The Untold Story of Yogamaya: Krishna's Sister and Her Divine Role

The Birth of Krishna and Yogamaya

The tale of Lord Krishna's birth is well-known to many. From childhood, we have heard about the divine exploits of Krishna. On the day of his birth, a girl named Yogamaya was also born to Yashoda and Nanda in Gokul.

Nanda and Vasudev exchanged their children, leading to an assassination attempt on Yogamaya by Kansa, who sought to kill Krishna. Let’s delve deeper into the story of Yashoda's daughter.

According to the Bhagavata Purana, when Krishna was born as the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudev in a prison in Mathura, a girl was born simultaneously in Gokul at Nanda Baba and Yashoda's home. Following Krishna's birth, Vasudev, following divine instructions, carried the newborn Krishna across the Yamuna to Gokul. He then placed Yashoda's newborn daughter (named Ansh or Yogamaya) in Krishna's place and returned to the Mathura jail with her.

Upon learning of the birth of Devaki's eighth child, Kansa rushed to kill him. However, when he threw the girl to the ground, she escaped his grasp and manifested in the sky as a goddess, declaring, 'Fool! The one destined to kill you has already been born and is safe elsewhere.' This girl later became worshipped as 'Vindhyavasini Devi' on the Vindhya mountains.

Yogamaya is regarded as the divine energy of Lord Vishnu. She is also known by names such as Katyayani, Chamunda, Bhavani, and Vindhyavasini. Her worship holds special significance during Navratri and other festivals. It is said that the gods informed her that her earthly mission was complete and that she could return to the heavenly realm. However, she declared her intention to remain on Earth in various forms, promising to appear to devotees in whichever form they worship her. Consequently, the gods established a sacred site for her at Vindhyachal, where she continues to be revered.