As the joyous festival of Janmashtami arrives, let us get ready to celebrate the divine birth of Lord Krishna. The best way to do so is to tell our kids and loved ones about the countless enchanting tales and pastimes that Krishna performed in his early life. This year, as we mark the 5251th birthday of little Krishna; the playful and beloved eighth avatar of Vishnu, it's the perfect time to share these timeless Janmashtami stories. All these little Krishna stories continue to steal hearts and arrest attention across generations.
6 Enchanting Little Krishna Stories To Warm Your Hearts
Come along and let us revisit Gokul ki Kunj Galiyaan through these delightful Janmashtami stories and bring the magic of Janmashtami to life in our homes and hearts!
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The Prophecy
Long ago, there was a kingdom ruled by King Ugrasena. Ugrasena had two children: Kamsa and Devaki. Kamsa, consumed by his hunger for power, betrayed his own father to seize the throne and locked Ugrasena in the dungeons. But amidst the chaos, Devaki married the noble King Vasudeva.
As Kamsa escorted his sister to her new home, a voice thundered from the heavens. "Kamsa, Beware! The eighth son of Devaki will be your doom!" Fear gripped Kamsa’s wicked heart. To save his life, he decided to kill his beloved sister. But Vasudeva pleaded for her life. He promised Kamsa that every child born to them would be handed over. Kamsa agreed, and he threw Devaki and Vasudeva into the dark, cold prison, where hope seemed lost.
The days in the prison were long and filled with dread for Devaki and Vasudeva. Every time Devaki gave birth, Kamsa would storm into the cell, his eyes filled with fury, and snatch the newborn, mercilessly ending their lives. Six times this happened. When the seventh child was conceived, a miracle occurred; the unborn child was mysteriously transferred to Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, who lived safely in Vrindavan.
But the true miracle was yet to come. On the darkest night, as thunder roared and the world held its breath, Devaki’s eighth child was born. This was no ordinary child. It was Krishna, the divine avatar. At the stroke of midnight, the universe celebrated in silence as this sacred moment gave birth to Janmashtami, a day that would be remembered and revered for ages. This is one of the most loved Krishna stories for kids.
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Krishna’s Arrival In Gokul
When Krishna was born the guards of the prison fell into a deep magical sleep and the iron locks of the cell fell open. Vasudeva, clutching the newborn Krishna close to his heart, carried him in a wicker basket.
As he approached the flooded Yamuna river, another miracle unfolded. The waters receded, allowing a safe passage for Krishna and Vasudeva and the mighty serpent Adishesha stretched his hood over them to shield Krishna from the pouring rain. When Vasudeva reached the house of Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul, he found that Yashoda had just given birth to a baby girl. He swapped the children and hurried back to the prison with the girl.
When Kamsa arrived, ready to kill the eighth child, he was shocked to find a girl instead. But Kamsa, blinded by his fear, threw the baby against the wall. To his horror, the child transformed into the fierce Goddess Durga, who warned him that the one destined to kill him was already out of his reach.
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Krishna’s Love For Butter
As Krishna grew older, his love for butter grew fonder. He and his friends would secretly raid the homes of the villagers in Vrindavan to get their hands on freshly churned butter. This is how he got the nickname "Maakhan Chor.”
One such Janmashtami story is as follows; Krishna and his friends spotted a woman churning butter in her home. Aware of Krishna's tricks, the woman decided to hang the pot of butter high on a hook, out of reach. However, Krishna and his friends came up with a plan to reach the pot. They formed a human pyramid, with Krishna climbing to the top.
As Krishna reached the pot, he gleefully grabbed the butter and distributed it among his friends. They ate it with great joy, but their fun was short-lived. The woman, who had been keeping an eye on them, suddenly appeared, shouting at them. The children quickly scattered, but Krishna, with his usual charm, managed to escape just in time, leaving behind a trail of laughter and a few drops of butter. The best way to acquaint your child with Little Krishna stories is through the Little Krishna Combo Set from Shumee that has some of the most endearing Janmashtami stories in English.
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Nalakuvara and Manigriva
One day, after yet another of Krishna’s butter-stealing adventures, Yashoda decided that enough was enough. She tied Krishna to a heavy mortar with a rope, hoping to keep him out of trouble for a while. But Krishna wasn’t so easily restrained.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, he began to crawl, dragging the heavy mortar behind him. As he made his way he headed straight for two trees. Krishna squeezed between them and pulled the mortar with such force that the trees came crashing down!
To everyone’s astonishment, the falling trees revealed two figures; Nalakuvara and Manigriva, sons of the god Kubera. They had been cursed to live as trees for their arrogance, and it was Krishna’s touch that had finally set them free.
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What’s Inside Krishna’s Mouth?
One day, while playing with his brother Balarama and their friends, Krishna grabbed a handful of mud and stuffed it into his mouth. His friends ran to Yashoda and told her what Krishna had done. Yashoda, rushing to him, demanded that Krishna open his mouth.
When he opened his little mouth, expecting to be scolded, Yashoda gasped in shock. Inside Krishna’s mouth, she didn’t see mud. She saw the entire universe—planets, stars, mountains, oceans, and everything in between.
Tears filled her eyes as she realised that her son was no ordinary boy; he was the Lord of all creation. But Krishna, with a gentle smile, closed his mouth, and the moment passed. Yashoda shook her head, convinced that it had been an illusion, but her love for Krishna grew even deeper.
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Krishna And The Venomous Snake Kalia
Every day, Krishna would take his cows to graze by the Yamuna river. But one day, the cows began to collapse after drinking the river’s water. Krishna sensed something was terribly wrong. He discovered that the river had been poisoned by the venomous serpent Kaliya.
Determined to save his village, Krishna confronted Kaliya. The massive serpent rose from the depths, hissing and spewing venom and its many heads thrashing about. But Krishna, fearless and resolute, leaped into the river.
Krishna danced on his many heads and with every movement, the weight of Krishna’s divine presence grew, pressing Kaliya into submission. Finally, Kaliya’s wives, filled with fear for their husband, begged Krishna for mercy. Krishna relented, ordering Kaliya to leave the river and never return. Humbled and defeated, Kaliya slithered away, and the Yamuna was restored to its purity and beauty.
Read the above Janmashtami stories in English to your little ones and inspire them with the teachings of Lord Krishna.
Conclusion
As we enjoy these super adorable tales of Little Krishna, we are reminded of the profound wisdom and joy he brought into the world, even as a child. His playful spirit, boundless love, and divine acts continue to inspire us, filling our hearts with devotion and pure love. As Janmashtami draws near, let us share these timeless stories with our children to pass down the rich legacy of Krishna’s life. With Shumee’s bespoke range of award winning learning toys for kids, let us celebrate this Janmashtami by imbibing the eternal love and hope that little Krishna’s stories stand for.
In light of the spirit of this festival, you can explore Shumee and explore their stunning range of gifts for 2 year old boys, gifts for 3 year old girls and many other amazing things.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Krishna blue in colour?
There are a number of Janmashtami stories attributed to this. Since Krishna drank Putana’s poisonous milk, it is believed that he turned blue. It is also said that Krishna’s aura was pure as blue colour and that is why he is depicted in this hue.
2. When is Janmashtami this year?
This year, Janmashtami falls on Monday, August 26th. This day marks the 5251st birthday of Lord Krishna.
3. How do people celebrate Janmashtami?
Janmashtami is celebrated with great devotion across India and in many parts of the world. Devotees fast, sing devotional songs, and reenact scenes from Krishna's stories for kids, particularly his childhood mischiefs (Baal Leela). Temples and homes are beautifully decorated. In some regions, children dress up as Krishna, and the Dahi Handi tradition of forming human pyramids to break a pot of curd hung in the air, is also a popular event.
4. Where can I read about all the Krishna ‘Baal Leela’ stories?
You can find Krishna stories for kids in scriptures like the Bhagavata Purana. Many websites and books such as Shumee’s Little Krishna book, offer collections of Janmashtami stories in English, Hindi, and other languages.