Showing posts with label Krishna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Krishna. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Why was it so crucial for Krishna and the Pandavas to defeat Jarasandha before attempting the Rajasuya sacrifice?

If Pandavas had faced Magadh army under emperor Jarasandha’s rule, they would've been effortlessly crushed like bugs.

Krishna himself along with Balarama, Satyaki, Pradyumna and whole of Yadavs combined couldn't do anything against Magadh's full might under Jarasandha..

He had unique boon from Rishi Chandakaushik to be invulnerable to weapons. 2 of his army generals named Hamsa and Dimvaka had same exact boon. In addition to this he gained many boons from Shiva which helped him conquer all countries in the contemporary world barring Hastinapura and Dwaraka. Hastinapura was spared due to Bhishma and Dwaraka was setup in Mountainous regions inaccessible to him.

Krishna to Yudhistira: -

It behoveth thee, O Bharata, to establish thy empire over all the Kshatriyas. But this is my judgment, O king, that thou wilt not be able to celebrate the Rajasuya sacrifice as long as the mighty Jarasandha liveth. By him have been immured in his hillfort numerous monarchs, like a lion that hath deposited the slain bodies of mighty elephants within a cave of the king of mountains.

..

By defeating the kings with their troops and bringing all of them as captives into this city, he had swelled its crowds enormously. We also, O king, from fear of Jarasandha, at one time had to leave Mathura and fly to the city of Dwaravati.

If, O great king, thou desirest to perform this sacrifice, strive to release the kings confined by Jarasandha, as also to compass his death. O son of the Kuru race, otherwise this undertaking of thine can never be completed. O thou foremost of intelligent men if the Rajasuya is to be performed by thee, you must do this in this way and not otherwise.

Further he stated that Jarasandha is too tough to be beaten in a war, even by Dev's and Asuras (obviously a hyperbole). And therefore be subdued in a personal combat where his army or allies won't interfere.

He is incapable of being vanquished in battle even by all the celestials and the Asuras (fighting together). We think, however, that he should be vanquished in a personal struggle with bare arms. In me is policy, in Bhima is strength and in Arjuna is triumph; and therefore, as prelude to performing the Rajasuya, we will certainly achieve the destruction of the ruler of Magadha. When we three approach that monarch in secret, and he will, without doubt, be engaged in an encounter with one of us.

From fear of disgrace, from covetousness, and from pride of strength he will certainly summon Bhima to the encounter. Like death himself that slays a person however swollen with pride, the long-armed and mighty Bhimasena will effect the destruction of the king.

That could be mythological reasoning. Realistically, Jarasandha simply could've been an unparalleled military intellect under whose command Magadh empire was unbeateable.

Jarasandh by himself was merely immune to weapons but was vulnerable to defeat in physical combat. But under his leadership, Magadh was Strongest military force in that era.

Monday, December 1, 2025

Can you explain the difference between Krishna of Goloka and Krishna as an avatar of Vishnu in simpler terms?

 Disclaimer: this is an answer from the Vaishnava perspective.

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!

There is a subtle difference.

Lord Krishna in the eternal Goloka is Bhagavan Svayam and Avatari (the source of all avataras).

Whereas Lord Krishna, who was on Earth, is a purna avatara of Lord Vishnu, a guna avatara of the Avatari Lord Krishna.

However, both are the same Supreme Person.

Explanation:

In Vaishnavism, Bhagavan Svayam resides in the eternal abode – the Param Padam.

tad viṣṇoḥ paramam padaṃ sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ
divīva cakṣur ātatam

Translation:

“The wise ever contemplate that supreme station of Viṣṇu (the all-pervading one), as the eye ranges over the sky.” - Rig Veda 1.22.20

According to Panchratra philosophy, Bhagavan Svayam is ParaVasudeva (as recognised by Krishnavites) or Sriman Narayana (as recognised by Madhva and Sri Vaishnavas).

ParaVasudeva is recognised as Avatari because He is the source of all avataras, which includes the:

  • Catur Vyuhas (Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha)
  • Purusha avataras (Karanodakasayi/Maha Vishnu, Garbhodakasayi Vishnu, Kshirodakasayi Vishnu)
  • Guna avataras (Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesha)
  • Leela avataras (e.g. Rama, Krishna, Narasimha)
  • Shaktyavesha avataras (e.g. Narada muni and Sanat-kumaras)
  • Manvantara avataras (e.g. Hari and Yajna)
  • Yuga avataras (i.e., incarnations of Satya, Treta, Dvarpara, and Kali yuga)

ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ
kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam
indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokaṁ
mṛḍayanti yuge yuge

Translation:

“All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.28

ParaVasudeva is eternally residing in the Param Padam, He does not directly involve Himself with any work in the material realm whatsoever.

This is done by His expansions as the Purusha avatars, who are involved in the manifestation, maintenance, and dissolution of multiple universes simultaneously.

ādyo ’vatāraḥ puruṣaḥ parasya
kālaḥ svabhāvaḥ sad-asan-manaś ca
dravyaṁ vikāro guṇa indriyāṇi
virāṭ svarāṭ sthāsnu cariṣṇu bhūmnaḥ

Translation:

“Kāraṇārṇavaśāyī Viṣṇu is the first incarnation of the Supreme Lord, and He is the master of eternal time, space, cause and effects, mind, the elements, the material ego, the modes of nature, the senses, the universal form of the Lord, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, and the sum total of all living beings, both moving and nonmoving.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 2.6.42

Relative to each universe, this act is carried out by the three guna avataras.

  • Brahma (akara) - creates the universe as instructed to Him by the knowledge revealed to him by the Lord.
  • Vishnu (ukara) - maintains the universe by residing in each atom of existence but also through incarnating in various leela-avataras.
  • Mahesha (makara) - destroys the universe by His cosmic dance as Nataraja

“In order to handle creation, sustenance, and destruction the one and only Janaardhana takes the names of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara.” - Vishnu Purana 1.2.6.11

Of these three, Lord Vishnu is seen as a purna avatara (complete incarnation of Bhagavan Svayam), whereas Lords Brahma and Shiva are seen more as shaktyavesha avataras (empowered incarnations) in this sense (though Lord Shiva holds special positions in some Vaishnava traditions – e.g., Gaudiyas and Ramanandis).

Hence, Lord Vishnu is completely nondifferent from Him and recognised as the same Supreme Person.

sṛjāmi tan-niyukto 'haṁ
haro harati tad-vaśaḥ
viśvaṁ puruṣa-rūpeṇa
paripāti tri-śakti-dhṛk

Translation:

“By His will, I [Lord Brahma] create, Lord Śiva destroys, and He Himself, in His eternal form as the Personality of Godhead, maintains everything. He is the powerful controller of these three energies.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 2.6.32

Lord Vishnu has many leela avataras, and of those, three are recognised as purna – Narasimha, Rama, and Krishna.

“Matsya, Kūrma, Varāha, Narasiṃha, Vāmana, Rāma, Paraśurāma, Kṛṣṇa, Buddha and Kalki are the ten Vibhavas (incarnations) of Brahman, the highest soul. The group of six qualities is said to exist in Nṛsiṃha, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.” - Padma Purana, Uttara-Khanda 229.41–42

Lord Krishna here is the cowherd boy who descended to Earth and performed leelas to maintain dharma as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

This is the difference.

Lord Krishna of the Param Padam is eternal, existing in His original form, and does not leave this abode in any way.

He can simultaneously appear within the material universes without abandoning His transcendental abode.

Lord Krishna, who descended on Earth, remained on Earth temporarily in a form in this material realm and is also present in other different universes.

There are other Lord Krishnas as purna avataras of the various Lord Vishnus of the other universes.

But they are the same Purushottoma playing the leelas for our own benefit in different forms.

Hare Krishna

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Did Garuda meet Krishna?

 Yes. Garuda was a constant companion of Lord Krishna throughout his avatar.

  1. At the end of Govardhana Leela, Indra saw Garuda giving shade to Krishna with his wings -

Disappearing from view, that foremost of birds (Garuda), feeding on serpents, was protecting him, seated at ease, against the rays of the sun with his wings. Leaving behind his elephant, Indra, the slayer of Bala, approached Krishna who was playing in the forest being engaged in human actions.

  • Chapter 19, Vishnu Parva, Harivamsa.

2. Garuda placed Vishnu’s crown on Krishna's head -

Beholding Vishnu in a human form on that best of mountains, without any diadem on his head and with out any visible dress and apprised of his intention that foremost of birds threw from the welkin that crown on Vishnu’s head in such a way as if it had been attached to his head from before.

  • Chapter 41, Vishnu parva, Harivamsa.

3. Garuda accompanied Krishna to Vidarbha -

Thereupon in order to terrify the kings and display his own prowess he thought of the highly powerful son of Vinata who had attained Siddhi beforehand. As soon as he was thought of, Vinata’s son, assuming a form that could be seen easily, approached Keshava.

  • Chapter 48, Vishnu parva, Harivamsa.

4. Krishna and Satyabhama went to Fight Narakasura riding on Garuda -

Then taking up his conch, discus, club and sword, he, along with Satyabhama, sat on Garuda’s back and immediately started with Sakra. Before the very eyes of the leading Yadus, Keshava, assisted by the powerful Garuda, crossed the seven regions of the wind-gods and rose high up.

  • Chapter 64, Vishnu parva, Harivamsa.

4. Krishna fought Indra for the Parijata tree while riding on Garuda -

He rode on Vinata’s son and caused terror in AmaravatiThe brave one brought parijata from the great Indra’s residence. Knowing his valour, Shakra tolerated this. We have not heard of any king who has not been vanquished by Krishna.

  • 987 (10), Dronabhisheka Parva, Mahabharata.

5. Krishna went to fight Banasura riding on Garuda -

After Krishna had sat on Garuda’s back Halayudha and Pradyumna, the grinder of enemies, sat behind him. At that time the Siddhas, Caranas and the great Rishis said to Keshava in the sky:—"O you of large arms, do you vanquish Vana with all his followers. No one will be able to stand before you in the great battle.

  • Chapter 122, Vishnu parva, Harivamsa.

6. On Krishna's command, Garuda Sits on Krishna's flagstaff -

Krishna thought of Garuda and he immediately arrived, the instant he had been thought of, like the tall pillar of a temple. Garuda, eater of serpents, then sat on that supreme chariot on the flagstaff, together with many other blazing beings that had their mouths open and roared loudly.

  • 247 (22), Jarasandha vadha parva, Mahabharata.

7. Krishna went to fight Paundraka Vasudeva by riding on Garuda -

So saying, he dismissed the, ambassador to report these words to his sovereign; and summoning Garuda, mounted him, and set off for the city of Paundraka.

  • Chapter XXXIV, Book V, Vishnu Purana.

Monday, October 27, 2025

Why did the greatest warriors fail before Krishna’s strategy?

 That is because intelligence is superior to Physical strength. Even the strength of the greatest of warriors fails infront of an intelligent person.

O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Deeds performed through intelligence are the best, those performed with the arms are medium, and those performed by bearing loads with the thighs are the worst.

  • 35, Prajagara parva, Mahabharata.

Krishna used his intelligence to counter formidable opponents and save the Yadavas and Pandavas alike.

Kalayavana

Kalayavana had a boon from Shiva of invincibility against the Yadavas. Krishna tricked him to chase after him by pretending to flee. Krishna lured the Yavana king into a cave where king Muchukunda was sleeping. Muchukunda had a boon from the devas that anyone who disturbs his sleep would be burned down. Krishna fooled Kalayavana into disturbing Muchukunda and as a result got burnt to ashes.

Jarasandha

Jarasandha had the largest army in the entire country and most of the kings were his allies. Krishna skillfully avoided a direct confrontation between Jarasandha's army and Indraprastha’s army by going to Magadha in disguise with Bhima and Arjuna and then getting Jarasandha killed in a one on one wrestling match with Bhima. Krishna knew that Jarasandha due his pride and arrogance will not back down from a challenge -

If that lord of men is confronted by the three of us alone, there is no doubt that he will engage one of us in a duel. Out of contempt for the worlds and his pride in himself, he will certainly challenge Bhimasena to a duel.

  • 18, Jarasandha Vadha parva, Mahabharata.

Thus Krishna averted a huge war between Magadha and Indraprastha and killed Jarasandha by using his own pride against him.

Vasavi Shakti

Karna had Indra's Vasavi Shakti with a boon of infallibility. Krishna saved Arjuna by keeping him away from Karna as much as possible, confused Karna's mind making him forget about the astra every day and then finally diverting the missile to Ghatotkacha. Krishna thus wasted the divine missile and got rid of the wicked Ghatotkacha at the same time.

Keshava has always protected Kounteya Arjuna. In the battle, that is the reason he didn't allow him to be stationed before the son of the sutaAchyuta stationed other supreme rathas there. O lord! He acted so that the infallible spear might become fallible.

‘Sanjaya said, “O king! The slayer of Madhu knew what Karna desired to do. The immensely intelligent Janardana instructed the immensely valorous Ghatotkacha, lord of the rakshasas, to engage in that duel. The intention was to make the infallible weapon useless.

  • 157, Drona Vadha parva, Mahabharata.

Drona

This was the the only time Krishna specifically made out a strategy to bring down a Kaurava warrior. Seeing Drona was especially dangerous on the 15th day, Lord Krishna came up with the strategy of demoralising him by spreading the rumour of Ashwatthama’s death. Drona in despair abandoned his weapons and is consequently killed by Dhrishtadyumna.

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Who were the individual enemies killed by Lord Krishna?

 Lord Krishna slayed many wicked demons and kings. Here are the most famous ones mentioned in Mahabharata and Harivamsa.

Putana

Bhoja Kamsa’s nursemaid was known by the name of Putana. She was seen in the middle of the night, in the form of a bird. She roared repeatedly, in a voice that was like that of a tiger. Her breasts flowing with milk, she stood on the axle of the cart. While people slept in the night, she offered her breasts to Krishna. Krishna sucked on her breast and sucked out her life too. With her breast torn out, she screamed. The bird suddenly fell down on the ground.

  • 50, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Arishta

In the encounter, Krishna and the bull sought to counter each other. It was as if two quivering clouds had clashed against each other. He destroyed the insolence of his strength. He kicked him between the horns with his feet. He squeezed Arishta’s throat, as if it was a wet cloth. He uprooted the left horn, which was like Yama’s staff. He then struck him on the face. Severely struck, he died. His horns were shattered and his bones were broken. The danava’s shoulder buckled. Vomiting blood, he fell down, like a cloud releasing water.

  • 64, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Keshi

Keshi, supreme among horses, engaged with Krishna. Using his front legs, he struck Krishna on the chest. Using his hooves, the powerful one repeatedly struck him on the sides.

As they engaged, the powerful and infinitely valorous Krishna also became angryUsing his hand, he struck him in the mouth. He was incapable of biting the hand, or withstanding the blow. His teeth were broken and torn from their foundations and he started to vomit frothy bloodHis teeth were uprooted, his lips mangled and his throat choked.

Having brought about the destruction of Keshi and divided his body into two in the encounter, the lotus-eyed Krishna stood there, smiling.

  • 67, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Chanura

Devaki’s son played with Chanura for a long time. But on discerning Kamsa’s sentiments, he summoned up all his strength. The earth trembled. The arena started to move around. The best of gems fell down from Kamsa’s crown. Chanura had already lived his life. With his arms, Krishna bent him. He struck him on the head with his fist and on the chest with his knee. Tears and blood flowed from his eyes and his eyeballs emerged from their sockets, hanging like bells from a seat on an elephant. With his eyes gouged out, he fell down in the middle of the arena. Bereft of life and with his lifespan over, Chanura lay down on the ground.

  • 75, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Kamsa

In the midst of that assembly in the arena, Krishna used his arms, which were like clubs, and seized Kamsa by the hair on his head. The crown, decorated with gold and diamonds, fell down. His head was seized by Krishna’s hands. With the hair grasped by the hands, Kamsa was unable to make any efforts.

The immensely radiant king of Bhoja was thus dragged by Krishna along that arena. As his body was dragged along, potholes were created there. In that arena, Krishna played around and dragged him along. When he had lost his life, Krishna flung Kamsa’s body a long distance away.

  • 76, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Narakasura

Naraka, who terrified large numbers of gods, fought with Purushottama, as if he was the energetic Madhu’ fighting with Madhusudana. Madhusudana fought with Naraka for some time. After this, using his blazing and fierce chakra, he severed him into two. Divided into two parts by the chakra, his body fell down on the ground. Like the summit of a mountain, it was severed into two parts by the chakra.

  • 91, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Shishupala

When he was talking in this way, the illustrious Madhusudana, the destroyer of his enemies, angrily sliced off his head with the chakra. The mighty-armed one fell down like a mountain struck by the vajra.

  • 42, Shishupala Vadha parva, Mahabharata.

Shalva

When Soubha fell down, the chakra returned to my hand. I took it up once more and hurled it, saying, "Go to Shalva." Shalva was about to hurl a giant club in that great battle. The chakra suddenly blazed up with its energy and cut him into two. When that brave one was killed, the danavas were frightened and lost their senses. Chased by my arrows, they lamented and fled towards.

  • 23, Kairata Parva, Mahabharata.

Ekalavya

He was challenged by Ekalavya, the king of Nishadha, who was thought to be invincible. But Krishna killed him and robbed him of his life, forcefully smashing him against a rock, like Jambha.

  • 47, Yana Sandhi parva, Mahabharata.