Devaki in the Devi Bhagavatam

What offense did he commit along with his wife Devaki? And why were the six children of Devaki destroyed?

Why were Devaki and Vasudeva, the aged parents of the immensely powerful Krishna, not liberated by this Hari?

O best of Bharatas, they became the two sisters, Devaki and Rohini. It is heard that this great curse was given by Varuna out of anger.

Hear from me in truth the cause of the incarnation of Vasudeva, and also the reason for the incarnations of Devaki and Rohini.

O best of kings, Aditi was thus born as Devaki by a part of herself.

O Sage! How did Devaki and Vasudeva, whose sons were the immensely powerful Hari (Krishna) and Ananta (Balarama), suffer such misery?

Similarly, the six sons of Devaki were killed by Kamsa. Even though capable, Hari did not alter destiny. Then there was the curse on the Yadavas, their destruction at Prabhasa, the severe annihilation of the clan, and the plundering of…

'I will transfer Shesha (Balarama) from Devaki’s womb to Rohini. Nourished by My power, those two will execute the destruction of the wicked.'

Aditi was born as Devaki, the daughter of Devaka then. She followed Kashyapa (Vasudeva) due to the curse of Varuna, indeed.

She was given to Vasudeva by the high-souled Devaka. When the marriage was performed there, a voice occurred in the sky then.

'O Kamsa, Kamsa, O highly fortunate one! The eighth glorious son born from the womb of Devaki will be your slayer.'

Thinking 'What should I do?', he pondered then. 'If I kill her (Devaki) right now, my death will not happen swiftly today.'

'There is no other solution in this matter that brings the fear of death. Yet, she is my father's sister (cousin), worthy of respect; how can I kill her?' he thought.

He reconsidered, 'Alas, my death is from my sister! A wise man must protect his body even by committing a sin.'

Thinking thus in his mind, the sinful Kamsa quickly took up his sword and seized the beautiful lady (Devaki) by dragging her by her hair.

Drawing his sword from its sheath, the wicked-minded Kamsa, desiring to kill her, dragged the newlywed bride as all the people watched.

Exhibiting wonderful courage, they shouted, 'Release her! Release her!' Out of compassion, they sought to free Devaki, the mother of the gods.

[The elders said:] 'O brave one, she is your father's sister (cousin), worthy of respect, and a young girl. She should not be killed by you, O hero, during the festive occasion of her marriage.'

'O Kamsa, I speak the truth today, for the three worlds are supported by truth. I will give you all the sons born to Devaki.'

Having pacified Kamsa and secured the release of Devaki, the highly glorious and swift son of Shura (Vasudeva), now free from fear, went to his home accompanied by his relatives and his newlywed bride.