Reading Notes: Krishna- Sister Nivedita, Part A

I decided to do more reading over Krishna and his adventures this week. I am taking notes over the second reading option for Krishna told by Sister Nivedita. I wanted to see if there were any major differences between the two versions. I also really liked the reading from last week, and I wanted to revisit these stories. I took notes over the Origin and Childhood.

(A picture of books in a library. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

• The origin of Krishna starts the same way
• He was the eight child born that was told of in the prophecy
• I noticed there was not as much background information provided in the reading
• This version of the stories are much more detailed
• There were a lot more visual details and emotions presented through this version of the writing
• This version seems to be less of a summary as small details are added to the events
• The small jackal guided Vasudeva out of the jail
• The events that unfold between Kansa and the baby girl are the same
• She slips from his grasp and ascends into the air as a goddess
• She proceeds to mock him for his wickedness
• She tells of Krishna's birth and how he will bring about Kansa's eventual downfall
• The evil demon Putana was sent to kill all babies by Kansa
• She is presented as a vampire in the version and is not mentioned as a demon
• Kansa proceeds to send more demons to kill the baby Krishna
• This produces no results as baby Krishna easily defeats and kills the demons that come his way
• Krishna was also a mischievous child that constantly gave his mother headaches
• His curiosity was truly insurmountable
• His family moves away as he turns seven and he us united with his brother and companion Bolarama

Bibliography: Cradle Tales of Hinduism, Krishna, by Sister Nivedita. Source: Blogspot.