Yasoda
Encyclopedia
Yasoda/Yashoda was wife of Nanda
within the Puranic texts of Hinduism
. Within the Bhagavata Purana
it is described that Yasoda later became the foster-mother to Krishna
, who was born to Devaki
but was given to Yashoda and Nanda in Gokul
, by Krishna's father Vasudeva
on the night of his birth, for his protection from Devaki's brother, the king of Mathura, Kansa
.
Various childhood episodes or Lilas of Krishna, growing in Yashoda's household abound in Hindu
religious texts, important amongst them are, Krishna giving darshan to Yashoda with his Vishwaroopa or his Divine Form. Also it is stated by Ved Vyasa in Mahabharata
, the main Epic which portrays Lord Krishna as principal hero, that venerable sage Maharishi Narada
once visited Lord Krishna at Brindavan.
Lord Krishna as usual was playing in sand and was swallowing it. Mother Yashoda, upon seeing it, was furious with Krishna for disobeying her and punished Krishna by tying him to a grinding stone. Upon witnessing this act a couplet broke forth Sage Narada "Enna Davam Saidhanai, Yashoda" which in Tamil
literally means: "What penance have You (Mother Yashoda) undertaken to be bestowed with the powers to punish the supreme Lord (Narayana
)". And also seen as a question to the Lord himself as to how he accepts all this. It literally means what penance Yashoda had undertaken in her previous birth to be bestowed upon with the powers to punish, love, and care for the Supreme Lord Vishnu (Lord Satyanarayana also known as Emperor of Gods in Hindu Scriptures).
Upon this request it is said that Lord Krishna opens his mouth in front of Yashoda who sees the Seven Oceans, the entire Universe with its vast expanse and also Lord Narayana seated upon Adishesha (The Divine Snake), attended upon by his beloved consort Mahalakshmi. Upon this divine intervention, Mother Yashoda faints only to be revived by Lord Krishna and attended by Sage Narada, who explains to her about Krishna's Life., Krishna stealing the butter, Krishna tied to mortar especially in couplets written by poet-saint Surdas
, where her deep affection for Krishna becomes an epitome of 'Vatsalya Prema', Mother's Love and even 'Vatsalya Bhakti
’, Mother's Devotion,.
(the son of Rohini
) and his sister Subhadra
. She is also sometimes described as having her own daughter, known as Ekānaṅgā.
Nanda (mythology)
Nanda or Nandagopa, according to the Harivamsha and the Puranas, was the head of the gopas .It is said that Nand Baba owned 9 lakhs of cows . Nandvanshis or Ahirs are descendants of Nand. The night of Krishna's appearance or birth, Vasudeva brought Krishna to Nanda for Krishna's childhood years...
within the Puranic texts of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
. Within the Bhagavata Purana
Bhagavata purana
The Bhāgavata Purāṇa is one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, with its primary focus on bhakti to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna...
it is described that Yasoda later became the foster-mother to Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
, who was born to Devaki
Devaki
In Hinduism, Devaki is the wife of Vasudeva and biological mother of Krishna.She was the daughter of Devaka, the younger brother of King Ugrasena of Mathura. She was a partial incarnation of Aditi, the mother of the Devas.-Imprisonment :...
but was given to Yashoda and Nanda in Gokul
Gokul
-In Vedic Scripture:-Geography:Gokul is located at . It has an average elevation of 163 metres .-Demographics: India census, Gokul had a population of 4041. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Gokul has an average literacy rate of 60%, higher than the national average of...
, by Krishna's father Vasudeva
Vasudeva
In Hindu itihasa , Vasudeva is the father of Krishna, the son of Shoorsen, of the Yadu and Vrishni dynasties. His sister Kunti was married to Pandu. He was a partial incarnation of Rishi Kashyap....
on the night of his birth, for his protection from Devaki's brother, the king of Mathura, Kansa
Kamsa
In Hinduism, Kamsa or Kansa , often known as Kans in Hindi, is the brother of Devaki, and ruler of the Vrishni kingdom with its capital at Mathura. His father was King Ugrasena and mother was Queen Padmavati...
.
Yasoda and Krishna
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religious texts, important amongst them are, Krishna giving darshan to Yashoda with his Vishwaroopa or his Divine Form. Also it is stated by Ved Vyasa in Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
, the main Epic which portrays Lord Krishna as principal hero, that venerable sage Maharishi Narada
Narada
Narada or Narada Muni is a divine sage from the Vaisnava tradition, who plays a prominent role in a number of the Puranic texts, especially in the Bhagavata Purana, and in the Ramayana...
once visited Lord Krishna at Brindavan.
Lord Krishna as usual was playing in sand and was swallowing it. Mother Yashoda, upon seeing it, was furious with Krishna for disobeying her and punished Krishna by tying him to a grinding stone. Upon witnessing this act a couplet broke forth Sage Narada "Enna Davam Saidhanai, Yashoda" which in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
literally means: "What penance have You (Mother Yashoda) undertaken to be bestowed with the powers to punish the supreme Lord (Narayana
Narayana
Narayana or Narayan or Naraina is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary vernaculars a common Indian name. Narayana is also identified as the original man, Purusha. The Puranas present divergent views on Narayana...
)". And also seen as a question to the Lord himself as to how he accepts all this. It literally means what penance Yashoda had undertaken in her previous birth to be bestowed upon with the powers to punish, love, and care for the Supreme Lord Vishnu (Lord Satyanarayana also known as Emperor of Gods in Hindu Scriptures).
Upon this request it is said that Lord Krishna opens his mouth in front of Yashoda who sees the Seven Oceans, the entire Universe with its vast expanse and also Lord Narayana seated upon Adishesha (The Divine Snake), attended upon by his beloved consort Mahalakshmi. Upon this divine intervention, Mother Yashoda faints only to be revived by Lord Krishna and attended by Sage Narada, who explains to her about Krishna's Life., Krishna stealing the butter, Krishna tied to mortar especially in couplets written by poet-saint Surdas
Surdas
Surdas, the 15th century sightless saint, poet and musician, is known for his devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. Surdas is said to have written and composed a hundred thousand songs in his magnum opus the 'Sur Sagar' , out of which only about 8,000 are extant...
, where her deep affection for Krishna becomes an epitome of 'Vatsalya Prema', Mother's Love and even 'Vatsalya Bhakti
Bhakti
In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...
’, Mother's Devotion,.
Yashoda and Balarama
Yasoda also played an important role in the upbringing of BalaramaBalarama
Balarama , also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra and Halayudha, is the elder brother of the divine being, Krishna in Hinduism. Within Vaishnavism Hindu traditions Balarama is worshipped as an Avatar of Vishnu, and he is also listed as such in the Bhagavata Purana...
(the son of Rohini
Rohini Devi
In Hinduism, Rohini Devi is a consort of Vasudeva. She is the mother of Balarama and Subhadra, and played a prominent role in the nurture of Krishna. She was a partial incarnation of Kadru, the mother of the snakes.-Vasudeva's imprisonment:...
) and his sister Subhadra
Subhadra
Image:Jagannath, Baladev and Subadra in Radhadesh.jpg|thumb|right|250px|alt=|Subhadra, flanked by her brothers Balarama and Jagannatha . Deities of the Radhadesh temple in Belgium...
. She is also sometimes described as having her own daughter, known as Ekānaṅgā.
Separation from Krishna
With the discovery of Krishna's real parents as well as the public knowledge that he is the heir apparent of Mathura, Yashoda had to let go of her son in the end. This episode and pain of separation of adopted son and foster mother has been depicted in several folk tales, songs and films. While leaving Nandgram, Krishna declares that Yashoda would always be designated as his de facto mother.See also
- Gaudiya VaishnavismGaudiya VaishnavismGaudiya Vaishnavism is a Vaishnava religious movement founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in India in the 16th century. "Gaudiya" refers to the Gauḍa region with Vaishnavism meaning "the worship of Vishnu"...
- KrishnaKrishnaKrishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
- Krishna Janmashtami
- NandvanshiNandvanshiNanda or Nandagopa, according to the Harivamsha and the Puranas, was the head of the gopas .It is said that Nand Baba owned 9 lakhs of cows Nandvanshi Ahirs are descendants of Nand....
- YaduYaduYadu is one of the five Indo-Aryan tribes mentioned in the Rig Veda . The Mahabharata, the Harivamsha and the Puranas mention Yadu as the eldest son of king Yayati and his queen Devayani. The prince of King Yayati, Yadu was a self-respecting and a very established ruler...
- Yaduvanshi Ahirs