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<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:ShriAkrurji.PNG|right|thumb|200px|Shree Akrurji Varshneya]] -->
{{Short description|Uncle of Krishna in Hinduism}}
[[File:AMBASSADOR AKRURA MEETING KRISHNA AT GOKULAM WITH A MESSAGE FROM KAMSA.jpg|thumb|Ambassador Akrura meeting Krishna at Gokulam with a message from Kamsa]]
{{Infobox deity
'''Akrura''' ({{IAST|Akrūra}}) was a chief of king Kamsa, an ancient people of [[India]], and a descendant of the [[Vrishni]] ''kula'' (clan). He is worshipped as '''Shri Akrurji Maharaj''' by the present-day [[Varshney]]{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} community and is also known as '''Babrhu'''.<ref name=Garg1992>Garg, pp. 305-306.</ref> The life of Akrura is depicted in the ancient Indian texts known as the [[Puranas]].
| type = Hindu
| name = Akrura
| image = Krishna and Balarama Being Driven by Akrura to Mathura, Folio from a Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord) LACMA M.71.49.1.jpg
| caption = Akrura (right) drives Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. Folio from the Bhagavata Purana.
| parents = Śvaphalka (father), Gandini or Nandinī (mother)
| texts = [[Puranas]], [[Mahabharata]]
| dynasty = [[Yadu dynasty|Yaduvamsha]]
| spouse = Ugraseni
| children = Sudeva and Upadeva (sons)
| siblings = Upasanja, Mangu, Mridura, Arimejaya, Girikshipa, Upiksha, Shatruha, Arimardana, Dharmabhrit, Yatidharma, Gridhra, Bhoja, Andhaka, Suvahu, and Prativahu (brothers), Sundari (sister)<br><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/harivamsha-purana-dutt/d/doc485515.html | title=An Account of Svyamantaka Jewel &#91;Chapter 38&#93; | date=14 November 2020 }}</ref>
}}
'''Akrura''' ({{Langx|sa|अक्रूर|lit=not cruel|translit=Akrūra}}) is a [[Yadu dynasty|Yadava]] prince in [[Hinduism]], best known for being the uncle of the deity [[Krishna]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Akrūra |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241369.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> The son of Śvaphalka and Gandini, a daughter of the king of [[Varanasi|Kashi]],<ref name="Garg1992">Garg, pp. 305-306.</ref> he is instructed by [[Kamsa]] to drive his nephews, Krishna and [[Balarama]], to a Dhanuryāga (festival of arms) at [[Mathura]], where they were to be slain.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Iyengar |first=T. R. R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MmURAQAAIAAJ&q=dhanuryaga |title=Hindu Mythology |date=2004 |publisher=Intellectual Book Corner |isbn=978-81-7076-104-4 |pages=314 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Benjamin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6zj3DwAAQBAJ&dq=akrura+uncle+krishna&pg=PA562 |title=Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. In Two Volumes. Volume I A-L |date=2019-04-09 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-62465-0 |pages=562 |language=en}}</ref> He bears witness to the [[vishvarupa]] (theophany) of Krishna during this journey. Akrura becomes the owner of the [[Syamantaka]] jewel after the death of its previous owner, [[Satrajit]]. He is slain during the internecine [[Mausala Parva|Yadu massacre]] at Prabhasa.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Books |first=Kausiki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fPdJEAAAQBAJ&dq=dhanuryaga&pg=PT154 |title=Bhagavatha Maha Purana 1st Skanda : English translation only without Slokas |date=2021-07-12 |publisher=Kausiki Books |pages=154 |language=en}}</ref>


==Life==
==Legend==
[[File:Brooklyn Museum - Akrura Speaks to the Cowherds Page from an Unidentified Hindu Manuscript.jpg|thumb|Akrura Speaks to the Cowherds]]
{{Hindu mythology}}
Akrura (whose name derives from the Sanskrit ''akrur'', meaning "who is not cruel")<ref>http://www.naamkaran.com/babynames/meaning-of-akrur.html</ref> was one of twelve{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} sons born to Śvaphalka and Gāndinī.{{#tag:ref|Gāndinī is also known as Nandini.|group=nb}} Śvaphalka was a son of Prsni<ref name=Pargiter>Pargiter, p. 107, 280.</ref> and Gāndinīa was a daughter of the [[Kingdom of Kashi|king of Kashi]].<ref name=Garg1992/> Though sections of the relevant Puranas are missing, and remaining ones are unclear,{{#tag:ref|One example of the difficulties regarding clarity is that Vrishni had two sons who shared the same name.<ref>Pargiter, p. 104.</ref>|group=nb}} there is a general recognition that a direct line of descent exists from [[Yadu]] through Krostu, [[Yadava#The Satvatas|Satvata]], Vrishni, Yudhājit and then to Prsni, Śvaphalka and Akrura. In Vrishni, Akrura shared the same great-great-grandfather as [[Krishna]].<ref>Pargiter, pp. 102-109.</ref>
According to the [[Harivamsa|Harivamsha]], Akrura marries Ugraseni, the daughter of [[Ugrasena]], who gives birth to two sons, Sudeva and Upadeva. [[F. E. Pargiter|F.E. Pargiter]] states that Akrura weds Sutanu, the daughter of Ahuka, and with her he had two sons, Devaka and Updevaka.<ref name="Garg1992" /> He is said to have reigned at [[Dvārakā|Dvaraka]], and Pargiter believes that the family's chiefdom stretched as far back as [[Vrishni]].


Akrura married Sutanu, who was the daughter of Ahuka, and with her had two sons, Devaka and Updevaka.<ref name=Garg1992/>{{#tag:ref|Devaka is also known as Devavat, and Updevaka as Upadeva.|group=nb}} He reigned at [[Dvārakā]] and Pargiter believes that this was the family's chiefdom as far back as Vrishni.<ref>Pargiter, p. 280.</ref>
=== Charioteer of Krishna and Balarama ===
[[File:AMBASSADOR AKRURA MEETING KRISHNA AT GOKULAM WITH A MESSAGE FROM KAMSA.jpg|thumb|Ambassador Akrura meeting Krishna at Gokulam with a message from Kamsa]]Akrura's cousin, [[Kamsa]], ruled as the king of the [[Yadu dynasty|Yadus]], based in his capital at [[Mathura]]. In the [[Vishnu Purana]], prophesied to be killed by his nephew, Krishna, he ordered Akrura to summon Krishna and Balarama upon his chariot to Mathura. An invitation was to be issued, under the pretext of inviting them to the Dhanuryāga festival, to be held on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, where he schemed to have them murdered. Kamsa informed Akrura that following the death of his nephews, he wished to seize all the possessions of the cowherds, and rule in concert with him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2014-08-30 |title=Kansa sent Akrura to invite Krishna [Chapter XV] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/vishnu-purana-wilson/d/doc116037.html#note-e-59929 |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> As a devotee of [[Vishnu]], Akrura was excited at the prospect of meeting Krishna. After his arrival to [[Gokul]]am, he saw Krishna and his brother among the cattle, wondering if they would despise him for his association with Kamsa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2014-08-30 |title=Journey of Akrura to Gokula [Chapter XVII] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/vishnu-purana-wilson/d/doc116039.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> The brothers, however, treated their uncle with hospitality, and he proceeded to tell them about the mistreatment of [[Vasudeva]], [[Devaki]], and Ugrasena under the tyranny of Kamsa, and the reason for which he had been dispatched. The brothers agreed to accompany Akrura to Mathura the following day. The [[Gopi|milkmaids]] lamented the departure of Krishna from [[Braj|Vraja]], calling Akrura cruel for taking him away from them. During their journey, Akrura bathed in the waters of the [[Yamuna]], where he witnessed the celestial forms of Balarama as [[Shesha]] and Krishna as Vishnu, and eulogised them. Reaching Mathura, he informed them that they would have to walk the royal road from that point forward, and he proceeded ahead alone in his chariot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2014-08-30 |title=Krishna depart for Mathura [Chapter XVIII] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/vishnu-purana-wilson/d/doc116040.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2014-08-30 |title=Slaughter of a washerman, the servant of Kansa [Chapter XIX] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/vishnu-purana-wilson/d/doc116041.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Brooklyn Museum - Akrura Speaks to the Cowherds Page from an Unidentified Hindu Manuscript.jpg|thumb|Akrura speaks to the gopis]]


[[Kamsa]] ruled over the area as king, being based in the capital at [[Mathura]]. Prophesied to be killed by The Lord Krishna, he ordered Akrura to go and invite the cowherd to Mathura. He ,thus, had a desire to see Krishna and [[Balarama|Baladeva]], his brother, killed. Kamsa was earlier witness to "akaash vani", a celestial announcement from the sky, suggesting that he would meet his end from the eighth of the Devaki's sons - Krishna. To achieve this end he ordered Akrura to bring them from [[Ambadi]], where they were staying, on the pretext of an invitation to view a ceremony known as "worshipping the bow".<ref>Swami, p. 782.</ref>
=== Possession of the Syamantaka ===
The [[Harivamsa|Harivamsha]] states that Akrura obtained the legendary jewel called the [[Syamantaka]] after it was given to him for safekeeping by Shatadhanva. Shatadhanva had slain Satrajit, the previous owner of the jewel, and had given it to Akrura, as he had expressed a desire to obtain it in the past. Akrura promised Shatadhanva that he would not part with the jewel. Shatadhanva assured Akrura of his protection if Krishna attacked him. Even as Shatadhanva was slain by Krishna, Akrura commenced a great sacrifice called the Akrura [[Yajna]], where he offered enough jewellery and articles of wealth generated from the jewel to last sixty-thousand years. Krishna caught wind of these events, and wished Akrura to return the Syamantaka to him at [[Dvārakā|Dvaraka]]. Akrura offered the Syamantaka, as well as the hand in marriage of his sister, Sushila, to Krishna. Pleased, Krishna allowed Akrura to keep the jewel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2020-11-14 |title=An Account of Akrura [Chapter 39] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/harivamsha-purana-dutt/d/doc485516.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Coulter |first1=Charles Russell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=62hnEAAAQBAJ&dq=akrura+uncle+krishna&pg=PA447 |title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities |last2=Turner |first2=Patricia |date=2020-11-12 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-8556-4 |pages=447 |language=en}}</ref>


Akrura was given [[Syamantaka]], a significant jewel in Hindu mythology, for safekeeping.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}
=== Meeting Dhritarashtra ===
In the [[Bhagavata Purana]], Krishna sent Akrura to [[Hastinapur]]a to meet [[Dhritarashtra]], the king of the [[Kaurava|Kurus]], to determine if the monarch was being influenced by his son, [[Duryodhana]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2022-09-02 |title=Visit to the Houses of Trivakrā and Akrūra [Chapter 48] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-bhagavata-purana/d/doc1128916.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> Having arrived at Hastinapura, Akrura met [[Kunti]], his cousin, who tearfully enquired if Krishna still remembered her, and told him that she had sought salvation in the deity. Akrura met the Kuru king, and spoke to him regarding his partiality towards the [[Kaurava]]s, as well as his conduct in occupying the throne rather than install [[Yudhishthira|Yudhisthira]] as the rightful king. Dhritarashtra admitted that he was being partial towards his sons, though he still regarded Krishna to be [[God]]. Having gathered the king's thoughts, Akrura departed Hastinapura to inform Krishna of his visit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2022-09-02 |title=Akrūra's Mission to Hastinapura [Chapter 49] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-bhagavata-purana/d/doc1128917.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>


==Akrura in Hindu scriptures==
== Veneration ==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2011}}
[[File:ShriAkrurte.PNG|right|thumb|220x220px|Akrura with Krishna and Balarama, Gopi Nath Temple]]
[[File:Akrura's Mystic Vision of Krishna.jpg|thumb|220px|Akrura's Mystic Vision of Krishna, [[Bhagavata Purana]]]]
Śvaphalka, of the Vrsni dynasty, married Nandini, daughter of the king of [[Kasi Kingdom|Kasi]], and Akrura was born to them. Akrura was an uncle of [[Krishna]] but is respected more as a worshipper of Krishna. He is mentioned in Hindu scriptures in the following ways.
*He rose to fame as a commander of the [[Yaduvanshi|Yadava]] army. (Chapter 220 of Adi Parva, [[Mahabharat]]).
*Akrura was also present for the [[Swayamvara]] (wedding) of [[Draupadi]]. (Sloka 18, Chapter 185 of Adi Parva, Mahabharat).
*At the time that [[Arjuna]] eloped with [[Subhadra]], a grand festival was being held in the [[Raivataka]] mountain, which Akrura partook in (Sloka 10, Chapter 218, Adi Parva, Mahabharat).
*Akrura accompanied Krishna to the marriage of [[Subhadra]] (Sloka 29, Chapter 220, Adi Parva, Mahabharat).
*Akrura came to [[Upaplavya]] to attend the marriage of [[Abhimanyu]]. (Sloka 22, chapter 72, Virata Parva, Mahabharat).
*Akrura and Ahuka always quarrelled with each other. Both accused the other of siding with the camp of Krishna (Sloka 9 to 11, Chapter 81, Santi Parva, Mahabharat).
*[[Kamsa]], who was planning to kill [[Balarama]] and Krishna, conducted a festival called Capapuja (worship of the bow). Akura was sent by Kamsa to bring Balarama and Krishna to the festival. Akrura saw through the plot, informed Krishna about it and advised him to kill Kamsa (Dasama Skandha, Bhagvata).
*Akrura fought against [[Jarasandha]], alongside Krishna (Dashama Skandha, Bhagvata).
*On another occasion Krishna, Balarama and [[Uddhava]] sent Akura to [[Hastinapura]] to gather news about [[Kunti]] and the [[Pandavas]]. Akura met [[Vasudeva|Vasudev]]'s sister [[Kunti]] and the king of Hastinapura, [[Dhritarashtra]], and talked to them, after which he returned to [[Dvārakā|Dvaraka]] (Dashama Skandha, Bhagvata).
*Akrura married Sutanu, daughter of Ahuka, and had two sons named Devaka and Upadevaka (Navama Skandha, Bhagvata).


==Shri Akrura Maharaj Temples==
=== Akrura Ghat ===
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2011}}
Akrura Ghat is one of the bathing [[ghats]] at [[Vrindavan]], in the [[Mathura district]]. This is the place where Krishna and Balarama are believed to have revealed their forms of [[Lord Vishnu|Vishnu]] and [[Sesha Naga|Shesha]] to Akrura.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Knapp |first=Stephen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1JJCgAAQBAJ&dq=akrura+ghat+vrindavan&pg=PT73 |title=Seeing Spiritual India: A Guide to Temples, Holy Sites, Festivals and Traditions |date=2008-05-29 |publisher=iUniverse |isbn=978-0-595-61452-3 |pages=73 |language=en}}</ref> The text Adi [[Varaha Purana]] illustrates Akrura Ghat as the king of all holy places.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}


 
One of the major attractions is an ancient Gopi Nath temple dedicated to Krishna and Balarama. Akrura is depicted standing in between the two. It is believed that one can eradicate all his sins by bathing here during a full moon.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}
===Akrur Ghat===
Akrura Ghat is one of the bathing [[ghats]] at [[Vrindavan]], [[Mathura district]]. This is the place where Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama are believed to have revealed their forms of [[Lord Vishnu]] and [[Sesha Naga]] to Akrura. The text Adi [[Varaha Purana]] illustrates Akrura Ghat as the king of all holy places.
 
One of the major attractions is an ancient Gopi Nath temple dedicated to Krishna and Balarama. Akrura is depicted standing in between the two. It is believed that one can eradicate all his sins by bathing here during a full moon.


==References==
==References==
{{Commons category|Akrura}}
{{Commons category}}
;Notes
<references />
{{reflist|group=nb}}
 
;Citations
{{Reflist}}


;Bibliography
== External links ==
*{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedia of the Hindu world, Volume 2 |first=Gaṅgā Rām |last=Garg |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |year=1992|isbn=978-81-7022-375-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WjDcd0cTFxQC}}
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&dq=akrura+encyclopedia&pg=PA22 Vettam Mani's Puranic Encyclopedia - Akrura]
*{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedia of the Hindu world, Volume 2 |first=Gaṅgā Rām |last=Garg |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |year=1992 |isbn=978-81-7022-375-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WjDcd0cTFxQC}}
*{{cite book |last=Pargiter |first=F. E. |year=1922 |title=Ancient Indian Historical Tradition |url=https://archive.org/details/ancientindianhis00parguoft |publisher=Oxford University Press}}
*{{cite book |last=Pargiter |first=F. E. |year=1922 |title=Ancient Indian Historical Tradition |url=https://archive.org/details/ancientindianhis00parguoft |publisher=Oxford University Press}}
*{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas, Volume 3 |first=Swami |last=Parmeshwaranand |publisher=Sarup & Sons |year=2001 |isbn=978-81-7625-226-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLcv-Ow6Ux4C}}
*{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas, Volume 3 |first=Swami |last=Parmeshwaranand |publisher=Sarup & Sons |year=2001 |isbn=978-81-7625-226-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLcv-Ow6Ux4C}}


[[Category:Vaishnavite religious leaders]]
[[Category:Characters in the Bhagavata Purana]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:People related to Krishna]]

Latest revision as of 02:27, 22 May 2025


Akrura
Akrura (right) drives Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. Folio from the Bhagavata Purana.
TextsPuranas, Mahabharata
Personal information
ParentsŚvaphalka (father), Gandini or Nandinī (mother)
SiblingsUpasanja, Mangu, Mridura, Arimejaya, Girikshipa, Upiksha, Shatruha, Arimardana, Dharmabhrit, Yatidharma, Gridhra, Bhoja, Andhaka, Suvahu, and Prativahu (brothers), Sundari (sister)
[1]
SpouseUgraseni
ChildrenSudeva and Upadeva (sons)
DynastyYaduvamsha

Akrura (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a Yadava prince in Hinduism, best known for being the uncle of the deity Krishna.[2] The son of Śvaphalka and Gandini, a daughter of the king of Kashi,[3] he is instructed by Kamsa to drive his nephews, Krishna and Balarama, to a Dhanuryāga (festival of arms) at Mathura, where they were to be slain.[4][5] He bears witness to the vishvarupa (theophany) of Krishna during this journey. Akrura becomes the owner of the Syamantaka jewel after the death of its previous owner, Satrajit. He is slain during the internecine Yadu massacre at Prabhasa.[6]

Legend[edit | edit source]

Template:Hindu mythology According to the Harivamsha, Akrura marries Ugraseni, the daughter of Ugrasena, who gives birth to two sons, Sudeva and Upadeva. F.E. Pargiter states that Akrura weds Sutanu, the daughter of Ahuka, and with her he had two sons, Devaka and Updevaka.[3] He is said to have reigned at Dvaraka, and Pargiter believes that the family's chiefdom stretched as far back as Vrishni.

Charioteer of Krishna and Balarama[edit | edit source]

Ambassador Akrura meeting Krishna at Gokulam with a message from Kamsa

Akrura's cousin, Kamsa, ruled as the king of the Yadus, based in his capital at Mathura. In the Vishnu Purana, prophesied to be killed by his nephew, Krishna, he ordered Akrura to summon Krishna and Balarama upon his chariot to Mathura. An invitation was to be issued, under the pretext of inviting them to the Dhanuryāga festival, to be held on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, where he schemed to have them murdered. Kamsa informed Akrura that following the death of his nephews, he wished to seize all the possessions of the cowherds, and rule in concert with him.[7] As a devotee of Vishnu, Akrura was excited at the prospect of meeting Krishna. After his arrival to Gokulam, he saw Krishna and his brother among the cattle, wondering if they would despise him for his association with Kamsa.[8] The brothers, however, treated their uncle with hospitality, and he proceeded to tell them about the mistreatment of Vasudeva, Devaki, and Ugrasena under the tyranny of Kamsa, and the reason for which he had been dispatched. The brothers agreed to accompany Akrura to Mathura the following day. The milkmaids lamented the departure of Krishna from Vraja, calling Akrura cruel for taking him away from them. During their journey, Akrura bathed in the waters of the Yamuna, where he witnessed the celestial forms of Balarama as Shesha and Krishna as Vishnu, and eulogised them. Reaching Mathura, he informed them that they would have to walk the royal road from that point forward, and he proceeded ahead alone in his chariot.[9][10]

Akrura speaks to the gopis

Possession of the Syamantaka[edit | edit source]

The Harivamsha states that Akrura obtained the legendary jewel called the Syamantaka after it was given to him for safekeeping by Shatadhanva. Shatadhanva had slain Satrajit, the previous owner of the jewel, and had given it to Akrura, as he had expressed a desire to obtain it in the past. Akrura promised Shatadhanva that he would not part with the jewel. Shatadhanva assured Akrura of his protection if Krishna attacked him. Even as Shatadhanva was slain by Krishna, Akrura commenced a great sacrifice called the Akrura Yajna, where he offered enough jewellery and articles of wealth generated from the jewel to last sixty-thousand years. Krishna caught wind of these events, and wished Akrura to return the Syamantaka to him at Dvaraka. Akrura offered the Syamantaka, as well as the hand in marriage of his sister, Sushila, to Krishna. Pleased, Krishna allowed Akrura to keep the jewel.[11][12]

Meeting Dhritarashtra[edit | edit source]

In the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna sent Akrura to Hastinapura to meet Dhritarashtra, the king of the Kurus, to determine if the monarch was being influenced by his son, Duryodhana.[13] Having arrived at Hastinapura, Akrura met Kunti, his cousin, who tearfully enquired if Krishna still remembered her, and told him that she had sought salvation in the deity. Akrura met the Kuru king, and spoke to him regarding his partiality towards the Kauravas, as well as his conduct in occupying the throne rather than install Yudhisthira as the rightful king. Dhritarashtra admitted that he was being partial towards his sons, though he still regarded Krishna to be God. Having gathered the king's thoughts, Akrura departed Hastinapura to inform Krishna of his visit.[14]

Veneration[edit | edit source]

Akrura with Krishna and Balarama, Gopi Nath Temple

Akrura Ghat[edit | edit source]

Akrura Ghat is one of the bathing ghats at Vrindavan, in the Mathura district. This is the place where Krishna and Balarama are believed to have revealed their forms of Vishnu and Shesha to Akrura.[15] The text Adi Varaha Purana illustrates Akrura Ghat as the king of all holy places.[citation needed]

One of the major attractions is an ancient Gopi Nath temple dedicated to Krishna and Balarama. Akrura is depicted standing in between the two. It is believed that one can eradicate all his sins by bathing here during a full moon.[citation needed]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "An Account of Svyamantaka Jewel [Chapter 38]". 14 November 2020.
  2. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2019-01-28). "Story of Akrūra". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Garg, pp. 305-306.
  4. ↑ Iyengar, T. R. R. (2004). Hindu Mythology. Intellectual Book Corner. p. 314. ISBN 978-81-7076-104-4.
  5. ↑ Walker, Benjamin (2019-04-09). Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. In Two Volumes. Volume I A-L. Routledge. p. 562. ISBN 978-0-429-62465-0.
  6. ↑ Books, Kausiki (2021-07-12). Bhagavatha Maha Purana 1st Skanda : English translation only without Slokas. Kausiki Books. p. 154.
  7. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-08-30). "Kansa sent Akrura to invite Krishna [Chapter XV]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  8. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-08-30). "Journey of Akrura to Gokula [Chapter XVII]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  9. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-08-30). "Krishna depart for Mathura [Chapter XVIII]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  10. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-08-30). "Slaughter of a washerman, the servant of Kansa [Chapter XIX]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  11. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2020-11-14). "An Account of Akrura [Chapter 39]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  12. ↑ Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (2020-11-12). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. McFarland. p. 447. ISBN 978-1-4766-8556-4.
  13. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2022-09-02). "Visit to the Houses of Trivakrā and Akrūra [Chapter 48]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  14. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2022-09-02). "Akrūra's Mission to Hastinapura [Chapter 49]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  15. ↑ Knapp, Stephen (2008-05-29). Seeing Spiritual India: A Guide to Temples, Holy Sites, Festivals and Traditions. iUniverse. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-595-61452-3.

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