When the seventh month arrived, under the auspicious star Rohini, the supreme Lord Hari entered the womb of Devaki for the welfare of all three worlds. On that very day, as the Lord himself had ordained, the divine power Yogamaya entered the womb of Yashoda. At this sacred moment, the planets moved in harmonious alignment across the sky. As a portion of Vishnu descended to earth, the seasons themselves became filled with auspiciousness. Devaki, now bearing the Lord within her, radiated with such extraordinary brilliance that no one could bear to look at her; her shining presence disturbed the minds of all who saw her. Unseen by ordinary men and women, the hosts of gods gathered and ceaselessly praised Devaki, who was now carrying Vishnu's divine form. They addressed her with reverence, singing: “You are the supreme, subtle nature, the very origin from which Brahma was born. O beautiful one, you became the speech of the world's creator, the womb of the Vedas themselves. You are the source of the sun's form, the eternal origin of creation. You are the seed of all beings, the essence of sacrifice, and the embodiment of the triple Veda. “You are the origin of all fruits, the object of worship; you are the source of fire and the arani that kindles it. You are Aditi, mother of the gods, and Diti, the mother of the demons. You are the womb of light, the bringer of day, the source of knowledge and humility. You are the origin of guidance and supreme conduct, modesty, and the very foundation of respect. You are the womb of desire and will, satisfaction and contentment; you are intelligence, the source of wisdom, fortitude, and courage. “You are the origin of planets, stars, and constellations, and the vast sky is your support. These are your powers, O goddess, and countless others besides. O sustainer of the world, within your womb are contained all the adornments of creation—oceans, mountains, islands, forests, and cities. All villages, hamlets, and settlements, the entire earth, every fire, every body of water, and every wind are within you. “The sky, filled with wondrous planets, stars, and hundreds of flying vehicles, gives space to all that exists. The realms of earth, atmosphere, heaven, and the higher worlds—Mahar, Jana, Tapas, and Brahma—all are encompassed by you, O auspicious one, as is the entire universe. Within this universe reside gods, demons, gandharvas, charanas, great serpents, yakshas, rakshasas, spirits, and hidden beings. “O illustrious one, all humans, animals, and living creatures dwell within you, and within and without them abides the infinite Lord, the creator and sustainer of all. He whose forms and actions are beyond the grasp of definition, who is measured by all things—he, O Vishnu, dwells within your womb. “You are ether, you are svadhā, you are knowledge and nectar, you are the light in the sky; you are svāhā, svadhā, knowledge, nectar, and light. You have descended to earth for the protection of all the worlds. Be gracious, O goddess. Bring auspiciousness and peace to all creation. With loving affection, you sustain the Lord by whom the entire universe is upheld.” Thus praised by the gods, Devaki bore within her womb the lotus-eyed one, the very cause of the world's protection. Then, for the awakening of all creation, before the dawn, the great-souled Acyuta appeared to Devaki. The day of his birth brought extraordinary joy and delight to all directions, just as moonlight brings happiness to the world. The virtuous felt a deeper contentment; fierce winds calmed; even wild animals became gentle at the birth of Janardana. The rivers played melodious tunes, the Gandharva lords sang, and the Apsarases danced in celebration. The gods in the sky and on earth showered flowers, and the sacred fires blazed peacefully and brightly as Janardana took birth. At midnight, when Janardana, the support of all, was born, the clouds rumbled softly and rained down flowers. When Vasudeva beheld the newborn, radiant as a blossoming blue lotus petal, with four arms and the sacred mark of Shrivatsa on his chest, he was filled with awe and devotion. He praised the Lord with words of worship and joy, but, mindful of Kamsa’s threat, he addressed the divine child: “O Lord of gods, bearer of conch, discus, and mace, withdraw this divine form by your grace. Today, Kamsa intends to kill me, knowing you have descended and are here in my house. “You, whose infinite form encompasses all, who bears within yourself the worlds—may you, the Lord of gods, manifest as a child by your own power, and be gracious. Withdraw, O soul of all, this four-armed form, so that Kamsa, the wicked son of Diti, does not know of your descent. What you promised me before, when I desired a son, has today been fulfilled, O goddess; I am born from your womb.” Having spoken thus, the Blessed One fell silent. Then, Vasudeva, taking the divine child during the night, prepared to leave. The guards outside, their senses enchanted by Yogamaya’s sleep, did not notice Anakadundubhi as he left Mathura. As fierce rain fell from the clouds that night, Shesha, the serpent, followed Vasudeva, sheltering him with his great hood. Carrying Vishnu, Vasudeva entered the deep, swirling waters of the Yamuna. The river rose up to his knees, but he crossed it safely. On the opposite bank, after offering Kamsa’s tax, he saw Nanda and the other cowherds who had come from Mathura. At that very moment, Yashoda, overcome by Yogamaya’s sleep, gave birth to a baby girl, while all around her remained under the divine enchantment.