Biography
Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu, born to Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura. He spent his childhood in Vrindavan under the care of Yashoda and Nanda. He played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata as the charioteer and guide of Arjuna, delivering the Bhagavad Gita on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. He was the king of Dwaraka, a strategist, diplomat, and the supreme teacher of yoga, bhakti, and jnana.
Family Relationships
Major Events
Birth in Mathura
Born in a prison to Devaki and Vasudeva, transferred to Gokul to escape Kamsa.
Childhood in Vrindavan
Raised by Yashoda and Nanda; performed many divine deeds (lila) including lifting Govardhana Hill.
Defeat of Kamsa
Returned to Mathura and killed the tyrant Kamsa, freeing his parents.
Establishment of Dwaraka
Founded the city of Dwaraka and became its king.
Bhagavad Gita
Delivered the divine discourse to Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Kurukshetra War
Served as Arjuna's charioteer without fighting, guiding the Pandavas to victory.
Important Dialogues
“You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but never to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results, nor be attached to inaction.”
Bhagavad Gita 2.47
“The Self is never born and never dies. Unborn, eternal, ever-existing, it is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.”
Bhagavad Gita 2.20
“Abandon all dharmas and surrender to Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins — do not fear.”
Bhagavad Gita 18.66
Ethical Dilemmas
To fight or not
Arjuna's dilemma about fighting his own family — Krishna resolves it by teaching karma yoga and the eternal nature of the Self.
Resolution
Krishna teaches that the Self cannot be killed, and that performing one's duty without attachment is the highest path.
Krishna's own vow
Krishna vowed not to fight in the Kurukshetra war, yet his side needed to win.
Resolution
He chose to be Arjuna's charioteer — guiding without fighting, demonstrating that wisdom can be more powerful than weapons.
Related Verses
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन
karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana
You have a right to action alone, never to its fruits.
Bhagavad Gita 2.47यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata
Whenever dharma declines, I manifest Myself.
Bhagavad Gita 4.7सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज
sarvadharmānparityajya māmekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja
Abandon all dharmas and surrender to Me alone.
Bhagavad Gita 18.66Interpretations Across Traditions
Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead (svayam bhagavan), the source of all avatars including Vishnu. The highest goal is pure devotional love (prema bhakti).
Sri Vaishnavism
Krishna is an avatar of Vishnu (Narayana). The Gita teaches prapatti (surrender) as the means to moksha.
Advaita Vedanta
Krishna represents the supreme Brahman. The Gita's highest teaching is jnana yoga — realization of the identity of Atman and Brahman.
Dvaita Vedanta
Krishna is the supreme God, eternally distinct from individual souls. Bhakti and grace are essential for liberation.