Śrī Kṛṣṇa's Līlās – Vasudeva Carries Baby Kṛṣṇa Across the Yamunā

The Story So Far

Śrī Kṛṣṇa has just been born in the prison of Mathurā. Devakī and Vasudeva have seen His divine Viṣṇu form, offered heartfelt prayers, and the Lord has now appeared as a simple, enchanting baby. But danger surrounds them. King Kaṁsa is waiting to kill Devakī's child. The Lord must be carried to safety. At this moment, Yoga-māyā, the Lord's own spiritual energy, begins her wondrous work.

The Miracle of Sleep

It was still the middle of the night. Yet suddenly, the entire prison fell silent. The guards slumped to the ground, fast asleep. Their eyes could not open. Their arms and senses stopped working. Every inhabitant of the building dozed deeply, as if wrapped in a dream.

This was not ordinary sleep. Yoga-māyā, who helps the Lord in His Līlās, covered everyone with a veil of stillness.

Just as sunrise removes darkness, the presence of Vasudeva carrying Kṛṣṇa caused all obstacles to melt away.

Even the heavy iron doors, locked with chains and bars, opened by themselves, quietly and without effort. No clanking. No noise. No guard awakened.

Ananta-nāga's Protection

As Vasudeva lifted his newborn son into a basket, something even more wonderful happened.

From the darkness behind him appeared Ananta-nāga, the endless serpent who serves the Lord in all worlds.

He followed Vasudeva step by step. His many hoods opened like vast, jeweled umbrellas, spreading out to shield baby Kṛṣṇa from the night's rain and thunder. Outside the palace walls, clouds rumbled softly. Rain began to fall—steady, cold, and heavy—sent by Indra, who did not yet understand Kṛṣṇa's glory. But the drops never touched the divine child. Ananta-nāga's hoods protected Him completely.

Crossing the Yamunā

Vasudeva reached the banks of the Yamunā. The river was swollen with monsoon rain—deep, dark, and foaming with fierce eddies. The waves crashed and turned, wild and dangerous. No ordinary person could cross.

Yet even the Yamunā recognized her Lord. Just as the ocean had parted long ago for Lord Rāmacandra, the Yamunā now softly bent aside, creating a clear, gentle path for Vasudeva. The waters lowered around his feet. The swirling waves grew calm, shining with moonlight from the sky above.

Step by step, holding baby Kṛṣṇa close, Vasudeva walked across safely.

Meaning for Devotional Hearts

• Yoga-māyā removes obstacles when one serves the Lord.
• Ananta-nāga shows that the Lord is always protected by His eternal devotees.
• Nature itself—rivers, clouds, winds—obeys the Lord, revealing His supremacy.
• Vasudeva's steps teach us:
  When we carry Kṛṣṇa in our hearts, impossible paths open effortlessly.