Interviewer:
Guru Dev, I offer my pranams (respectful greetings).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranams, pranams. Please, speak.
Interviewer:
During the Dwapara Yuga, when the world was heading toward chaos and was filled with injustice and oppression, one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu came to this earth. He was Lord Shri Krishna. At this moment, I would like to hear from you about the story of Lord Shri Krishna's birth.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, the thing is, when the oppression of Kamsa reached its peak, people began to hope for a deity who could liberate them from his tyranny. They performed intense penance. It was during that time that Krishna was born in Kamsa's prison. When Kamsa had his horoscope and future analyzed, it was revealed that the eighth child of his sister, Devaki, and her husband, Vasudeva, would be the cause of his death.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In response, Kamsa brutally killed Devaki's first seven children. He believed the eighth child would be his end, so he imprisoned Vasudeva and Devaki. But as fate and divine will would have it, on the night of the eighth day (Ashtami) under the Rohini Nakshatra, Krishna was born. It is said that without the Rohini Nakshatra, the true tithi (auspicious time) of Krishna's birth cannot be observed. Even this year, I saw in the almanac that although Ashtami is tomorrow, the Nakshatra isn't aligning perfectly. In many places outside, they will celebrate on Wednesday night at 12:00 because that's when the Rohini Nakshatra begins.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Returning to the story: Kamsa kept Devaki and Vasudeva under heavy guard so that no child could escape. But as Krishna was born in the prison, at the very same time, Adya Shakti Mahamaya was born to Yashoda in Gokul. At midnight, when Krishna was born, Vasudeva realized that if he kept the child there, Kamsa would kill him by morning. He decided to take the baby to Nanda's house in Gokul to save his life.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Miraculously, all the guards fell into a deep, unconscious sleep. The prison doors opened on their own. Vasudeva took Krishna in a basket and stepped out into the night. It was raining heavily, with thunder and storms. The serpent Basuki and Ananta Naga protected the baby from the rain by spreading their hoods like an umbrella. When Vasudeva reached the banks of the Yamuna River, he saw the water was very deep and feared they would drown. Just then, he saw a fox crossing the river. Seeing the fox walk across, he realized the water was shallow in that spot. He crossed the Yamuna, reached Gokul, and exchanged Krishna with Yashoda's newborn daughter, Mahamaya.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He brought the baby girl back to Devaki. In the morning, Kamsa was informed of the birth. He rushed to the prison and snatched the baby from Devaki, despite her pleas. He had already killed seven children and intended to kill this one too. But as he tried to dash the baby against a stone, Mahamaya slipped from his hands and rose into the sky. She took a divine form and prophesied: "The one who will kill you is already growing up in Gokul." She then vanished and established herself in the Vindhya Mountains. Even today, there is a temple for Adya Shakti Mahamaya there. There is a banyan tree there where it is said that every leaf that falls has "Jai Shri Ram" written on it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Gradually, Krishna began to grow up in Nanda's house. Kamsa eventually learned that Krishna was there and sent many demons to kill him—Putana, Bakasura, Aghasura. Krishna defeated and killed them all. He performed many miracles, like the Kaliya Daman, where he subdued the venomous serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River.
Interviewer:
So, these are the glories of Krishna's childhood?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly, these are his childhood glories. Mother Yashoda once saw the entire universe within Krishna's mouth while feeding him. He showed her the cosmic form. Both Krishna and Adya Shakti Mahamaya are primal forces. They were born at the same time to ensure the end of Kamsa's tyranny.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Later, Krishna's life involved many more legends. He met Radha, the wife of Ayana Ghosha. They used to meet by the Yamuna. Once, Ayana Ghosha became suspicious and came to catch them. But Krishna transformed himself into the goddess Kali, and Radha appeared to be worshipping her. Ayana, being a devotee of Kali, was pleased and ashamed of his suspicion.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Krishna played a central role in the Kurukshetra War. While many call him an avatar, texts like the Chaitanya Charitamrita say, "Krishnasthu Bhagavan Svayam"—Krishna is the Supreme Lord himself. In the Devi Mahatmya (Chandi), it is also mentioned that Krishna is Narayana himself.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Krishna lived for about 125 years. He was a great yogi and performed intense penance. Toward the end of his life, after the destruction of the Yadu dynasty, he was resting when a hunter's arrow struck his foot. After his passing, his body was cremated, but his "Nabhi Padma" (navel) did not burn. It was cast into the sea and eventually floated to Puri. It is said that the King of Puri had a divine dream and recovered it. Today, that sacred part is kept within the idols at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, alongside Balarama and Subhadra.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, Krishna's birthday, Janmashtami, is a very significant day. We must observe it when the Rohini Nakshatra is present. Everything depends on the stars.
Interviewer:
Guru Dev, you mentioned earlier that Krishna did some things that seemed "wrong" or deceptive during the war, yet he is still called the "Lord of the Devotees." Why is that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You see, his divine powers and actions are beyond common human understanding. We don't see Krishna as a mere avatar; we see him as the primal force. His actions were for the greater good, to establish righteousness. He is called "Bhaktar Bhagavan" because he belongs to those who have faith. Where there is devotion, there is God. Whether it is Krishna, Radha, or any deity, if you have true faith, they become your protector. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was also a great devotee of Krishna, once said that when he looked at the eyes of Jagannath in Puri, he saw the entire world within them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Krishna and Adya Shakti are essentially one. Their seed mantra is "Kling" (Klim). "Kling Krishnaya Namah," "Kling Mahamayayi Namah"—it is the same root. They are two forms of the same supreme energy.
Interviewer:
Guru Dev, we have learned so much from you today. I offer my pranams at your feet.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you.
Spiritual Insight
The divine birth of Krishna in Kamsa's prison reminds us that the Supreme manifests even in the darkest confines to restore dharma. The miraculous exchange between Krishna and Mahamaya illustrates the mysterious ways of the Divine, where protection and prophecy intertwine. Gurudev Shyama Khyapa's narration emphasizes that true devotion transcends human judgment—Krishna, as the Supreme Lord himself, operates from a realm beyond ordinary comprehension, always working toward the greater good and the establishment of righteousness.