Neev: Hey there, everyone! Welcome back to Mythical Masala with Neev, where we serve up the most exciting stories from Indian mythology with a dash of fun and a whole lot of masala! I’m your host, Neev, and guess what? My amazing co-host is back! Say hi to Raahi!

Co-host: Hi, everyone! I’m so excited for today’s episode. Krishna’s childhood stories are some of the most entertaining and magical tales in mythology. I mean, who doesn’t love a mix of pranks, miracles, and epic battles?

Neev: Exactly! Today, we’ll explore Krishna’s early years—how he amazed his family, defeated demons, and, of course, got into plenty of mischief. Ready to dive in?

Co-host: Absolutely! Let’s get started.

Neev: As Krishna’s fame spread throughout the land, Kansa grew increasingly paranoid. He knew that Krishna was destined to be his downfall, so he ordered his demons to scour the earth and destroy the divine child. Among those demons was Putana, one of the most fearsome demonesses in his service who could shapeshift.

Co-host: Shapeshifting villains are always the worst. What did she do?

Neev: Putana disguised herself as a gopi and entered Krishna’s home, planning to poison him with milk. But Krishna wasn’t fooled. As she tried to feed him, he sucked not just the milk but the life out of her. She writhed in pain, her true demonic form breaking through the gopi disguise. Finally, with a terrifying scream, she fell to the ground, lifeless.

Co-host: Note to self: never underestimate a baby with divine powers. I bet the people of Gokul were pretty shocked

Neev: Yashoda and Nanda ran outside and were horrified to see the scene. But they were also in awe of Krishna, realizing he had the power to protect himself—and others—from even the most dangerous threats. From that day on, Yashoda watched over Krishna with extra care.

Co-host: Although, let’s be real—keeping an eye on Krishna probably wasn’t the easiest task!

Neev: But that wasn’t the last time Kansa sent trouble to Gokul. Another day, a powerful demon named Trinivarta came with a plan to eliminate Krishna. Trinivarta could summon whirlwinds so strong they could tear trees out of the ground and flatten villages.

Co-host: Okay, so he’s like a weather-based supervillain. What’s next—floods and fireballs?

Neev: Close enough! One sunny day in Gokul, Krishna was sitting outside playing while Yashoda was busy indoors. Trinivarta spotted his chance. He summoned a massive whirlwind that engulfed Krishna and carried him high into the sky.

Co-host: I can only imagine Yashoda’s reaction. Let me guess—total panic

Neev: Completely. Yashoda and the gopis rushed outside, screaming and searching everywhere for Krishna. The whirlwind was so strong that dust and debris filled the air, making it impossible to see. Yashoda cried out, ‘Where is my son? Krishna, where are you?’

Co-host: Okay, my heart is racing just hearing this. But let me guess—Krishna wasn’t exactly worried, was he?

Neev: Not at all. As they soared higher, Krishna grabbed the demon by the neck with a grip so powerful that Trinivarta couldn’t break free.

Co-host: Baby vs. demon—a classic showdown! What happened next?

Neev: Krishna tightened his grip, forcing the demon to lose control of the whirlwind. Trinivarta plummeted to the ground, crashing into a rocky field. By the time Yashoda and the gopis arrived, they were shocked to find Krishna playing happily on the demon’s lifeless chest!

Co-host: Talk about a dramatic entrance. ‘Oh, hey, Mom. Don’t mind the giant defeated demon I’m sitting on.’

Neev: Exactly! Yashoda scooped Krishna into her arms, crying tears of relief. Once again, the people of Gokul were reminded of Krishna’s divine strength and his destiny to defeat evil.

Co-host: It’s amazing how Krishna handles these terrifying situations with such calm. Even as a baby, he’s a total boss!

Neev: After these events, Yashoda began worrying even more about Krishna’s safety. The repeated demon attacks and his growing displays of divine power made her uneasy. One evening, she turned to Nanda and said, ‘We must move away from Gokul. It’s too dangerous here.’

Co-host: Fair enough. I mean, if demons keep showing up, moving seems like a solid plan.

Neev: At first, Nanda wasn’t convinced. ‘Why should we leave?’ he asked. But Yashoda reminded him of everything Krishna had been through—the demons, the miracles, and even the universe in his mouth. She said, ‘Our son may be divine, but he’s still a child. We can’t keep taking chances.’

Co-host: Yashoda’s logic is solid. Even superheroes need a safe place to grow up.

Neev: Nanda finally agreed, and the family, along with the people of Gokul, moved to the lush, green village of Vrindavan. The new home was peaceful and full of life, with cows grazing, gopis churning butter, and children playing everywhere.

Co-host: Sounds like a perfect fresh start. But something tells me Krishna isn’t done shaking things up.

Neev: After settling in Vrindavan, Krishna and his brother Balarama quickly adapted to their new surroundings. The lush village became their playground, and every day brought new adventures. Krishna’s playful nature won everyone’s hearts, but his mischief? That was a whole other story.

Co-host: Let me guess—this is where the 'Makhan Chor' reputation kicks in?

Neev: Exactly! Krishna was always up to something, whether it was untying calves, stealing butter, or playing pranks on the gopis. One day, a gopi stormed into Yashoda’s house, fuming with anger. ‘Your son is very naughty, Yashoda!’ she complained.

Co-host: Uh-oh. What did he do this time?

Neev: She said, ‘When I went to milk the cow this morning, I found the calf untied and drinking all the milk! And do you know who I saw smiling at me from behind the tree? Your Krishna!’ Yashoda tried to apologize, but the gopi was too upset. She left, grumbling about how clever Krishna was.

Co-host: I mean, technically, he’s helping the calf, right? It’s hard to stay mad at him.

Neev: That’s what everyone thought! No matter how mischievous Krishna was, his charm always melted their hearts.

Neev: But Krishna’s favorite target was butter—or makhan. He loved it so much that the gopis nicknamed him 'Makhan Chor,' the Butter Thief. The gopis tried every trick to keep their butter safe—tying pots high up, locking them in cupboards, you name it. But Krishna always found a way.

Co-host: Let me guess—he got creative?

Neev: Very creative! One day, a gopi tied a pot of butter to the ceiling, thinking it was out of reach. But Krishna and his friends made a human pyramid to get to it. Just as they were helping themselves, the gopi walked in. Krishna tried to blame it on a cat, but the gopi wasn’t buying it.

Co-host: ‘A cat ate the butter’? That’s like the oldest excuse in the book!

Hey, do you know, on Janamshtami they break a pot of butter tied high up by making a similar human pyramid. 

Neev: One day, Krishna pushed his luck a little too far. A gopi came to Yashoda, absolutely livid. ‘Your son broke my pot of curd with a stone and ate everything inside!’ she complained.

Co-host: Wow. He’s really embracing the whole Butter Thief lifestyle, huh?

Neev: Totally! Yashoda sighed and said, ‘I’ll watch him more closely.’ But Krishna’s antics continued. It wasn’t long before more gopis arrived with similar complaints. Finally, Yashoda decided enough was enough. She scolded Krishna, saying, ‘Do you see how upset the gopis are because of you?’

Co-host: Uh-oh. How did Krishna handle the lecture?

Neev: He burst into tears, big drops rolling down his cheeks. His innocent face made the gopis instantly regret complaining. One of them said, ‘Please don’t scold him, Yashoda. He’s just a child.’ Another added, ‘We can’t bear to see him cry!’ And just like that, Krishna had them all on his side again.

Co-host: Haha - he turned them around pretty quick with his crocodile tears!

Neev: One hot afternoon, while everyone else was resting, Krishna heard a fruit-seller calling out. ‘Fruits! Fresh, juicy fruits! Buy my fruits to quench your thirst on this hot summer day!’ Krishna’s eyes lit up. He thought, ‘Fruits would be perfect right now!’

Co-host: I am thinking popsicles would be really good! 

Neev: So Krishna ran to the door and peeked outside. There stood a fruit-seller with a big basket of ripe, colorful fruits. Krishna asked her, ‘What do you want for the fruits?’ The woman smiled kindly and said, ‘Just bring me something in return, little one.’

Co-host: Let me guess—he didn’t have any money, did he?

Neev: Not a coin! But Krishna dashed back inside, grabbed a handful of grain, and offered it to the fruit-seller. Most of the grain slipped through his tiny fingers, but the fruit-seller was so charmed by his innocence that she gave him a whole basket of fruit anyway.

Co-host: That’s so sweet! But what’s the catch? Something magical always happens with Krishna.

Neev: You’re right! When the fruit-seller got home and opened her bag of grain, she found it had turned into priceless gems. She was overwhelmed with gratitude, realizing Krishna wasn’t just an ordinary child.

Co-host: Every interaction with Krishna seems to leave people amazed—or totally charmed!

Neev:
Now for one of Krishna’s most famous adventures. Along the Yamuna River, a giant serpent named Kaliya had poisoned the water, making it deadly for all life. 

Co-host:
Poisoned water? That sounds like a job for Krishna!

Neev: Exactly. Kaliya wasn’t just a regular snake—he was a five headed snake, the king of serpents, and his poison had turned the Yamuna River into a deadly trap. Birds that flew too close to the water would drop lifeless to the ground, and trees along the banks had withered and died. The villagers couldn’t drink from the river, and they lived in constant fear. The people of Vrindavan begged Krishna to save them.

Co-host: I love how calm he always is. Meanwhile, if it were me, I’d be like, ‘Nope, not dealing with a giant snake today.’

Neev: Krishna wasn’t afraid at all. He walked to the riverbank with his brother Balarama. Balarama, ever curious, asked, ‘Are you sure this is a good idea? That snake sounds dangerous.’ 

Co-host: Balarama and I are vibing for sure. Isn’t this the same snake that fled from Garuda?

Neev: You are absolutely right! Kaliya had chosen the Yamuna river because Garuda could not come there due to some curse. 

Krishna climbed a kadamba tree near the riverbank and took a moment to survey the poisonous water. Then, without hesitation, he jumped into the river. The splash echoed across the forest, and the poison burned the tree’s leaves as the water splashed back onto them.

Co-host: Wait, did he just dive straight into snake-infested, poisonous water? Talk about fearless!

Neev: Completely fearless! The ripples from his jump caught Kaliya’s attention. The massive serpent emerged from the depths of the river, his black scales glistening and his eyes glowing red with fury. He hissed, ‘Who dares disturb my waters? Do you not know that I am the king of serpents? No one who enters my domain leaves alive!’

Co-host: Yikes. I can picture this scene, and it’s giving me chills. What did Krishna do?

Neev: Krishna didn’t flinch. He swam closer to Kaliya, smiling as if he were greeting an old friend. Kaliya, enraged by Krishna’s calmness, lunged at him with his enormous jaws. At the same time, Kaliya’s loyal snakes surrounded Krishna, their fangs dripping with venom.

Neev: The snakes attacked from every side, hissing and snapping, but Krishna dodged their strikes effortlessly. His blue skin, being divine, was immune to their poison. Frustrated, Kaliya wrapped his massive tail around Krishna and dragged him to the bottom of the river.

Co-host: Okay, I’m officially panicking now. Was this part of Krishna’s plan, or is Kaliya winning?

Neev: This was exactly what Krishna wanted. At the bottom of the river, surrounded by Kaliya’s venom and rage, Krishna began to grow. His body expanded, radiating light so bright it blinded the snakes. Kaliya’s grip loosened, and Krishna rose to the surface, glowing like a divine sun.

Co-host: Whoa! Talk about a game-changer. Imagine watching that from the riverbank!

Neev: That’s exactly what happened. By now, the villagers, including Nanda, Yashoda, Balarama, and the gopis, had gathered on the shore. Yashoda cried out, ‘Where is my Krishna?’ But as Krishna emerged from the water, they gasped in awe. His radiance lit up the entire riverbank.

Neev: Kaliya, the mighty serpent king, wasn’t ready to give up. He lashed out again, hissing furiously, determined to destroy the divine child.

Co-host: Seriously? After all that, he still thought he could win? Some people—or snakes—just don’t know when to quit!

Neev: Exactly! Krishna calmly waited for Kaliya to make his move. When the serpent lunged, Krishna caught him by the hood and slammed him back into the water. The river churned as their battle continued, with Kaliya’s coils thrashing and splashing everywhere.

Co-host: This is like an epic underwater wrestling match.

Neev: Finally, Krishna leaped onto Kaliya’s hood and began to dance. His steps were powerful yet graceful, pressing down with divine force. Kaliya roared in pain as Krishna’s feet left glowing impressions on his scales.

Neev: As Kaliya weakened, his wives emerged from the water, crying and pleading for mercy. They clasped their hands and prayed, ‘O Lord, please spare him. He was blinded by his pride and ignorance, but we promise he will change.’

Co-host: Wow. Imagine seeing your husband being stomped on by a glowing divine child and still having the courage to speak up!

Neev: It’s incredible, isn’t it? Krishna stopped dancing for a moment and looked at Kaliya. The serpent was gasping for breath, his body trembling in submission. He finally realized the truth—this wasn’t an ordinary boy. This was Lord Vishnu himself, in human form.

Co-host: Finally! Took him long enough to figure it out!

Neev: Kaliya begged, ‘O Lord, forgive me! I see now that I was wrong. I promise to leave the Yamuna and never return.’

Co-host: You know what’s amazing? Krishna could have destroyed him, but instead, he gave him a chance to make things right. 

Neev: Krishna asked Kaliya to leave the river.
Kaliya hesitated for a moment, then bowed his head. ‘I will leave, O Lord, but if I return to the ocean, Garuda will destroy me and my family.’

Co-host: Wait, Garuda as in the giant eagle? Yeah, I wouldn’t want to mess with him either.

Neev: Krishna smiled and said, ‘Do not fear. The marks of my feet on your hood will protect you. Garuda will know you have surrendered to me and will leave you in peace.’

Co-host: Wow. So that’s why he was dancing on his head!

Neev: Kaliya wept with gratitude, and his wives thanked Krishna for his mercy. As soon as they disappeared, the river began to purify itself. The water turned crystal clear, the poison vanished, and the trees along the banks bloomed again.

Co-host:
The people of Vrindavan must have been so happy. And Yashoda - must have hugged him tight!

Neev: That’s it for today’s episode of Mythical Masala with Neev! Krishna’s childhood was filled with magic, mischief, and some serious heroics.

Co-host: What about Kansa? He’s still alive and wants to kill Krishna!

Neev: That’s right, we’ve only scratched the surface! We’ll explore even more of his adventures, so stay tuned. 

Co-host: This was so much fun! I can’t wait to hear more about Krishna and his antics!

Neev: Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast. Until next time, keep stirring up the magic!