Krishna

Krishna is a major Hindu deity, revered in many traditions as an incarnation of Vishnu. He is a central figure in the Mahabharata and the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita.

Bhagavad Gita: A dialogue in the Mahabharata in which Krishna teaches Arjuna about duty, action, and liberation. Krishna teaches Arjuna on the battlefield in this foundational text.
Bhakti: Devotion to a personal deity expressed through worship, love, and surrender. Love and devotion to Krishna are central paths in many Hindu traditions.
Mahabharata: An ancient Sanskrit epic about the conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Krishna’s political and spiritual roles unfold within this epic.
Balarama: Krishna’s elder brother, revered as a deity and associated with strength and agriculture. Their shared stories distinguish Krishna’s divine play from Balarama’s distinct role.
Krishna Janmashtami: A Hindu festival celebrating Krishna’s birth. The festival commemorates the birth central to Krishna’s childhood narratives.
Vaishnavism: A major Hindu tradition centered on Vishnu and his forms, including Krishna. Krishna’s identity as Vishnu’s incarnation places him within this broad tradition.
Vishnu: A major Hindu deity associated with preservation and cosmic order. Many Hindu traditions identify Krishna as an incarnation or form of Vishnu.
Rama: A Hindu deity and prince, widely revered as an incarnation of Vishnu and hero of the Ramayana. Rama offers a contrasting Vishnu incarnation with a different epic and devotional focus.
Govardhan Hill: A hill in the Braj region associated with Krishna’s childhood and devotional traditions. Krishna’s lifting of the hill is one of his best-known protective acts.
Gaudiya Vaishnavism: A Vaishnava tradition that worships Radha and Krishna as the supreme divine couple. This tradition gives Krishna a central theological status beyond incarnation.

Linked from 24 pages