Lord Krishna was born in Mathura. His birth was miraculous as he was born to Devaki in prison. He was then secretly taken across the Yamuna river to Vrindavan. In Vrindavan, Krishna had a joyous childhood. He played his flute, charmed the gopis (cowherd girls), and performed many divine pastimes. His actions were not just for amusement but also had deep spiritual and symbolic meanings related to the relationship between the individual soul and the divine.
The story of Krishna taming the snake Kaliya is quite interesting. Kaliya was a venomous snake that had made the Yamuna River uninhabitable. Krishna jumped into the river and danced on Kaliya's heads. After a long struggle, Kaliya surrendered to Krishna. Krishna then sent him away to Ramanaka Island, making the Yamuna safe again for the people and animals.
One well - known story is the lifting of Govardhan Hill. The people were about to perform a sacrifice to Indra but Krishna convinced them to worship the mountain instead. Indra got angry and sent torrential rains. Krishna then lifted the Govardhan Hill with his little finger and held it like an umbrella for seven days and seven nights to protect the villagers and their livestock.
The Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata, where he was Arjuna's guide and gave the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, is a major event. And his lifting of the Govardhan hill to save the villagers from Indra's fury.
The story of Krishna dancing on the hood of the serpent Kaliya is famous. The serpent had poisoned the waters of the Yamuna river, causing harm to the people and animals. Krishna fearlessly danced on Kaliya's hoods, subduing the serpent and making the river safe again. It shows Krishna's power over the forces of nature.
There is also the story of Krishna's battle with the demon Kansa. Kansa was a tyrant who had heard a prophecy that he would be killed by Krishna. So, he tried to kill Krishna many times. But Krishna, in his divine power, ultimately faced Kansa in a great battle and defeated him, freeing the people from Kansa's cruel rule. This story shows Krishna as a savior and a powerful force against evil.
The end story of Lord Krishna is quite tragic yet also part of his divine plan. As the Mahabharata war concluded, the Yadava clan, to which Krishna belonged, faced internal strife. Then, Krishna retired to a forest. There, while he was in a meditative state, Jara, the hunter, mistook his foot for that of a deer and shot an arrow. Krishna accepted this as the end of his earthly sojourn and left his physical form, his divine essence returning to the spiritual realm. His departure marked the end of an era in the Hindu religious and mythological history.
The story of Krishna is considered real by those who follow Hinduism and its teachings. For them, it holds deep spiritual significance and is a part of their faith. However, from a historical or scientific perspective, its authenticity can be debated and varies depending on different viewpoints.
The highlights of Lord Krishna's life story are numerous. His birth was foretold and was a moment of great hope. His time in Vrindavan was filled with love and devotion. He played the flute, which attracted everyone. And during the Mahabharata, his advice to Arjuna about the nature of the soul and the importance of fulfilling one's duty was a game - changer. He also showed his power by performing many miracles throughout his life.