| “ | I will free this world and its inhabitants from the jaws of the evil mind. I swear it. I know that it is difficult for you to accept my Salvation. But I will not abandon you. I will save you no matter what. | „ |
| ~ Krishna |
Krishna, also known as Govinda, Mukunda, Madhusudhana or Vasudeva, is a major Hindu deity who was worshiped in a variety of different perspectives. He is mostly the god of Love, Knowledge, and Beauty. Krishna is recognized as the Svayam Bhagavan which is the eight avatar and complete incarnation of Vishnu, the Preserver.
Description[]
Krishna is described as a blue-skinned young boy playing a flute, whose name is sometimes translated as "all-attractive." The word Krishna literally means 'black', which also endows Krishna with an air of mystery in comparison to the other gods.
He is often portrayed as an infant eating butter; a young boy playing a flute, and as in the Bhagavata Purana; a young man along with Radha; or a young man surrounded by women; or as an elderly gentleman giving direction and guidance, as in the Bhagavad Gita.
Overview[]
Krishna is known to be one of the most powerful incarnations of Vishnu, the Godhead of the Hindu Trinity, if not the most powerful of all the Vishnu avatars. He is also among the most popular, and perhaps of all Hindu gods the one closest to the heart of the masses.
For generations, Krishna has been an enigma to some, but a god to millions, who go ecstatic even as they hear his name. People consider Krishna their leader, hero, protector, philosopher, teacher and friend all rolled into one. Krishna has influenced the Indian thought, life and culture in myriad ways. He has influenced not only its religion and philosophy, but also into its mysticism and literature, painting and sculpture, dance and music, and all aspects of Indian folklore.
History[]
Background[]
Krishna lived on Earth between the period of 3200 and 3100 BC. Krishna was conceived shortly after Indra's banishment to Earth by Vishnu when the former king of the Devas acted haughtily and recklessly of his own accord. Vishnu knew that by removing Indra, the evils of the world would go unchecked without fear of Indra's lightning bolts striking them down. Krishna took birth at midnight on the ashtami or the 8th day of the Krishnapaksha or dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravan (August-September). The birthday of Krishna is called Janmashthami, a special occasion for Hindus that is celebrated around the world. The birth of Krishna is in itself a transcendental phenomenon that generates awe among the Hindus and overwhelms one and all with its supra mundane happenings.
Krishna Raises Govardhan Hill[]
Once, when Krishna was a young boy, the people of Vrindavana were preparing to worship Lord Indra to thanks him for giving them abundant rainfall when required. When Krishna came to know of this, he went to his father Nanda who was the leader of that village and said that Govardhan Hill deserved their worship and thanks more than Indra. Krishna and his brother Balaram had spent many happy hours roaming among its shade providing groves, pools, caves and lush cow-pastures, and Krishna had come to greatly revered this Eden-like sanctuary.
He argued that the natural landform of Govardhan Hill was the one to provide them with clean water and air as well as the herbs they used in healing. He was able to convince Nanda and the village elders that the hill was more worthy of worship, and thus it came to be regarded as a sacred site.
Lord Indra secretly watched as this unfolded and became enraged by the fact that the people of Vrindavana had listened to a mere child and believed in what he said over him. In order to teach the people a lesson, he sent a Great Flood to destroy the village. However, Krishna was able to protect all the animals and the people from this storm by lifting the Govardhan Hill with one finger. Everyone remained safe there till the rain ceased. Eventually realizing the righteousness of the boy, Indra surrendered and apologized for what he had done.