When the divine essence was transferred to Rohini, he became known as Rauhineya. On the eighth day of the dark fortnight, at the hour of midnight, the four-armed Lord was born into this world. Yet, the child appeared with two arms, and Devaki and Vasudeva, filled with awe and love, praised their newborn son. Fearing the wrath of Kamsa, Vasudeva secretly carried the infant to the bed of Yashoda. In exchange, Vasudeva took Yashoda’s daughter and placed her beside Devaki. When Kamsa heard the cry of the child, he rushed in and, in his fury, dashed her upon a stone. But this daughter, the eighth embryo of Devaki, was none other than the embodiment of death for Kamsa. From the sky, a bodiless voice declared Kamsa’s doom, and in his terror, he began to destroy the children given to Devaki at her marriage. Yet, the girl, hurled down, rose up and spoke to Kamsa from the heavens: “Why do you cast me down, Kamsa? The one born to slay you has already come. He is the very essence of the gods, descended to relieve the burden of the earth.” Having spoken these words, she—praised by Indra for her victory over Sumbha and others—revealed herself as Arya, Durga, the womb of the Vedas, Ambika, and Bhadrakali. She is Bhadra, Kshomya, Kshema-kari, the many-armed goddess, to whom I bow. Whoever recites her names at dawn, noon, and dusk attains all desires. Kamsa, desperate, sent Putana and others to kill the divine child. But Yashoda and Nanda, entrusted by Vasudeva, lovingly raised him. Out of fear for their safety, Rama and Krishna dwelled in Gokula, moving freely among the cows and cowherd boys, protecting all. The two protectors of the world became cowherds themselves. Krishna, in his childhood mischief, was once tied to a mortar by Yashoda, who was busy with her chores. Crawling between the twin Arjuna trees, Krishna broke them asunder; he overturned a cart with his tiny foot as he sought his mother’s breast. When Putana came to poison him, she was slain as she nursed him. Later, Krishna went to Vrindavana and subdued the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna. He drove Kaliya from the waters, earning praise for his strength, and made the forest of Talavana safe by slaying Dhenuka, the ass-demon. He went on to defeat Arishta, the bull-demon, and Keshi, who came in the form of a horse. Krishna abandoned the Indra festival and instead initiated the cowherds’ sacrifice. When Indra, angered, sent torrential rains, Krishna lifted the mountain and sheltered all beneath it, stopping the storm. Thereafter, Govinda was worshipped by Mahendra and honored by Arjuna. Pleased, Krishna later allowed the Indra festival to be performed again. Then, at Kamsa’s command, Akrura brought Krishna to Mathura. The Gopis watched him depart with loving eyes, remembering their playful times with him. In Mathura, Krishna defeated the arrogant washerman who refused him garments, and, with Rama, wore a garland and blessed the garland-maker. He straightened a hunchbacked woman who had anointed him with ointments and killed the mighty elephant at the gate. Entering the arena, Krishna confronted the intoxicated Kuvalayapida. There, before Kamsa and the assembled nobles, Krishna and Balarama wrestled with Chanura and Mushtika, slaying them along with other wrestlers. Chanura and Mushtika were sons of Jarasandha, who, upon hearing of their death, besieged Mathura and fought for Kamsa’s sake. Rama and Krishna, leaving Mathura, went to Gomanta, where they defeated Jarasandha in battle and overcame Paundraka Vasudeva. Establishing the city of Dvaraka, Krishna dwelt there with the Yadavas. After slaying Bhauma, he brought back the maidens who had been held captive. Janardana married these maidens, who were of divine, Gandharva, and Yaksha origin—sixteen thousand in number, beginning with Rukmini, and eight others. With Satyabhama, who had subdued Naraka, Hari journeyed on Garuda to Mani mountain. There he conquered Indra and took the heavenly jewel. He brought the Parijata tree and planted it at Satyabhama’s house. Having learned the science of weapons from Sandipani, Krishna restored Sandipani’s lost son to him. He defeated the demon Panchajana and was honored by Yama, the lord of death. Krishna slew Kalayavana and was honored by Mucukunda. He honored Vasudeva, Devaki, and the devoted Brahmanas. Balabhadra and Revati, after performing a great sacrifice, prepared for their departure. From Krishna and Jambavati was born Samba, and from his other wives came other sons. Pradyumna was born from Rukmini, but on the sixth day, the infant was abducted by the demon Shambara and thrown into the ocean. A fisherman caught the child inside a fish, which was brought to Shambara’s house, where Mayavati resided. Recognizing her own husband within the fish, Mayavati, filled with affection, nourished him and revealed, “I am your Rati, and you are my husband. You are Kama, made bodiless by Shiva, and I was taken by Shambara. I am not his wife. You, knower of magic, must slay Shambara.” Hearing this, Pradyumna killed Shambara and, together with Mayavati, returned to Krishna and Rukmini, who rejoiced at their son’s return. From Pradyumna was born Aniruddha, lord of Usha, noble-minded. Bana, son of Bali, ruled in the city of Shonita and had a daughter named Usha. Through intense austerity, Bana became the son of Shiva, bearing the peacock banner. Shiva, pleased with him, granted him the boon of battle. Usha, seeing Gauri play with Shiva, longed for a husband. Gauri assured her, “Your husband will appear to you at night in a dream.” On the twelfth day of the month of Vaishakha, as foretold, Usha saw her destined husband in a dream and was filled with joy. Her friend Chitralekha, perceiving Usha’s longing, painted the image of the man she had seen. By her mystical power, Chitralekha brought Aniruddha, Krishna’s grandson, from Dvaraka to Usha’s side, without obstruction. Thus, Aniruddha, son of Pradyumna, came to Shonita, and there remained with Usha, the daughter of Bana’s minister, Kumbhanda.