Krishna: The Benefactor, Politician, and Lover

Lord Shri Krishna was a symbol of a multifaceted personality—simultaneously the beloved of devotees, a skilled diplomat, and a pure-hearted philanthropist. Krishna Janmashtami is the festival celebrating Krishna’s birth on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadra. On this occasion, fasting, worship of Krishna, offering water to the moon, and night-long vigil are observed. It is said that observing these rituals cleanses sins of seven lifetimes. Scriptures also state that any capable man or woman who does not fast on this day will be reborn as a demon or serpent and have to live in exile.

Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. He is regarded as God Himself and as the complete incarnation of Vishnu. The Gita states that He descends to the earth repeatedly to destroy unrighteousness and the wicked and to protect righteousness and the virtuous. Although His primary duty is the salvation of the world, Krishna also performs his responsibilities as a mortal man—engaging in politics, society, family, and so on.

Krishna’s character is simultaneously astonishing and diverse.

From various scriptures, three main aspects of Krishna’s personality emerge: the benevolent, the lover, and the politician. Even as a child, Krishna showed his benevolent nature. Among his early deeds, the notable one is the killing of Kansa. Kansa, the tyrannical king of Mathura, imprisoned his father Ugrasena and seized the throne. Following Kansa’s orders, the demoness Putana tried to kill many children by feeding them poisonous milk, but when she tried to kill Krishna, she herself was killed by him. Thus, child Krishna protected the children of Gokul. Then he successively destroyed evil demons like Bakasura, Aghasura, and others. He also subdued the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna river, protected Vrindavan by stopping the forest fire, and lifted Govardhan Hill on his finger to protect the villagers from Indra’s wrath. Even as a boy, Krishna helped the inhabitants of the mortal world. Later, to protect good from evil, Krishna killed or orchestrated the destruction of many wicked persons.

1. Krishna: The Benevolent (Welfare Provider)

At every stage of his life, Krishna selflessly helped people:

• Lifting Govardhan Hill: To protect the inhabitants of Braj from Indra’s vengeance, Krishna held Govardhan Hill on his finger for seven days, sheltering them.
• Selfless love for Sudama: Krishna’s childhood friend Sudama never asked for anything but received blessings and relief from poverty through Krishna’s grace, who asked for nothing in return.
• Protector of Draupadi: When Draupadi was insulted in the Kaurava court, Krishna saved her by giving her an endless saree.
• Giver of the Gita: When Arjuna was confused about duty and righteousness, Krishna gave him the spiritual knowledge that continues to enlighten humanity through the Bhagavad Gita.
• Friend to the distressed: Krishna’s tender and helpful attitude toward Sudama and others is a touching example of his selfless dedication to human welfare.
• Teacher of the Gita: On the battlefield, Krishna taught not only Arjuna but the entire humanity the spiritual wisdom aimed at liberation and welfare.
• Protector of cows and people: As a child, Krishna subdued Kaliya, lifted Govardhan, and saved the villagers from natural disasters.

2. Krishna: The Politician and Diplomat

He was a pragmatic and farsighted politician in a complex era:

• Skillful diplomacy: Before the war, Krishna acted as a “messenger of peace” to the Kauravas, but after Duryodhana’s arrogance and rejection, he changed his strategy.
• Unarmed strategy: He said, “I will not fight, but even my unarmed presence is more effective,” which was proven in Kurukshetra.
• Role in the downfall of Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and Jayadratha: Though Krishna never killed anyone himself, through strategic planning, he ensured the Pandavas defeated their enemies. For example, he taught Arjuna the solar eclipse strategy to kill Jayadratha.
• State and Dharma politics: Krishna never went against Dharma but bent rules when necessary for establishing justice and righteousness.
• Farsighted strategist: Before Kurukshetra, he tried to mediate between Pandavas and Kauravas but displayed political acumen when mediation failed.
• Policy maker: Without wielding weapons, Krishna skillfully turned the tide of battle; his role in the defeat of Bhishma and Dronacharya was unmatched.
• Ethical and pragmatic politics: Krishna’s politics focused not on power but on upholding Dharma and truth.

3. Krishna: The Lover and Embodiment of Rasa (Divine Aesthetic)

Love was a unique aspect of his life—not merely romantic but spiritual and conscious:

• Radha-Krishna love: This symbolizes the union of the soul with the Supreme. Krishna never married Radha, but they remain eternal pairs in devotional consciousness.
• Rasa Lila with the Gopis: This is not ordinary love but the highest expression of devotion. Dancing with each Gopi, Krishna showed that he belongs to all and all belong to him.
• Responsibility towards wives: Krishna had 16,108 wives but treated each with equal respect and love—an example of supreme human and responsible love.
• Immortal love with Radha: Their love is selfless, transcendental, and spiritual—an eternal theme in devotional literature and music.
• Playful relations with Gopis: Krishna’s Rasa Lila in Vrindavan is an exquisite blend of love, devotion, and music.

Krishna’s Multifaceted Glory

The different incarnations and deeds of Krishna, his infinite powers, variety, and greatness can be summarized, “Shri Krishna” is not a person with a single identity—he is an ideal man beyond time, whose character has:

• Dharma, but no narrow-mindedness,
• Love, but no lust,
• Strategy, but no deceit,
• Power, but no arrogance.

Conclusion

In the Mahabharata, Krishna is portrayed as a politician, warrior, diplomat, and philosopher. He acts as a messenger for the Pandavas to regain their kingdom, advises them in the Kurukshetra war, and ensures their victory. He destroys evil and establishes Dharma, setting an example of righteousness to the world. He also sternly suppresses wrongdoing within his own Yadava clan and cleverly causes the clan’s destruction when necessary.