The life journey of the foster mother of lord Krishna – reincarnation of the Hindu deity of preservation.
Image Source: Raja Ravi Varma
EARLY LIFE
Yashoda was the mother who brought up lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of the famous Hindu deity Vishnu, god of preservation of life. The name Yashoda means successful, one who is destined to be famous or giver of fame. The biological parents of Krishna were Devaki and Vasudev. An unfortunate turn of events took place where Krishna’s real parents were threatened by his own uncle, Kans. Kans wanted to kill Krishna after a premonition stating he will be killed by his own nephew. To protect the baby, Vasudev gave him to his cousin, Nand and his wife Yashoda. The couple brought Krishna up like their very own son with love and care. Krishna is viewed as the perfect son and Yashoda the model mother. This relationship forms a major part of Yashoda’s life and identity. It was a boon through which she and her husband were blessed with the privilege to parent the god himself.
LIFE EVENTS AND CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
The mother son duo of Yashoda and Krishna is extremely famous and deemed as idealistic in Hinduism. There are countless anecdotes, songs of praises, rhymes and prayers written and dedicated to them. The loving bond filled with devotion is aspired in the culture of Hinduism and celebrated widely. Their equation also has a bittersweet tangent to it as Krishna was recognized to be a mischievous kid. He either kept troubling others or walked into trouble himself. Not knowing that Krishna was the very avatar of the supreme god himself, Yashoda worried immensely and kept punishing him for his misdeeds.
Krishna was a fan of eating churned butter and no matter how much he consumed it, it would not suffice his hunger. Even when he was not allowed to eat his, he kept breaking earthen pots that stored the dairy and ate it. He then used to hide from a furious Yashoda until he was finally caught and reprimanded. Despite this, she pampered and protected Krishna a lot. When their neighbours and villagers used to complain regarding Krishna’s pranks, she too used to think of it as harmless and funny and let Krishna off the hook.
A popular mythological anecdote narrates the shock experienced by Yashoda when she realised her son isn’t ordinary but a deity himself. Krishna as a toddler once ate sand and denied it when his mother inquired. An angry Yashoda demanded that he open his mouth and prove it to her. When Krishna opened his mouth, it displayed the depths of the entire Universe, the seven oceans, the lord himself sitting on a divine snake, Adishesha along with his wife Mahalaxmi. Yashoda fell unconscious in an instant upon witnessing this incredible sight.
It was well established that Krishna used to tease the young lasses or gopis of the village. He used to pelt stones on their water and butter filled earthen pots as a practical joke. When such acts of disobedience were brought to Yashoda’s notice, she used to tie Krishna up with ropes. But even while punishing her maternal softness used to take over and she could not be harsh with her beloved son.
LIFE LESSONS
Her pure love and affection towards Krishna is an epitome of motherhood. Even though he was not her biological son, she raised him like one and grew attached to him just as much. Her tender upbringing moulded Krishna into a brave, wise, caring man who went on becoming the king of Dwarka. It was Yashoda’s will to dedicate her life and serve the lord that gave her the opportunity to provide for Krishna. The unconditional kindness of Yashoda is reflected through her ability to love a child who isn’t her own.
