Nilanjana recounts the tale of Sage Narada visiting Kamsa, in the weekly column, exclusively for Different Truths.
Sukha smiled, “Now, Sage Narada decided to visit Kamsa again.”
Parikshit was curious, “Again! What for?”
“Yes,” Sukha said, “To pace things up a bit. So, Kamsa was sitting in his royal court when Sage Narada made his presence felt. Kamsa extended a cordial welcome, as it was appropriate in those days.
Sage Narada asked Kamsa, “So, how is it going?”
Kamsa replied, “I am sure you know it all. Last time when you came, you instilled all kinds of fear in me. You explained why I should kill all the children of Devaki and Vasudeva. I did as you said. But the eighth child was a daughter. Devaki pleaded that I should let her go. But then I did not pay any heed to her warning. As I tossed the child away – the way I killed all children of Devaki – she flew up in the air and took the cosmic form of Goddess Parvati. Then she disappeared.”
“So, you have given up?” Sage Narada asked.
“Not really. There are reports of a child who is unique. Many of my people who had gone to kill him are actually dead. So, he is under suspicion. But then he is the son of Yashoda and Nanda. So, I am really not sure.”
“I am surprised that a king of your stature is actually so naïve!” Sage Narada began creating mischief as he explained to Kamsa the truth about Krishna. He mentioned how Devaki’s seventh child disappeared from her womb. The child was actually transferred to Rohini, Vasudeva’s wife. He then went on to explain how Krishna was actually born in the prison, how Vasudeva exchanged him with Yashoda and Nanda’s daughter and how the child who is actually growing up in Vrindavan is actually Devaki and Vasudeva’s son.
Kamsa was very angry. He asked, “Is this what my sister and brother-in-law have been up to? Should I kill them for betraying me?”
Sage Narada reasoned, “What is the point? All that is bygone. Forget all about them and focus on that dark, attractive boy. I have heard that he is very charming. The whole of Vrindavan dotes on him, as does flora and fauna. Perhaps, you can figure what to do with him. He is very young though.”
“I have already figured what to do with him!” Kamsa could barely keep his rage to himself.
After having served his purpose, Sage Narada chanted “Narayan, Narayan” and took leave.
Meanwhile, Kamsa worked out a plan in his head. Now that he was sure about Devaki and Vasudev’s eight-born-son, he had to arrange everything so that the child never comes in his way. Without wasting time, he called out for one of his loyalists.
[To be continued]
Footnote: Srimad Bhagavatam is often called the Bhagavad Purana. Authored by Ved Vyasa, the stories are about the various avatars(incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, also known as Narayana. These stories are narrated by Ved Vyasa’s son Sukhadeva to King Parikshit.
©Nilanjana Dey
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