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This story is from the epic, Bhagavatham
(the Bhagavad Purana). King Kamsa has realized that he is destined to be
killed by his nephew, Sri Krishna. Stilll, he wants to kill the
'cow-herd's child' at Ambadi (Sri Krishna) and deputes the demoness 'Poothana'
to achieve his goal.
Poothana in the form of a beautiful
woman (Lalitha) enters the landscape of Ambadi, describes the beautiful
girls and their dances, looks around with surprise at the grandeur of
Mount Govardhan, the valleys, the cows grazing in the valley, the
Gopikas churning butter out of curd, and finally she enters the house of
Lord Sri Krishna, unnoticed by anyone.
On viewing the divine child, Poothana
suddenly is confronted with conflicting emotions. To attempt to return
to Kamsa is to invite certain death, and, any attempt to tamper with the
life of Lord Krishna will also end her life. She chooses the latter,
for, in the event of ending her life at the hands of the Lord will get
her Moksha or salvation.
She feeds Baby Krishna her poisoned
breast. But, lo!, he draws out the last drop of life-blood out of her.
She tries to separate him but in vain. She falls dead assuming her real
form. She then attains Moksha.
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