Krishna!!
Krishna is addressed as cit chor or one who steals the cit (soul) of everyone. Just by taking His name, one feels ecstatic from within. It's tough to describe.
I just got inspired today morning (Feb 25, 2020) to write an inner confidential biography about Krishna for this site. I had thought earlier as well but didn't know where to begin. While I was creating this website and was writing on it daily (since late Dec' 19), the very first confidential article that Radharani made me write was the inner meaning of Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
To put things clear for once and all, let me accept with humility that I don't know anything and just write for my own meditation onto the Divine Couple by recalling the vani (words, books and teachings) of Rasika Acharays and my guru tattva.
Then I thought let me also write an article on Radharani. She directed me with what to write. She is our Queen, and frankly as taught by guru tattva, I just know that Radharani is mine and I am Radharani's, and then on, all direction manifests on own.
Many times, I attempted and thought to write about Krishna but always got stuck. He has so many unlimited names, unlimited forms, unlimited passtimes and as directed by my guru tattva, I just know Krishna as one who is most dear to our Radharani. He is Her all and everything.
All the passtimes of Krishna in His avatars are just to reclaim conditioned souls to their eternal constitutional position (This has been described in the confidential meaning of Hare Krishna Mahamantra).
Note that here in Vrindavan, we don't have any qualification or any sadhanbal (own devotional strength) but only are fully banked on kripabal (mercy) of Rasika Acharyas and Srimati Radharani. And by this kripabal (mercy), there comes so much strength that enables us to venture in no matter whatever if Sriji inspires us via guru tattva.
The book 'Demystifying The Mystical Vrindavan' is the essence and crux of this entire website.
If you are considering to dive into the final goal of our Vedic Scriptures and spiritual life, and if Radharani inspires you, do get a copy of the book .
I am super unqualified to write this, but have been instructed by my guru tattva that nama (name) of Krishna is greater than even Krishna Himself!! So having full faith in words of my guru tattva and taking shelter of nama and by chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra, we will attempt to discuss a bit about Krishna as He inspires us from within at the time of writing this.
We will remember our guru tattva, Srila Rupa Goswamipada, Srila Prabhupada, Aindra Prabhu, Rasika Acharyas, Sri Vrindavan Dham, and our Queen Sri Radhika to guide us to attempt this.
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| Other Names | Gopijanavallabha, Shyamsundar, Damodar, Madan Mohan, Raman |
| Eternal Consort of | Radharani |
| Home | Goloka Vrindavan |
| Born | Mathura |
| Father | Vasudev Baba, Nand Baba (Foster Father) |
| Mother | Devaki Maiya, Yashoda Maiya (Foster Mother) |
| Brother | Balarama Dau |
| Expansions | Vishnu, Sankarshana, Balarama |
| Complexion | Blue |
| Weapon | Sudarshan Chakra |
| Dynasty Appeared in | Yadukul (Yaduvanshi) |
| Battle | Kurushetra War |
| Colour of Dress | Yellow |
| Festivals | Janmashtami, Gopastami, Gaur Purnima, Sharad Purnima |
| Vehicle | Garuda Ji |
| Kali Yuga Avatar |
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| Worshipped by | Vaishnavas |
| References in Vedic Scriptures |
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The meaning of name Krishna
The meaning of Krishna is All Attractive. One who attracts everybody (Jo sab ko mohit kar leta hain)!!
He is manmohana - one who captures one's very mind itself!
He is so beautiful that He gets attracted to even Himself! It's very tough to describe.
No picture has the potency to describe His true form. It manifests in the seeker's heart by chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra or holy names.
The same Krishna (who is most attractive) sits in groves of Vrindavan and chants Radha Radha. Radha is the hladini shakti of Krishna, who gives Him pleasure. They are one! Read this confidential biography of Radharani to get a brief idea of Radha tattva.
Krishna without Radha is not possible. Whatever Krishna does is for only Srimati Radharani. One won't understand the depth of it without guru kripa.
One who just says Krishna once is bound to get attracted towards Krishna. Then Krishna makes a path where the seeker can reach Him as per their sincerity and surrender. Intensely chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra and the All Attractive tattva of Krishna will sprout in the heart with due course of sincere chanting.
The eternal position
As mentioned in Padma Purana, Krishna is referred to as bhagavan - the possessor of 6 Aishwarya (opulence). The confidential meaning of bhagavan is explained in complete detail here.
He has unlimited forms, unlimited passtimes, unlimited qualities (anant rupa, anant lila, ananta guna) and one can't understand this tattva of Krishna without taking to sincere chanting of holy names.
Also, how Radha and Krishna are one is explained in complete detail here.
If a seeker is in the initial stages of their journey, they also might read the Bhagavad Gita (especially Chapter 9) to understand the position of Krishna in true sense.
Appearance story on earth (bhuloka)
Krishna appears just once in a day of Brahma (8 billion 640 million years) to reclaim souls to their original constitutional position.
Krishna last appeared at end of Dwapar Yuga around 5000 years ago as son of Devaki and Vasudev (Beautifully described in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1, Chapter 2 & 3).
Upon being requested by Lord Brahma to appear on earth to establish dharma (religious principles), Krishna descended on earth to perform His beautiful passtimes so as to attract conditioned souls back to their original state of Satchidananda (eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss).
He apparently takes birth in the jail of Kansa to Vasudev and Devaki in the Yadukul dynasty. When Vasudev Baba was taking little baby Krishna away from the jail of Kansa, Yamuna Maharani gave the way to Him to go to Gokul from Mathura. There Vasudev Baba kept Him in care of Nanda Baba. This passtime was arranged by yogamaya potency of Lord.
His complete biography is described in Krishna Book. Srila Prabhupada paused writing other books to complete the Krishna Book as meditating on the passtimes of Krishna is eventually the conclusion of all Vedic Scriptures (Bhagavad Gita 18.66).
We will quickly go through His passtimes in brief at different places (just for new seekers. The better idea is to read Krishna Book).
Gokul
Krishna spent His childhood at Gokul before it was burned by Kansa. Here, He used to steal butter from gopis. Rasika Acharyas say that He didn't steal their butter but actually their prema (love).
Nandgaon
Vrishabhanu Baba (father of Radharani) gave shelter to Gokulvasis at Nandgaon after Kansa had burnt Gokul. It was all a plan of Krishna to meet Radharani as Nandagoan is very close to Barsana.
Vrindavan
Later, Vrishabhanu Baba gave Vrindavan to Nanda Baba and all Gokulvasis made Vrindavan as their home. It is the home to most confidential lilas of Divine Couple.
You can go through complete Vrindavan Guide here. Here is a list of popular temples in Vrindavan.
Mathura
Then Krishna had to go to Mathura to free Vasudev Baba and Devaki Maiya from atrocities of Kansa. Actually, it's not Krishna who goes but His manifestation.
The same was beautifully demonstrated to Uddhav Ji by the gopis. Read Uddhav Gopi Sanvad (conversation) here.
Krishna killed Kansa and freed Mathura from the demoniac rule.
Dwarka
When Jarasandha attacked Mathura, Krishna left the battle-field and shifted to Dwarka. It was all a passtime to show His opulence of renunciation.
He didn't kill Jarasandha for a reason. He had given a blessing to Prahlad Maharaj that He wouldn't kill any of his descendants. Jarasandha belonged to that lineage hence to protect the vow given to His devotee, Krishna is seen at times not killing some demonic personalities Himself but arranging it via His representatives like Balarama Dau, Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhistir etc.
Hastinapur
Hastinapur was capital of Pandavas which was deceivingly occupied by Kauravas.
This was all an arrangement of Krishna to teach dharma to the entire world.
Making Arjuna as an instrument, Krishna narrated the Bhagavad Gita. Read the confidential synopsis of Bhagavad Gita here.
Krishna and 16108 wives
Krishna had 16108 wives and general people who don't have guru kripa can't understand this tattva. One should first know that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These 16108 wives are no ordinary but are exalted saints who had prayed in their past lives to have Krishna as their husband.
Krishna was personally present with each of His wives at the same time! One needs to chant holy names of Krishna to understand His unlimited forms, qualities and passtimes. You can check beginner's spirituality guide here to dive into this confidential prema rasa.
How to understand Krishna simply and please Him?
Nama Nama Nama. In this age of Kali, nama or holy names of Krishna is the only way to attain topmost perfection of life (as mentioned in Chaitanya Caritamrta). Read the complete meaning of Hare Krishna Mahamantra here.
Krishna as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Krishna appeared in the mood of Radharani as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 15th century at Mayapur (near Kolkata). He appeared as a hidden incarnation to experience Radha Dashyam Bhav and also to preach His holy names and invite conditioned back to their true position in Nitya Goloka Vrindavan.
Avatars of Krishna
In Bhagavad Gita (4.7) Krishna says, "Yada yada hi dharmasya..."
Srila Prabhupada writes in purport that whenever there is a decline of religion, Krishna, depending on time, place and circumstance appears Himself or sends His representative to revive fallen conditioned souls to their original spiritual identity
The details of all avatars (incarnation) of Krishna is beautifully explained in complete detail in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1, Chapter 2 & 3.
References in various scriptures
In all authentic Vedic Scriptures, the very first text begins with obeisances unto Lotus Feet of Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna. Some of them are mentioned below.
- Paadma Purana
- Skanda Purana
- Chaitanya Caritamrta
- Rig Veda
- Bhagavad Gita
- Ramayan
- Chanakya Niti
The relationship between Krishna and Lord Shiva is very very confidential and very madhur (sweet). Read it in complete detail here.
Different names of Krishna
Krishna has unlimited names like Gopal, Govind, Murlimanohar, Shyamsundar, Dwarkadheesh, Gopinath, Gopijanavallabha, Radha Vallabha, Damodar, Madan Mohan, Rishikesh, Raman, Gokulananda amongst unlimited names.
1000 names of Krishna are described in Gopal Sahastra Nama. Many devotees sing Gopal Sahastra Nama daily.
Out of all names, the favourite name of gopis is Shyamsundar.
Krishna as Jagannath
Krishna as Jagannath is based in Puri and everybody knows about it. But very few know that Jagannath Ji actually appeared in Vrindavan! After Krishna had left Vrindavan, Radharani was crying here day and night. She was mad in separation. Krishna was in Kurushetra once and felt a deep separation and went to Vrindavan silently. Balarama Ji followed Krishna, and so did Subhadra Maharani, their sister.
When Krishna came to Vrindavan and saw the state of Radharani, He couldn't control Himself and got so much in ecstatic separation that His body size expanded, eyes became big and He wasn't able to control His love. This form of Krishna is Lord Jagannath!!
When Balarama Ji came, He also couldn't control Himself to the display of prema (love) of Radharani and Krishna and the same happened to Him. When Subhadra Maharani came, she also underwent the same state.
So, Jagannath Ji is Krishna in the mood of acute separation. Hence Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to cry in front of Jagannath Ji in Puri during His prakat lila.
Serials (in popular media)
There have been many television serials made on Krishna.
The most popular ones are Ramanand Sagar's Mahabharata, Little Krishna (Cartoon Series), Mahabharat (Swastik Productions) and RadhaKrishn (Swastik Productions).
Little children should be narrated about the life of Krishna from an early age itself to equip them with nice sanskar (values). If you are new on the path of spirituality, you can check beginner's spirituality guide here.
Hare Krishna Mahamantra
Hare Krishna Mahamantra is the tarak brahma mantra of Kali Yuga. Read the inner confidential meaning of Hare Krishna Mahamantra here.
P.S. Check Advanced Guide to dive 1000x spiritually.
Jai Jai Shri Radhe!
Hare Krishna!