The city of Mathura was filled with joy and celebration. From the royal palace to the streets of the city, beautiful preparations were being made for a grand wedding. Flowers decorated every corner, auspicious songs filled the air, and everyone eagerly awaited the wedding of Vasudeva and Devaki.
Vasudeva was the son of King Shurasena of the Yadava dynasty. He was righteous, truthful, and deeply devoted to Bhagwan. Devaki was the daughter of King Devaka, the younger brother of King Ugrasena of Mathura. She was kind, gentle, and pure-hearted. Both belonged to the respected Yadava royal family. Following the sacred Vedic traditions, Vasudeva and Devaki were joyfully united in marriage.
Kansa, the son of King Ugrasena of Mathura, was powerful, clever, and cruel. Driven by his desire for power, he imprisoned his own father and seized the throne of Mathura. His harsh rule filled the kingdom with fear. However, Kansa deeply loved his sister Devaki and was pleased with her marriage to Vasudeva, the respected son of King Shurasena.
The wedding was joyfully completed. At the time of farewell, Devaki sat in the chariot with Vasudeva. The royal family blessed the newly married couple and lovingly bid them farewell. Out of affection for his beloved sister, Kansa himself became their charioteer and set out to escort Devaki and Vasudeva.
As the chariot moved forward, Vasudeva and Devaki sat together while Kansa himself served as their charioteer. The people gathered along the way cheered joyfully and showered the newly married couple with flower petals. In that moment, it seemed as though all of Mathura was celebrating their sacred union.
Suddenly, the clear sky was torn apart by a brilliant flash of lightning. A powerful roar of thunder followed, frightening the horses and causing the chariot to slow down. The crowd, which had been cheering and showering flowers only moments earlier, fell completely silent. Kansa, Vasudeva, Devaki, and everyone present looked up at the sky in shock and concern
Then, a thunderous divine voice echoed from the sky: “O foolish Kansa! O foolish Kansa!" Such an unseen heavenly voice is called an **Akashvani**. Enraged, Kansa drew his sword and roared, **“Who dares to speak to me like this?”**
The divine voice spoke again, **“O foolish Kansa! Devaki, whom you are carrying in this chariot with such love and enthusiasm, will give birth to an eighth son who will bring about your death!”** Hearing this, fear spread across the faces of Devaki, Vasudeva, and Kansa.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Kansa drew his sword. The fear on his face instantly turned into terrible rage. He seized Devaki by the hair and raised his sword, ready to end her life.
Kansa still held Devaki by the hair. Fear and anger blazed together in his eyes as he roared, **“If her child is going to threaten my life, then I will end this danger right now—before it ever has a chance to be born and grow!”** Ha ha ha ha ha!!!
The righteous Vasudeva calmly said to Kansa, “O Kansa! You are a brave warrior and the pride of the Bhoja dynasty. How can you raise your sword against your own newly married sister? Anyone who is born must one day face death.”
Vasudev pleaded “You are afraid of Devaki’s eighth son, Devaki herself is not at fault. Killing a woman is a sin, and killing your own sister would be an even greater wrong!!!
Devaki continued to look at Kansa in shock and deep sorrow, her eyes filling with tears. Only one question arose in her heart—was this truly the same brother she loved so deeply, the one who had shown her so much affection only a short while ago?
Then Vasudeva Ji spoke with a heavy heart, saying words that broke everyone’s heart! “O Kansa, you have nothing to fear from Devaki herself. The divine voice has said that her son will be the cause of your fear. So I promise that every son born to Devaki will be handed over to you.”
Kansa looked at Vasudeva with suspicion and said sternly, “How can I trust you? You may break your promise later and escape with Devaki.”
Vasudeva said firmly, “I give you another promise—we will remain in Mathura until all eight of Devaki’s children are born, and we will hand each child over to you.”
He then added, “If you are still not satisfied, I will be forced to raise my sword against you. If my sword rises, the entire Yadava clan will rise with it, and no one will be able to stop the destruction that follows.
Kansa thought carefully about Vasudeva’s words. He had only recently seized the kingdom from his father, and he did not truly wish to kill Devaki. At last, he decided to accept Vasudeva’s promise.
Kansa lowered his sword and loudly called for his soldiers. Hearing his command, the soldiers quickly came forward and stood beside the chariot.
At Kansa’s command, the soldiers came running and surrounded the chariot from all sides. Vasudeva stood in front of Devaki to protect her.
A strong soldier slowly climbed onto the chariot. He was obeying the king’s order, but his face showed sadness when he looked at Devaki and Vasudeva.
The soldiers placed heavy shackles on Devaki and Vasudeva’s hands. Seeing them helpless, Kansa put both hands on his waist and burst into loud, cruel laughter—“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!”
Maharaj Ugrasena, Kansa’s father, stands before him with his trusted companions and soldiers to oppose his actions. In a firm voice, he orders Kansa to stop and not treat Devaki and Vasudeva unjustly.
Kansa was very wicked and powerful. He placed his huge army against Maharaj Ugrasena and his soldiers. The elderly Maharaj Ugrasena tried to stop him, but Kansa refused to listen and made his own father a prisoner.
Kansa made Devaki and Vasudeva prisoners and locked them in the royal prison. Devaki was sobbing and wiping away her tears with both hands. Vasudeva gently comforted her and said in a calm voice...
“Devaki, leave everything in Narayana’s hands. The divine plan to bring an end to Kansa’s sins has already been set in motion. No one can change this destiny now.” They were deeply sorrowful, yet they did not lose their patience or faith. Even during this difficult time, their devotion to Lord Vishnu remained unwavering.