All About Krsna

Preface 'Krsna' means 'black'. But Krsna was also beautiful hence the appellation 'syamasundara,' the 'black-beautiful'. The 'beautiful has mesmerized us for generations. And for generations, the 'black' has been an enigma too!

In his monograph, an earnest attempt has been made to reveal the beauty and unravel the sublime mystery surrounding this Krsna, 'the greatest of Incarnations' as Swami Vivekananda has declared. To what extent it has succeeded, only the readers can tell.

We are grateful to Sri Nithyananda Printers for the neat printing and the fine format.

Introduction The philosophy of the Upanisads is characterized by a rational temper, a passion for the welfare of the human beings and a spirit of harmony as applied to the whole world. This philosophy, though impersonal in itself, has yet been the womb of a galaxy of personalities who have shone brilliantly in the horizon of India. Rama and Krsna are the brightest of these stars; and they have dominated the pages of Indian cultural history for centuries. Not only that, they become models for emulation for later ages.

Between the two, it is perhaps, Krsna who has influenced the Indian though, life and culture in a more profound way. He has entered, not only into its religion and philosophy, but also into its mysticism and poetry, painting and sculpture, music and dancing, and all aspects of the Indian folklore. To say the least, he has mesmerized a whole people for generations. Where else can one seek for the secret of this mesmerism of Krsna except in his great character and noble life?

And yet, it is a strange irony that no other person in India's history and culture has been subjected to so much of unsympathetic or even foul criticism, based on either an incomplete or an incorrect understanding of all the facts available, if not a deliberate distortion of the same to serve an ulterior purpose. True, there have also been presentations of his personality by over-enthusiastic votaries that rob quite a bit of the grace of a wondrously graceful personality. Hence an attempt will be made in this monograph to steer clear of the extremes and give a fairly balanced assessment of his life, personality and work.

Contents

1	Introduction	5
2	Several Krsnas	6
3	Date of Krsna	7
4	Sources of the Krsna Story	8
5	Story of Krsna in brief	9
6	Personality of Krsna	19
7	In Defence of Krsna	23
8	Teachings of Krsna	41
	Bhagavadgita	41
	Anugita	44
	Uddhavagita	47
9	Krsna's Philosophy of Life	54
10	Radha	56
11	Krsna Festivals	57
12	Conclusion	60
	Key to Transliteration and Pronunciation	62