If there is one story about the descent of God that is interesting, captivating, entertaining, and enlightening, it’s the story of Lord Krishna.
Around 5000 years back, in the city of Mathura (located 180 km from New Delhi), a boy was born. This boy was Krishna, the 8threincarnation of Lord Vishnu.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu took the birth in human form to weed off the rising evil forces from the face of the earth and bring harmony.
Unlike the westernbeliefs where God is often depicted as old with a white beard and all (for example, Zeus), Indians love and worship the inculpability and the notoriety of young Krishna. Much of western people still think that Mahabharata and Ramayana are just the work of fiction made to entertain the commoners. But, billions of people worship Krishna, they keep fast to show their devotion and always try to follow the shown path.
Bhagwad Gita, the holy poem recited by Krishna is believed to hold answers to all problem in this world. By far, Bhagwad Gita is the most sold book in India for decades. The book is meant to show people how to live their life; not just Hindus, but everyone. There are no religious but all rational and true directions to life that anyone can follow without corrupting his/her own belief.
Artists across the country and entire world are obsessed with the life of Krishna. Several artworks related to Krishna, various Radha Krishna paintings, and a number of poems and short stories are crafted to convey the nobleness of this avatar.
The diversified acts of Krishna
Krishna is remembered as a jubilant and naughty child who used to steal butter from other’s house and was still beloved to everyone. His character, his captivating aura, and his amenable way of dealing with things made him people’s favourite from the beginning.
His childhood incorporates multiple tales of friendship, valour, miracles, and righteousness. The most impeccable tale of Krishna’s adolescence was his meeting with Radha. To understand the tale of Radha and Krishna, you first need to free your mind of all definitions of love.
You can see the magic of Krishna’s blissfulness in varied Radha Krishna paintings. These artworks showcase Radha and Krishna together with numerous gopis circling them. These gopiswere believed to be highly devoted to Krishna. In simpler words, they all loved Krishna. And by ‘love’ I don’t mean the cheesy and romantic relationship that is between a boy and a girl, but the pious feeling of devotion and submission when a soul meets its creator.
These playfulness nature of Krishna is known as ‘Raas Leela’ and is often assumed quite derogatorily. But the real meaning is here something else. When a person does something expecting a return, it is called an action; while doing something without the wish for any return is Leela.
That is why humans cannot perform the ‘Leela’ because we are bounded by the greed of returns. A lot of western mythologies and religious tales narrate their Gods as strict, jealous, and somewhat reluctant to make people follow his law or punishment follows. When you look at Krishna, he sings, he playsflute, he loves, he serves (the elderly and the saints) and he was extremely creative.
Looking at Krishna transforms the image of God completely. He took part in Mahabharata, the greatest battle of Dwapar Yuga but he didn’t raise a single hand. Instead, he was happy being a chariot driver to Arjuna. He is a guide, he is a friend, he is a lover, and he is young.
When he left Vrindavan, Krishna defeated Kansa and fulfilled the old prophecy bringing peace to the place. He setup his palace in Dwarka, a city emerged from the water itself.
Understanding Krishna
It isn’t easy to get the true nature of Krishna. You will be deceived and diverted to multiple perceptions and it’s totally ok.
Radha Krishna paintings on canvas areone of the finest examples of how people worship the two lovers who were neither married to each othernor do they spend most of their lives together. This decodes clearly that true love is pure and selfless like Krishna.
A lot of our education and books are inspired by thewestern education system and it’s kind of understandable why the educated population (especially the youth) of India is getting far away from such information.
When we witness Greek Gods with white beards and chariots in movies, documentaries, and religious narrations, we never question the authenticity of their existence and we never raise a finger at how God can be angry or jealous since these are the traits of humans. But, we surely call Indian religious events as Mythologies, why not!
To understand Krishna, one has to get himself/herself prepared. Until unless we have humility, nonviolence, forgiveness, and tolerance embedded deep into our character, we can only wish to understand the true spirit of Krishna.
