Krishna’s Compassion to Demoness Putana – Mercy Beyond Malice

After Krishna’s birth in Mathura, His father Vasudeva secretly carried Him across the Yamuna to Gokula to protect Him from the cruel King Kamsa, who had been warned by a divine prophecy that the eighth child of Devaki would be his destroyer. By the Lord’s arrangement, everyone in Gokula believed baby Krishna was the son of Nanda Maharaj and Mother Yashoda.

Lingering Danger from Kamsa

Though safely hidden in the peaceful cowherd village, danger still loomed. Kamsa, obsessed with finding and killing the child, sent many demons to destroy newborns across the land. The first and most infamous was Putana, a witch expert in black magic, who could disguise herself as a beautiful woman and kill infants by feeding them poisoned milk. While returning home from Mathura after paying taxes to Kamsa, Nanda Maharaj remembered Vasudeva’s warning about danger in Gokula. Trusting this friendly advice, he sought shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Putana’s Entrance into Gokula

Kamsa sent the witch Putana to kill children using black magic. Such witches only succeed where the holy name of Krishna is not chanted. Putana entered Gokula disguised as a beautiful woman, and the cowherd women mistook her for a goddess. She found baby Krishna and sensed His divine power, fearing His strength but intending to kill Him.

The Fatal Feeding

As Putana approached Krishna, He closed His eyes. By offering her breast milk, Putana became one of seven types of mothers in Vedic culture. When she held Krishna and offered poisoned milk, He sucked the milk-poison along with the life air of the demon and killed her by sucking out her life. Putana cried out in fear as Krishna’s power overwhelmed her. Her death caused cosmic vibrations, and her demon form was revealed, frightening all. The gopis immediately ran to rescue Krishna and purified Him with cow urine and dust created by the hooves of the cows was thrown all over His body while chanting Vishnu’s names.

Purification and Liberation of Putana

The villagers burned Putana’s body, and the fragrant smoke signified her sinful nature was purified by Krishna, granting her liberation. This shows how even enemies of Krishna can be saved through contact with Him. This pastime illustrates Krishna’s mercy. If Putana was saved by offering poisoned milk, how much greater is the benefit for loving devotees? Even minimal devotional service yields immense spiritual benefit.