Two shades of Krishna

Krishna is a historical as well as a mysterious figure. There could be some other assessments of this personality. We limit the discussion only to two of this legend based on two scriptures. For one, the source is Mahabharat (Mahabharat is not an epic. It is a book of ancient history), with emphasis on the Gita (which is a part of Mahabharat).  For another, we depend on Shrimad Bhagavat MahaPuran. 

Which source is authentic? An answer to this will decide which personality of Krishna is more acceptable.

There is no doubt about the authenticity of Mahabharat as a giant historical document.  With various physical evidences on ground, cross literally references, astrological proofs, geological confirmations and so on put on place, physical existence of Krishna is beyond doubt. However, about certain features of the character of Krishna as depicted in Bhagavat MahaPuran, a few scathing questions are asked.  The reason may lend some validity to these questions. Grossly because these features are somewhat  in contrast to what Mahabharat portrays.

Krishna of the Gita:

In this ‘divine song’ Krishna speaks about himself. He says that he is the supreme Yogi.  He is the Supreme Lord of the universe.  All the universe is his body.  All living creatures and non-living objects exist and disappear at his will.  All the sciences are his own products.  Krishna is the knower of everything and all length and breadth of time. He creates Maya out of his self which trap the creatures. Again, it is Krishna who grants salvation from the cycles of life and death.    

He speaks about all aspects of life. He also speaks beyond all boundaries of life. He touches all depths of life in relation to universe that is unfathomable perhaps even by experts of the field. What he speaks has no parallel in world literature. Krishna literally covers the infinite length and breadth of the universe.  All this he speaks in the friendliest of tones.  Krishna also gives lot of guidance about living a virtuous and good life.      

Krishna of Mahabharat has multiple roles to play. Most of these roles are facades of the real Krishna, a master Yogi, a timeless Self and the Lord of the universe. He plays roles of a passionate but detached leader of a big devastating war which he tried his best to avoid, a smart negotiator and a seasoned diplomat.  He even played the role of a shrewd man to ensure that those who don’t follow minimum moral and ethical codes (in other words Dharma) of life are decimated by all means. 

In fact, Krishna of Mahabharat is a very serious person. He is by far an extremely strong personality with bright divine glow.

Krishna of the Bhagavatam:       

Bhagavat Mahapuran, a large book, is mainly based on the life and activities of Krishna. The life narrative of Krishna as available in Bhagavat Mahapuran is mostly in stark contrast with that of Mahabharat. Here one sees a Krishna very much engaged in mundane weft and waft of life with deep sense and expression of childlike playfulness, blissful joy, and also divine charm. A young boy very concerned about all the natural components of the large setting of environment and life of the people around. He is a caring friend, a loving and affectionate growing young boy for village ladies.  There is a good tinge of amorous inclination of Krishna towards village ladies for which a lot of eyebrows are raisen in various idealistic camps. This part is in the spotlight. This much obliterates something highly obvious and visible throughout, that is playfulness (Lila, translated as divine playfulness).

Playfulness of a child Krishna is displayed in slaying demonic characters and teaching harsh lessons to those who carry evil designs on others for no reason.    

It is not that there is no shade of Mahabharat-like colour of this character here and for that this is what is said in Bhagavat Mahapuran-10.46.38:  

na maata na ipta tsya na Baayaa- na sautadya:

naa%maIyaao na prScaaip na dohao janma eva ca      

--'Lord Krishna has no mother, father, wife, sons, no relative or even no enemy, he also does not have a body, and therefore no birth (or death)’.

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