Krishna is the child of Vasudeva and Devaki. Kamsa, King of Mathura, is the cousin of Devaki. A prophesy predicts that he will be killed by a child of Devaki. Therefore, Kamsa keeps Vasudeva and his wife in imprisonment and orders that all children born to Devaki should be killed. The first six children of Devaki are slain, but the seventh and eighth child, Balarama and Krishna, are saved without Kamsa's knowledge. Krishna is adopted by Nanda and Yasoda and grows up among the herdsmen (Yadavas).
Kamsa comes to know that a child of Devaki lives among the Yadavas. He sends the demoness Putana to have the baby killed by feeding him poisoned milk. The play krishna lila depicts Krishna's youth as a young and passionate play with Yadava girls or gopis.
It ends with the slaying of Kamsa by the young Krishnas. Krishna Lila describes the extraordinary manifestation of the Eternal in the realm of time that occurred in Krishna, the playful and enchantingly beautiful Deity who embodies the highest truths of India's spiritual wisdom.
Shri Krishna Ras Lila
One of the most important aspects of the festival Janmashtami is Rasleela. Rasleela is a divine sport (Kreeda), which Sri Krishna played with his gopis on the banks of river Yamuna in Vrindavan. Radha was the most important Gopi and closest to the Lord. Her love for Lord Krishna was complete and in its purest form. Sri Krishna was ten years old when he performed Rasleela. Rasleelas are mainly performed in the city of Vrindavan. Ras Lila, an epitome of the Manipuri classical dance, is a highly stylized form of art noted for its sublimity, subtlety and grace. It is a combination of solo, duet and group dances and is usually performed in an enclosure in front of a temple throughout the night, during special occasions. The richness of the costume adds to its charm.
Usually the celestial and eternal love of Radha and Krishna, as has been described in the Hindu scriptures, is portrayed in this dance form. Ras Lila is performed at the temple of Shri Govindajee in Imphal on the nights of Basanta Poornima, Sarada Poornima and Kartik Poornima, followed by performances at local temples. Devotees watch the performances with a deep sense of dedication. The five Ras Lilas that enact the divine love of Krishna and Radha are Maha ras, Vasant ras, Kunja ras, Nitya ras and Diva ras. The exponents of the Ras Lila dances are different. Maha ras, Kunja ras and Basant ras were of Rajrishi Bhagyachandra Maharaj and Nityaras of Shrijut Chandrakirti Maharaj. Other Ras dances deal with different aspects of Krishna's life such as Karnavedha, marriage, and such other occasions.