Krishna is a popular god with over 300 million followers worldwide.
He’s known as the blue-throated one because of his iconic appearance in the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu text.
Krishna is also known as Vasudeva, which means friend of all creatures or all-loving.
He’s an avatar, or earthly manifestation, of Vishnu, another major Hindu deity who has many names and aspects.
This time, I tried to summarize the characteristics of such a popular god Krishna into five.
Why is Krishna so important?
Krishna is a divine being who has been revered for thousands of years.
And his popularity is growing as people around the globe discover his teachings and example.
There are a few reasons why Krishna is so important:
A unique relationship with the Divine
Krishna is credited as one of the following prophets who revealed the Word of God:
- Buddha
- Moses
- Jesus
- Muhammad
Still an important figure in modern society
People have been reading the Bhagavad Gita for millennia.
This is the story of Krishna and Arjuna is part of a longer text called the Mahabharata.
Arjuna was one of the Pandava brothers (Pandu being their father) who are heroes of that epic poem.
Today people are more curious about his story and message than ever before.
Becasue He has a message that is particularly useful for the modern world.
His teachings are simple and straightforward, but they have enduring power.
How does Krishna view the world?
Krishna’s teachings reveal a view of the world that is full of wonder and fascination.
He teaches us to see the world as :
- Divinity dwells in all living things
- A place of immense opportunity
Krishna’s philosophy is about seeing Divinity in everything.
People, places, animals, and plants, and realizing that all things are connected.
He wants us to see Divinity in all of creation, not just in a few select things or people.
Recognize your potential and know that you are more than just your physical self.
He wants us to not only see the world but to also be the world.
It means being present in the present moment and fully engaging with the world around us.
Where did Krishna come from?
Some believe that Krishna is a god who has always been.
But there is also a Hindu belief that he was born on Earth at a particular time and place in order to fulfill a special mission.
His story is connected to the story of the Pandavas, who are five brothers who are the heroes of the Mahabharata.
The Pandavas were born to a king and queen who were cursed to remain childless until a certain time came to pass.
When the time came and they were able to have children, the queen prayed for a son.
She was granted her wish by Krishna himself.
Moreover, Krishna also appeared to the Pandavas during various other times in their lives to give them instructions, advice, and guidance.
And, He reappeared to them when they were in their final years when they were going to pass on.
What is Krishna’s mission?
Krishna’s mission was 2-fold:
- Bestow the gift of Divine love on humankind
- Reestablish the ancient Hindu civilization
He wanted to reestablish the ancient Hindu civilization because the people at that time were riddled with avarice and greed.
I wanted to show them a better way to live, a more fulfilling way to live, a way that is connected to the Divine and brings more love into the world !
Krishna also wanted show the following 3 points about mankind.
- You can use their potential to create a better reality for all of humankind
- You don't have to struggle to always get ahead of the next person
- Humankind could live in harmony and connect with each other and the world.
How can you follow Krishna?
If you want to follow Krishna, there are a few things you can do:
You can learn about his philosophy and story.
The Bhagavad Gita is a great place to start.
You can learn about his life and times by reading about the Pandavas and the Mahabharata.
You can try engaging in some of the practices that are associated with Krishna and his devotees.
You can also try to engage in his philosophy on a daily basis.
When you follow Krishna, you can expect to experience more joy, love, and fulfillment in your life.
You can expect to feel more connected to the people around you and to the world around you as well.
Furthermore, you can expect to have a better relationship with the Divine and to have a greater understanding of your potential as a human being.