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| Kaḿsa threatens Devakī |
As the newly married Vasudeva and Devakī(who would be Kṛṣṇa's parents in the future) prepared to start for home, conch shells, bugles, drums - kettledrums all vibrated in concert for their auspicious departure. But as Kaḿsa controlling the reins of the horses, drove the chariot along the way, an unembodied voice addressed him, "You foolish rascal, the eighth child of the woman you are carrying will kill you"! Therefore, upon hearing this omen from the sky, he caught hold of his cousin's hair with his left hand and took up his sword with his right hand to sever her head.
Wanting to pacify Kaḿsa, the great soul Vasudeva spoke to him in the following words: "My dear Kaḿsa, you are the pride of your family, the Bhoja dynasty, and great heroes praise your qualities. How could such a qualified person as you kill a woman, your own cousin, especially on the occasion of her marriage? 0 great hero, one who takes birth is sure to die, for death is born with the body. One may die today or after hundreds of years, but death is sure for every living entity."
When Vasudeva saw that Kaḿsa was determined to kill his cousin Devakī, he thought to himself very deeply. Considering the imminent danger of death, he thought of another plan to stop Kaḿsa. "By delivering all my sons to Kaḿsa," Vasudeva thought, "I shall save the life of Devakī. Perhaps Kaḿsa will die before my sons take birth, or, since he is already destined to die at the hands of my son, one of my sons may kill him. For the time being, let me promise to hand over my sons so that Kaḿsa will give up this immediate threat, and if, in due course of time, Kaḿsa dies, I shall have nothing to fear."
Vasudeva submitted this proposal to the sinful Kaḿsa with great respect. Kaḿsa agreed to the logical arguments of Vasudeva, and having full faith in Vasudeva's words, he refrained from killing his cousin. Vasudeva, being pleased with Kaḿsa, pacified him further and went home.
Wanting to pacify Kaḿsa, the great soul Vasudeva spoke to him in the following words: "My dear Kaḿsa, you are the pride of your family, the Bhoja dynasty, and great heroes praise your qualities. How could such a qualified person as you kill a woman, your own cousin, especially on the occasion of her marriage? 0 great hero, one who takes birth is sure to die, for death is born with the body. One may die today or after hundreds of years, but death is sure for every living entity."
When Vasudeva saw that Kaḿsa was determined to kill his cousin Devakī, he thought to himself very deeply. Considering the imminent danger of death, he thought of another plan to stop Kaḿsa. "By delivering all my sons to Kaḿsa," Vasudeva thought, "I shall save the life of Devakī. Perhaps Kaḿsa will die before my sons take birth, or, since he is already destined to die at the hands of my son, one of my sons may kill him. For the time being, let me promise to hand over my sons so that Kaḿsa will give up this immediate threat, and if, in due course of time, Kaḿsa dies, I shall have nothing to fear."
Vasudeva submitted this proposal to the sinful Kaḿsa with great respect. Kaḿsa agreed to the logical arguments of Vasudeva, and having full faith in Vasudeva's words, he refrained from killing his cousin. Vasudeva, being pleased with Kaḿsa, pacified him further and went home.
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