Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, was born to Devaki, sister of the wicked King Kamsa of Mathura. There was a prophecy that Kamsa would be destroyed by a child of Devaki, so he tried to kill Krishna, but he was smuggled to safety and fostered by Nanda, leader of the goatherds, and his wife, Yasoda, as was his older brother, Balarama, also known as Samkarshana. (What happened was that Yasoda's baby girl and Krishna were switched.) When he grew up he returned to Mathura and killed Kamsa.

His story forms part of the Hindu sacred epic, the Mahabharata.

References

Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia, 1993-97
Encyclopedia of Religion. 16 vols. (New York: Macmillan, 1987)
"Krishna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead." Available at: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1390/wkrishna.html
"Krishna." Available at: http://www.investindia.com/newsite/religion/krishna.htm

Indexes

Mythological, Traditional and Divine Figures
Indian
India
India
Rulers, Nobles, Chiefs, Presidents, Prime Ministers
Hindu
Birth or Infancy
To Avoid Prophecy Fulfillment
Others ("Strangers")
Very Poor (Financially) Adoptive or Foster Families
Customary or Traditional Adoption, Informal and Extra-Legal Care
Adoptees/Fosterees from Wealthy, Famous, Noble or Divine Birth Families
Birth Siblings Placed Together