Rohini and the Childhood of Krishna

• Rohini was one of the important women in the childhood story of Krishna and Balarama.
• She was Balarama’s mother and lived in safety with Nanda and Yashoda while Kamsa’s cruelty spread through Mathura.
  Her story teaches children that love is not always loud - it can be patient, protective, steady and strong.

Long ago, in the ancient
kingdom of Mathura,
there lived a noble woman named Rohini. She was the wife of Vasudeva and the mother of Balarama, who would later become one of the most important figures in the story of Krishna.
Rohini's life was not easy. Her husband Vasudeva had been imprisoned by the cruel king Kamsa. Kamsa had heard a prophecy that the eighth child of his sister Devaki would one day be responsible for his death. Terrified by the prophecy, he imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva and killed their newborn children.
Rohini, however, was away from the prison. She took shelter in the home of Nanda, the chief of the cowherds, in Gokula. There, she lived under Nanda and Yashoda's protection.
But something extraordinary was about to happen.
The Mysterious Arrival of Balarama
Devaki became pregnant for the seventh time. But Kamsa was watching her closely. According to the Puranic tradition, the divine power Yogamaya secretly transferred the child from Devaki's womb to Rohini's womb.
The people of Mathura believed that Devaki had lost the child. But the baby was safe. He was now growing inside Rohini.
In time, Rohini gave birth to a strong and beautiful boy.
He was Balarama.
Because the child had been transferred from one womb to another, he came to be known as Sankarshana, a name connected with the idea of being drawn or transferred. He was also called Rauhineya, meaning “son of Rohini.”
Balarama would grow into Krishna's elder brother, protector and closest companion.
Rohini now had the responsibility of raising her son in a world filled with danger. But she was not alone. She lived in the same household as Yashoda.
And then another extraordinary child arrived.
Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva, but to protect him from Kamsa, Vasudeva secretly carried the newborn baby across the Yamuna and brought him to Nanda and Yashoda in Gokula.
Krishna and Balarama therefore grew up together.
Rohini was Balarama's mother, while Yashoda became Krishna's foster mother. Yet the two women shared the responsibility of caring for both boys.
The Bhagavata Purana describes Rohini as living with Balarama under Nanda's protection and also portrays her alongside Yashoda in caring for Krishna and Balarama.
This is one of the most beautiful parts of Rohini's story.
She did not see Krishna merely as another woman's child. She became part of the loving family that raised him.
A Mother Who Knew When to Love - and When to Guide
The childhood of Krishna and Balarama was full of adventure.
The boys played with their friends, wandered through the forests, tended the calves and got into all kinds of mischief. Krishna was especially famous for his playful nature.
But behind these joyful adventures were two mothers who watched over them - Yashoda and Rohini.
The Bhagavata tradition presents the two mothers together, caring affectionately for Krishna and Balarama. They gave the boys food, clothes, blessings and affection, but they also made sure that the children followed proper routines. Love did not mean allowing the boys to do whatever they wanted.
This gives us an important picture of Rohini.
She was not a warrior fighting battles. She was not a queen sitting on a throne. She was not the central character in most of Krishna's famous adventures.
Her strength was quieter.
She was the mother who made sure the children were safe.
She was the woman who created a feeling of home in difficult times.
She was patient when the boys were busy playing.
And when they stayed away too long, she knew when it was time to call them home.
One story from the Krishna tradition tells us that when Krishna and Balarama were absorbed in playing near the river, Rohini went to call them back. The children were so engrossed in their games that they did not immediately respond to her call.
It may seem like a tiny incident, but it reveals something important about her character.
A mother's care is often found in ordinary moments.
“Come home.”
“Eat your food.”
“Don't go too far.”
“It's getting late.”
“Take care of yourself.”
These may sound like simple words. But behind them is love.
Rohini understood that children need freedom to play, explore and grow - but they also need someone who quietly watches over them.
That balance is one of the strongest lessons in her story.
Rohini's Quiet Legacy
As Krishna and Balarama grew older, their lives took them far beyond the simple world of Gokula.
They eventually returned to Mathura, where they confronted Kamsa. Krishna killed the cruel king, and the long years of fear finally came to an end.
Vasudeva and Devaki were freed from imprisonment.
Rohini's family was reunited.
But Rohini's importance did not end with Balarama's childhood.
She remained part of the larger family and continued to be associated with the care and affection surrounding Krishna and Balarama.
The Bhagavata Purana gives us a particularly warm glimpse of Rohini during the celebration following Krishna's birth. She is described as being honoured by Nanda and Yashoda and moving among the women gathered for the celebration. She is called fortunate because she had the opportunity to witness and participate in the childhood pastimes of both Balarama and Krishna.
There is something deeply moving about this.
Rohini did not seek glory.
She did not demand recognition.
She simply performed one of the most important roles a person can perform - she cared.
Her son Balarama became known for his enormous strength. Yet behind that strength was a mother who had given him security, affection and guidance.
And Krishna, too, grew up surrounded by her care.
Rohini therefore represents a different kind of strength.
It is the strength of someone who remains calm when life is frightening.
It is the strength of a mother who protects without making herself the centre of attention.
It is the strength to be patient when children are difficult.
And it is the emotional strength to give love even when circumstances are uncertain.

What should today's children learn from Rohini?
Rohini's story can teach children several simple but powerful lessons.

1. Caring for others is a form of strength.
   Being strong does not always mean being physically powerful. Helping someone, listening to them and making them feel safe are also signs of strength.
2. Patience matters.
   Children do not always listen immediately. Rohini's example reminds us that patience is an important part of love.
3. Love and discipline can go together.
   A loving parent does not simply say “yes” to everything. Children need affection as well as boundaries.
4. We can care for people who are not our own children.
   Rohini helped create a loving environment for Krishna even though he was not her biological child. This teaches children that kindness should not depend only on family relationships.
5. Quiet people can have great influence.
   Not every hero has to be loud or famous. Some people change lives simply by being dependable and caring.
6. Emotional strength is real strength.
   Rohini lived through fear, separation and uncertainty, yet she continued to care for her family. Children can learn that being worried or sad does not make us weak. What matters is how we respond to difficult situations.

Fun facts about Rohini
t She was Balarama's mother.
Balarama is frequently identified by the name Rauhineya, meaning “son of Rohini.”
t Balarama's birth is extraordinary.
According to the Puranic tradition, he was transferred from Devaki's womb to Rohini's womb through the divine power of Yogamaya.
t She lived with Nanda's family.
Because Vasudeva was imprisoned by Kamsa, Rohini lived under Nanda's protection in Gokula.
t She helped raise Krishna.
Although Yashoda is the best-known mother figure in Krishna's childhood, the Puranic tradition also places Rohini alongside Yashoda in caring for Krishna and Balarama.
t She is connected with the name Sankarshana.
Balarama's name Sankarshana is traditionally associated with his being transferred from Devaki's womb to Rohini's.
t She is sometimes confused with another Rohini.
There is also a Rohini associated with Krishna's later life and his queens. That is a different figure from Rohini, the wife of Vasudeva and mother of Balarama, who is the subject of this story.