25+ New Krishna Janmashtami Images [With Birth Story]

Last updated on August 18th, 2024 at 01:00 am

Welcome to our special Janmashtami edition, where we delve into the enchanting tales of Lord Krishna’s early life. As we celebrate the birth of this divine incarnation, we bring you three captivating stories that highlight Krishna’s playful yet miraculous nature. From his miraculous birth in the prison cell of Mathura to his mischievous butter-stealing antics, and his brave encounter with the fearsome serpent Kaliya, these stories are a testament to the divine power and charm of young Krishna. Join us on this journey through time, and let these timeless tales fill your hearts with devotion and joy.

The Birth of Lord Krishna

Long ago, in the ancient city of Mathura, there lived a wicked king named Kansa. He was a tyrant who brought immense suffering to his people. Despite being a powerful king, Kansa was deeply afraid of a prophecy that foretold his downfall. According to the prophecy, the eighth son of his sister Devaki would be the cause of his death.

In a bid to thwart the prophecy, Kansa imprisoned Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva, as soon as they got married. He ordered that each of their children be killed immediately after birth. One by one, Kansa mercilessly killed the first six newborns.

When Devaki became pregnant for the seventh time, a miracle occurred. By divine intervention, the embryo was transferred to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva. Thus, Balarama, the seventh child, was saved.

Devaki soon conceived her eighth child, who was destined to be Krishna. On the night of his birth, a series of extraordinary events unfolded. It was the midnight of Ashtami (the eighth day) of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada. The night was stormy, and heavy rain poured down. The Yamuna River was in spate.

At the very moment of Krishna’s birth, the prison where Devaki and Vasudeva were confined was filled with a divine light. Lord Vishnu himself appeared in his majestic form, reassuring the couple and instructing Vasudeva to take the newborn child to Gokul, where he would be safe.

Miraculously, the chains binding Vasudeva fell off, and the prison doors opened on their own. Carrying the infant Krishna in a small basket, Vasudeva set out for Gokul. As he approached the Yamuna River, the waters parted, allowing him to cross safely. It is said that the great serpent Sheshnag protected the baby by spreading its hood over the basket.

Upon reaching Gokul, Vasudeva exchanged Krishna with the newborn daughter of Yashoda and Nanda. He then returned to the prison with the baby girl. When Kansa heard the news of the birth, he rushed to the prison to kill the child. But as he grabbed the baby girl, she slipped out of his hands and transformed into Goddess Durga, who warned Kansa that his nemesis had already been born and was safe elsewhere.

Thus, Krishna grew up in Gokul under the care of Yashoda and Nanda, away from the evil clutches of Kansa. He would later return to Mathura to fulfill the prophecy and free his parents from imprisonment, ultimately leading to the demise of Kansa and the liberation of Mathura.

This story of Krishna’s birth symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is a reminder of the divine protection that sustains righteousness. Janmashtami is celebrated with various rituals, including fasting, singing devotional songs, and reenacting scenes from Krishna’s early life, bringing communities together in joy and devotion.

Krishna and the Butter Thieves

In the peaceful village of Gokul, young Krishna was known for his mischievous antics, particularly his love for butter. Despite his mother Yashoda’s efforts to keep him away from the butter, Krishna always found clever ways to steal it. This earned him the nickname “Makhan Chor” or “Butter Thief.”

One day, the village women, fed up with Krishna’s butter-stealing escapades, decided to teach him a lesson. They complained to Yashoda, who promised to keep a closer watch on her son. However, Krishna was not one to be easily deterred.

On a particularly hot afternoon, Yashoda tied Krishna to a heavy mortar and left to attend to her chores. She thought this would keep him out of trouble. But Krishna had other plans. Using his divine strength, he pulled the mortar along with him and made his way to the courtyard where two large Arjuna trees stood.

As Krishna played near the trees, he noticed that they were unusually quiet and solemn. He sensed that there was a story behind them. Curious, he tugged at the trees with all his might. Suddenly, the trees shook violently and with a loud crash, they fell to the ground.

From the fallen trees emerged two radiant celestial beings. They bowed to Krishna and narrated their story. They were Nalakuvara and Manigriva, the sons of Kubera, the god of wealth. Due to their arrogance and misdeeds, they had been cursed by Sage Narada to live as trees until they were blessed by Lord Vishnu himself.

With tears of gratitude, they thanked Krishna for liberating them from their curse. They knew that Krishna was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and praised him for his compassion and mercy. After offering their heartfelt prayers, they returned to their celestial abode.

Hearing the commotion, the villagers rushed to the scene. They were astonished to see the fallen trees and Krishna standing unharmed. Yashoda, overwhelmed with both fear and relief, untied Krishna and held him close. She couldn’t understand how her little boy had managed to uproot such massive trees, but deep down, she felt there was something truly divine about her beloved son.

This incident further solidified Krishna’s divine nature in the hearts of the villagers. Despite his mischievous ways, they knew he was destined for greatness. They continued to love and adore him, cherishing every moment they spent with their beloved Makhan Chor.

 

Krishna and Kaliya the Serpent

In the idyllic village of Vrindavan, where Krishna spent his childhood, the river Yamuna flowed gracefully, providing water to the villagers and their cattle. However, a dangerous serpent named Kaliya had taken residence in the river, poisoning its waters and making it unfit for drinking or bathing. Kaliya’s presence instilled fear in the hearts of the villagers, who prayed for a miracle to rid them of this menace.

One day, while playing with his friends by the riverbank, Krishna noticed the poisoned waters and heard about Kaliya’s terrorizing presence. Determined to end the serpent’s tyranny, Krishna decided to confront him. Ignoring the pleas of his friends, Krishna climbed a tall Kadamba tree by the river and jumped into the toxic waters.

The splash alerted Kaliya, who emerged from the depths, furious at the intrusion. The massive serpent, with his many hoods, lunged at Krishna, trying to coil around him and crush him. But Krishna, with his divine agility and strength, evaded Kaliya’s attacks, diving and leaping in the water with grace.

Krishna then began to perform a miraculous dance on Kaliya’s hoods, subduing the serpent with his every step. His divine form radiated a blinding light, mesmerizing Kaliya and forcing him into submission. As Krishna danced, he grew larger and heavier, making it impossible for Kaliya to fight back. The serpent eventually realized that this was no ordinary child but a divine being.

With Kaliya subdued, Krishna paused his dance and spared the serpent’s life. Kaliya, filled with remorse and awe, begged Krishna for forgiveness. Krishna ordered Kaliya to leave the Yamuna and never return, ensuring the safety of the villagers. He also instructed Kaliya to seek refuge in the ocean, where he would no longer harm anyone.

Kaliya, grateful for Krishna’s mercy, promised to follow his command. As he slithered away, the river’s waters began to clear, and the villagers soon noticed the transformation. They rushed to the riverbank and saw Krishna emerging from the waters, unharmed and victorious. The sight of Krishna dancing on the serpent’s hoods filled their hearts with devotion and awe.

The villagers rejoiced, singing praises of Krishna and celebrating the end of Kaliya’s reign of terror. This miraculous event further solidified their belief in Krishna’s divinity and his role as their protector.