Lord Krishna is among the most loved Hindu deities. His teachings have taken over the world and even many Westerners have come to realise the effectiveness of the message of love and faith that Lord Krishna imparted. Perhaps, Lord Krishna is the only God whose popularity extends beyond the religious boundaries. He is adored by millions of devotees across the world for their own set of reasons. Even then there are a few fact which has not come to the light in popular culture. This article covers some of the hidden facts about Lord Krishna.
7 Most Interesting Facts About Lord Krishna
1- Lord Krishna had 8 Wives
The love story between Radha-Krishna is known by everyone but many are still unaware of the fact that their love did not end up in marriage. Lord Krishna had 8 wives including the popular Rukmini and Satyabhama, Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra, and Lakshmana. Later Lord Krishna married 16,100 women whom he freed fro, the clutches of Narakasura to protect their honour. However, it is believed that Krishna never had any relationship with them.
2- Lord Krishna is Related to the Pandavas
Vasudev, the father of Lord Krishna was actually the brother of Kunti who was the mother of Pandavas. There is a lot of reference to Lord Krishna in Mahabharata but most of us did not know about this fascinating connection between the Pandavas and Lord Krishna.
3- Lord Krishna is Mentioned in Buddhist Jataka
Buddhist Jataka consists of the stories that detail the previous lives of Gautam Buddha in human and animal form. In one of these stories there is a reference to Lord Krishna. He is described as an Indian prince who beheads his evil uncle Kansa and proves himself legendary by killing all the kings to rule over Jambudiva.
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4- Lord Krishna Slayed his Cousin, Eklavya
According to the Mahabharata, it is believed that Krishna granted a boon to Eklavya, who had his thumb chopped off by Dronacharya. This boon allowed Eklavya to be reborn and seek vengeance on Dronacharya. Consequently, Eklavya was reincarnated as Dhrishtadyumna, who emerged from a ceremonial fire known as a yajna with the sole intention of killing Dronacharya.
5- There is a Debate about Radha’s Mention in Ancient Scriptures
Although Lord Krishna is often depicted as deeply devoted to his consort Radha, some spiritualists point out that there is no mention of Radha in ancient scriptures like the Shrimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, or Harivansham, which detail Krishna’s life. These critics argue that Radha’s name appears for the first time in the works of Acharya Nimbark and poet Jayadeva.
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6- Lord Krishna’s Colour was Dark and Not Blue
The name Krishna was derived from the Sanskrit term meaning “all attractive,” highlighting his captivating beauty. While Lord Krishna was naturally dark in complexion, he is commonly portrayed with blue skin in scriptures and ancient paintings. This depiction arises from the belief that his magnetic aura emitted a radiant blue hue, which led to his portrayal and recognition as a deity with blue skin.
7- Lord Krishna brought his Guru Sandipani Muni’s dead son back to life
Krishna and Balarama, after their education under Guru Sandipani Muni, were asked to bring back their Guru’s deceased son, who had vanished in the ocean. They discovered the boy trapped inside a conch named Panchajanya, held by a demon. Taking the conch to Yama, the God of Death, they pleaded for the boy’s revival, and their efforts proved successful.