Krishna in the Mahabharata: Difference between revisions

[[File:Krishna tells Gita to Arjuna.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|[[Vāsudeva]]-[[Krishna]] (standing) telling the ''Bhagavad Gita'' to [[Arjuna]]]]

Within the [[Indian epic poetry|Indian epic]] '''''[[Mahabharata]]''''', '''[[Krishna]]''' was the son of the [[Yaduvanshi|Yadava]] chief [[Vasudeva]] and his mother was [[Devaki]]. Hence he was known as Vāsudeva-Krishna or [[Vāsudeva]].

Krishna was the key political figure in overthrowing [[Kamsa|Kansa]], the king of [[Surasena Kingdom]]. The kingdom of Shurasena was the native kingdom of [[Yaduvanshi|Yadava]] clans constituted by the Andhakas, Vrishnis, and Bhojas. By overthrowing Kansa, Krishna re-established the old king [[Ugrasena]] on the throne and stabilized the kingdom from collapse due to factional fighting within the kingdom.

Later, with the initiative of Krishna, the Yadavas who fled from Surasena formed a new kingdom called [[Dwaraka Kingdom|Dwaraka]]. Its capital was Dwaravati, a city well protected by mountains on all sides, on an island, not far from the [[Gujarat]] coast. This made it immune to attacks from land. The kingdom prospered by sea trade with seafaring kingdoms.

Krishna also established an alliance of Yadavas with the [[Pandavas]], a faction of [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]]s, who were fighting against the established [[Kuru Kingdom]]. This alliance also benefited the Yadavas, strategically. With the help of the Pandavas, they overthrew the Magadha king [[Jarasandha]] who was their biggest enemy. For this assistance, Krishna in turn helped the Pandavas to win the [[Kurukshetra War]] against the Kurus headed by [[Duryodhana]]. Thus the rule of the [[Pandava]] [[Yudhishthira]] was re-established by Krishna at [[Indraprastha]], the modern-day [[Delhi]].

However, The Yadava chiefs fought the [[Kurukshetra War]], on both sides, and even after the war ended, the enmity among the Yadava leaders continued. After 36 years, since the Kurukshetra War, another war broke among the Yadavas, in their own kingdom. This resulted in the absolute destruction of the Yadava kingdom in Dwaraka, with Balarama and Krishna also departing due to grief. This fight among Yadava is also attributed to a curse from [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]], mother of [[Duryodhana]] to Krishna.

(''Mahabharata'', Book 5, Chapter 5) As we are desirous of adopting a political course, this is, no doubt, our first duty; a man acting otherwise would be a great fool. But our relationship to both the Kurus and the Pandus is equal, howsoever these two parties may behave with each other. If that chief of the Kuru race should make peace on equitable terms, then the brotherly feelings between the Kuras and the Pandus will sustain no injury. If on the other hand, the son of Dhritarashtra should wax haughty and from folly refuse to make peace, then having summoned others, summon us too. The holder of ''Gadiva'' then will be fired with wrath and the dull-headed and wicked Duryodhana, with his partisans and friends that will meet his fate.

(''Mahabharata'', Book 5, Chapter 7) There is a large body of cowherds numbering ten lakhs, rivaling me in strength and known as the Narayanas, all of whom are able to fight in the thick of battle. These soldiers, irresistible in battle, shall be sent to one of you and I alone, resolved not to fight on the field, and laying down my arms, will go to the other. You may, first, select whichever of these two commends itself to you.

He also conquered Bana or Vana of [[Shonitapura]] ([[Shonitpur]] of [[Assam]]), to the east of Pragjyotisha. However, they became allies, as Krishna's grandson [[Aniruddha]] married Usha, the daughter of Bana. He belonged to the Daitya clan of [[Asuras]].

(''Mahabharata'', Book 7, Chapter 23) The Pandya King Sarangadhwaja's country having been invaded and his kinsmen having fled, his father had been slain by '''Krishna''' in battle. Obtaining weapons then from [[Bhishma]] and [[Drona]], Rama and Kripa, prince Sarangadhwaja became, in weapons, the equal of Rukmi and [[Karna]] and [[Arjuna]] and Achyuta. He then desired to destroy the city of [[Dvārakā|Dwaraka]] and subjugate the whole world. Wise friends, however, from a desire of doing him good, counseled him against that course. Giving up all thoughts of revenge, he ruled his own dominions.

[[Image:GitaUpadeshTirumala.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Krishna]] giving 'Updesha' to [[Arjuna]] on the battlegrounds of [[Kurukshetra]].]]

 

 

(''Mahabharata'', Book 14, Chapter 16) I made thee listen to truths that are regarded as mysteries. I imparted to thee truths that are eternal. Verily, I discoursed to thee on Religion in its true form and on all the eternal regions. It is exceedingly disagreeable to me to learn that thou didst not, from folly, receive what I imparted. The recollection of all that I told thee on that occasion will not come to me now. Without doubt, O son of Pandu, thou art destitute of faith and thy understanding is not good.  It is impossible for me, O Dhananjaya ([[Arjuna]]), to repeat, in detail, all that I said on that occasion. That religion about which I discoursed to thee then is more than sufficient for understanding Brahma. I cannot discourse on it again in detail. I discoursed to thee on [[Brahman|Supreme Brahma]], having concentrated in [[Yoga]].

(''Mahabharata'', Book 14, Chapter 16) On one occasion, a Brahmana came to us. Of irresistible energy, he came from the regions of the Grandsire. He was duly reverenced by us. Listen to what he said, in answer to our inquiries. The Brahmana said, "That which you asked me, O Krishna, connected with the religion of [[Moksha]] (Emancipation), led by your compassion for all creatures and not for your own good,--that indeed, which destroys all delusion, O you that art possessed of supreme puissance I shall now tell you duly. Do you listen with concentrated attention as I discourse to you?"

=== Extracts from ''Bhagavat Gita'' the Philosophy of Krishna ===

== Evidence of early worship of Krishna's personality ==

| isbn = 0-7391-1424-7

:p. 10: "[Pāṇini's] term Vāsudevaka, explained by the second century B.C commentator Patanjali, as referring to "the follower of Vasudeva, God of gods."</ref> [[Harivamsa]], a later addition to ''[[Mahabharata]]'' as well as [[Bhagavata purana]] speak about his childhood in the village of [[Vrindavana]], where Krishna passed his childhood and teenage days.