Divine Journey
Bhagwan Shri Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, stands as one of the most celebrated and revered figures in Hinduism. His life, immortalised in the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata and various Puranas, is a luminous tapestry woven with divine miracles, heroic feats and timeless wisdom. Krishna is not just a figure of history or mythology — he is a living spiritual presence whose message continues to inspire and guide humanity. His journey from his miraculous birth in Mathura to his ascension at Prabhas remains an eternal saga of devotion, righteousness and cosmic purpose.
Birth and Early Life
Krishna’s birth took place in Mathura, in the Yadav dynasty, to Vasudeva and Devaki. This was no ordinary event — it was divinely orchestrated. His parents were imprisoned by Devaki’s tyrant brother, King Kansa, who feared a prophecy that Devaki’s eighth son would be his doom. On the fateful night of his birth, chains broke, doors unlocked and the Yamuna parted to allow Vasudeva to carry the infant Krishna to safety. The skies shimmered with a star of rare brilliance, a gentle fragrant breeze swept through the land and a joy beyond words touched all hearts.
Janmashtami, celebrated each year with music, fasting and night-long vigils, commemorates this divine descent. Soon after birth, Krishna was taken to the pastoral village of Gokul, where he was lovingly raised by his foster parents, Nandaand Yashoda. Here, in the simplicity of cowherd life, began the enchanting tales that would capture the world’s imagination — the butter thief (Maakhan Chor), the flute player whose melodies could calm storms and the mischievous child whose smile carried the joy of the cosmos.
Youth and Heroic Deeds
Krishna’s youth was as extraordinary as his birth. His miracles and acts of protection revealed his divine nature at every step. When Lord Indra, angered by the villagers’ devotion to Govardhan Hill rather than him, unleashed torrential rains, Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan Hill with his little finger, sheltering all beneath it for seven days. He danced fearlessly on the hoods of the venomous serpent Kaliya, subduing the creature and purifying the Yamuna waters.
The demons sent by Kansa — from the giantess Putana to the fierce Keshi — all met their end at Krishna’s hands. These acts were not merely displays of power but lessons in the triumph of good over evil. After slaying Kansa, Krishna moved from Mathura to the strategically built city of Dwarka in present-day Gujarat, ruling wisely from there. Dwarka became a thriving kingdom, rich in culture and trade and his residence at Beyt Dwarka remains a sacred site to this day.
Krishna’s life in Vrindavan and later in Dwarka is also immortalised in the stories of his deep spiritual bond with Radha. Their love, transcending the worldly and the divine, symbolises the highest form of devotion (Bhakti) — a union of the soul with the Supreme.
Krishna as Philosopher and Guide
Krishna’s role reached its highest spiritual significance during the events of the Mahabharata. As charioteer to Arjuna in the great war of Kurukshetra, Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita, a discourse that transcends time and culture.
In its eighteen chapters, the Gita covers the essence of righteous living — the importance of performing one’s duty (Dharma) without attachment to the results, the need for clarity of mind, the value of devotion (Bhakti) and knowledge (Jnana) and the ultimate goal of liberation (Moksha).
For more than two millennia, these teachings have served as a philosophical compass not only for saints and scholars but also for leaders, warriors and seekers around the world. Gandhi called the Gita his “spiritual dictionary”; for countless others, it remains a handbook for life itself.
Final Chapter: From Dwarka to Prabhas
After fulfilling his role as king, protector and guide, Krishna’s earthly journey approached its destined conclusion. The Puranas describe that in his final days, Krishna was meditating beneath a Peepal tree at Bhalka Tirtha, near Veraval in the Prabhas region of Gujarat. Here, he was struck by an arrow shot by a hunter named Jara, who mistook him for a deer — an event foretold by Gandhari’s curse after the Kurukshetra war.
This was no tragic end but a serene departure, known as Shri Krishna Nijdham Prasthan Leela — the Lord’s return to his eternal abode. Even in leaving his mortal form, Krishna’s act was imbued with grace, teaching the impermanence of the body and the immortality of the soul.
An Eternal Legacy
From the prison cell of Mathura to the sacred shores of Prabhas, Krishna’s life is a journey through the full spectrum of human and divine experience — joy, love, duty, sacrifice and transcendence. His image as the cowherd boy with the flute, the friend and protector, the philosopher and statesman and finally the divine liberator, continues to inspire millions.
In temples, homes, literature, music, dance and painting, his presence is alive and vibrant. His words in the Bhagavad Gita remain a shining beacon for those seeking balance in worldly duties and spiritual growth. For devotees, Krishna is not a distant figure of history but a living companion on the path of life.
The saga of Shri Krishna is thus much more than a myth or chronicle — it is a timeless spiritual guide, carrying humanity beyond the limits of time and space towards the eternal truth at the heart of existence.
Happy Janmashtmi!
About The Author
Mr. Hridaya Mohan (hridayamohan@yahoo.co.in) is a regular Columnist with a renowned Indian daily “The Hitavada”, “Bharat Neeti Media” and some other newspapers / magazines internationally. He lived and worked in Beijing for 6 long years as Chief Representative (China & Mongolia), SAIL. Recipient of “Sir M Visvesvaraya Gold Medal”for one of his papers, “Benchmarking of Maintenance Practices in Steel Industry” from The Institution of Engineers (India), he was awarded with “Scroll of Honour” for the excellent contributions to Engineering fraternity from IE(I), Bhilai, “Jawahar Award” for leadership excellence in SAIL and “Supply Chain Leader – 2017” award from IIMM. The writer lived and worked in Beijing for 6 long years as Chief Representative (China & Mongolia), SAIL.
