King Shura was blessed with two children after Kunti. His daughter named Subhasuga married Damghosh, king of Chedi, and his son named Vasudeva married Rohini, daughter of Devak (brother of King Ugrasena of Mathura). Kansa, the eldest son of King Ugrasena, was evil-minded. The people feared him. He wished to ascend to the throne himself. For this, Vasudeva’s acceptance was a must. So, Kansa married off his sister Devaki to Vasudeva. After the marriage when he was accompanying both of them in a chariot, a heavenly announcement proclaimed, “O Kansa! You shall be killed at the hands of Devaki’s eighth son.”
Hearing the words, Kansa put both of them under house arrest in a palace in Mathura. He imprisoned his father Ugrasena as well and ascended to the throne of Mathura. Vasudeva’s first wife Rohini also came over there. After the nine months Devaki gave birth to a son. Hearing of the news, Kansa at once reached there. Picking up the new-born child, he struck it against the ground. Vasudeva and Devaki gave out loud cries but to no avail. In this fashion, he killed six children of Vasudeva and Devaki soon after their birth. When Devaki became pregnant the seventh time, Rohini was also in the family way.
Then, Kansa imprisoned both Devaki and Vasudeva. Vasudeva sent Rohini to Nanda, village chief of his own dynasty. Due to worry and distress, Devaki aborted. At an opportune time Rohini gave birth to a son named Balarama.
A few days later, Devaki was pregnant again. Now Vasudeva was determined to save their eighth child. Devaki gave birth to her eighth child at midnight on the eighth of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (Aug-Sep). It was raining heavily. The guards at the prison cell were fast asleep. The gates of the cell opened due to divine grace. Vasudeva placed the child in a basket and was on his way. After crossing the Yamuna he reached Nanda at Gokul village. Nanda’s wife Yashoda had delievered a child at that time. Nanda placed Vasudeva’s child beside his sleeping wife Yashoda and lifting up the girl gave her to Vasudeva.
As soon as Vasudeva hastened back to the prison cell, the girl began to cry. The guards at once informed Kansa about it. Kansa reached there. Looking at the girl he was shocked as to how the girl could kill him. As Kansa picked up the girl to kill her, the girl disappeared. A heavenly announcement proclaimed, “O Kansa! Your slayer has already taken birth.”
Hearing the words Kansa felt enraged. He ordered a horrible she-monster Putana to put to death all the new-born babies being born during the month. Putana did exactly so.
Thereafter Putana reached Gokul and turned into a beautiful woman. She poisoned her breasts and sucked baby Krishna. But Krishna sent her to the abode of the Death-god. Kansa learnt that Krishna was the eighth son of Devaki. So, he invited both Krishna and Balarama to Mathura.
There in the the wrestling arena, Balarama killed Mushtik whereas Krishna killed Chanur. Seeing this Kansa was shocked. Then Krishna challenged thus, “O Maternal Uncle! The time for your doom has come.” Hearing the words the depressed people became jubilant. Thereafter, Krishna killed Kansa with his Sudarshan Chakra. Then they set free their maternal grandfather Ugrasen and parents Vasudeva and Devaki. They seated Ugrasena on the throne of Mathura again.
