Eighth Avatar of Dashavatar

कृष्ण अवतार

Lord Krishna

The divine cowherd, supreme teacher, and embodiment of love, wisdom, and cosmic consciousness

Lord Krishna - The divine cowherd and supreme teacher

Lord Krishna playing the divine flute in Vrindavan

The Divine Leela

The Divine Birth in Mathura

Lord Krishna was born to Vasudeva and Devaki in the prison of the tyrant King Kamsa during the Dwapara Yuga. Born at midnight during a thunderstorm, the divine child appeared with four arms holding his eternal symbols, then transformed into a normal baby. His father carried him across the Yamuna River to safety in Gokul, where he was raised by Nanda and Yashoda.

The Enchanting Childhood - Bal Leela

Krishna's childhood was filled with miraculous deeds and divine play. He lifted the mighty Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers from Indra's wrath, defeated numerous demons sent by Kamsa, and charmed everyone with his mischievous yet divine nature. His butter-stealing adventures, cow-herding, and playful activities revealed the joy and innocence of divine consciousness.

The Divine Lover - Radha Krishna

In Vrindavan, Krishna's relationship with Radha and the Gopis represents the highest form of divine love (Prema Bhakti). The Raas Leela, his divine dance with the Gopis, symbolizes the soul's yearning for union with the divine. This cosmic love story transcends physical attraction to represent the eternal dance between the individual soul and supreme consciousness.

The Royal Prince and Divine Strategist

After defeating Kamsa, Krishna established the kingdom of Dwaraka, a magnificent city built on reclaimed land from the sea. As a king, he displayed perfect governance while maintaining his divine nature. He became the friend, guide, and protector of the Pandavas, playing a crucial role in establishing dharma through divine diplomacy and strategic wisdom.

The Supreme Teacher - Bhagavad Gita

On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, when Arjuna was paralyzed by moral confusion, Krishna revealed his divine nature and delivered the immortal teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. This supreme spiritual discourse covers the paths of knowledge (Jnana), action (Karma), and devotion (Bhakti), providing eternal guidance for spiritual liberation and righteous living.

The Cosmic Vision and Divine Departure

Krishna showed Arjuna his Vishvarupa (cosmic form), revealing himself as the source and essence of all existence. After the Kurukshetra war and establishing dharma, Krishna departed from his earthly form while meditating under a tree, pierced by a hunter's arrow. His departure marked the end of Dwapara Yuga and the beginning of Kali Yuga.

The Complete Avatar

Krishna is considered the Purna Avatar - the complete incarnation of Vishnu. Unlike other avatars who appeared for specific purposes, Krishna displayed all divine qualities: child-like innocence, youthful charm, romantic love, royal majesty, supreme wisdom, and cosmic consciousness. He represents the fullness of divine personality accessible through love and devotion.

Spiritual Significance

Divine Love (Prema Bhakti)

Krishna teaches that divine love is the highest spiritual path, accessible to all regardless of caste, creed, or social position.

Cosmic Consciousness

Through the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna reveals the unity of all existence and the path to realizing one's true divine nature.

Divine Joy and Playfulness

Krishna shows that spirituality includes joy, celebration, and divine play (Leela), not just serious austerity.

Integration of Life

Unlike renunciant paths, Krishna teaches engagement with the world while maintaining divine consciousness and detachment.

Universal Accessibility

Krishna made the highest spiritual teachings available to all, regardless of education, social status, or spiritual advancement.

Festival Celebrations

Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna's birthday on Ashtami of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada

Midnight celebrations with bhajan, dance, dramatic enactments of Krishna's childhood, and the breaking of earthen pots (Dahi Handi).

Holi - Festival of Colors

Celebrates Krishna's playful nature and Radha-Krishna love

Especially vibrant in Vrindavan and Mathura, celebrating the eternal play of divine love with colors, music, and dance.

Govardhan Puja

Celebrates Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan

Day after Diwali, devotees create food mountains and circumambulate Govardhan Hill, celebrating divine protection and humility.

Gita Jayanti

Celebrates the teaching of Bhagavad Gita

On Ekadashi of Margashirsha Shukla Paksha, devotees recite and study the Gita, celebrating divine wisdom.

Sacred Places

Mathura-Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

Krishna's birthplace and childhood playground, with countless temples and sites associated with his divine play.

Dwarka, Gujarat

Krishna's royal capital, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, where he ruled as a perfect king.

Kurukshetra, Haryana

The battlefield where Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita, now a major center for Krishna consciousness and Gita study.

Govardhan Hill, Uttar Pradesh

Sacred hill lifted by Krishna, circumambulated by millions of devotees seeking divine blessings and protection.

Jagannath Puri, Odisha

Where Krishna is worshipped as Jagannath with his siblings, famous for the grand Rath Yatra festival.

Quick Facts

Avatar Order:8th of Dashavatar
Yuga:Dwapara Yuga
Birth Parents:Vasudeva & Devaki
Foster Parents:Nanda & Yashoda
Beloved:Radha
Kingdom:Dwarka
Sacred Teaching:Bhagavad Gita

Sacred Mantras

Hare Krishna Maha Mantra

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे। हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे॥

The great mantra for the age of Kali, chanted for spiritual purification and Krishna consciousness

Krishna Mantra

ॐ श्री कृष्णाय नमः

Simple yet powerful salutation to Lord Krishna

Gita Mantra

सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज। अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥

Krishna's promise in Bhagavad Gita 18.66 - "Surrender unto Me alone and I shall deliver you from all sins"

Divine Love & Joy

"मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु" - Always think of Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and bow to Me. Krishna teaches that spiritual life should be filled with love, joy, and celebration. The divine flute calls all souls to return to their eternal relationship with the Supreme, through pure love and devotion that transcends all barriers.