Sri Krishna

A major deity in Hinduism, revered as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and a supreme spiritual teacher whose discourse is immortalized in the Bhagavad Gita.

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bornc. 3228 BCE (traditional)

diedc. 3102 BCE (traditional)

nationalityIndian

known fordelivering the Bhagavad Gita and his role in the Mahabharata

fieldreligion and philosophy

Key Takeaways

He is revered as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and a supreme deity in Hinduism
He played a pivotal role as a master strategist and charioteer in the Mahabharata epic
He delivered the Bhagavad Gita, a foundational text of Hindu philosophy and spirituality
His teachings emphasize duty (dharma) and righteous action without attachment to outcomes

Life Timeline

c. 3228 BCE

Born in Mathura to Devaki and Vasudeva

Childhood

Secretly raised by foster parents Nanda and Yashoda in Vrindavan

Youth

Defeated the tyrannical king Kamsa

Adulthood

Served as a diplomat and charioteer for Arjuna in the Kurukshetra War

Kurukshetra War

Delivered the spiritual discourse known as the Bhagavad Gita

c. 3102 BCE

Departed from the earthly realm

Biography Reading: Sri Krishna

background

Sri Krishna is one of the most widely revered and popular of all Indian divinities, worshipped as the eighth incarnation (avatar) of the Hindu god Vishnu and also as a supreme god in his own right. According to tradition, he was born in Mathura into a royal family but was secretly raised by cowherds in the village of Vrindavan to protect him from his tyrannical uncle, King Kamsa. His early life is filled with enchanting tales of his playful and miraculous childhood, his deep love for the gopis (cowherd maidens), and his role as a divine protector of his people.

achievement

As Krishna grew into adulthood, he became a central figure in the grand Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He served as a prince, a master strategist, and a diplomat, playing a pivotal role in the great Kurukshetra War between two groups of warring cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Despite his immense power, he chose not to fight directly, instead offering to serve as the charioteer for his devoted friend and disciple, the warrior prince Arjuna. It was on this very battlefield that Krishna's most profound spiritual contributions were made.

impact

Just before the massive battle commenced, Arjuna was overcome with moral dilemma and despair at the thought of fighting his own relatives. In response, Krishna delivered a breathtaking philosophical discourse known as the Bhagavad Gita. He guided Arjuna through complex concepts of duty (dharma), righteous action without attachment to results (karma yoga), and the eternal nature of the soul. Krishna's teachings in the Gita transcend the battlefield, offering universal wisdom on how to live a meaningful, ethical, and spiritually fulfilled life, profoundly shaping Hindu philosophy for millennia.