Sūta spoke, inviting all to listen to the tale of Kamsa’s cruelty: how, with a mind clouded by fear and futility, he crushed each son born to Anakadundubhi—Vasudeva—one after another. But Krishna, endowed with mighty arms, was sent away at birth to escape Kamsa’s wrath. Out of fear for the child’s safety, Govinda—the foremost among men—was raised among the cows, far from the reach of his wicked uncle. Long before these events, Devaki, the wise and noble wife of Vasudeva, once rode in a chariot driven by Kamsa himself, who was then the crown prince. In that moment, a wondrous event occurred: a divine voice, resonant and powerful, echoed across the sky for all worlds to hear. This celestial proclamation filled Kamsa with dread, for its words foretold his doom. The voice declared, “O Kamsa, you drive this chariot for Devaki, but not for your own sake. Her seventh pregnancy shall bring about your death.” Stricken by terror and confusion, Kamsa, in his folly, seized his sword and rushed forth, intent on killing his own sister, Devaki. But Vasudeva, ever valiant and wise, intervened. With words of friendship and reason, he spoke to Kamsa, son of Ugrasena: “No Kshatriya is ever justified in killing a woman. I have devised another way, O joy of the Yadus. When her seventh pregnancy arises, I shall deliver the child to you; do with it as you will. All her future children will be in your hands—I promise to hand them over to you.” Appeased by Vasudeva’s solemn promise, Kamsa relented and allowed Devaki to live. Vasudeva, reunited with his wife, rejoiced, but Kamsa, blinded by wickedness, continued to slay the sons born to them. The sages, eager to understand the deeper truth, inquired: “Who is this Vasudeva, and who is the illustrious Devaki? Who is Nandagopa, and who is the renowned Yashoda? Who gave birth to Vishnu, and who raised him?” Sūta answered: “The men came from the lineage of Kashyapa, and the women from the Adityas. By divine will, the mighty one—Vishnu—was born to Devaki and raised by her. He, the Supreme Lord, wandered the earth, taking on a human form and, through his yogic power and magical illusion, deluded all beings.” When righteousness waned and adharma prevailed, Vishnu took birth in the Vrishni clan, determined to restore dharma and destroy the demonic forces. In his earthly life, Krishna took many illustrious wives: Rukmini, Satyā (daughter of Nagnajit), Satrājitī, Satyabhāmā, Jāmbavatī, and Rohiṇī. He also wed Śaibyā, Sudevī, Mādrī, Suśīlā, Kālindī, Mitravindā, Lakṣmaṇā, and Jālavāsinī. In total, sixteen thousand divine women, along with fourteen groups of celestial nymphs, were specially sent by the gods and Indra to become Krishna’s wives, born in royal palaces for this very purpose. These illustrious women became renowned as the wives of Viṃṣvaksena. From these unions, many noble sons were born: Pradyumna, Cārudeṣṇa, Sudeṣṇa, Śarabha, Cāru, Cārubhadra, and Bhadracāru. Rukmini bore Cāruvindhya and a daughter, Cārumatī; others included Sānu, Bhānu, Akṣa, Rohita, and Mantraya. Satyabhama’s sons were Bhanur, Bhaumarika, Tamraparni, and Jarandhama. Jambavati’s children were Bhadra, Bhadragupta, Bhadravindra, Saptabahu, Bhadravati, and the famed Sambodhani. Sudevi bore Sangramajit, Shatajit, and Sahasrajit. Nagnajiti’s offspring included Vrka, Vrikashva, Vrikajit, the celestial lady Vrajini, Mitrabahu, and Sunitha. Thus, many sons and daughters were born, and the total number of Vasudeva’s children was vast. There were eight myriads of valiant sons, all skilled in battle, forming the illustrious lineage of Janardana. Among the daughters of Brihaduccha, the great-souled son of Shaunaka, were Brihati, Nartakonneya, Sunaya, and Sangata. Their sons—Angada, Kumuda, and Shveta—were renowned warriors, alongside a daughter named Shveta. Other notable offspring included Avagaha, Chitra, Shura, Citravara, Citraseṇa, and a daughter, Citravati. Upanga’s sons were Tumba, Tumbabana, Janastamba, Vajrara, and Kshipra. Bhurindra and Bhuri were the sons of Gavesha, while Yudhishthira’s daughter, Sutanur, was famed for her virtue. From Sutanur was born the illustrious Vajra, son of Ashvasuta; his son was Pratibahu, and Sucaru followed thereafter. Kashma bore Supārśva, the mighty son of Samba. Altogether, among the great-souled Yadavas, there were three crores of sons. Sixty thousand powerful sons, all possessing divine portions and great energy, were born in this lineage. The gods and mighty asuras who had been slain in previous ages took birth among men as Yadavas, oppressing humanity, so that they might be destroyed in this incarnation. There were eleven great clans of the Yadavas, and all the Akas and others belonged to the Vaishnava lineage. Vishnu himself dwelled among them as their measure and lord, and all men were bound by those who followed his command. Thus, the story of Krishna’s birth, his family, and his divine purpose on earth unfolded, revealing the wondrous tapestry of dharma and destiny.