Because the embryo was drawn out, this child would be known throughout the world as Sankarshana, the heroic one, radiant like the snowy peak of a mountain. Then, the Lord declared, “I shall be born in the auspicious womb of Devaki; you must go without delay to Yashoda.” He foretold, “In the rainy season, on the eighth night of the dark fortnight, I will be born; and on the ninth day, you, O goddess, will give birth.” The Lord continued, “I shall be placed upon Yashoda’s bed, and you, O blameless one, by the power of my will, Vasudeva will carry you from Devaki. Kamsa will seize you, O goddess, and hurl you upon the rocky summit of a mountain, but in the sky you will attain your place. Then Indra, bowing his head in reverence for me, will receive you as his sister after you have been divided into a hundred parts. After slaying Shumbha, Nishumbha, and thousands of other demons, you will adorn the entire earth with many abodes. You are prosperity, humility, fame, beauty, the earth, fortitude, modesty, nourishment, dawn, and whatever else exists—you are indeed all these. Those who call you Arya, Durga, Ambika in the Vedas, Bhadra, Bhadrakali, Kshemya, or Kshemankari—morning and afternoon, those of humble form will praise you; by my grace, all their desires will be fulfilled. When worshipped with offerings of liquor, meat, and various foods and delicacies, you will grant all desires to people, if you are pleased. By my grace, all of them will always be blessed, without doubt or hesitation. Go, O goddess, as has been declared.” As previously described, the Mother of the Universe, at the command of the Lord of gods, arranged the placement of the six embryos and drew away another’s embryo. When the seventh month under the star Rohini arrived, Hari entered the womb of Devaki for the benefit of the three worlds. On that very day, Yoga-nidra entered the womb of Yashoda, just as the Supreme Lord had instructed. Then, O twice-born, the planets moved auspiciously in the sky; portions of Vishnu descended to earth, and the seasons became favorable. Devaki’s radiance was so intense that no one could look upon her; seeing her shining, their minds were disturbed. Unseen by men and women, the hosts of gods praised Devaki, who bore Vishnu in her form, day and night, saying: “You are Svaha, you are Svadha, you are knowledge, you are nectar, you are indeed light; you have descended to earth for the protection of all worlds. Be gracious, O goddess; bring auspiciousness to the whole world. For the sake of love, you bear the Lord, by whom the entire universe is sustained.” Thus praised by the gods, Devaki bore in her womb the lotus-eyed Lord, the cause of the world’s deliverance. Then, at dawn, for the awakening of the lotus of the universe, the great-souled Acyuta appeared to Devaki. At midnight, when Janardana, the support of all, was being born, the clouds rumbled softly and the gods showered flowers. Seeing him, four-armed, resembling the petals of a blooming blue lotus, with the mark of Shrivatsa on his chest, Vasudeva rejoiced at his birth. Having praised him with pleasing words, the wise Vasudeva, fearful of Kamsa, then made his request: “You are known, O Lord of gods, wielder of conch, discus, and mace. Withdraw this divine form, O god, by your grace. Today itself, O god, Kamsa will torment me, knowing you have descended in this temple of mine. He who is of infinite forms, who embodies the entire universe, who, even in the womb, upholds the worlds with his form—may that Lord of gods, who reveals the form of a child by his own power, be gracious. Withdraw this four-armed form, O all-pervading one, so that Kamsa, the destroyer of the Daityas, will not know of your descent.” The Lord replied, “That which you previously praised me for, desiring a son, O goddess, has today borne fruit; I have been born from your womb.” Having spoken thus, the Blessed Lord became silent. Vasudeva then, in the night, took him and went outside. The guards were deluded by Yogamaya’s sleep, and the gatekeepers of Mathura too, as Anakadundubhi departed. As the clouds poured heavy rain that night, Shesha covered Anakadundubhi with his hoods and went forth. Vasudeva, carrying Vishnu, crossed the Yamuna, which was exceedingly deep and filled with swirling currents, its water reaching up to his knees. There, on the bank, he saw Nanda and the elder cowherds, who had come to pay tribute to Kamsa. At that time, Yashoda too was overcome by Yogamaya’s sleep, and as the people were deluded, she gave birth to that very girl. Vasudeva, of immeasurable splendor, quickly placed the boy on Yashoda’s bed and took the girl. When Yashoda awoke, she saw her newborn son, dark as a blue lotus petal, and was filled with great joy. Vasudeva then brought the girl to his own house and placed her on Devaki’s bed, remaining as before. Hearing the cry of the child, the guards immediately arose and informed Kamsa of Devaki’s delivery.