Kṛṣṇa Enters Mathurā as a Liberator
After freeing His parents and killing Kaṁsa, Kṛṣṇa remained in Mathurā, bringing peace, joy, and dharma back to the city. The citizens welcomed Him with open arms, amazed by His beauty, wisdom, and power. Though He walked among them like a human, His presence was divinely overwhelming.
It was during this time that Kṛṣṇa encountered a most unusual soul—a hunchbacked woman named Kubjā.
The Hunchbacked Servant of Kaṁsa
Kubjā was a servant of Kaṁsa. Her job was to prepare scents, ointments, and perfumes for the king. Though physically deformed, her heart longed for beauty, love, and appreciation. For years she had silently endured humiliation and loneliness, ignored by all and cherished by none.
One day, as she walked through the streets with her tray of fragrant pastes, she saw Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma approaching.
She was struck as if by lightning.
“Who are these two youths?” she thought. “They are more beautiful than the gods! Their smiles, their forms—they must be celestial beings.”
Kṛṣṇa, seeing her, smiled kindly and asked:
“O beautiful lady, where are you going with such fine sandalwood paste? Would you give some to Us?”
Kubjā’s Heart Awakens
Touched by His words—for no one had ever spoken so sweetly to her before—Kubjā’s heart melted. She replied:
“I am going to the royal palace to serve Kaṁsa, but I would much rather serve You, my Lord.”
She then anointed Kṛṣṇa’s chest and arms with fragrant sandalwood, and did the same for Balarāma. Her hands trembled as she applied the paste, feeling joy she had never known before.
Kṛṣṇa Delivers Her
Pleased with her offering, Kṛṣṇa decided to reward her—not only outwardly, but inwardly.
He gently touched her chin, and then, with His lotus hands, pressed her toes with His feet and lifted her upright. Instantly, Kubjā’s crooked form was straightened. Her hunch disappeared. Her limbs became graceful, her body youthful, and her face radiant like a lotus.
She had been transformed by the Lord’s touch—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Kubjā stood in stunned bliss, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“You have saved me, my Lord,” she whispered. “Now please come to my home. Let me serve You further.”
Kṛṣṇa smiled and replied:
“Soon I shall come to your house and fulfill your desire.”
Thus, He promised to bless her not only with physical beauty, but with the supreme treasure of devotion.
Kṛṣṇa Fulfills His Promise
Later, Kṛṣṇa did visit Kubjā’s house. There, she tried to please Him with offerings and affection. Though she had once felt mundane desire, Kṛṣṇa gently purified her heart, directing it toward pure, spiritual love (bhakti). She realized:
“He is not a mortal lover. He is the Lord of the universe.”
Kubjā thus became a liberated soul, absorbed in remembrance of Kṛṣṇa.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- The Lord accepts offerings from the heart, regardless of a person’s appearance or past.
- Even the deformed, the forgotten, and the lonely are seen and uplifted by Kṛṣṇa.
- Kṛṣṇa does not reject anyone—He transforms them from within.
- Outward beauty is meaningless without inner devotion—but true devotion makes the soul shine eternally.
- Desire for the Lord, even if mixed at first, is purified when it is directed toward loving service.
Origin of the Story: Harivaṁśa Purāṇa – Viṣṇu-parva, Chapter 87
