaki were cousins. Kansa was very fond of Devaki. In due course Devaki got married to "Vasudeva : the son of Sura." Kansa was the happiest man to see his cousin happily married. He insisted on driving his cousin and her husband Vasudeva home himself. As the procession was in progress a voice from the sky boomed "Kansa you are foolishly driving your cousin sister but her eighth child will be the reason of your death."
On hearing this prophesy, Kansa was affraid. He sprang up to his feet, unsheathed his sword and proceeded to kill Devaki lest she give birth to a child which would threaten his life. Vasudeva pleaded with Kansa to spare his sister's life but as Kansa felt that his life was in peril, he wouldn't spare Devaki's life. Vasudeva said "All right, every time a child is born to Devaki, I shall bring the child to you myself." Kansa knew his brother-in-law Vasudeva was a man of word. Satisfied that he would get all the children born to Devaki and kill them soon after birth, there would be no threat to his life. He put back his sword. Devaki's life was saved only momentarily.
The terror that all her children would be killed by Kansa on birth rocked Devaki and Vasudeva but there was nothing that they could do. Their plight was miserable. The only consolation to Vasudeva was that he could save Devaki's life.
A child was born to Devaki. Vasudeva as promised to Kansa, took the newborn to the merciless tyrant. Kansa gave the baby back to Vasudeva and said, "I wouldn't kill this tender child. After all, I face a threat to my life from the eight child, not this the first." Vasudeva was happy however not too sure that Kansa wouldn't change his mind.
On hearing this prophesy, Kansa was affraid. He sprang up to his feet, unsheathed his sword and proceeded to kill Devaki lest she give birth to a child which would threaten his life. Vasudeva pleaded with Kansa to spare his sister's life but as Kansa felt that his life was in peril, he wouldn't spare Devaki's life. Vasudeva said "All right, every time a child is born to Devaki, I shall bring the child to you myself." Kansa knew his brother-in-law Vasudeva was a man of word. Satisfied that he would get all the children born to Devaki and kill them soon after birth, there would be no threat to his life. He put back his sword. Devaki's life was saved only momentarily.
The terror that all her children would be killed by Kansa on birth rocked Devaki and Vasudeva but there was nothing that they could do. Their plight was miserable. The only consolation to Vasudeva was that he could save Devaki's life.
A child was born to Devaki. Vasudeva as promised to Kansa, took the newborn to the merciless tyrant. Kansa gave the baby back to Vasudeva and said, "I wouldn't kill this tender child. After all, I face a threat to my life from the eight child, not this the first." Vasudeva was happy however not too sure that Kansa wouldn't change his mind.
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