Krishna

Who He Was

Krishna (; Sanskrit: कृष्ण, IAST: Kṛṣṇa Sanskrit: [ˈkr̩ʂɳɐ] ) also known as Govinda, Madhava, Gopala and other names and titles is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God in his own right. He is widely revered for his divine qualities of love, compassion, protection and tenderness. Krishna's birthday is celebrated every year by Hindus on Krishna Janmashtami according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar, which falls in late August or early September of the Gregorian calendar. Krishna is often depicted in dark skin in accordance with meaning of his name, "black" or "dark". The anecdotes and narratives of Krishna's life are known as Krishna Lila. He is a central figure in the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana, the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, and the Bhagavad Gita, and is mentioned in many Hindu philosophical, theological, and mythological texts. These texts describes him as a divine statesman, teacher, savior of dharma, charioteer, and sometimes a cowherd. They portray him in various perspectives: as a god-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero, and the universal supreme being. His iconography reflects these legends and shows him in different stages of his life, such as an infant eating butter, a young boy playing a flute, a handsome youth with Radha or surrounded by female devotees, or a friendly charioteer giving counsel to Arjuna. Krishna was born in Mathura to Devaki and Vasudeva, but was raised by Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul to escape his maternal uncle, the tyrant king Kamsa. He later killed Kamsa and restored order in Mathura. He established the city of Dvaraka and played an important role in the Kurukshetra War, serving as Arjuna’s charioteer and delivering the philosophical teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. His life ended after being struck by an arrow of a hunter named Jara due to the curse of Gandhari. After the incident, he forgave Jara and returned to his abode, Vaikuntha. The name and synonyms of Krishna have been traced to 1st millennium BCE literature and cults. In some sub-traditions within Hinduism, like Krishnaism, Krishna is worshipped as the Supreme God and Svayam Bhagavan (God Himself). These sub-traditions arose in the context of the medieval era Bhakti movement. Krishna-related literature has inspired numerous performance arts such as Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Manipuri dance. He is a pan-India god, but is particularly revered in some locations, such as Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, Dwarka and Junagadh in Gujarat, the Jagannatha aspect in Odisha, Mayapur in West Bengal, and other places. He is also worshipped in different regional forms across India. Since the 1960s, the worship of Krishna has also spread to the Western world, largely due to the work of the Bhaktivedanta Swami and his organisation, ISKCON. Recognized in: Hinduism.

Revered as a divine avatar of Vishnu and the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita; he is a divine teacher/messenger figure rather than a 'prophet' in the Abrahamic sense.

Birth and Early Life

Traditional and historical sources place Krishna in the era of Dvāpara Yuga (traditional/mythic). Where such dates are traditional, mythic, or disputed rather than historically established, they should be read as the tradition's own reckoning rather than confirmed chronology.

His Calling / Mission

The scriptures and traditions of Hinduism describe the calling and mission of Krishna; the key passages are listed under Sacred Texts and Scripture below.

Religion and Teachings

Krishna is honored within Hinduism. Revered as a divine avatar of Vishnu and the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita; he is a divine teacher/messenger figure rather than a 'prophet' in the Abrahamic sense. His teaching and significance are set out in the sacred texts that record his life.

Sacred Texts and Scripture

Scriptural references: the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata, and the Bhāgavata Purāṇa

Major Accomplishments and Events

The account of Krishna's life, works, and significance is preserved in the scriptures cited above and in the living tradition of Hinduism.

Death and Legacy

Krishna is remembered across Hinduism as one of the foundational figures of faith, and continues to be honored in scripture, devotion, and scholarship. Source: Wikipedia