The Purana Index v1.c5.s7.71

v1.c5.s7.71

*Kaṃsa* (I)—the eldest son of Ugrasena¹ and brother (cousin-Vā. P.) of Devakī. Took part in the festivities connected with the marriage of Devakī and Vasudeva, when he heard a voice from air that her eighth son would kill him. He at once drew his sword to slay Devakī when Vasudeva entreated him to spare her life promising to give him all her sons. To this he agreed. He did not take notice even of the first boy. Subsequently Nārada confirmed what he heard from the welkin. So he killed all her sons and put her and Vasudeva in jail. He waited for the seventh and was particularly afraid of the eighth Being informed of the birth of a girl, and without listening to his sister's appeal to spare the baby, he dashed it against a stone. It flew heavenwards and said that the baby born to vanquish him was safe. Disheartened, Kaṃsa let Vasudeva and Devakī free. Consulted his ministers who advised him to kill all infants in the kingdom, and to hurt all Brāhmaṇas and cows, the root cause of Hari’s dharma. Messengers were sent out on this mission.²