Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma – Atri – Chandra – Budha – Pururavas – Ayus – Nahusha – Yayati – Yadu – Sahasrajit – Shatajit – Hehaya – Dharma – Kunti – Bhadrasena – Dhanaka – Kritavirya – – Kartaviryarjuna – Jayadhwaja – Talajankha – Vitihotra – Anantha – Durjaya – Yudhajit – Shini – Satyaka – Satyaki – Jaya – Kuni – Anamitra – Prishni – Chitraratha – Viduratha – Shura – Shini – Bhoja – Hridika – Shurasena – Vasudeva – Krishna.
Shurasena and Marisha had ten sons – Vasudeva, Devabhaga, Devashravas, Aanaka, Srinjaya, Kakanika, Shyamaka, Vatsa, Kavuka, Vasu. Vasudeva married Kamsa’s sister Devaki. Krishna was their eighth son. Vasudeva had another wife named Rohini who gave birth to Balarama.
Owing to Varuna’s curse, Kashyapa was born as Vasudeva and Aditi and Diti as Devaki and Rohini respectively. Krishna also had previous incarnations. Krishna was an incarnation of Narayana and Arjuna, that of Nara. Once, from Brahma’s heart was born the prajapati Dharma. He married ten daughters of Daksha. They had four sons – Hari, Krishna, Nara, Narayana. Hari and Krishna became maha yogis and Nara and Narayana became tapasvis. Nara and Narayana prayed to Brahma in Badarikashrama for a thousand years. Indra sent devastris to distract them. They approached the sages and asked them to become their husbands. Narayana was about to curse them, but Nara held him back. He then smiled at them and said that they should let me be in this birth, but he would satisfy their desire in his next birth. He told them that he would be born in the 28th Dwaparayuga as Krishna and they should be born as princesses then, and he would marry them, as per Bhagavata Chaturthaskanda. This Narayana and Nara were born as Krishna and Arjuna respectively.
Once there was a fierce deva-asura war. The asuras were almost destroyed in a hundred years. Shukra, their guru, set out to Kailash to get divine weapons. They approached Kavyamata for help. She looked at the devas and put them into a deep sleep. Vishnu rescued Indra by merging him with his own self. Kavyamata then made Vishnu and Indra immobile, but Vishnu managed to invoke the sudarshana chakra, and cut away Kavyamata’s neck. But Bhrigu arrived there and revived Kavyamata. Bhrigu was furious and cursed that Vishnu would have to incarnate as a human many times, as per Devibhagavata Chaturthaskanda.
During this time, Shurasena had a son named Vasudeva and Ugrasena had a daughter named Devaki. Her brother was Kamsa. When she came of age, she was given a dowry of 12 measures of gold and a chariot and married to Vasudeva. Kamsa himself drove the chariot on the occasion. Just then, a divine voice proclaimed that the eighth son of Vasudeva and Devaki would kill Kamsa as Srimadbhagavata Dashamaskanda Chapter 1. Kamsa was enraged on hearing this. He immediately got up, pulled Devaki by her hair with his left hand, took his sword in the right and was about to behead her when Vasudeva pleaded with him to spare her. Vasudeva said that since the eighth son was meant to kill Kamsa, there was no need to kill her just then. He also promised to give all their children to Kamsa as soon as they were born. Kamsa let them go.
Devaki soon gave birth to a son, whom they named Keertiman. Meanwhile Narada informed Kamsa that he was the reincarnation of Kalanemi and that the child who would kill him was an incarnation of Vishnu. Blinded by rage, Kamsa killed Keertiman by smashing his head on the floor and imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Narada’s words made Kamsa restless. He jailed his father Ugrasena and took over the reigns of the kingdom. He sent Pralamba, Chanura, Trinavarta, Mushtika, Arishtaka, keshi, Dhenuka, Akha, Vivida, Putana were sent to harass Yadavas, Vrishnis and Andhakas. After Keertiman’s death, Devaki gave birth to five more children, who were all killed by Kamsa.
The asuras who had been killed in the war with the devas had reincarnated as Kamsa and his cohorts. Unable to bear them, Bhumidevi approached Brahma in the form of a cow and pleaded for help. He took her to Shiva , who was unable to find a solution and along with the devas, approached Vishnu. Vishnu agreed to be born as Krishna and solve their troubles. he asked the devas and apsaras to be born as his friends and gopikas respectively. Devaki became pregnant with hr seventh child, who was Anantha’s ansh avatar. As per Vishnu’s instructions, Mayadevi lured Devaki’s this offspring into the womb of Rohini. Rohini gave birth to this child who was called Sankarshana, more easily known as Balabhadrarama or Balarama. He also told her to be born at the same time in the womb of Yashoda, wife of Nandagopa. He said that she would be worshiped as Ambika, Narayani, Chandika, Durga and Bhadrakali.
Kamsa assumed that Devaki had suffered a miscarriage. She became pregnant for the eighth time and Krishna was born on an Ashtamirohini. He was born with four hands holding a conch, mace, chakra and lotus. Vasudeva was amazed by this. His chains fell off, and the child told him that in the Swayambhuvamanu manvantara, the prajapati Sutapas and his wife Prishni prayed to Vishnu, who appeared and asked what boon they desired. They wanted Vishnu to be born to them. In their next birth, they were born as Kashyapa and Aditi, and Vishnu was their son Vamana. In all their later births, Vishnu was born as their son. He said that Vasudeva and Devaki were incarnations of Kashyapa and Aditi.
As per his instructions, Vasudeva carried the child to Ambadi as the guards fell into a deep sleep. The Yamuna river gave way, and he finally reached Yashoda’s house. Maya had caused everyone there to fall into a deep sleep. Vasudeva exchanged the babies and brought back Maya to Devaki. The guards immediately woke up and informed Kamsa. Kamsa arrived in a rage and flung the child to the ground, but she slipped out and rising heavenwards told Kamsa that his nemesis was safe in another place. Kamsa was dejected and went back to his palace as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Once the king Chandrasena started living in Ujjain near the Mahakalakshetra temple. The yaksha Manibhadra, who was pleased with his meditation gave him a jewel. Its name was Chintamani. Other kings became envious of this and planned to wage war to get the jewel. Chandrasena started praying at the Mahakala (Shiva) temple. At the same time, a gopika came there to pray to Mahakala, along with her 5 year old son, whose name was Srikara. They left soon but Shiva’s spirit had entered the boy. He threw away his toys and began praying to Shiva. He refused to eat and his mother started beating him. The boy fell unconscious and Shiva appeared. The boy got up and prayed to Shiva to bless her. Shiva did. On hearing this, Chandrasena reached there, and so did the other kings, who had a change of heart. They donated Chintamani to Srikara. Srikara was blessed that in the eighth generation following him, Nandagopa would be born in his family and he would be the father of Krishna, as per Shivapurana Chapter 1.
Krishna was blue-black and Balarama fair. To end evil, the devas planned to take birth on earth, to help Krishna. They informed Vishnu who took a white hair and a black hair from his body and threw it on the ground. The black hair entered Devaki’s womb and the white hair entered Rohini’s womb. Thus their complexion as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 199 verse 33.
Kamsa sent several asuras to find and kill Krishna. One of them was Putana. She took the form of a gopastri and breastfed Krishna. But he sucked the life out of her. The next asura to make an attempt was Shakata. He reached the sleeping Krishna in the form of a cart and made a huge noise. Krishna demolished the cart into a hundred pieces. Trinavarta was Tarakasura’s son. He reached Ambadi in an invisible form. Yashoda was feeding Krishna then. She felt the child’s weight increasing. She tried to place him on the bed, but he was so heavy that she had to place him on the floor. The asura immediately took the form of a wind and took Krishna into the air. Dust filled the air and the gopas panicked. Krishna held on to the asura’s neck and this prevented him from rising further. Krishna increased the pressure until the asura died.
The famous sage garga arrived then to see Krishna. He informed Nandagopa and Yashoda about Krishna’s details. Rohini then brought her son there. Garga named them Krishna and Rama. He blessed them, and from then on, they grew up in Ambadi.
Once the gopikas saw Krishna eating dirt and informed Yashoda. Yashoa became angry and opened Krishna’s mouth. She saw all the worlds there, and closed her eyes in fear as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Once Yashoda was breastfeeding Krishna. She saw the milk boiling in the kitchen and placed Krishna on the ground to check on it. Krishna got angry and broke the milk pot. Yashoda tried to tie him to a mortar but was unable to tie any rope around. Krishna saw her distressed and allowed himself to be tied with the first rope itself. But he then ran away with the mortar. Two trees blocked his way, but they were uprooted and rose up in the air as devas. They were Nalakuber and Manigriva who had been cursed bu Narada.
Once Krishna and Balarama were grazing the cows with their friends on the banks of the Kalindi. An asura sent by Kamsa took the form of a cow and joined the herd. Krishna realised this and pointed this out to Balarama. He then casually walked around among the cattle, and when he reached the new cow, he picked it up by its tail and legs and threw it into a banyan tree. Both the banyan and the tree next to it crashed to the ground and that was the end of Vatsasura.
Baka was the brother of Putana and was sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna. He took the form of a bird and lay down with his huge mouth open in the middle of the road. The cowherds were frightened by this. Krishna asked them to stand away and entered the mouth. The bird closed its mouth and the cowherd feared for Krishna. Krishna began moving around inside the bird’s stomach and forced it to spit him out. The bird then began vomitting blood and soon died.
Agha was the brother of Baka and Putana and set out for Ambadi to kill Krishna. He lay down on the road in the form of a snake, with its mouth open. The snake opened its mouth wide, the surroundings were filled with its odor, but Krishna and his friends were oblivious to it. They walked right into its open mouth, and the snake promptly closed its mouth. One after the other, Krishna’s friends started dying, and he soon understood what was happening. He started increasing his size and soon came out, splitting the snake’s stomach. He also revived his dead friends, and everyone rejoiced.
Once after grazing the cows, Krishna and his friends sat down for lunch. Brahma saw this and wanted to know if Vishnu in human form retained his powers. He made the cows disappear. The cowherds panicked. Krishna consoled them and started hunting for the cows. When he came back, the cowherds had also disappeared. He used his divine sight to know what had happened. He created a copy of the cattle and cowherds with his powers. A year passed. Brahma was traveling through that area, when he saw the cattle and cowherds. He was surprised. As he watched, they became smaller and smaller and he saw another Brahma and Brahmaloka. Brahma was agitated and started praying to Krishna. Things then returned to normal.
In the forests near Kalindi, there lived an asura named Dhenuka with his horde. He usually took the form of a donkey and people rarely ventured into his domain. The area was filled with palms. Balarama and Krishna once heard of him and ransacked the fruits from his palms. The cowherds applauded and an angry Dhenuka charged at them. Krishna and Balarama killed Dhenuka.
Kaliya, a powerful snake lived in Kalindi. Kaliya’s venom caused the vegetation around to wither and die, and the water of the river to become undrinkable. Once krishna came there with his friends. His friends and the cows were struck dead by Kaliya’s venom. Krishna climbed a tree and from there jumped into the lake. Kaliya tried to strike him but he jumped on to the snake’s head and started dancing. The snake began vomiting blood and bowed to Krishna. His family also began praying to Krishna. he sent them all to Ramanakadweepa. See Kaliya.
When Krishna climbed out of the water, with jewels gifted by Kaliya, his friends embraced him. The citizens of Ambadi had reached there, and since it was dusk, decided to camp there. A forest fire soon surrounded them. They called to Krishna for help and he managed to swallow the fire as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Once the cowherds were playing beneath a tree named Bhandarika. An asura named Pralamba took the form of a cowherd and joined them. Krishna and Balarama realised this. They announced a game in which they would have to beat each other up and the winner would be carried by the loser. Sridama defeated Krishna. Vrishabha defeated Bhadrasena. Balarama defeated Pralamba. The losers carried the winners, as per the rules. Pralamba began rising into the air with Balarama. Balarama smashed his head and the asura died.
The cowherds were surrounded by a fire in Munjadavi on the banks of the Kalindi. They cried to Krishna for help, and he asked them to close their eyes. Krishna ate up the fire and when they opened their eyes, they were amazed, as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Once Krishna and his friends traveled a great distances along the banks of the Kalindi. They became hungry and Krishna advised them to request for food from brahmin homes. They asked the Viprapatnis who were delighted to see Krishna and fed them all. Krishna blessed them as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Once the gopastris were bathing in the Kalindi. Krishna hid their clothes on top of a tree and started playing the flute. One by one they came out and with folded hands, asked Krishna for their clothes. Krishna gave their clothes back as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Every year, the citizens of Ambadi used to conduct a yajna in Indra’s honour, for rains. Krishna argued against this. He said that their clan god was the Govardhana mountain, and they should pray to the mountain. The villagers conducted a yajna in honour of Govardhana. Indra caused a heavy rain, in anger. Krishna help up the Govardhana and gave refuge to the villagers. For six days it rained, but the villagers were safe. Indra finally admitted defeat. Devasurabhi came down to greet Krishna and bathed him in milk, anointing him the Indra of the cowherds. As the protector of cattle, the devas named him Govinda, as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Once Nandagopa was on an ekadashi vrat and after its completion, bathed in the Kalindi. At Varuna’s behest, a deva kidnapped Nandagopa and took him to Varuna. The Ambadi villagers were dismayed. Krishna and Balarama jumped into the Kalindi and reached Varuna’s abode. Varuna said that he wanted to see Vishnu and hence he had kidnapped Nandagopa. Varuna asked for forgiveness, and Krishna and Balarama returned. The villagers, who were worried about Krishna looked into the river and saw a reflection of all the worlds, as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Once, during spring, the gopastris were attracted to the music from Krishna’s flute. Krishna went to Vrindavan and all the women in Ambadi – married as well as unmarried – followed him. Krishna tried to send them back, but they refused to go back. Krishna suddenly disappeared and they began crying for him. Radha and the others were searching all over for him, when he suddenly reappeared. He then took them to the Kalindi and satisfied their desire. This was how he explained Bhaktiyoga to the world as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Once the cowherds conducted the Maheshwara puja at Devivana. They spent the night there. A python reached there and began to swallow Nandagopa. They tried to push it away but it refused to let go. Krishna kicked it and it turned into a deva named Sudarshana. He was a vidyadhara had been turned into a python by Angiras’ curse.
During this time, an asura sent by Kamsa, named Arishta reached Ambadi in the form of a bull. The villagers were frightened. Krishna fought it and beat it to death. See Arishta for details.
Kamsa then sent Keshi, who appeared in the form of a horse. Krishna put his hand inside its mouth. His hand then grew until the horse vomited blood and died. By killing Keshi, Krishna earned the name Keshava as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Vyomasura was the son of Maya. He was the last asura sent by Kamsa. He took the foem of a goat and entered Ambadi. Krishna took him to a cave and killed him as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Kamsa failed in all his attempts to kill Krishna. He decided to conduct an ayudhapuja (Dhanuryaga) in his capital Mathura and invite Krishna and Balarama. He sent Akrura to fetch them. Akrura was a devotee of Krishna and informed him that the rituals lasted for 14 days and the brothers should be there to witness it. The citizens of Ambadi were distressed to see Krishna go. When the chariot reached Kalindi, the brothers got down for their ablutions. Akrura then saw the vishwarupa in the water. Akrura then told Krishna of Kamsa’s plans and advised him to kill Kamsa as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
When they reached Mathura, the brothers got down from Akrura’s chariot. Akrura informed Kamsa of their arrival. In the evening, the brothers took in the city sights. They saw a washerman carrying Kamsa’s clothes and asked him for the clothes. He refused and called them cowherds. Krishna killed hima nd distributed the clothes among the poor children there. Balarama took a blue dress and Krishna, a yellow one. They then saw a tailor who made turbans for Kamsa. He gave the brothers elaborate and well designed turbans. Krishna blessed him. The brothers then visited the Yadava Sudama, who gave them a garland each. Krishna blessed Sudama. They walked on and saw a hunchbacked woman carrying a mixture in a pot. She said that her name was Trivakra and she was Kamsa’s maid, and was carrying a body lotion for him. She was affectionate to Krishna and gave him the pot. The brothers applied the lotion on themselves. Krishna then kept his foot over Trivakra’s, and lifted her chin to cure her of her hunch. She was now infatuated with him and wanted him to spend the night in her cottage. Krishna told her that he would so some other time and walked on.
They then entered Kamsa’s yajnashala. There was a huge bow there. Before the soldiers could reach him, Krishna broke it. When the soldiers tried to capture them, the brothers beat them to death with the bow pieces. They then bathed and lay down to sleep, but thoughts of Kamsa’s machinations kept them awake.
Kamsa himself had nightmares. In the morning, he announced a wrestling contest. Nandagopa and other Yadava dignitaries sat down to watch it. Chanura, Mushtika, Shala, Kosala, Kuta were all participants. Kamsa placed a mad elephant named Kuvalayapida at the gate to kill the brothers. Its mahout encouraged it to kill them. Krishna killed the elephant and gifted one of its tusks to Balarama. Krishna then killed the mahout with the other tusk. They then entered the arena.
Chanura battled Krishna and Mushtika took on Balarama. The brothers killed them and also three more wrestlers who jumped into the fray. The rest of the wrestlers ran away. Kamsa got and furiously decreed that the cowherds should be thrown out of the land, Nandagopa should be killed, Ugrasena drowned in the Kalindi and so on. Krishna climbed on to the dais and pushed Kamsa down. He then jumped on to Kamsa’s back and killed him. Kamsa’s eight brothers ran towards Krishna but Balarama killed them with a metal rod. Krishna consoled the women folk who mourned these deaths and conducted the final rites. Vasudeva and Devaki were freed and Ugrasena was made king of Mathura.
They then approached Nandagopa and Yashoda, and said that they would return to Ambadi after ensuring the Yadava kingdom’s prosperity. They then bid goodbye to their parents and the others who were returning to Ambadi as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
As per Garga’s advice, Balarama and Krishna were sent to the sage Sandipani for their education. There, Krishna became great friends with Kuchela. Once the guru’s wife sent them to the forest for firewood. It rained heavily and they were forced to spend the night in the forest. In the morning the sage brought them back. Krishna learned 64 arts and weaponry from Sandipani as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 38.
After their education was completed, Krishna and Balarama asked the guru what he wanted as gurudakshina. The guru said that long back, his son had drowned while praying at Prabhasatheera and he wished his son could be brought back. The brothers drove the chariot towards the ocean, and asked Varuna where they could find their guru’s son. Varuna said that in the ocean, there lived an asura named Panchajana, in the form of a conch and he was the one who had killed the guru’s son. Krishna killed Panchajana but couldn’t find the guru’s son. This conch would later become famous as Panchajanya. The brothers then reached Kalapuri and blew the conch. Yama came outside and on hearing their story, gave back the guru’s son. They brought him to the guru and then returned to Mathura as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
When they got back, they remembered the citizens of Ambadi and sent the minister Uddhava to enquire what was happening back at home. As soon as he reached there, he was surrounded by Yashoda, Nandagopa and all the gopikas. They were glad to hear about Krishna and when Uddhava left, after a few months, they sent with him many things for Krishna, as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Krishna also remembered the promise he had made to Trivikra, and visited her. By this time Pandu had died, and Krishna’s aunt Kunti (Pandu’s wife) was staying at Hastinapura with her sons, the Pandavas, suffering great difficulties. Dhritarashtra was ruling the kingdom and Akrura advised him to treat both the Kauravas and Pandavas equally. Akrura then returned to Mathura and appraised Krishna.
Kamsa’s wives Asthi and Prapti were Jarasandha’s daughters. They complained to their father about Kamsa’s death at Krishna’s hands. Jarasandha surrounded Mathura with a huge army, aided by Salva, kalinga, Dantavaktra, Shishupala and the king of Chhedi. Krishna fought them, helped by balarama, Akrura, Uddhava, Kritavarma. Many kings were killed. Finally Balarama wrestled Jarasandha and as per Krishna’s request, Balarama let him go. Jarasandha repeatedly attacked Mathura with the help of others like Banasura. When Balarama tried to kill Jarasandha, a divine voice proclaimed that Jarasandha’s death was not meant to be at the hands of Balarama.
The Yadavas lost much of their wealth thanks to the wars with Jarasandha. Krishna and Balarama set out for the Gomantaka mountain, famed for its jewels, to acquire wealth. There they saw Parashurama meditating under a huge tree. He told them that at the base of the mountain, there was a kingdom named Karavira. He advised them to kill the king of the land – Srigalavasudeva – and take his wealth. They did so and then reached Pravarshanagiri. There, Garuda returned to them Krishna’s crown which had been stolen by Banasura. The brothers then returned to Mathura. Meanwhile, Jarasandha heard of Srigalavasudeva’s death and attacked Mathura. That was his 18th attack and though he had been defeated in each of his previous attempts, the Yadavas’ might had been reduced by then. Krishna wanted to leave Mathura and set up a kingdom in a different place. Krishna realised that Jarasandha had been very close to Kamsa and desired to hand the kingdom back to his descendants. So, Krishna and Balarama relocated the kingdom to an island off the western coast – Dwaraka. This was built by Vishwakarma as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda. (See Kushasthali)
A king named Kalayavana had wanted to seize Mathura. He prayed to Shiva who blessed that no Yadava would be able to kill him. This was the time that Krishna moved to Dwaraka. Meanwhile, Muchukunda, son of Maandaata, a king belonging to the Ikshvaku clan, went to devaloka on Indra’s invitation. With his help, Indra defeated the asuras and promised to give Muchukunda any boon he desired. Muchukunda said he hadn’t slept in ages and wanted a long sleep. Indra agreed, showed him a cave and also said that he who disturbed Muchukunda’s sleep would be reduced to ashes. Muchukunda went into the cave and began sleeping. Kalayavana decided to attack Mathura and Krishna decided to kill him. Krishna pretended to be running away from him. He lured Kalayavana into the cave in which Muchukunda slept, and then suddenly disappeared. Kalayavana mistook Muchukunda for Krishna and kicked him hard. Muchukunda woke up and Kalayavana was reduced to ashes. Krishna reappeared and Muchukunda bowed to him. As per Krishna’s advice, Muchukunda later meditated in Badarikashrama and attained salvation as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
The Yadavas took all of Kalayavana’s wealth and proceeded to Dwaraka. They were blocked by Jarasandha. Krishna and Balarama began running and Jarasandha followed them. They reached the summit of the Pravarshana mountain and disappeared. Jarasandha set fire all around the mountain but the brothers managed to jump to Dwaraka evading the fire. Jarasandha believd that he had killed them and went back to Magadha as per Bhagavata Dashamskanda.
Dwaraka’s earlier name was Kushasthali. Balarama married Revati, daughter of Aanarta, who was the king of Kushasthali.
Bhishmaka, the king of Vidarbha had five sons including Rukmi. His sixth child was a daughter named Rukmini. She heard stories of Krishna and fell in love with him. Rukmi, who was an enemy of Krishna, wanted to marry her off to his friend Shishupala. Rukmini sent a message to Dwaraka via a brahmin. On the day of her swayamwar, Krishna and Balarama reached Kundinapuri, the capital of Vidarbha. In front of the other kings, Krishna took Rukmini away on his chariot. The kings, under Rukmi’s leadership, battled him, but lost. A son was born to Krishna and Rukmini named Pradyumna.
The king Satrajit had received a gem named Syamantaka from Surya. His brother Prasena once wore the jewel on a hunt. A lion killed him and the jewel ended up with Jambavan, who gave it to his kids to play with. A rumour began circulating that Krishna had stolen the jewel. Krishna went into the forest and traced the jewel to Jambavan’s cave. He defeated Jambavan in single combat. Jambavan recognised Krishna’s divinity and gave him his daughter Jambavati as well as the syamantaka. Krishna returned the syamantaka to Satrajit, who gave his daughter Satyabhama to him in marriage. Krishna also received the syamantaka as a dowry as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda, but he refused to take it.
The news spread that the Pandavas had been killed in a fire in the house of lac. Krishna was saddened by this but he later heard that they were staying in Khandavaprastha. He immediately visited them along with Satyaki and a few other Yadavas. That was when Vahni (Agni) approached Arjuna and asked for his help in consuming Khandava. When Arjuna battled Indra over this, Krishna helped him. Arjuna helped Maya from the fire and Maya built Indraprastha for the Pandavas. Krishna stayed there with them for a while. During that time, Krishna and Arjuna went to the Kalindi. There, Arjuna saw a beautiful woman meditating, and approached her. She said she was Kalindi and was meditating to get Krishna as her husband. Arjuna informed Krishna, who took her to Dwaraka and married her. They had ten sons including Shruta as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Krishna’s father’s sister Rajadhidevi had been amrried to the king of Avanti. They had 3 children named Vinda, Anuvinda and Mitravinda. Mitravinda had made up her mind to marry Krishna. Krishna was present at her swayamwar and took her to Dwaraka.
Satya was the daughter of Nagnajit, the king of Kosala. The king had seven bulls, each as mighty as an elephant. The king decreed that he whoever could control them would get his daughter in marriage. Many kings tried and failed. Once Krishna and Arjuna reached there and Krishna easily conquered them. Thus Satya became his wife.
Kaikeyi (Bhadra) was the daughter of Krishna’s father’s sister Shrutakeerthi. Krishna married her. Krishna also married Lakshmana, the daughter of the king of Madra, at her swayamwar. Narakasura had sixteen thousand daughters. They were blessed by Brahma in their previous birth that they would be married to Vishnu. The devas were plagued by Narakasura. Krishna and Satyabhama flew to Narakasura’s kingdom Pragjyotisha on Garuda, imprisoned him and then krishna married his 16000 daughters. He also built a palace for each of them. Thus Krishna had a total of 160008 wives.
Khanda and Karna were two pisachas brothers. After his marriage to Rukmini, Krishna went to Badarikashrama to pray to Shiva. He met the pisachas there and gave them salvation.
See Galava for the battle between Krishna and Arjuna. See Mura for his death at the hands of Krishna. See Naraka for details on Narakasura and Krishna.
Narakasura once obtained a boon from Vishnu and began tormenting all the three worlds. He even attacked devaloka, and stole Indra’s golden umbrella and Aditi’s ear rings. Indra complained to Krishna, who took Satyabhama with him, and with the help of Garuda destroyed Pragjyotisha, Narakasura’s city. Krishna retrieved the umbrella, ear rings, reached devaloka and returned them. On the way back, Krishna cut away a parijata branch as per Satyabhama’s request. Indra was angry at this and fought with Krishna. Krishna defeated Indra and the other devas, defeated them and returned to Dwaraka with Satyabhama and the parijata. It grew in front of Satyabhama’s palace. It was also said that it was grown there to help forget Satyabhama’s disappointment at Krishna refusing to accept the syamantaka.
Krishna had ten sons each with his 8 main wives. The important ones are as follows – with Rukmini : Pradyumna, Charudeshna, Sudeshna, Charudeha, Sucharu, Charugupta, Bhadracharu, Charuchandra, Aticharu, Charu; with Jambavati – Samba, Sumitra etc; with Satyabhama: Bhanu, Subhanu, Swarbhanu, Prabhanu, Bhanuman, Chandrabhanu, Brihadbhanu, Havirbhanu, Sribhanu, Pratibhanu; with Kalindi : Shruta etc; with Mitravinda : Vrikahamsa etc; with Satya : Bhanuchandra etc; with Bhadra – Sangramachitta etc; with Lakshmana – Praghosha etc.
Rukmini’s brother Rukmi had a daughter named Rukmavati who was married to Pradyumna. Their son was Anirudha, who married Bana’s daughter Usha. Rukmini’s daughter Charumati was married to Kritavarma’s son as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
Once Krishna wanted to test Rukmini. He told her that he was poor and afraid of enemies, and hence was holed up in Dwaraka, and that he would have no objection if she married a wealthier and more powerful king. Rukmini fell unconscious and Krishna then consoled her as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.
See Bana for Krishna’s battle with him.
See Paundraka for the story of his death at the hands of Krishna.
See Nriga for how Krishna gave him salvation.
The Pandavas heard of Draupadi’s swayamwar during their exile and attended it. Krishna was present there along with other Vrishni dynasty kings as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 185. He recognised the Pandavas who were disguised as brahmins. Krishna visited them at Kumbhakara’s residence, where they were staying, and gave them valuable gifts after their marriage to Draupadi.
As a punishment for entering Yudhishtira’s palace during his time with Draupadi, Arjuna went on a pilgrimage for a year. During that time he married Subhadra with Krishna’s help. See Subhadra for details.
See Khandavadaha for how Krishna saved Maya and got the mace called Kaumodaka. The rest of Krishna’s life was connected with the Pandavas. The pertinent aspects till the Kurukshetra war, as per the Mahabharata, are as below.
Krishna conducted yajnas for many years for protecting dharma as per Sabhaparva Chapter 8 verse 16. Krishna allowed Yudhishtira to conduct the rajasuya as per Sabhaparva Chapter 14. Krishna went to Mathura with Bhima and Arjuna, dressed as brahmins, and killed Jarasandha. See Jarasandha for details. He then installed Jarasandha’s son Sahadeva as king of Mathura as per Sabhaparva Chapter 24 verse 43. Krishna gave a lot of wealth as a gift during Yudhishtira’s rajasuya as per Sabhaparva Chapter 33 verse 13. Bhumidevi gifted earrings to Krishna as per Sabhaparva. Krishna killed Shishupala. See Shishupala for details. When Dushasana disrobed Draupadi in the court, Krishna blessed her with unlimited clothes. See Draupadi. Krishna fought with Salva. See Salva for details. Krishna once took Arjuna and Subhadra to Dwaraka as per Vanaparva Chapter 22 verses 47-48. He consoled the Pandavas in Kamyaka forest as per Vanaparva Chapter 183 verse 16. He ate a spinach leaf from Draupadi’s bowl and blessed her. See Draupadi. He went to Upaplavya for Abhimanyu’s marriage and gave a lot of wealth to Yudhishtira as per Virataparva Chapter 72 verse 24. Krishna sent a messenger to the king of Virata to let him know of the Kauravas’ cruelty and the Pandavas’ sense of justice as per Udyogaparva Chapter 1.
Once Narada was curious as to how Krishna kept all 16008 of his wives satisfied. He came to Dwaraka and visited all the wives, and saw Krishna everywhere. Narada was surprised as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda. Krishna blessed Kuchela. See Kuchela for details.
See Arjuna for Santanagopala.
After the Pandavas returned from exile, Duryodhana refused to give them half the kingdom. Both sides prepared for war, and Duryodhana rushed to Dwaraka to enlist Krishna’s help. Krishna saw him coming from afar and pretended to be asleep. Duryodhana sat on a stool kept near the headrest. Arjuna too arrived soon for the same purpose, but waited with folded hands at the foot. Krishna saw Arjuna as soon as he woke up but Duryodhana said that he had arrived first. Krishna agreed to help both of them. He said that he would give his entire army to one party and himself unarmed to the other. Since Arjuna was younger, he got to make the choice. Arjuna chose Krishna who became his charioteer as per Mahabharata Udyogaparva Chapter 7.
Yudhishtira sought Krishna’s help to somehow avoid war. Krishna sent a messenger to Dhritarashtra via Sanjaya but did not get a reply. Understanding the need of the hour, Krishna himself decided to go to the Kaurava court. He first went to Dwaraka with Satyaki and on the way spoke to various sages. He then went to Hastinapura and visited Vidura’s house to console Kunti. He spent the night there. The next day, he reached the court and argued for the Pandavas but against war. Duryodhana and his cohorts ridiculed Krishna and even tried to imprison him. Krishna showed them his vishwarupa with Brahma on his forehead, Shiva on his chest, the gopas on his hands and the adityas, vasus and rudras in his mouth. The Kauravas closed their eyes in fear. Krishna gave Dhritarashtra special sight to see this. he then left, after advising Karna to fight on the Pandava side, as per Mahabharata Udyogaparva.
Krishna’s participation in the war at Kurukshetra is as follows. The two armies assembled and when Arjuna saw his relatives and friends on the other side, he was confused. Krishna then advised him and that is what is known as the Bhagavad Gita, which contains Sankhya yoga, the way to identify wise men, sankhya yogis, nishkamakarmayogis, Jnanayoga, Dhyanayoga, the importance of deva worship, upasanas, the way to attain salvation and son, as per Bhishmaparva Chapters 26-42.
Krishna blew his conch Panchajanya to begin the war as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 15 verse 15. Krishna got ready to kill Bhishma with his chakra as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 65. Bhishma prayed to him. He encouraged Arjuna to kill Bhishma as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 106 verse 33. Krishna took the Vaishnavastra aimed by Bhagadatta at Arjuna on his chest as per Dronaparva Chapter 29 verse 18. He consoled Arjuna after Abhimanyu died as per Dronaparva Chapter 72. He also consoled Subhadra according to Dronaparva Chapter 77. As per Dronaparva Chapter 78, he consoled Draupadi and Uttara. He took Arjuna to Shiva in a dream and got his blessings as per Dronaparva Chapter 80. Krishna tended to the horses on the battlefield as per Dronaparva Chapter 100. He encouraged Arjuna to kill Duryodhana as per Dronaparva Chapter 102. He helped Arjuna kill Jayadratha by creating a fake sunset. See Jayadratha. He then removed the sunset after Jayadratha’s death as per Dronaparva Chapter 146. Krishna sent Ghatotkacha to fight Karna in the night as per Dronaparva Chapter 173. On Ghatotkacha’s death, he consoled Yudhishtira as per Dronaparva Chapter 153. He encouraged Arjuna to kill Karna as per Karnaparva Chapter 60. But later he diverted Arjuna from Karna on the pretext of tending to a wounded Yudhishtira as per Karnaparva Chapter 64. When Arjuna became angry at Yudhsihtira and raised his sword to kill him, Krishna told them the story of Vyadha and Kaushika (see Valaka)and dissuaded them as per Karnaparva Chapter 69. Krishna stopped Arjuna when he tried to give up his life as per Karnaparva Chapter 70. He then persuaded Arjuna to fight Karna. A fierce battle was fought. when Karna sent the nagastra at Arjuna, krishna pushed down the chariot and the arrow took away Arjuna’s crown as per Karnaparva Chapter 90. After Arjuna killed Karna, Krishna advised him to kill Shalya as per Shalyaparva Chapter 7. Krishna also persuaded Bhima to kill Duryodhana as per Shalyaparva Chapter 58. As per Yudhishtira’s request, Krishna went to Hastinapura to console Dhritarashtra and Gandhari and then returned, according to Shalyaparva Chapter 62. Krishna cursed Ashwathama for shooting an arrow at a pregnant woman. (see Ashwathama) He advised Bhishma to give the knowledge of dharma to Yudhishtira as per Shantiparva Chapter 51. He blessed that during this time Bhishma would not feel thirst, hunger, or fatigue as per Shantiparva Chapter 53. He told Arjuna his various names as per Shantiparva Chapter 341. He advised Bhumidevi and sages on spiritual and worldly matters. He then gave Bhishma the permission to die as per Anushasanaparva Chapter 167. He consoled Ganga who mourned Bhishma as per Anushasanaparva Chapter 168. He once again gave the Gita advice in the form of a conversation between kashyapa and other sages according to Ashramavasikaparva Chapter 16. After the war, he left for Dwaraka with Satyaki and Subhadra, with Yudhishtira’s permission according to Ashramavasikaparva Chapter 52 verse 54-58.
When Krishna reached Dwaraka, the sage Uttanga visited him. He told the sage about the war and showed him his vishwarupa. He then attended a Yadava festival in Raivata mountain. When he returned Vasudeva asked him for details on the war. Krishna gave him the details. he then attended to Abhimanyu’s last rites as per Mahabharata Ashwamedhaparva.
To see how Krishna killed Hamsadibhaka, see Dibhaka.
Krishna then visited Hastinapura, where Uttara had given birth to a dead child because of Ahwathama’s arrow. He revived the child as per Kunti’s request. This was Parikshit as per Mahabharata Ashwamedhaparva Chapter 66.
After the Kurukshetra war ended, and warriors like Duryodhana were dead, Gandhari could not control her despair and began wailing. She understood Krishna’s role and cursed Krishna and the Yadavas that they would also fight amongst themselves and perish. She also said that this would happen in 36 years as per Mahabharata Sriparva Chapter 25.
During Ugrasena’s reign, the sages Vishwamitra, Kanva and Narada visited Dwaraka. The Yadavas wanted to ridicule them and dressed up a man named Samba as a pregnant woman and presented him before them. They claimed that she was the wife of Babhru and wanted to know if the child would be a boy or a girl. The sages understood what was happening and cursed that Samba would give birth to a pounder which would destroy the Yadava clan. When Krishna heard of this, he realised that it was meant to happen. The very next day, Samba delivered the pounder. The Yadavas ground it up and threw the powder into the sea. Krishna announced an alcohol ban to prevent any fights from happening. He also said that those producing alcohol would be hanged along with their entire family as per Mahabharata Mausalaparva Chapter 1.
The signs of the Yadavas’ impending doom increased. The number of deaths rose, so did the number of rats, which gnawed people’s nails while they slept. Ominous sounds were heard at night. Goats began howling like wolves. A donkey was born from a cow and a cat from a mule. Dogs started eating mice and mongooses. The sudarshana chakra, gifted to Krishna by Agni in Khandava disappeared into the sky as the Vrishni clan watched.
Krishna, Balarama, Uddhava all began preparing for a pilgrimage. The Vrishnis and Andhakas began manufacturing alcohol. They began fighting soon after and the powder that had been thrown into the sea made its way back on to the shore and grew as a sharp kind of grass. Krishna became angry on hearing of the deaths of Pradyumna, Satyaki etc. He picked up a tuft of grass and it turned into a pounder. he killed all those around him. On seeing this, more people picked up the grass and began killing each other with the pounders thus formed.
Meanwhile, Balarama sat under a tree meditating. Krishna reached there, and so did Bharuka and Babhru. Krishna sent Bharuka to Hastinapura to inform Arjuna of the destruction of the Yadavas. he then went to the palace to console the women. he said that Arjuna would come to protect them. Krishna then bade goodbye to Vasudeva and went back to Balarama. He saw a white snake slither out of Balarama’s mouth and disappear into the ocean. It was received by other important snakes from patala. Krishna roamed in the forest and finally sat down with his feet up in a yoga posture. A hunter named Jara saw his feet from far and mistook them for a deer. He sent an arrow which killed Krishna. Krishna then went back to Vaikuntha as per Mahabharata Mausalaparva.
Once Durvasa roamed all through Dwaraka searching for a house that would receive him. Krishna brought him to his palace. The sage, known for his temper, began throwing tantrums there. Breaking vessels, running around, consuming less food, over eating, were patiently borne by Krishna and Rukmini. Once, he expressed a desire to drink sweet rice gruel. Rukmini prepared that. The sage consumed some and asked Krishna to apply the rest to his body. Krishna applied that all over except for the soles of his feet. When the sage asked him why he did not apply it there, Krishna humbly replied that he did not like it. Durvasa then applied the remaining dish on Rukmini’s body. He then tied her to a chariot and whipped her to make her run. Krishna followed them. Finally Durvasa got down, ran into the forest, turned back and told Krishna that he was happy with their courtesy. He blessed that Rukmini would be Krishna’s most beloved wife and she would be free of aging. He also said that Krishna would be free of death on all parts of his body where he had applied the dish. They returned to the palace and found everything that had been destroyed by Durvasa back in their original place. Their prosperity increased but Krishna died due to an arrow wound on the sole of his foot as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 159.
There is also a story that the hunter Jara was a reincarnation of Bali, the vanara king killed by Rama, and this was his revenge.
After Krishna’s death, Arjuna arrived in Dwaraka and conducted his last rites as per Mahabharata Mausalaparva Chapter 7 verse 32. Krishna existed in Divyadhama in the form of Narayana as per Mahabharata Swargarohanaparva Chapter 5 verses 24-26. Rukmini, Jambavati and a few others stepped into Krishna’s pyre as per Mahabharata Mausalaparva Chapter 7 verses 73-74. Satyabhama and two others left for the forests to meditate as per Mahabharata Mausalaparva Chapter 7 verses 73-74. Arjuna took the remaining with him as he returned from Dwaraka. On the waym, they were attacked by tribals. The women escaped and jumped into the Saraswati river. They attained salvation as per Mahabharata Swargarohanaparva Chapter 5 verse 25.
The names used for Krishna in the Mahabharata are Achyuta, Adhideva, Adhokshaja, Adideva, Aja, Amadhya, Anadi, Anadimadhyaparyanta, Anadinidhana, Anadya, Anantha, Andhakavrishninatha, Asita, Atma, Avyakta, Avyaya, Bhojarajanyavardhana, Bhuteshwara, Bhupati, Bhutatma, Bhutesha, Chakradhara, Chakradhari, Chakragadabhrita, Chakragadadhara, Chakragadapani, Chakrapani, Chakrayudha, Shaivyasugrivavahana, Shambhu, Shankhachakragadadhara, Shankhachakragadahasta, Shankhachakrapani, Shankhachakrasipani, Sharngadhanurdhara, Sharngadhanwa, Sharngagadapani, Sarngi, Shaurishulabhrit, Shuli, Dasharha, Dasharhabharta, Dasharhadhipati, Dasharhakulavardhana, Dasharhanandana, Dasharhanatha, Dasharhasimha, Dasharhavira, Damodara, Devadeva, Devedevesha, Devedeveshwara, Devakinandana, Gadagraja, Garudadhwaja, Gopala, Gopendra, Gopijanapriya, Govinda, Iladharanuja, Hari, Hrishikesha, Janardana, Kamsakeshi, Nishudana, Kamsanishudana, Kaustubhabhushana, Keshava, Keshiha, Keshihanta, Keshinishudana, Keshisudana, Mahabahu, Pitavasa, Ramanatha, Ramanuja, Sankharshananuja, Sarvadasharhaharta, Sarvanagaripudhwaja, Sarvayadavanandana, Satya, Suparnaketu, Tarkshyadhwaja, Tarkshyarakshana, Trailokyanatha, Triyuga, Vasudeva, Vasudevaputra, Vrajanatha, Vrishnishardula, Vrishnishreshta, Vrishnikulodwaha, Vrishninandana, Vrishnipati, Vrishnipravara, Vrishnipungava, Vrishnisattama, Vrishnisimha, Vrishnijiva, Vrishnyandhakapati, Vrishnyandhakottama, Yadava, yadavashardula, Yadavashreshta, Yadavagrya, Yadavanandana, Yadaveshwara, Yadushardula, Yadushreshta, Yadudwaha, Yadupungava, Yadusukhavaha, Yaduttama, Yaduvamshavivardhana, Yogeshwara, Yogisha, Yogi.
As per Amarakosha, his names are Vishnu, Narayana, krishna, Vaikuntha, Vishtarashravas, Damodara, Hrishikesha, Keshava, Madhava, Swabhu, Daityari, Pundarikaksha, Govinda, Garudadhwaja, Pitambara, Achyuta, Sharangi, Vishwaksena, Janardana, Upendra, Indravaraja, Chakrapani, Chaturbhuja, padmanabha, Madhuripu, Vasudeva, Trivikrama, Devakinandana, Shauri, Sripati, Purushottama, Vanamali, balidhwamsi, Kamsarati, Adhokshaja, Vishwambhara, Vidhu, Kaiddhabhajit, Srivatsalachhana.