Garg Samhita- Liberation of Putana

Chapter 13

Putana, the demoness sent by Kamsa to kill infants, came to Gokula in the absence of King Nanda, who had gone to Mathura for various duties. Taking the form of a sixteen-year-old beautiful girl, Putana entered Nanda’s house without suspicion.

She then took the infant on her lap and offered her poisonous breasts to Him. But Lord Krishna drank not just the milk but also her very life-breath. Putana screamed in pain and ran outside with the infant still in her arms. Her disguise faded, and she revealed her true, terrifying form. Witnesses were horrified.

She fell to the ground, her body stretching twelve miles long. Her thunderbolt-like frame crushed many tall, strong trees as it collapsed. The gopas feared the poor infant had no chance of survival. But to everyone’s astonishment, they saw the smiling infant yawn after drinking the demoness’s milk and play calmly on her breast.

The astonished women, along with Yashoda and Rohini, quickly pulled Him away. They began chanting protective mantras and performed rituals to save the infant from the evil eye.

When King Nanda returned and saw Putana’s dreadful form, everyone was struck with fear. Following the king’s order, the gopas cut the demoness’s body into pieces and cremated her near the sacred banks of the Yamuna.

Surprisingly, the smoke rising from her now-purified body was fragrant, for Lord Krishna is the purifier of the fallen. He granted liberation to Putana.

Later, King Bahulasva asked how such an evil being, who murdered children by offering them poisoned milk, attained ultimate liberation.

Sage Narada said, during the yajna of King Bali, when Lord Vamana appeared, Bali’s daughter Ratnamala felt deep motherly affection for the Lord. She desired to feed Him breastmilk, but later, after Vamana punished her father, she wanted to kill Him. The time was not appropriate then. The Lord fulfilled her desire in Dvapara-yuga by allowing her to be born as Putana and granting her liberation through that unique act—when she tried to kill baby Krishna and also gave Him her breastmilk.

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Author's view

Putana's liberation compels me to think about the divine play in everybody's life. It seems that whatever is happening is the result of our past karmas, with a scope for free will. Putana may have taken a different decision and not tried to kill Krishna, but then her desire from the previous birth would have remained unfulfilled, and she wouldn't have received liberation.

But what about the infants she killed? Did she not get punished for this heinous act? Or was she punished by Krishna by being killed?

The divine play is so mysterious as well as interesting.

But one thing I can say for sure is that:

Even the smallest offering, if directed toward the Supreme with some trace of feeling, is never wasted.

What are your views on Putana's story and the mercy of Lord Krishna?

Have you ever felt that a sincere feeling or small act of devotion was unexpectedly accepted or rewarded?

I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments—how does this leela inspire you in your spiritual journey?