As Vasudeva neared the mighty River Yamuna, which had to be crossed to reach Gokul, the rain began to pour down heavily. The crossing was difficult. Vasudeva stepped into the swirling waters with faith in his heart. As thunder boomed and lightning cracked across the sky, Vasudeva wondered how he would get to Gokul safely. To protect Lord Krishna from the rain and storm, Sesa, the Great Serpent, spread his mighty hood and shielded Him from the storm. The river was flooded and water level rose high. But just as the waves touched Lord Krishna’s feet, the river calmed down. Even as the rain fell, Vasudeva’s firm footsteps guided him to the palace of the Chief of the Cowherds, Nanda. Vasudeva thought, ‘What if the palace guards see me with my son?’ Then, he saw that Lord Vishnu had put the palace guards to sleep. Vasudeva crossed the sleeping guards at the palace and soon reached Yashoda’s birth chamber.
The Perilous Crossing
