KRISHNA: HIS BIRTH AND HIS ESCAPE
There had never been a day like this, nor night
Planets repositioned to create a heavenly sight
Prominent was the star, Rohini, so bright
A pervading peace kept at bay any tendency to fight
Such was the cosmic sky on that day, and what of the Earth?
Lotus flowers, trees, and rivers were welcoming a new birth
Unbounded joy, lightness, and expressions of mirth
Were centered around a bundle of Absolute Worth
Tucked away in a royal prison was a woman, a man
And a person, blue in hue, from whom a glow began
It was Vishnu, par excellence, there is no greater than
Moreover, the woman, Devaki, asked Him to disguise if He can
In compliance, an infant boy, as charming as could be
Was manifest as Krishna Himself, yet few could see
While all was calm, Devaki sunk into a panic degree
For the child’s life was in danger, therefore, He had to flee
The father, Vasudeva, was mystically mobilized to make
A great escape with babe in arms, all for His sake
It was the power of yogamaya allowing the two to break
Barriers of shackles, gates, and guards unawake
Just minutes after midnight with all the power behind them
Father clutched and held high his tender, fragile gem
While traversing River Yamuna, usually a problem for crossing men
That great getaway led to the village named Gokul Vrindavan
The destination point was a modest rural home
The place of Nanda, Yashoda, a newborn, a safe zone
Vasudeva did the unthinkable, seemingly on his own
With all asleep Vasudeva switched babies, actions were unknown
The return journey back to the prison was unique
There was a girl now in Vasudeva’s arms, in the night so bleak
Guards under spell were bypassed on his quiet technique
As the baby was lain to rest, all things came to a peak
The infant girl let out a cry which broke utter silence
And triggered attention to the tyrant of violence
King Kamsa was suffering from impulsive defiance
He rushed to the prison to the infant of innocence
He mercilessly grabbed the sweet child
But she leapt from his hand, entering the sky so wild
Transformed as a beautiful goddess, she chastised and defiled
This man of disgust who reacted to make even the gods smile
Kamsa relented and fell on knees, begging forgiveness
Atrocities directed to Devaki and Vasudeva was his business
But now in a humble way his spirit was less ambitious
He was a different man, leaving the couple less suspicious
But all was not settled in dealing with this impulsive man
Kamsa’s associates were a bad breed with another plan
Darkness does not end easy for the nefarious, the bad master
Who murdered Krishna’s six brothers while Krishna was set free in greener pastures
By Bhaktimarga Swami
Artwork by Shyamasundara Das
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