Introduction to Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna is one of the most popular and revered deities of Hinduism. He is considered to be the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna incarnated on earth in the Dwapara Yuga to establish religion, destroy the wicked and provide welfare to the devotees. Lord Krishna is worshipped as the embodiment of love, devotion, knowledge and compassion.
Birth of Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna was born in Mathura as the eighth son of Princess Devaki and Vasudevaji. According to the Hindu calendar, he was born on the midnight of the eighth day of Krishna Paksha. This holy day is celebrated all over the world as Janmashtami.
Before the birth of Lord Krishna, it was prophesied that Devaki's eighth son would be the cause of Kansa's destruction. Fearing this prophecy, Kansa locked Devaki and Vasudeva in prison and started killing their children.
Shri Krishna's childhood pastimes in Gokul and Vrindavan
Lord Krishna was brought up by his mother Yashoda and Nand Baba in Gokul. In his childhood, Shri Krishna performed many miraculous pastimes and delighted the people of Gokul and Vrindavan. He killed many demons and freed the people of Braj from the atrocities of Kansa.
The divine love of Shri Krishna and Radha ji is considered a symbol of devotion and selfless love in Hinduism. Lord Krishna spent most of his childhood in Vrindavan with the Gopis and the cowherds.
Kansa's Killing and the Kingdom of Dwarika
Lord Krishna, in his youth, freed the people of Mathura from his tyranny by killing Kansa. After that, he established a kingdom in the city of Dwarika and became famous throughout India as the King of Dwarika.
Lord Krishna also played an important role in the Mahabharata war. He preached the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna and explained the truth of religion, karma and life.
Lord Krishna's Family
Lord Krishna's birth parents were Vasudeva and Devaki, while his mother Yashoda and Nand Baba took care of him. Lord Krishna's sister's name was Subhadra.
Lord Krishna had 16,108 queens, out of which eight main queens are known as Ashtabharya. Rukminiji is considered his main wife.
Description of Lord Krishna's form
Lord Krishna is usually depicted in a dark or blue complexion. He is depicted wearing a peacock crown on his head, wearing yellow clothes and holding a flute in his hand.
The most famous mudra of Lord Krishna is the Tribhangi mudra, in which he is seen in a calm and graceful form playing the flute. The Laddu Gopal form of Lord Krishna is also very popular, in which he is depicted as a small child.
Mantras of Lord Krishna
The chanting of the mantras of Lord Krishna brings devotion, peace and positive energy.
॥ ॥ कृं कृष्णाय नमहाम ॥
॥ क्लीं कृष्णाय नमहाम ॥
॥ ॥ ओम भगवाते वसुदेवाय नमहाम ॥
॥ ओम भगवात वसुदेवाय नमहाम ॥
॥ ओम देवकिनंदनाय वसुदेवाय ध्महामे वसुदेवाय ध्महामे तनौ कृष ॥
Famous Temples of Lord Krishna
There are many famous temples of Lord Krishna in India. Among them, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple (Mathura), Banke Bihari Temple (Vrindavan), Radha Vallabh Temple, Udupi Shri Krishna Math, Dwarkadhish Temple (Gujarat), Jagannath Puri and Bhalka Tirtha Temple are particularly famous.
Importance of Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna is considered the symbol of love, knowledge, compassion and religion. He showed the right path to human life through the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Devotion to Lord Krishna brings peace, joy and spiritual power in the mind.