The gods had gathered, led by Indra, the vanquisher of Vṛtra, accompanied by the two Aśvins, Varuṇa, the Rudras, Vasus, Sūryas, Vāyu, Agni, and others who brought joy to the worlds. Together, they approached the Supreme Lord, declaring, “O Lord of the gods, we are ever ready to fulfill your commands. Whatever task you assign, we shall carry out, always at your service.” Hearing their devotion, the sage Parāśara recounts, the Supreme Lord was pleased. He drew from his own body two hairs—one white, one black. Addressing the assembled gods, he said, “These two hairs, descending to earth, will relieve the world’s burden. Let all of you, with your own divine portions, descend as well and wage war against the great, mad demons who have arisen.” He assured them, “When I descend, those demons will be utterly destroyed—there is no doubt. The goddess-like Devakī, wife of Vasudeva, will bear the eighth embryo—my hair. There, my descent will slay Kaṃsa and the reborn Kālanemi.” With these words, Hari vanished from their sight. The gods, now invisible to mortal eyes, bowed to the great sage and departed to the summit of Meru, from where they descended to earth. Meanwhile, the sage Nārada went to Kaṃsa and revealed, “The eighth embryo of Devakī will be born, O sustainer of the earth.” Kaṃsa, enraged upon hearing this, confined Devakī and Vasudeva in his house, keeping them under strict guard. As Vasudeva had previously promised, so again he handed over each newborn son to Kaṃsa. The six sons, offspring of Hiranyakashipu, by Vishnu’s will, entered Devakī’s womb through the power of sleep. Yoganidra, Vishnu’s great illusion, by whom the world is deluded, was addressed by the blessed Hari: “O Sleep, by my command, go to the lower realms and transfer the six sons, one by one, into Devakī’s womb. After Kaṃsa slays them, Shesha, a portion of myself, will become the seventh in her womb as a partial manifestation. In Gokula, Vasudeva’s other wife Rohini resides; you must transfer the embryo from Devakī to Rohini’s womb at the same time. People, fearing the Bhoja king’s cruelty, will believe Devakī’s seventh child was miscarried. Because of this transfer, that hero, shining like the snowy mountain’s peak, will be known as Sankarshana.” Hari continued, “Then I shall be born in Devakī’s auspicious womb. But you, O goddess, must quickly go to Yashoda, carrying my brilliance. In the rainy season, on the eighth night of the dark fortnight, I will be born at night; you will give birth on the ninth day. On Yashoda’s bed, I will be placed, and you will be placed by Devakī; Vasudeva, impelled by my power, will carry this out. Kaṃsa will seize you and throw you upon a mountain summit, and you will attain your divine form. Then Indra, the thousand-eyed wielder of the discus, will bow to you in respect and accept you as his sister. You will slay thousands of demons like Shumbha and Nishumbha, and you will adorn the earth with many abodes. You are prosperity, humility, forbearance, beauty, sky, earth, steadfastness, modesty, nourishment, and even wrath—whatever else exists, you are that as well. Those who call you Arya, Durga, Vedagarbha, Ambika, Bhadra, Bhadrakali, Kshema-da, or Bhagya-da—morning and afternoon, these devoted ones will praise you with bowed forms; whatever they desire will be granted by my favor. When honored with offerings of liquor, meat, and various foods, you will graciously grant all people’s wishes.” As the Lord commanded, she who sustains the world arranged the transfer of the embryo and the extraction of another. When Rohini’s seventh month arrived, Hari entered Devakī’s womb for the benefit of the three worlds. On that very day, as declared by the Supreme Lord, Yogamaya entered Yashoda’s womb. Then, O twice-born, the planets moved harmoniously across the sky; as Vishnu’s portion descended to earth, the seasons became auspicious. Devakī shone with extraordinary brilliance, so radiant that none could bear to look at her; her shining disturbed their minds. The hosts of gods, unseen by mortals, continuously praised Devakī, who bore Vishnu’s form. They sang: “You are the supreme, subtle nature, the origin of Brahma’s womb; you became the speech of the world’s creator, the womb of the Vedas. You are the womb of the sun’s form, the eternal source of creation; you are the seed of all, the essence of sacrifice, the triple Veda. You are the womb of fruit, the object of worship; the womb of fire and the arani; Aditi, the womb of gods, and Diti, the womb of demons. You are the womb of light, the womb of day; the womb of knowledge, humility; the womb of guidance, supreme conduct; modesty and the womb of respect. You are the womb of desire and will, satisfaction and contentment; intelligence, the womb of wisdom, and fortitude, the womb of courage.” Thus, the gods rejoiced, praising the divine mystery unfolding within Devakī, as the Supreme Lord prepared to descend for the world’s deliverance.