The Beautiful Killer
King Kamsa of Mathura had been told by a heavenly voice that the eighth child of his sister Devaki would kill him. When Krishna was secretly taken to Vrindavana, Kamsa did not know where the child was — but he knew a divine child had been born.
He sent Putana — a Rakshasi who specialized in killing infants. She was gifted with the ability to transform herself into any beautiful form. She could charm any family into trusting her.
Putana coated her breasts with the most virulent poison she knew. Then she transformed herself into a gorgeous young woman and went to Vrindavana.
The Invitation
Putana entered Vrindavana and was welcomed with warmth — a beautiful visitor with a bright, maternal smile. She went directly to where baby Krishna lay.
"Let me nurse the child," she said to Yashoda. And Yashoda, charmed, agreed.
Putana lifted the baby and offered her poisoned breast.
Baby Krishna grasped her breast and fed.
But he drank not just the milk — he began to draw out her very life force. Putana tried to pull the baby away, but could not. She ran through the air, screaming, her true form reasserting itself. She fell to earth with a crash that shook Vrindavana.
She was dead.
The Liberation
The sages who witnessed it were astonished at something they observed: Putana's face was peaceful. In death, she looked not like a demon who had been killed, but like a devotee who had been released.
The *Bhagavata* explains: even though Putana came with the intent to kill, she had fed the infant Krishna — she had offered her breast, however poisoned, to the Lord. This act, however evil in intent, was an act of physical intimacy with the divine. The Lord accepted even this. Putana was liberated.
The Bhagavata notes: "She who fed Him poison attained the liberation that is given to mothers who feed their children lovingly. What then of those who serve the Lord with full devotion?"