Krishna

The Eighth Avatar of Vishnu

### Personify

Protection, Compassion, Tenderness, Love, Beauty, Knowledge, Courage, Devotion, Balance, Fertility, Animals

### Occupation

Leader of the Polytheistic Alliance, Cattle Keeper

### Affiliations

Polytheistic Alliance (Leader), Mahabharata, Dashavatara

## Relationships

### Consorts

Radha, Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Lakshmana, Satya, Bhadra, Nagnajiti and 16,000–16,100 other junior queens

### Parents

Devaki & Vasudeva, Yashoda & Nanda Baba (Foster), Vishnu (Technically)

### Offspring

Pradyumna, Samba, Bhanu and various other children

### Other Relationships

Vishnu (Original Self), Odin (Ally), Arjuna (Companion), Jesus (Friend), Arjuna (Friend)

## Other

### Equipment

Krishna's Flute, Extra Bansuri and Murali, Chakra, Kaumodaki (Heavenly Mace), Nandaki (Primordial Sword), Lotus (Womb Of Creation)

### Status

Alive

**Krishna** is the eighth incarnation of the Hindu primeval deity Vishnu, and is personally worshipped as a god of love, compassion and tenderness. He is one of the most widely prominent and popular Hindu deities of all time, who was worshiped in a variety of different perspectives. He is also the representative and leader of the Polytheistic Alliance.

## Overview

Krishna, a prominent deity in Hinduism, embodies the aspects of Love, Knowledge, and Beauty. He is revered as Svayam Bhagavan, the eighth avatar and complete incarnation of Vishnu, the Preserver. Krishna's legendary exploits include confronting formidable demons and participating in epic battles alongside a man named Arjuna within the Mahabharata. He is also attributed with the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita, a revered spiritual text. Consequently, Krishna stands as one of the most venerated and beloved figures in Hindu worship.

Krishna is indeed considered one of the most potent and beloved incarnations of Vishnu, who is a central deity in the Hindu Trinity, along with Brahma and Shiva. Among the various avatars of Vishnu, Krishna holds a special place as the most popular and endearing figure, particularly resonating with the masses in Hinduism. His widespread appeal and deep connection to the hearts of devotees make him a central and cherished deity in the Hindu pantheon.

Krishna's multifaceted character is a subject of admiration across a wide array of Hindu philosophical and theological traditions. He is depicted in diverse roles: as a god-child, a mischievous prankster, an exemplar of love, a divine hero, and the Supreme Being. Krishna's name itself translates to "all-attractive." He was raised by cow herders and is often visualized as an infant, playfully indulging in butter. As a young boy, he enraptured many with his melodious flute-playing. In his adulthood, he displayed remarkable strategic acumen. Krishna's earthly journey came to an end when he was inadvertently struck by a hunter named Jara, taking a fatal wound to the back of his leg. His representations in art and literature range from his infancy, childhood, and youth, alongside Radha, to his elder years when he provided direction and profound guidance, notably in the Bhagavad Gita.

## Appearance

He is often portrayed as an infant eating butter; a young boy playing a flute, and as in the Bhagavata Purana; a young man along with Radha; or a young man surrounded by women; or as an elderly gentleman giving direction and guidance, as in the Bhagavad Gita.

Krishna is often represented as an androgynous male, possessing female physical characteristics, sometimes resembling a woman. The reason for this is probably to show that Krishna was a very beautiful man, as other religious figures such as John the Apostle were also depicted with androgynous traits to represent beauty.

Krishna's appearance was that of a young man, with blue skin (It should be noted that the color blue is intended to represent a black-skinned person) and a delicate face like that of a woman. He has a curvy but shapely appearance, somewhat muscular but slender. His hair was dark and long, with his eyes being golden. He usually appears shirtless on top, wearing only a pair of Hindu prince pants. He is usually carrying his flute.

## Powers and Abilities

Krishna is known as one of the most powerful incarnations of Vishnu, the Godhead of the Hindu Trinity if not the most powerful. Of all the Vishnu avatars he is the most popular, and perhaps of all Hindu gods the one closest to the heart of the masses. With this immense authority, he stands as one of the greatest avatars among pantheons.

* **Marfik**: An skill used by all entities that have avatars. This skill causes the avatar to lose its consciousness, with its true self taking control of the body, being able to use all of its abilities and powers. When Krishna uses this skill, his mind is erased, with Vishnu taking full control of his body, with Krishna no longer being separate deities but one and the same. Literally Krishna becomes the self-inserting Avatar of his progenitor. Remembering that this ability can also be used by the true self of each avatar, without needing the avatar's permission or authorization to take control of it.

## Myths and Legends

Krishna's representation in Indian traditions varies, but certain characteristics are commonly associated with him. He is typically depicted with dark or blue skin, akin to Vishnu. However, in ancient and medieval reliefs and stone-based art, Krishna is portrayed in the natural color of the material from which the depiction is made, both in India and Southeast Asia. Some texts poetically describe his skin color as resembling the purple fruit known as Jambul (Jamun).

Krishna has remained an enigmatic figure for some, while for millions, he is a revered deity who evokes ecstasy at the mere mention of his name. People view Krishna as a leader, hero, protector, philosopher, teacher, and friend, all rolled into one. His influence extends far beyond religion and philosophy, touching upon mysticism, literature, art, dance, music, and various aspects of Indian folklore, deeply embedding itself into Indian thought, life, and culture.

Both Indian and Western scholars have settled on a consensus regarding the period in which Lord Krishna is believed to have lived on Earth, typically estimated to be around 3,200 to 3,100 BCE. According to tradition, Krishna was born at midnight on the ashtami, or the 8th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Shravan, which falls in August-September. His birth, celebrated as Janmashtami, is a momentous occasion for Hindus worldwide. The birth of Krishna is regarded as a transcendental phenomenon, enveloped in wonder and awe, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of devotees with its supra mundane happenings.

Krishna is commonly worshipped as:

* *Kanhaiyya/Bankey Bihari/Thakurji*: Uttar Pradesh
* *Jagannath*: Odisha
* *Vithoba*: Maharashtra
* *Shrinathji*: Rajasthan
* *Guruvayoorappan*: Kerala
* *Dwarakadheesh/Ranchhod*: Gujarat
* *Parthasarathy*: Tamil Nadu

### Non-Hindu Legends

Krishna is referred to as *Krishna Avtar* in the Chaubis Avtar, a composition found in Dasam Granth, traditionally and historically attributed to Guru Gobind Singh. According to Baháʼís, Krishna is considered a "Manifestation of God," part of a lineage of prophets who progressively revealed the Word of God to an evolving humanity. In this regard, Krishna shares a lofty status alongside figures like Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Muhammad, Jesus, the Báb, and the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, Bahá'u'lláh.

The Ahmadiyya, a 20th-century Islamic movement, also regard Krishna as one of their ancient prophets. Ghulam Ahmad, a prominent figure in this movement, claimed to be a prophet in the likeness of historical prophets like Krishna, Jesus, and Muhammad, sent to revive religion and morality in later times.

Since the 19th century, various new religious movements have embraced Krishna worship and reverence. In some occult texts, Krishna is included in an eclectic pantheon alongside Greek, Buddhist, biblical, and historical figures. For instance, Édouard Schuré, an influential figure in perennial philosophy and occult movements, regarded Krishna as a Great Initiate. Theosophists view Krishna as an incarnation of Maitreya, one of the Masters of the Ancient Wisdom and a vital spiritual teacher for humanity, akin to Buddha.

Krishna has been canonized by Aleister Crowley and is recognized as a saint in the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica during the Gnostic Mass of Ordo Templi Orientis.

## Quotes

* *"I will free this world and its inhabitants from the rule of the Demiurge. I swear it. I know that it is difficult for you to accept my Salvation... But I will not abandon you. I will save you no matter what."* - Krishna.

* *"You were supposed to be no more than an illusion! How could you...defeat me? My new universe...my salvation...it was all just a feeble dream!"* - Krishna.

* *"Whenever the forces of evil rule the earth, I will incarnate myself to destroy the wicked, protect the saints, and establish righteousness age after age."* - Krishna, Bhagavad Gita.

* *"I am not manifest to all, being veiled by yoga-maya and its delusion the world knows Me not, the unborn and immutable."* - Krishna.

* *"If you fail to achieve your goal don't change your goal but change your strategy."* - Krishna.

* *"Beautiful and mystical God of all, embodiment of beauty and love, the Lord Sri Krishna. With one glance he conquers thousands of cupids."* - A scholar about Krishna.

## Gallery

*Krishna preparing to battle**Younger Krishna**Krishna as an adult**Krishna in the Moonlight**Krishna with an army**Krishna playing on his flute**Krishna's current appearance**Krishna's current face**A Painting of Krishna**Statue of Krishna at the Sri Mariamman Temple*
## Trivia

* Krishna charitas is a name given to legends regarding the life of Krishna.
* Krishna's children are said to many different names in different interpretations. In Bhagavata Purana and many other scriptures, Krishna had 16,008-16,108 wives and 160,080-161,080 children. In perspective he had 10 children with each of his consorts.
* The word Krishna literally means 'black', which itself connotes mysteriousness.
* In older Japanese, the name for the color blue is the same as the one for the color green: Ao, so in a certain sense, his current appearance still "blue-skinned".
* Theologians have equated Krishna with Jesus Christ.

## Image Sources

* (Krishna anime style art by jazylh d914obn-fullview.jpg) Krishna - Anime Style Art by JazylH
* (Satyaki-sarkar-krishna-final.jpg) Krishna by Satyaki Sarkar
* (Krishna by xong d8rmeyx-fullview.jpg) Krishna by xong
* (Gianluca-rolli-young-krishna-6.jpg) Young KRISHNA by Gianluca Rolli
* (Krishna Age of Pantheons.jpg) Krishna by Shankss991
* (Moonlight Krishna.jpg) Moonlight by Develv
* (Sudhin-subramanian-krishna.jpg) Lord Krishna by sudhin subramanian
* (Loreto-diaz-01-krishna-logo22.jpg) Krishna / MyL by Loreto Diaz
* (Tan-man-krishna-rework-2020.jpg) The Enchanted Melody of Krishna's Flute by Tan Man
* (Rajesh-nagulakonda-krishna-poster-copy.jpg) Sri Krishna by Rajesh Nagulakonda
* (KRISHNA.jpg) KRISHNA by CHERDAK
* (KRishna Child.jpg) Child Krishna by ???
* (Krishna- a journey within.jpg) Krishna- a journey within by tejomaya
* (Krishna a journey within by tejomaya d6s7ih5-fullview.jpg) Krishna - a journey within by tejomaya
* (Krishna shin megami tensei iv final drawn by magatsumagic 1609736edaf4945026474ec55062782b.jpg) Krishna by magatsumagic
* (SMTIVA Krishna.png) Krishna by Kazimaru
* (SMT IV FINAL Krishna.png) Krishna's artwork from Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse
* (Krishna concept SMT4A.jpg) Krishna's concept art in Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse
* (Lord-krishna-painting.jpg) Krishna by ???
* (Sri Mariamman Temple Singapore 2 amk.jpg) Krishna Statue at the Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore by Naraina Pillai