Krishna (IAST kṛṣṇa, the Sanskrit for "the all-attractive one") is according to common Hindu tradition the eighth avatar of Vishnu. In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, however, he is seen as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the fountain head of all avatars. Krishna appears in a number of stories in different cultures and traditions. Sometimes these contradict each other, though ther ...

Including:

• Krishna - The name
• Krishna - Texts stories and literature
• Krishna - The story of Krishna
• Krishna - The incarnation
• Krishna - Birth and childhood
• Krishna - Boyhood and youth
• Krishna - Krishna the prince
• Krishna - The Kurukshetra war
• Krishna - The last days
• Krishna - The worship of Krishna
• Krishna - Early references
• Krishna - The Bhakti tradition
• Krishna - Gita Govinda - the song of the cowherd
• Krishna - Recent Krishna bhakti movements
• Krishna - Krishna in Jainism
• Krishna - Krishna in Buddhism
• Krishna - Chronology

Read more here: » Krishna: Encyclopedia - Krishna

krishna-paksha:

krishna-paksha. Dark half of month, when moon is diminishing.

(See also: krishna-paksha, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapadha in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. The Hindu calendar being luni-solar, these two events [the day being the eighth of the waning moon (Krishna-paksha Ashtami) and the Rohini Nakshatram being ascendent] may overlap for only a few hours. In such an event, the festival may be celebrated on different (but successive) days by different people, d ...

See also:

Krishna Janmaashtami, Krishna Janmaashtami - Date, Krishna Janmaashtami - Rituals

Read more here: » Krishna Janmaashtami: Encyclopedia II - Krishna Janmaashtami - Date

Krishna Janmaashtami, also known as "Krishnaashtami", "Gokulaashtami", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree Jayanthi" or sometimes merely as "Janmaashtami", is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. Krishna Janmaashtami - Date. Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapadha in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. The Hindu ca ...

Including:

• Krishna Janmaashtami - Date
• Krishna Janmaashtami - Rituals

Read more here: » Krishna Janmaashtami: Encyclopedia - Krishna Janmaashtami

Krishna - The Loveable Hero-God

The Ekashloki Bhagavatam encapsulates his entire life in one stanza, the Krishna-shtakam attempts to define him in eight couplets, the Madhurashtakam describes him as the Emperor of Sweetness, the Gita Govinda immortalises his love, Vyasa's Srimad Bhagavatam details his glories.

Iconised as a hero-god, Krishna has charmed poets, philosophers and devotees for the last 3,500 years.

Read more here: » Krishna: The Loveable Hero-God - Krishna

Lord Krishna's influence on our lives far exceeds that of any other God-incarnate. Krishna is depicted not only as an embodiment of wisdom and selfless action, but also as a humane liberal and practical philosopher with foresight.

Krishna's mysticism and activism have greatly inspired poets, painters, writers, dramatists and dancers. The advice he rendered to a disheartened Arjuna at Kurukshetra - immortalised in the Bhagavad Gita - greatly influenced philosophers and continues to inspire millions of people worldwide.

(See also: Krishna, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Cosmos: Great Machine Operated by Krishna

The Krishna consciousness movement seeks to bring all living entities back to their original consciousness. In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna says: "The living entities in this conditional world are My fragmental parts, and they are eternal. But due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind."

Read more here: » Cosmos: Great Machine Operated by Krishna

Krishna and Kaliya: Good fights Evil - Krishna and Kaliya

It is a universal law: If we have ego, we will suffer. If we are arrogant, again, we will suffer till we are forced to surrender. The subduing of Kaliya the serpent by Krishna illustrates this.

The tenth canto of the Srimad Bhagvatam recounts the Kaliya daman lila performed by Krishna. Kaliya was a venomous serpent that lived in the Yamuna river. One summer Krishna's cowherd friends fainted and died when they drank water from the Yamuna. Kaliya had contaminated the river so much that vapour from the river was lethal enough to kill birds flying across.

Read more here: » Krishna and Kaliya: Good fights Evil - Krishna and Kaliya

Divine Import of Krishna Leela

It was the darkest hour of the era. The brutalities perpetrated by despot king Kansa had become unbearable. In such a period of crisis, during the Dwapar Yuga, the Divine Power descended on earth in human form as Krishna. He is Raagi as well as Vairaagi; Nar and Narayan; Chakradhar and Murlidhar - all blending into one incarnation, Krishna.

Read more here: » Krishna Leela: Divine Import of Krishna Leela

Sacred Revelations: Christ and Krishna

Both Krishna and Christ appeared on earth to help us evolve spiritually. The Supreme, though unborn and undying, reveals itself in human form to help us overcome the illusions of ignorance and self-centredness, of hatred and cruelty, through love and compassion. There are interesting similarities in the life and precepts of Krishna and Christ. Kansa and Herod - one the king of Mathura, the other, of Palestine - were forewarned that they would die at the hands of a child yet to be born. So, they went about slaughtering newborns.

Read more here: » Christ and Krishna: Sacred Revelations - Christ and Krishna

The Hare Krishna mantra, also referred to as Maha Mantra ("Great Mantra") is a sixteen word Vaishnava mantra, outside of India notably popularized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Hare Krishna - The mantra. The words "Hare Krishna" are part of a mantra comprising three Sanskrit names of God (Vishnu), Hari, Krishna and Rama, in the vocative case. Hare may also be interpreted as the vocative of a female name Harā, a name of Radha. All three nam ...

Including:

• Hare Krishna - The mantra
• Hare Krishna - History
• Hare Krishna - Hare Krishna movement
• Hare Krishna - Hippie culture
• Hare Krishna - Other scriptural references
• Hare Krishna - Notes

Read more here: » Hare Krishna: Encyclopedia - Hare Krishna

Gopi Krishna (1903 - 1984) of India was a yogi, mystic, teacher, social reformer, and writer. His autobiography Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man became an international sensation. He chose the path of yoga due to his circumstances. His father renounced the world to lead a religious life leaving his twenty-eight year old mother with the responsibility of raising him and his two sisters. His mother no ...

Including:

• Gopi Krishna - Bibliography

Read more here: » Gopi Krishna: Encyclopedia - Gopi Krishna

The 367th name of Krishna in the Vishnu sahasranama is Daamodarah (also spelled "Damodar" and "Damodara"). Several purports exist. The first meaning taken by various Vaishnava adherents is "the Lord when He was tied with a cord (daama) around His waist (udara)", denoting a divine pastime in which Krishna's mother Yasoda bound Krishna for being mischevious. Another purport is "One who is known through a mind which is purified (Udara) by means of self-control (dama)". Yet an ...

Read more here: » Damodar name of Krishna: Encyclopedia - Damodar name of Krishna

Krishna Raja Sagara is the name of both a lake and the dam that causes it. The dam is across Kaveri River, near Mysore in southern India's Karnataka state. There is an exquisite garden attached to the dam, called Brindavan gardens, making it a popular tourist place and picnic location. Krishna Raja Sagara - The Dam. The dam was built across river Kaveri, the life river for Mysore and Mandya districts, in 1924. Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya served as the chief engineer. The dam is n ...

Including:

• Krishna Raja Sagara - The Dam
• Krishna Raja Sagara - The Brindavan Gardens
• Krishna Raja Sagara - External link

Read more here: » Krishna Raja Sagara: Encyclopedia - Krishna Raja Sagara

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), popularly called Hare Krishna, is a new religious movement founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, referred to by followers as "Srila Prabhupada," in New York in 1966. ISKCON is a society formed for practitioners of bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion, as practiced within Gaudiya Vaishnavism. The bhakta's devotion is specifically directed towards Krishna, along with Radha, his divine consort. International Society for Krishna Consciousness - An overview< ...

Including:

• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - An overview
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - The great mantra
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Philosophy and history
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - The Seven Purposes of ISKCON
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Spreading the word
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - ISKCON after Prabhupada's Death
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Scandal and controversy
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Controversial Points
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Sources
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Reform Issues Replies

Read more here: » International Society for Krishna Consciousness: Encyclopedia - International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Krishna figure as a very minor figure in Buddhism. He appears in the Ghata Jataka as a prince who along with his other brothers captures Dwaraka. Many of the important names found in Hindu versions of the tale are found in conflated forms or with slight variations. The incidents have a touch more of folk-tales than epic or mythical ones. ...

See also:

Krishna, Krishna - The name, Krishna - Literary sources, Krishna - The story of Krishna, Krishna - The incarnation, Krishna - Birth and childhood, Krishna - Boyhood and youth, Krishna - Krishna the prince, Krishna - The Kurukshetra war, Krishna - Later life, Krishna - The worship of Krishna, Krishna - Early references, Krishna - The Bhakti tradition, Krishna - Spread of Krishna-Bhakti movement, Krishna - Recent Krishna Bhakti movements, Krishna - Krishna in Jainism, Krishna - Krishna in Buddhism, Krishna - Krishna in the performing arts, Krishna - Chronology

Read more here: » Krishna: Encyclopedia II - Krishna - Krishna in Buddhism

Krishna - Early references. The first possible recorded instance of a Krishna who may be identified with the deity can be found in the Chandogya Upanishad( circa 900 BCE). The teacher Ghora Angirasa discusses the nature of soul with Krishna, the son of Devaki. However, this teacher is never mentioned in connection with Krishna in later works nor does any ancient or medieval author quote this instance of Krishna, the deity. The exact words that Ghora speaks are treated by some as praise of Krishna and most others ...

See also:

Krishna, Krishna - The name, Krishna - Texts stories and literature, Krishna - The story of Krishna, Krishna - The incarnation, Krishna - Birth and childhood, Krishna - Boyhood and youth, Krishna - Krishna the prince, Krishna - The Kurukshetra war, Krishna - The last days, Krishna - The worship of Krishna, Krishna - Early references, Krishna - The Bhakti tradition, Krishna - Gita Govinda - the song of the cowherd, Krishna - Recent Krishna bhakti movements, Krishna - Krishna in Jainism, Krishna - Krishna in Buddhism, Krishna - Chronology

Read more here: » Krishna: Encyclopedia II - Krishna - The worship of Krishna

The tales of Krishna appear in a number of ancient and medieval Hindu texts - virtually every Purana tells the full life-story or some highlights from it. In the absence of any historical biography, this summary is based on the Mahabharata, the Harivamsa, the Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana. The Mahabharata and its addendum Harivamsa are the oldest sources of the tale. Whilst all the four books are considered sacred by the Hindus, the two Puranas are the most theologically venerated. The scenes from the tale are set in north India, in ...

See also:

Krishna, Krishna - The name, Krishna - Texts stories and literature, Krishna - The story of Krishna, Krishna - The incarnation, Krishna - Birth and childhood, Krishna - Boyhood and youth, Krishna - Krishna the prince, Krishna - The Kurukshetra war, Krishna - The last days, Krishna - The worship of Krishna, Krishna - Early references, Krishna - The Bhakti tradition, Krishna - Gita Govinda - the song of the cowherd, Krishna - Recent Krishna bhakti movements, Krishna - Krishna in Jainism, Krishna - Krishna in Buddhism, Krishna - Chronology

Read more here: » Krishna: Encyclopedia II - Krishna - The story of Krishna

The most exalted fugures in Jainism are the 24 Tirthankaras. Krishna when he was incorpoarted into the Jain list of herioc figures presented a problem with his activities which are not pacifist or non-violent. The concept of Baladeva, Vasudeva and Prati-Vasedeva was used to solve it. The Jain list of 63 Shalakapurshas or notable figures includes amongst others, the 24 Tirthankaras and 9 sets of this triad. One of these traids is Krishna as the Vasudeva, Balarama as the Baladeva and Jarasandha as the Prati-Vasudeva. The stories of these triad ...

See also:

Krishna, Krishna - The name, Krishna - Texts stories and literature, Krishna - The story of Krishna, Krishna - The incarnation, Krishna - Birth and childhood, Krishna - Boyhood and youth, Krishna - Krishna the prince, Krishna - The Kurukshetra war, Krishna - The last days, Krishna - The worship of Krishna, Krishna - Early references, Krishna - The Bhakti tradition, Krishna - Gita Govinda - the song of the cowherd, Krishna - Recent Krishna bhakti movements, Krishna - Krishna in Jainism, Krishna - Krishna in Buddhism, Krishna - Chronology

Read more here: » Krishna: Encyclopedia II - Krishna - Krishna in Jainism

Krishna:

An incarnation of God. He was the friend and charioteer of Arjuna, a human in ancient India. While waiting on a battlefield prior to the initial battle of a ghastly civil war, Arjuna was overcome with despondency. During this time, Krishna offered his advice to Arjuna and it was while listening to Krishna's council that Arjuna became aware for the first time that his long-time friend was in fact God. Krishna's advice to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra was recorded in the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most cherished of Hindu scriptures.

The name of the Supreme Lord and subject of numerous stories in all the great Puranas and Vedas. Also refers to darkness or blackness in color, such as the dark half of the Moon's monthly cycle when it is returning from the position of being full to the position of being new or conjunct with the Sun. This is also called the waning phase of the Moon when it is getting smaller or darker or Krishna.

(See also: Krishna, Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)