Giving vent to these dreadful words, the goddess, by her own wished-for
way, rose up in the sky; and encircled by her own followers and in that
form she began to range in the celestial region (45). That girl,
worshipped by Vrishnis, grew up there. By the command of their kings the
gods brought her up like a child (46). That daughter, who was formerly
created by Brahmā through his yoga, was born with the Lord for
protecting Keshava (47). The Yādāvas daily worship her, who in her
celestial form, protected Krishna (48). After her departure Kansa took
her for the instrument of his death. And being ashamed he secretly said
to Devaki (49).
Kansa said:—"O Sister, I have made endless attempts to escape the hand
of death, and for this, I have destroyed many of your children. O Madam,
my death has now come from another quarter (50). Alas! being ruthless, I
have, with care, slain my own kinsmen, but have not been able to
supersede destiny by my manliness (51). Under the influence of bad time,
I have been the instrument of their death. Therefore cast off your
anxiety for the destruction of your embryos and your sorrow for the
death of your sons (52). It is Time that is the enemy of all and brings
about their destruction. It is Time that moves every thing. People, like
me, are merely the instruments (53). O lady, calamities, the inevitable
out-come of one’s own deeds, arrive of them selves in proper time. But
pity it is that (they think) ’I am the doer’ (54). Do not lament for
your sons and renounce your grief. Such is the course of men and no body
can undo the work of Time (55). The mischiefs, that I have done to you,
are all present in my mind. I throw myself at your feet like a son. Be
not offended with me" (56).
After Kansa had said this, the poor Devaki, with her face bathed in
tears, and casting her looks upon her husband said—"Rise up, my brother,
rise up." And then she addressed to him the following (57).
Devaki said:—"Being like the veritable Death, you have killed, before my
very eyes, all my children. You are not to blame for this. Death himself
is the instrument hereof (58). I forgive you for the sin that you have
committed by destroying my children, since, touching my feet with your
head you are repenting for your mis-deeds (59). Death, in old age and
while in the womb, is however inevitable. And it is equally difficult to
escape its hand even in boyhood and youth (60). This is all the work of
Time; you are merely an instrument. One, who is not born, is not to be
seen like air. One, who being born attains to the condition of one not
born is to be considered as such.²⁰³ All this is the work of Providence.
Death first carries away all and next the instrument is pointed out.
Therefore, go, my child, you are not the cause of my children’s death.
On account of various rites,²⁰⁴ pristine actions, the time of creation,
the works of parents, people meet with death."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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