The Whole story of my Birth

       I was born in a prison because of the fear of my uncle, King Kamsa.  He was the king of Mathura, but was feared by his people because of his cruelty.  He even imprisoned his father to become the king.  The gods themselves felt that it was time to put an end to him, so they made a prophesy.

       The eighth son of my mother, Devaki, and my father, King Vasudeva, would be the one to kill the evil king.  Devaki was also Kamsa's sister and the only person that he cared for other than himself.  However, when he heard the prophesy he immediately attempted to kill her.  Luckily, he decided that it would be sufficient to just lock up my parents.

       As every child was born it was brought to King Kamsa and killed.  This continued to happen until the seventh son was born.  His name was Balarama and somehow he survived without anyone knowing it.  Finally, after nine years, the day came when I was to be born. 

       There was a mighty storm and a howling wind.  Then, at midnight I was born and I received a dazzling first memory.  A bright light was shining and a voice said to my father:

“ Take this child across the River Yamuna to the Gokul kingdom, ruled by your friend King Nanda. His wife Queen Yashoda has just given birth to a daughter. Exchange your son for this girl child and return to the prison immediately, before anyone comes to know about the birth of this child.”

       I could see that my father was sad that I would be separated from him and my mother, but he knew that it was the only chance for me to survive, so he scooped me up and started to walk out of the prison.  The gods had woven a powerful spell, so all the guards were asleep and all of the doors were unlocked. 

       My father carried me out of the prison and towards Gokul as he had been told to do.  As we went into the rain a snake came and protected us from the rain with its hood.  In this way we crossed the Yamuna river and arrived in the village of Gokul.  He carried me into the palace and switched me out for the baby girl that was waiting there.  He carried her out and left me in Gokul with my new family.