Vasudeva & Devaki, Nanda & Yashoda
Vasudeva and Devaki
Kashyapa from Goloka descend to earth as Vasudeva and exalted Aditi as Devaki.
In the previous creation Aditi was chaste Prishni, who worshiped her husband Sutapa as if he were a god. Kashyapa in the previous creation was Sutapa, who desired to create children. By Brahma’s order Prishni and Sutapa performed great and splendid austerities, fasting from food and drink.
When in time the manvantara had passed, there austerity to attain children continued. Then Lord Krishna became pleased with both.
Lord Krishna said, “Ask a benediction.”
Hearing this, Prishni and Sutapa said, “May we have a son like You.”
Lord Krishna said, “So be it,” and left.
Then Prishni and Sutapa became a Prajapati couple.
Lord Krishna thought, “No one is like Me,” Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, became there son, famous in the world as Shri Prishnigarbha. Then a second time Lord Krishna again became there son as Indra’s younger brother Vamana.
Now Lord Krishna, the Supreme Lord, greater than the greatest, have again become there son. Prishni appeared as Devaki and Kashyapa appeared as Vasudeva.
Lord Krishna said to Vasudeva, “Take Me to Nanda’s palace. Don’t fear Kamsa. Take (Nanda’s) daughter and you will become happy.”
Nanda and Yashoda
Vasu Drona from Goloka descend to earth as Nanda, and Dhara as Yashoda.
I will also explain the great austerities Drona and Dhara did that Shri Krishnacandra became their son.
Drona, Dhara’s husband, was the best of the eight Vasus. Childless, and a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, he ruled a kingdom in the realm of the demigods.
He desired a child. Sent by the demigod Brahma, he went with his wife Dhara to Mount Mandara to perform austerities.
First they ate only fruits and roots. Then they ate only leaves. Then they only drank water. Then, staying in a secluded place, they did not even drink water.
After they has spent a hundred million years performing these austerities, the demigod Brahma, pleased with them, approached and said, “Ask a benediction”.
Emerging from an anthill with his wife, Dhara, jubilant Drona, bowing down and worshiping him, spoke to Lord Brahma.
Shri Drona said: “O Brahma, may Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, become our son, and may we both always have love and devotion for him, the Lord who removes the sufferings of His devotees.”
“Love and devotion for Him enables the living entities to cross the impassable ocean of repeated birth and death. O Brahma, we two who are performing austerities desire nothing else.”
Shri Brahama said: Although I myself cannot attain the benediction you request, I grant that your desire will be fulfilled in another birth.
Drona was born as Nanda on the earth and Dhara was born as Yashoda. To fulfill Brahma’s words, Lord Krishna went from His father’s palace to the village of Vraja.