1. Devaki – The Mother of Divine Hope
Devaki was the daughter of Devaka and the sister (or cousin, according to some traditions) of the tyrant Kamsa. She married Vasudeva.
On the day of her wedding, a divine prophecy declared that her eighth son would kill Kamsa. Terrified, Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva.
One by one, Kamsa murdered her first six newborn sons. Her seventh child, Balarama, was mystically transferred to the womb of Rohini. The eighth child was Krishna, who was secretly carried by Vasudeva across the Yamuna to Gokula.
Devaki spent years separated from her divine son. Only after Krishna slew Kamsa did mother and son reunite.
Lessons from Devaki
Faith during unbearable suffering.
Patience while trusting God's plan.
A mother's love that survives separation.
Hope even in the darkest prison.
2. Yashoda – The Mother of Pure Love
Yashoda was the wife of Nanda, the chief of Gokula.
She lovingly raised Krishna, never knowing that he was not her biological son. She fed him, chased him for stealing butter, tied him to the mortar, and listened to endless complaints from the Gopis.
She witnessed many miracles:
Krishna showing the entire universe inside His mouth.
The breaking of the twin Arjuna trees.
The slaying of many demons.
Yet her motherly affection was so deep that she always saw him simply as "my little Krishna."
In the Sri Vaishnava tradition, Yashoda's love represents vātsalya-bhakti—the devotion of a mother toward God.
Lessons from Yashoda
Love without expectation.
Seeing God through affection rather than fear.
Joy in simple daily service.
The highest devotion expressed through motherhood.
3. Rohini the quiet mother of strength.
Rohini was one of the wives of Vasudeva. Unlike Devaki, she was not imprisoned by Kamsa. For her safety, she lived in Gokula under the care of Nanda and Yashoda.
According to the Bhagavata Purana, Devaki's seventh pregnancy was miraculously transferred by the divine power of Yogamaya into Rohini's womb. That child was born as Balarama, who is therefore known as Sankarshana ("the one who was drawn away").
When Krishna was brought from Mathura to Gokula as a newborn, Rohini helped raise both Balarama and Krishna. Thus, she became a loving mother to Balarama and a nurturing maternal figure to Krishna.
She witnessed their childhood sports, protected them with affection, and later rejoiced when Kamsa was defeated and the family was reunited.
What Rohini Represents
Quiet courage—remaining steadfast during dangerous times.
Motherly care—raising Balarama with love and helping care for Krishna.
Patience—living through separation from her husband before the family's reunion.
Strength with gentleness—qualities reflected in her son, Balarama.
Three Mothers of Krishna's Early Life
Mother
Role
Greatest Virtue
Devaki
Krishna's birth mother
Faith amid suffering
Yashoda
Krishna's foster mother
Unconditional love
Rohini
Balarama's mother and Krishna's caretaker in Gokula
Quiet strength and nurturing care
These three women beautifully complement one another: Devaki gave Krishna birth, Yashoda gave Him a childhood, and Rohini gave Him a loving home alongside His elder brother, Balarama.
