by Sande Waybill

Created on: August 21, 2008

Krishna, aka krsna, is known in the Hindu faith as the eighth incarnation of Vishnu. His name in Sanskrit means black or dark blue. This would explain why he is often painted with a blue skin in images. Krishna symbolizes love and divine joy. He is connected to both knowledge and peace, and was reportedly born to establish the religion of love.

Krishna was reportedly born into a royal family during July, 3228 BC. (It is sometimes believed that he was born without physical sex, by means of love and telekinesis from the heart and mind of Vasudeva into Devaki.) He was soon transferred to foster parents. Coming from a cow-laden, pastoral childhood, it is no wonder that he is sometimes known as Govinda, meaning finder of cows. He is considered the protector of cows.

His childhood is filled with tales of mischief. In his youth, he was known to be both a trickster and a lover. He was reportedly at one time a butter thief. Growing up amidst a rural setting, he was reported to often chase after the cowgirls, playing his flute to seduce them. This is one of the more popular choices for his imagery, although he is also often seen as a small boy, a warrior, or with Radha - the most popular consort from amongst the village milkmaids.

In some stories he is reported to have had 16108 wives, in others just Rukmini. In many tales it talks of the symbolism of the love for him from Radha, who is generally pictured in paintings alongside Krishna when he is seen as a young man. She is said to have loved him more than any other milkmaid and is a representative of the soul awakened to the love of god from amidst those stuck in their physical bodies. This story is also said to reflect the symbolism of the many milkmaids love for god standing for the eternal binding between god and man's soul.

In later life he was known as a heroic warrior and a teacher. In the Bhagavad Gita for example, he is mentioned as speaking to Arjuna on the battlefield at Kurukshetra. Krishna reportedly became a king after killing Kamsa.

Texts referring to Krishna include the Mahabaratha, in which he spoke of Bhakti yoga, also known as the Yoga of devotion. This text also addresses Krishna as an avatar of Vishnu. Many of the later Puranas address the life story of Krishna. The Bhagavata Purana refers much to his philosophy as well as life.

Krishna is said to have been killed by a hunter mistaking his foot for a deer and wounding him fatally with an arrow. One text claims his death to be caused by a curse issued as revenge for the death of her sons in a war by the mother.

Krishna is a popular Hindu deity to be worshiped, both in his own right and as an incarnation of Vishnu. Outside of India, the well-known Hare Krishna movement has popularized Krishna and brought this deity to the view of many who had not had a Hindu upbringing.

Several non-Hindu religions recognize the existence of Krishna. In Buddhism for example, Krishna is seen as a former life of Sariputra. The Jainist and Baha'i faiths also recognize Krishna, as well as Ahmadiyya Islam.

URLs used to assist research:
http://www.koausa.org/Gods/God2.html
http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna
http://www.sanatansocie ty.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/krishna.htm

Learn more about this author, Sande Waybill.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.