Śrī Kṛṣṇa's Līlās – Yogamāyā Warns Kaṁsa

The Story So Far

Vasudeva has carried baby Śrī Kṛṣṇa safely across the Yamunā to Gokula. There, by the Lord's own arrangement, Yaśodā has just given birth—not to Kṛṣṇa, but to Yogamāyā, the divine energy who performs the Lord's confidential work. The baby exchange is not a separate tale; it is a single divine movement of destiny. Just as light replaces darkness, Kṛṣṇa appears in Gokula, and Yogamāyā appears in Mathurā, each exactly where they must be for the Lord's plan.

The Divine Exchange

All the cowherds of Gokula slept deeply. Yaśodā too was fast asleep, exhausted after childbirth. Vasudeva entered quietly, guided by Yoga-māyā's power. No one stirred. He gently placed infant Kṛṣṇa on Yaśodā's bed, where the tender mother would soon awaken to a joy she could not yet understand. In her arms lay Yogamāyā, appearing as a simple newborn girl. Vasudeva lifted her with reverence—not fully aware that she was the very energy who had arranged every step of this night. Carrying Yogamāyā, Vasudeva returned to the prison of Kaṁsa. The doors, which had opened by divine will, now closed by the same divine will. He replaced the shackles on his legs and sat as before, silently obedient to the Lord's plan.

Kaṁsa Arrives

Yogamāyā began to cry—the cry of a newborn, yet filled with cosmic purpose. The guards awoke. They rushed to Kaṁsa.

"A child has been born to Devakī!" Kaṁsa's heart raced. He stormed into the prison with cruel determination, ignoring Devakī's desperate pleading. "Please! She is only a girl! Spare her!" But the asura king, blinded by fear and hatred, seized the infant and raised her to strike her against a stone.

Yogamāyā warns Kaṁsa

Yogamāyā Reveals Herself

Before Kaṁsa's hands could harm her, the baby slipped free, not falling, but rising. She rose above his head, glowing with a divine aura. The child transformed into the eight-armed Goddess Durgā, holding divine weapons, resplendent as the dawn. Her voice echoed through the chamber: "O Kaṁsa, the one you fear is already born elsewhere. Your cruelty is useless. Your plans will not succeed."

Then, in a flash of light, Yogamāyā vanished. Kaṁsa trembled. His fear grew sharper, his cruelty deeper. He resolved to persecute every newborn child in his kingdom, not knowing that destiny had already sealed his fate.

Meaning for Devotional Hearts

  • Yogamāyā guides every detail of the Lord's birth and childhood. What seems like chance is divine choreography.
  • Kṛṣṇa's safety is never in danger, for even the greatest demons are powerless before Him.
  • Durgā and Yogamāyā are the Lord's energies, working to protect His līlās and defeat adharma.
  • Kaṁsa's fear teaches that those who oppose dharma become trapped in their own darkness.
  • For devotees, this leelā reveals that Kṛṣṇa's plans unfold exactly as He desires, beyond the reach of worldly power.