IN THE COMPANY OF KRISHNA - 20. TRUNAVARTA

 

Trinavarta was a demon sent by King Kamsa to kill baby Krishna. Kamsa was afraid because it was predicted that Krishna would one day defeat him. Trinavarta had magical powers and took the form of a strong whirlwind to carry out the task.

At that time, Krishna was growing up in a village called Ambadi. One day, his foster mother, Yashoda, was feeding him when she suddenly felt Krishna becoming very heavy. The weight became so great that she could hardly move. She somehow placed Krishna on a mat and stepped outside.

While she was away, Trinavarta came in the form of a whirlwind and took Krishna high into the sky. But something strange happened—Krishna became heavier and heavier. Trinavarta couldn’t carry him anymore. Krishna then grabbed tightly onto the demon’s neck and chest, making it hard for him to breathe. Unable to escape, Trinavarta crashed to the ground and died.

This story shows Krishna’s divine power, even as a baby. It also teaches that no matter how strong evil may seem, good will always win in the end.

The story of Trinavarta and infant Krishna appears in the Bhagavata Purana (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam), which is one of the major texts of Sanskrit literature dedicated to the life and teachings of Lord Krishna. Below are the key sources and references:

Primary Source:

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (Bhagavata Purana), Canto 10 (Daśama Skandha) Chapter 7: "The Killing of the Demon Tṛṇāvarta"

तं दृष्ट्वा तत्र न दृश्यं गोप्यः सन्दिग्धचेतसः। सन्दिदृक्षवो गोकुलं समन्तात् परितोऽन्विषन्॥​

taṁ dṛṣṭvā tatra na dṛśyaṁ gopyaḥ sandigdha-cetasaḥ
sandidṛkṣavo gokulaṁ samantāt parito 'nviṣan​

नन्दादयोऽन्ये च गोपा यशोदावचनातुरा:। कृष्णं न दृष्ट्वा चक्रु: स्वं शोकं संस्तम्भितेन्द्रियाः॥​

nandādayo 'nye ca gopā yaśodā-vacana-āturāḥ
kṛṣṇaṁ na dṛṣṭvā cakruḥ svaṁ śokaṁ saṁstambhitendriyāḥ​

तं दृष्ट्वा पतितं भूमौ मृतं गोपाः समागताः। कृष्णं च तस्योपर्युपविष्टं तं विस्मिता अपि॥​

taṁ dṛṣṭvā patitaṁ bhūmau mṛtaṁ gopāḥ samāgatāḥ
kṛṣṇaṁ ca tasyopary upaviṣṭaṁ taṁ vismitā api​

उत्थाप्याङ्के निधायैनं गोपा गोप्यश्च विस्मिताः। कृष्णं परं विस्मयन्तः स्वगृहान् प्रत्यपायन॥​

utthāpya aṅke nidhāyainaṁ gopā gopyaś ca vismitāḥ
kṛṣṇaṁ paraṁ vismayantaḥ sva-gṛhān pratyapāyana​

     These verses depict the episode where the demon Tṛṇāvarta, taking the form of a whirlwind, abducts baby Krishna. However, Krishna increases His weight, forcing Tṛṇāvarta to crash to the ground and die, with Krishna unharmed and sitting atop the demon's chest.

Additional Mentions:

The story is retold or referenced in other devotional texts such as: Hari-vamsa (a supplement to the Mahabharata), Vishnu Purana (similar account of Krishna’s childhood)

 

 

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