Devaki

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This article is about the mother of Krishna. For other uses, see Devaki (disambiguation).

Devaki
Krishna meets parents.jpg
Krishna and Balarama meet their parents (Painting by Raja Ravi Varma)
TextsBhagavat Purana, Mahabharata
Personal information
ParentsDevaka (father)
SpouseVasudeva
ChildrenBalarama
Krishna[a]

In Hinduism, Devaki (देवकी) is one of the daughters of Devak. She married Vasudeva[1] and mothered Balrama and Krishna[2] as specified in the ancient Mahabharata (Book 6, section 123 p. 311) [3]

Marriage[]

Vasudeva and Devaki traveling in a carriage

After the marriage ceremony, Kamsa volunteered to escort the newly-weds to Mathura and drove their chariot. A celestial voice, an aśarīrī, proclaimed that the eighth child of Devaki would become Kamsa's death. Angered, Kamsa rose to kill Devaki but was stopped by Vasudeva who promises to give each child to Kamsa, whom he would subsequently kill.[4][5][6]

Imprisonment[]

Birth and escape of Krishna.

Devaki and Vasudeva were imprisoned by Kamsa due over a delusion caused by Narada in Kamsa's mind.[7][8] Her six children were killed, while the seventh Balarama survived.[9][10]

Devaki's six dead sons were named Kírttimat, Sushena, Udayin, Bhadrasena, Rijudasa, and Bhadradeha.[2]

Devaki soon mothered Balarama through the surrogacy of Rohini.[11][12] She protests against the killing of daughter of Nanda and Yashoda but Kamsa hurls her on a rock. Yashoda's daughter transforms into an eight-armed goddess says, "Fool, your destroyer has already been born elsewhere." And vanishes into the heavens.[11]

Devaki and Vasudeva's imprisonment came to an end after Kamsa's death.[13]

Salvation to the Sadgarbhas[]

Devaki upon hearing how Krishna restored his Guru Sandipani's son wishes to see her own children.[14] Krishna accedes her request and brings the children to Devaki from Patala.[14][15] She nurses them with her milk and they attain heaven.[15]

Death[]

After the passing of Vasudeva after the Yadu massacre, Devaki cremates herself on Vasudeva's pyre along with his other wives Rohini, Bhadra and Madira.[16]

Devaki temples[]

A painting of Devaki with Krishna

In the state of Goa, Devaki Krishna Sansthan temple is a unique temple, perhaps is the only temple in India where Lord Krishna is worshiped alongside mother Devaki. The main Deity Devakikrishna and affiliate deities of Bhumika Devi, Laxmi Ravalnath, Mallinath, Katyayani, Chodaneshwar and Dhada Shankar were originally located at Choodamani island (Chorão island of today). To avoid persecution during the Goa Inquisition they were taken to Mayem in Bicholim and from there shifted to the present location at Mashel. The Garbha Griha (inner sanctum) of the temple has the beautiful idol of Devaki and Lord Krishna. The idol of Devaki is in standing posture holding baby Krishna with her left hand.[17]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Devaki had 8 children but 6 of them were killed by her cousin Kamsa. Balarama was conceived by Devaki, but he was transferred into the womb of Rohini by goddess Yogmaya

References[]

  1. ^ "XIV". The Vishnu Purana: Book IV. Sacred-texts.com. p. 435.
  2. ^ a b "XV". The Vishnu Purana: Book IV. p. 438.
  3. ^ "123". The Mahabharata: Book VI. Sacred-texts.com. p. 311.
  4. ^ "1". Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10. Bhagavata.org.
  5. ^ "1". Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10. Bhagavata.org.
  6. ^ "1". Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10. Bhagavata.org.
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 25 April 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "1". Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10. Bhagavata.org.
  9. ^ "2". Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10. Bhagavata.org.
  10. ^ "I". The Vishnu Purana: Book V. pp. 490–491.
  11. ^ a b "III". The Vishnu Purana: Book V. p. 502.
  12. ^ "3". Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10. Bhagavata.org.
  13. ^ "44". Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10. Bhagavata.org.
  14. ^ a b "85". SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: CANTO 10. Bhagavata.org.
  15. ^ a b "85". SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: CANTO 10. Bhagavata.org.
  16. ^ The Mahabharata, Book 16: Mausala Parva: Section 7.
  17. ^ "Devkikrishna Temple, Marcel". www.goatourism.gov.in. Govt of Goa. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
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