Everyone has their personal favourite among the
more Krishna stories. Here are a couple of of the more common things blended in
with some of the lesser known histories, said by Sadhguru. Before these stories
start, Sadhguru sets this scene by giving us a glimpse of the multifaceted
world of Krishna, And talks about what it gets to investigate krishna’s way –
the way of the playful.
Many Puranas tell Krishna's life story or some
highlights from it. Two Puranas, the Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana,
contain the most elaborate telling of Krishna's story, but the life stories of
Krishna in these and other texts vary, and contain significant inconsistencies.
The Bhagavata Purana consists of twelve books subdivided into 332 chapters,
with a cumulative total of between 16,000 and 18,000 verses depending on the
version. The tenth book of the text, which contains about 4,000 verses (~25%)
and is dedicated to legends about Krishna, has been the most popular and widely
studied part of this text. This summary is a mythological account, based on
literary details from the Mahābhārata, the Harivamsa, the Bhagavata Purana, and
the Vishnu Purana. The scenes from the narrative are set in ancient India,
mostly in the present states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana,
Delhi, and Gujarat. The legends about Krishna's life are called Krishna
charitas (IAST: Kṛṣṇacaritas).
The
earliest text that explicitly provides detailed descriptions of Krishna as a
personality is the epic Mahabharata which depicts Krishna as an incarnation of
Vishnu. Krishna is central to many of the main stories of the epic. The
eighteen chapters of the sixth book (Bhishma Parva) of the epic that
constitutes the Bhagavad Gita contain the advice of Krishna to the warrior-hero
Arjuna, on the battlefield.
Krishna Janmastami marks
the birth of Krishna. Considered the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Krishna
is the most important character in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharat. On this day
Hindu devotees visit Krishna temples. In particular, thousands of devotees
gather at the stone Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square. Teej is a festival
celebrated by Nepali women, for the long life of her husband and a long and
firm relationship between them until the death this life and all the lives to
come. Teej is observed for marital happiness, the well-being of spouse and
children and purification of own body and soul.There are many exciting stories
about Sri Krishna from his birth to his death. Those who believe in the Hindu
faith and in Sri Krishna, celebrate their adorable God's birthday in the form
of Janmashtami. On this day, devotees pray and keep a fast to obtain the grace
of Lord Krishna. It is one of the biggest religious festivals in India.
Krishna
Janmashtami is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti, Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami
and sometimes simply as Janmashtami. Hindus observed this festival to celebrate
the birthday of their beloved God Sri Krishna. The birth of Lord Krishna marks
the end of inhumanity and cruelty over mankind. Krishna is a symbol of
righteousness. Sri Krishna was born at mid-night of this day. Krishna
Janmashtami is observed on the Ashtamitithi, the eighth day of the dark half or
Krishna Paksha of the month of Shraavana. He is considered as an avatar of the
God Vishnu. The day is celebrated with great zeal and devotion.
Some of
Swaminarayan's followers believe he was an incarnation of Lord Krishna. The images
and stories of Swaminarayan and Krishna have coincided in the liturgy of the
sect. The story of the birth of Swaminarayan parallels that of Krishna's birth
from the scripture Bhagavata Purana. Swaminarayan himself is said to have
intimated that he was a manifestation of God in a meeting with Reginald Heber,
the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, in 1825.
The tale of Krishna's
birth is recited and remembered from temples and households. The story
signifies the divine power of lord Krishna. Devotional songs are sung which are
dedicated to lord Krishna. Cities all over India get into a trance like mode.
People visit temples at night, joint their hands and bow their heads in front
of Krishna's idol with enormous faith.
It is impossible to
think of Krishna without thinking of Radha. Theirs is an eternal love story The
stuff of romantic songs. And yet, some of the biggest Krishna temples in India
do not enshrine the image of Radha. In Puri, Orissa, Krishna is enshrined with
his sister, Subhadra, and his brother Balaram. In Udupi, Karnataka, and
Guruvayoor, Kerala, and Nathdvara, Rajasthan, Krishna stands alone as a cowherd
boy. In Pandharpur, Maharashtra, and Dwarka, Gujarat, he stands alone with the
temple of his wife Rukmini nearby. Even the most sacred book of Krishna, the
Bhagavat Puran, does not mention Radha.
It is
impossible to think of Krishna without thinking of Radha. Theirs is an eternal
love story The stuff of romantic songs. And yet, some of the biggest Krishna
temples in India do not enshrine the image of Radha. In Puri, Orissa, Krishna
is enshrined with his sister, Subhadra, and his brother Balaram. In Udupi,
Karnataka, and Guruvayoor, Kerala, and Nathdvara, Rajasthan, Krishna stands
alone as a cowherd boy. In Pandharpur, Maharashtra, and Dwarka, Gujarat, he
stands alone with the temple of his wife Rukmini nearby. Even the most sacred
book of Krishna, the Bhagavat Puran, does not mention Radha.
Arjuna, however, his
charioteer Krishna is in reality the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu — and
hence is a reincarnation of Rama from the Ramayana. Krishna suddenly reveals
his true divine nature to Arjuna, explaining the cosmic “plan of salvation” as
understood by the ancient Hindus. Krishna's teachings to Arjuna are contained
in the Bhagavad-Gita (song of the Lord Krishna).
Arjuna, however, his
charioteer Krishna is in reality the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu — and
hence is a reincarnation of Rama from the Ramayana. Krishna suddenly reveals
his true divine nature to Arjuna, explaining the cosmic “plan of salvation” as
understood by the ancient Hindus. Krishna's teachings to Arjuna are contained
in the Bhagavad-Gita (song of the Lord Krishna).
While the
celebration itself is based on a Hindu legend, the throwing of colored powder
originates from a separate story. Krishna, who has blue skin, is in love with
Radha. With Krishna unhappy with the difference in skin color, Krishna’s mother
suggests he colors Radha with paint, leading to the colorful powder
celebration.
Another story linked
with Holi is about Krishna’s love for Radha. Krishna’s skin was dark blue
because a demoness had tried to poison him when he was a baby, and Krishna was
worried that Radha wouldn’t like him because of his appearance. His mother,
Yashoda, playfully suggested that he smear some brightly coloured powder on
Radha’s face. After Krishna did this, Radha fell in love with him and they were
later married.
The purport of the story
is that a mother's love is more powerful than the curse, or karma. After
Krishna and Balaram returned to Mathura, Devaki asked Krishna to find her dead
sons so she could see them. Krishna and Balarama journeyed to the underworld
and soon returned with six babies. Devaki held them on her lap and joyfully fed
them and cared for them. By the strength of Devaki's love the babies became self-realized
and spontaneously offered prayers and obeisances to Krishna, Balarama,
Vasudeva, and Devaki. Love can change abused children's karma, as Devaki
proved.
Krishna Gatha is used in
India for daily recitation as an act of worship of Krishna during the Malayalam
month Chingam (August - September) by devout Malayali Hindus. The sonorous
poetry Krishna Gatha depicts the exploits of Lord Krishna. It is in Krishna
Gatha that we see a diction which is similar to that of the present day. The
theme deals with the story of Lord Krishna. The sweet and tender aspects of
maternal love are wonderfully portrayed in this work. As there are lengthy
beautiful descriptions with lavish use of adjectives throughout the poetical
work, the composition is quite interesting and enjoyable.
The story, this
was the first time Arjuna meets Krishna. In any case, Khandavaprastha was where
Arjuna and Krishna's friendship is truly forged. Once when roaming in the
Khandava Vana, Arjuna and Krishna met the god of fire, Agni. Agni was in great
hunger and needed to burn down the entire Khandava Vana to quench his hunger.
But Takshaka, the serpent-king lived in the same forest and was a friend of
Indra's. So the latter brought down heavy rains to thwart Agni's plans to burn
the woods. Agni requested Krishna and Arjuna to help him realise his goal.
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