Krishna: A Ray of Light

Today it’s JANMASHTMI, birthday of Shree Krishna, eight avatar of Shree Vishnu who is creator of this universe. We regard Krishna as Purnavatar, one who was expert in all 16 arts identified in Hindu mythology. Actually Shree Krishna resembles a ray of white light which encompasses in it all colours of the world.

As you view through a prism you start experiencing different shades of his personality.
In one way he was an activist who fought for rights of people residing in Gokul. He opposed the model in which Mathura as an urban centre was sucking out milk & butter and distributed it among children who were left impoverished.

When the need arose he led the revolt against Kans not being intimidated by his power and authority. He fought for the people and freed them from the tyranny. But like a true YOGI renounced the kingdom and passed it on to his grandfather and Kans’ father.

As an ultimate strategist he devised how pandavas should take on kauravas and left no stone unturned to make a truce between them. But during the battle he was fighter of the fighters and to save his dearest friend ARJUNA he took on Bhishma.

On the other hand he was a great materialist who adviced his followers to live life to the fullest. That’s why Swami Vivekananda once said that Indians who almost have a renouncing attitude towards life should instead see Krishna as an ideal who was a YOGI even while leading a great life.

The pinnacle of his glory came as philosopher when on the battlefield he inspired Arjuna to fight and GEETA was born. Probably no bunch of ideas must have influenced such a huge mass of people around the globe. Moreover the ideas as fresh as they have been conceived by someone who belongs to today and not past.

But still the doubt remains whether Krishna was a real human being or a mythological figure. Even Gandhiji said once that Mahabharata seems to me the fight between higher and basic instincts of human being and thus Krishna emerges as the ATMAN to which everybody has to orient his life towards.

But ideally Krishna’s personality is such as described in shloka which says “ If earth is made paper, sea the inkpot, pen is made of Parijataka tree, & Saraswaty devi continues to write for time immortal still O’ Lord there is no end to your virtues”

Finally HAPPY JANMASHTMI.