Salvation of Satakasura

Krishna was growing in Gokulam, away from Kamsa.  After the death of Boodhaki (Putana), the people of Gokulam were aware of the dangers that little Krishna might get. Since they are paying taxes to Kamsa, the king of Mathura in terms of milk products, they were conscious that Kamsa is the one who is trying to kill Krishna and is sending demons to Gokulam. So they started taking better care of Krishna. Yashoda, to keep an eye on Krishna, never sleeps when there’s no one in the house. The people of Gokulam even hid him in different houses at times and kept moving Krishna from house of house. The people were so worried that they even stayed awake at night to protect Krishna.

Three months have passed after Krishna being brought to Gokulam and the entire Gokulam was happy that there has been no threat for him in these days. But still people never left Krishna alone for a moment. Yashoda made sure Krishna is always close to her. One day, it was in the late morning and Yashoda has bathed Krishna and fed him. Nanda Gopa was not in the house and only Balram and Krishna were in the house. Yashoda was having household works to take care of and the maids were working outside the house. Worried Yashoda took Krishna in front of the house where people are working and Balram joined with the kids who were playing outside. Since there are people outside and the whole area is alive, she placed Krishna under a cart, in the shade. She made sure Krishna is safe beneath the cart and was working across the cart, doing household works.

Poor Yashoda did not know that the cart itself is a demon named Satakasura sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna. Satakasura has turned himself into a cart and tried to kill Krishna by crushing him to the ground. Now that Krishna is sleeping beneath the cart, he thought this would be the right time to kill Krishna. While he was pressing the cart to the ground, Krishna started to squeal aloud wildly with his fists clenched, as if he had a bad dream.  He was awake and still wailing, he started kicking his legs in the air like any baby would do. Kicking his legs aggressively, Krishna overturned the cart and killed Satakasura with a kick! Krishna did not do anything extraordinary. He behaved like any baby would do but only that Satakasura was caught in the aftermath of the actions.

In his previous life, Sakatasura was Utkaca, son of demon Hiranyaksha. While having fun in the forest, he trampled and destroyed the green trees and the creepers of Rishi Lomasa’s ashram. Rishi became angry and cursed him, “May you become bodiless.” Utkaca realized his fault and fell at the feet of the Rishi and begged for forgiveness. Pleased by Utkaca’s act, Rishi said, “You will be liberated from the curse by the touch of Lord Krishna’s feet.” And now, by a casual kick from Krishna, Satakasura was liberated from his curse and attained Moksha.

Worried Yashoda and others came running towards the cart and saw Krishna who has stopped crying and started smiling while the cart was broken. There was a small scratch in Krishna’s feet. Yashoda took Krishna in her hands and kept him close to her heart. People of Gokulam saw the cart being transformed into a demon. They later cremated Satakasura in the forest. Thus Satakasura was killed and he attained Moksha. The people of Gokulam rejoiced after seeing Krishna safe and secured.