Every year on Janmashtami, Indian houses are full of Krishna stories.

Kids are dressing as little Kanha, flowers decorate temples, people are singing bhajans, fasting, praying that midnight is coming. All families are celebrating the birthday of Lord Krishna.

But Krishna's story is much more significant than just a simple legend about an incarnation of God.

It is a story of prophecies, about an evil king, a mother and a father who have suffered greatly and raised a child who brought hope and joy to millions of people who lived in fear.

But why exactly Lord Krishna was born on Earth and what happened to him on his birth night?

Let's go back to the ancient city of Mathura.

Why did Lord Krishna come to Earth?

Lord Krishna came to Earth when the dharma was dying and adharma was emerging, according to ancient scriptures. There was also a problem because the Earth was being ruled over by tyrants. One of these tyrants was Kansa, the king of Mathura, who had made Mathura a land of fear.

Lord Krishna came to Earth to re-establish dharma and to protect the weak and innocent from the evil kings.

The purpose of Krishna coming to this world is also mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita:

"Whenever there is a decline in dharma and a rise in adharma, I manifest Myself."

And the story of Lord Krishna started when one of the tyrant leaders adharma was on the rise, Kansa.

The Prophecy That Terrified Kansa

The king of Mathura was the mighty Kansa. He was the brother of Devaki.

Devaki was married to Vasudeva and Kansa himself drove them in his chariot.

While they were on their way, the Akashvani (heavenly voice) proclaimed that Devaki’s eighth son would kill Kansa.

At this, Kansa became very angry and wanted to kill Devaki. Vasudeva begged Kansa and promised that he would give him all the sons that Devaki bore.

Kansa was pacified and he allowed Devaki to live but kept Vasudeva and Devaki as prisoners in the palace.

The Children of Devaki and Vasudeva

Devaki gave birth to children one after another

It is said that the first six children of Devaki and Vasudeva were killed by Kansa because of the prophecy.

But the seventh pregnancy of Devaki turned out to be not the end of the prophecy

The child in the womb of Devaki was transferred to the womb of Rohini, the other wife of Vasudeva, and was born as Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna. So, Kansa thought that now Devaki’s womb was empty.

But the prophecy was not over yet

Another child was waiting to be born.

The Appearance of Lord Krishna

The night that Krishna was born was a night unlike any other.

It was the eighth night of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada, at midnight, in the prison of Mathura.

Devaki and Vasudeva were still in prison.

Lord Krishna appeared before them.

According to the Srimad Bhagavatam, Krishna showed his parents his divine form and did not appear as an ordinary baby.

He was decorated with ornaments and carried the symbols of Lord Vishnu.

Devaki and Vasudeva knew that this child had come to this world with a special mission.

Krishna told Vasudeva to take him across the Yamuna to Gokul where Nanda and Yashoda lived.

There he would be raised away from the reach of Kansa.

How Vasudeva Took Krishna to Gokul

Though Vasudeva was confined to the prison, he was not without means. That very night, the prison doors were opened, and the guards fell asleep.

Then Vasudeva took the infant Krishna and walked out of the prison to take him to Gokul.

He was approaching the banks of the Yamuna River when it was flowing quite briskly.

Vasudeva put Krishna in a basket and set off on the river.

As per tradition, Sheshnag kept his many hood above the child, shielding him from the rain.

The Yamuna River parted at Krishna’s command so that Vasudeva could cross it safely.

Once in Gokul, Vasudeva knocked on the latticework door of Nanda and Yashoda’s home.

Yashoda had just delivered a baby girl, and Vasudeva laid the infant Krishna down beside her.

Kansa and the Mysterious Baby Girl

When Kansa came to know that the eighth child of Devaki had been born, he came running to the prison.

He tried to grab the baby girl and kill her, but she somehow escaped from his hands and flew away in the sky in a mysterious way.

She informed him that the one who would slay him had already been taken care of somewhere else, which made Kansa even more scared.

At Gokul, little Krishna had started his journey as the beloved child of Yashoda and Nanda.

The little boy, who had been born in prison, would soon become the mischievous Kanha of everyone's affection.

Then he returned to Mathura with the baby girl.

From Divine Appearance to Little Kanha

This is what makes Krishna's story so beautiful .

The same Krishna who manifested in divine forms before Devaki and Vasudeva would grow up to playfully misbehave as a child.

He would steal butter.

He would play with the children of Gokul.

He would run around with his friends.

He would play music on his flute and drown Vrindavan in melody.

Through these stories, children all over know Krishna, the deity not as a serious god but as the loving and playful Kanha.

His story teaches children that spirituality is not difficult to grasp or understand but sometimes just begins with a story.

Why do we celebrate Janmashtami?

Janmashtami commemorates the birthday of Lord Krishna.

Devotees observe the day by decorating temples and homes, singing and dancing; all the while re-telling and re-enacting legends of Lord Krishna, fasting and gathering together for a feast at midnight, the traditional time of his birth.

For many families it is also a chance to introduce children to Lord Krishna.

For when stories of Lord Krishna are heard and re-told, the message of his life and times is absorbed, not only learning that his name is Krishna, but also the moral lessons and values that he represented and the good in people that he saw and brought out in others.

What Can Children Learn From Krishna’s Story? 

Krishna’s story about his appearance teaches children important lessons that will stay with them long after Janmashtami.

Firstly, it shows them that there is always a ray of hope, even in the darkest times.

Krishna’s story starts in prison, where the newly born Krishna brings not only joy but also a chance for freedom for his parents.

Secondly, it demonstrates that good can come in the humblest of packages.

Powerful Kansa with his army and followers was defeated by a seemingly helpless baby.

Thirdly, it shows that faith keeps us going.

Devaki and Vasudeva’s story is a story of patient suffering and faith that kept them going through all hardships.

Fourthly, it makes a lasting impression, often remaining in the heart and mind of a child for a lifetime.

A child might forget the story about dharma and good vs evil, but they will never forget the tale about little Krishna.

And finally, it teaches us to find joy in everything, even the simplest and most routine activities, as it makes us spiritually better.

Keep Krishna's Story Alive Beyond Janmashtami

A child's bond with Krishna need not be limited to the Janmashtami festivities.

It can be nurtured day in and day out through the tales told, questioned, answered, sung in bhajans, and even kept alive in the little ways we can involve the young ones with our rich cultural legacy.

Even for little kids, a short daily ritual of Krishna mantra chanting can become a fun-filled activity.

Because by making him/her familiar with our gods and goddesses, we make spirituality easy and engaging for the little ones.

This is the intent behind Panda's Box's Mantra Chanting Krishna Plush

Perfect for little hands and big hearts, Krishna can be a buddy that a child grows up with, and that can help him/her get connected to Krishna's mantras.

Because sometimes, making a child familiar with culture and tradition begins with a story, followed by a chant, and then a little Kanha sitting beside you as you grow.