Yashoda is called Yashodh, Yasoda, Yashod, Mata Yashoda and Yashoda Mayya in Hindu mythology. The meaning of Yashoda is ‘one who is the giver of fame’. She is the foster mother of Krishna. Krishna was born to Devaki as per the Bhagavata Purana. Vasudeva, his father takes Krishna to Gokul to raise and protect him from Kamsa, the brother of Devaki who is also the Mathura King.
Her other children are Balarama and Subhadra (adopted child). Her spouse is Nanda. She is known to have her own daughter Ekananga but it is said that she was unaware of this. In Hinduism, the Puranic texts have mention about Yashoda. According to the Srimad Bhagavtam, Yashoda is one of the most merciful deities who is also the deliverer from this material world.
Besides being known for her deepest affection foe Krishna she is alsio known to even punish Krishna for his mischievous deeds. The poet-saint Surdas describes Yashoda as the epitome of ‘Vatsalya Bhakti’, ‘Mother’s Love and ‘Vatsalya Prema’. One of the Bhagavata Purana manuscripts dated c.1500 AD portray baby Krishna being bathed by his mother Yashoda.
On one occasion Krishna opens his mouth in front of his mother Yashoda. She sees the whole Universe, the Seven Oceans and the Divine Snake Narayana seated atop Adishesha and being attended by Mahalakshmi his consort, in Krishna’s mouth. Yashoda faints with this divine experience. Sage Narada revives her and explains Krishna’s life to her.
Yashoda was blessed with the good fortune of caring, loving and nurturing Lord Krishna right from a toddler, infant, teenage and young boy. Yashoda is commonly depicted with a stick running after little Krishna for eating curd without her knowledge and for doing mischief.
