Divine Deception and Deadly Milk: Kansa's Failed Attempts to Kill Krishna

The birth of Krishna, the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva, is a pivotal moment in the Mahabharata. However, even before his arrival, a dark cloud loomed over his cradle. Kansa, Devaki's power-hungry brother, held sway over the kingdom of Mathura. A prophecy foretold that Devaki's eighth child would be his slayer, an inescapable fate that sent shivers down Kansa's spine.

Consumed by fear and paranoia, Kansa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva. When Devaki gave birth to her first child, a baby boy, Kansa, without a shred of mercy, snatched the child from his mother's arms and brutally killed him. This horrific act marked the beginning of a chilling pattern – Kansa systematically murdered each of Devaki's first six children.

However, fate had a different plan. When Devaki conceived her seventh child, the divine intervened. The goddess Yogmaya, a manifestation of the divine feminine, transferred the embryo from Devaki's womb to that of Rohini, another of Vasudeva's wives. This child, born under the constellation Rohini, was Balarama, Krishna's elder brother.

Devastated but not defeated, Devaki miraculously conceived again – her eighth child, Krishna. Kansa, unaware of the divine intervention, remained on high alert. As prophesied, Krishna was born amidst an atmosphere of fear and secrecy.

The moment Krishna entered the world, Yogmaya once again played her hand. Taking the form of a celestial light, she emerged from the prison cell, carrying Krishna with her. She then appeared before Kansa, laughing scornfully. She declared that the one destined to kill him had already been born and was safely hidden in the village of Gokul.

Kansa, enraged by this revelation, ordered a massacre – all newborn boys in Mathura were to be killed. But his men returned empty-handed, unable to find the prophesied child. In a desperate bid to eliminate the threat, Kansa turned to Putana, a monstrous demon queen known for her ability to kill infants through her poisoned milk.

Disguised as a beautiful woman, Putana arrived at Nanda's doorstep in Gokul, where Krishna was being raised by foster parents. Appearing harmless and kind, she requested to hold the baby. Unaware of her true intentions, Yashoda, Krishna's foster mother, readily agreed.

Putana offered her breast to Krishna, intending to feed him the lethal milk. But Krishna, with his divine knowledge, recognized her evil plan. As he suckled, he not only consumed the poisoned milk but also drained the life force from Putana, exposing her true demonic form.

The death of Putana marked another failed attempt by Kansa to eliminate Krishna. This incident not only showcased Krishna's divine nature but also served as a powerful symbol of his ultimate victory over evil. The story of Krishna's early life highlights the enduring power of good over evil and the divine protection that shielded him throughout his journey.