Why Lord Krishna Took Birth on Earth – The Struggles, the Demons, and the Divine Promise

Why Lord Krishna Took Birth on Earth? From prison walls to deadly demons— the untold struggles and divine purpose behind His appearance on Earth.

Over five thousand years ago, the earth was groaning under the weight of cruelty. Demonic kings ruled with greed and arrogance, justice was forgotten, and the cries of the innocent echoed without answer.

Mother Earth, unable to bear the suffering any longer, took the form of a distressed cow and approached Lord Brahma, her eyes filled with tears. She begged for relief from the unbearable burden of evil.

Lord Brahma, deeply moved, took her to the shore of the cosmic Milky Ocean, where Lord Vishnu eternally resides. There, the devas prayed with folded hands. For a moment, there was silence—until Lord Brahma entered deep meditation and heard the Divine assurance:

“Do not fear. I will soon descend to Earth. Let the devas also take birth there. I shall come to protect the righteous, destroy the wicked, and re-establish dharma.”

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।

धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥

"To protect the righteous, destroy the wicked, and re-establish dharma, I appear millennium after millennium."

This was the promise that would change the fate of the world.

The Prophecy That Shook Kamsa

In Mathura, Vasudeva and his new bride, Devaki, were returning from their wedding. Her brother, King Kamsa, drove their chariot with affection—until the skies thundered with a divine voice:

“Kamsa! The eighth child of your sister Devaki will be the cause of your death.”

Kamsa’s heart turned to stone. Consumed by fear, he seized Devaki by her hair and raised his sword to kill her. Vasudeva, with calm wisdom, promised to hand over every child to Kamsa if he spared her life. Kamsa agreed—but instead of trusting, he threw the couple into a prison cell.

नाथ ते नाहमित्थं हि पश्यन्

भ्रान्तो मोहान्ममायां त्वदीयं ।

ज्ञात्वा मात्रं त्वामहं प्रपन्नः

शान्तो मुक्तो भवत्पादपद्मात् ॥

"O Master, I was deluded by Your illusory power, but now I surrender to You completely, finding peace and liberation at Your lotus feet."

The Night of Divine Birth

Year after year, Devaki gave birth—and each time, Kamsa cruelly killed the newborn. Six children were gone, each taken from her arms. When the eighth child was due, a divine stillness filled the air.

At midnight, a radiant light shone inside the prison. Lord Vishnu appeared before Devaki and Vasudeva in His four-armed form, holding the conch, discus, mace, and lotus.

“I have come to fulfill My promise—to protect My devotees and destroy the wicked. Take Me to Gokul. Place Me in the care of Nanda and Yashoda.”

The Lord then transformed into a beautiful baby boy. Miraculously, the prison doors swung open, and the guards fell into a deep sleep.

एष नः श्रेयसां धाता पोषकः पोषिणां सताम् ।

अग्निर्वारुण आत्मेन्द्रः सोमो धर्मो ह्यसाविति ॥

"He is the giver of our highest welfare, the protector of the virtuous, the fire that burns evil, the moon of peace, and the very embodiment of dharma

The Midnight Journey Across the Yamuna

Vasudeva placed the divine child in a wicker basket and stepped into the raging Yamuna River. The waters parted to give way, and the mighty serpent Sheshanaga spread His hood to shield the child from the rain.

In Gokul, Mother Yashoda had just given birth to a baby girl. Vasudeva exchanged the infants and returned to prison. When Kamsa tried to kill the baby girl, she slipped from his grasp, revealed herself as Goddess Durga, and warned him:

“The one destined to end you is already born.”

कृते नृणां न कृतसाध्यकृतं यतस्ते

सिद्धिं ययुर्न हि मनोभिरिहाशिषो ये ।

त्वं नः कृपां विदधतीं जगतां पतिस्त्वं

धातासि हंस इव नः परमो गतिस्त्वम् ॥

"O Lord, you alone are the Supreme Protector of the worlds. Like the swan seeking only the purest essence, you grant mercy and become the ultimate refuge."

Why Lord Krishna Took Birth on Earth? The Divine Purpose

Krishna was not an ordinary child. In the Bhagavad Gita (4.8), He declares:

“To protect the pious, to annihilate the wicked, and to re-establish the principles of dharma, I appear on Earth, age after age.”

Every step of His life was part of a mission—to protect devotees and cleanse the earth of evil forces. His struggles began in infancy, for Kamsa sent one demon after another to kill Him.

The Demons and Their Defeat

1. Putana – Disguised as a beautiful woman, the demoness Putana tried to kill the infant Krishna by feeding Him poisoned milk. Krishna, knowing her intentions, sucked not just the milk but her very life away, granting her liberation.

2. Shakatasura – On His first birthday, Krishna was lying under a cart. A demon entered the cart to crush Him, but baby Krishna kicked it with His tiny foot, shattering it to pieces.

3. Trinavarta – This whirlwind demon lifted baby Krishna high into the sky to kill Him. But Krishna became so heavy that Trinavarta fell from the sky and died.

4. Vatsasura – Taking the form of a calf, this demon tried to blend among Krishna’s herd. Krishna caught him by the legs, spun him around, and threw him into a tree, ending his evil plans.

5. Bakasura – A giant crane demon who tried to swallow Krishna. Krishna forced open his beak and tore it apart.

6. Aghasura – The brother of Putana and Bakasura, Aghasura took the form of a massive serpent, swallowing Krishna’s friends. Krishna entered the serpent’s throat, expanded Himself, and suffocated the demon to death.

7. Arishtasura – Taking the form of a raging bull, he charged at Krishna. The Lord seized him by the horns and hurled him to the ground, ending his tyranny.

8. Kesi – This horse demon came galloping with fury. Krishna thrust His arm into Kesi’s mouth, making it expand like a blazing mountain, choking him to death.

9. Kaliya Naag – The venomous serpent Kaliya poisoned the Yamuna waters. Krishna leapt onto his heads and danced, subduing him. He spared Kaliya’s life on the promise that the serpent would leave and never return.

10. Kamsa – At last, Krishna entered the royal arena in Mathura. Leaping onto the tyrant king’s throne, Krishna pulled him down and ended his reign of terror, fulfilling the prophecy.

Krishna’s Struggles – A Beacon for Our Own Battles

Lord Krishna’s life is not just a story from the past—it is a mirror for our present. His struggles remind us that no darkness is too deep for the light of truth to shine through. From facing death even before birth to defeating mighty demons, Krishna showed us that faith, courage, and righteousness will always triumph.

Each demon He killed symbolizes a weakness we must conquer within ourselves—lust, anger, pride, greed, envy, and fear. By remembering His pastimes, chanting His holy names, and walking the path of dharma, we invite His divine protection into our lives.

नमो देव दामोदरानन्त विष्णो

प्रसीद प्रभो दुःखजलाधिमग्नम् ।

कृपादृष्टि वृश्याति दीना नमोऽलय

त्वदीयाः कथास्यापि तेऽनुकीर्तनम् ॥

"O Lord Dāmodara, Ananta, Vishnu, please shower Your mercy upon this soul drowning in the ocean of suffering. Let me never tire of singing Your glories."

This Janmashtami, let us not just celebrate His birth but also embrace His teachings. Let us fight our inner demons with the same determination with which He fought the demons of the world.

Chant His name. Live by His wisdom. Walk in His light.

 Because when we stand with Krishna, no Kamsa in our life can defeat us.

 जय श्री कृष्णा