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The
eighth avatara of Vishnu - Lord Krishna. is the most universally
revered of all Hindu Gods. The life and teachings of Krishna
had a profound and powerful influence on Indian thought
and life. All aspects of Indian life, culture and civilization
- religion, philosophy, literature and arts and day-to-day
life have articulated Krishna’s theme and thought.
Krishna’s life, philosophy and doctrines have been
immortalized by the sage Vyasa in the Mahabharata. The story
of Mahabharata has greatly influenced the whole of India
and is presented in all Indian languages. The world famous
Bhagavad Gita forms part of Mahabharata. Bhagavad Gita,
the celestial song of the Lord is considered the essence
of Indian scriptures, particularly Upanishads and teaches
human beings the values, karma and dharma of life. Gita
is the sacred book of the Hindu; since it presents the essence
of duties of life, it is not a religious book, but a book
of dharma for all human beings irrespective of caste, creed
and nationality.
Radha is the beloved of Krishna. She symbolizes the selfless
love and yearning for Krishna, the Supreme. The theme of
most of Indian literature of medievel period is Radha-Krishna.
The saint philosophers and devotee poets Vallabhacharya,
Sri Hita Harivamsa, Haridas and Chaitanya and the poets
of theis paths of philosophy (sampradayas) such as Surdas
and other eight ashtachaap poets, Mira bai, Biharilal and
even the medievel Muslim poets namely Raskhan and Rahim
spread the movement of devotion to Radha-Krishna extensively.
Mathura, Barsana and Vrindaban and Nathdwara are the most
sacred and devotional places of Radha-Krishna.
Krishna
is worshipped as Bala Krishna (child Krishna), Gopi Krishna
(Krishna loved and revered by the milkmaids), Partha Sarathi
(The charioteer who drove the chariot for his friend and
disciple Arjuna and took him to the Kurukhetra battle field),
Raas Raseshwar (The lord of Bliss), Vaasudeva Krishna, (Krishna,
the son of Vasudeva); Mathurapati Krishna (Krishna, the
king of Mathura), Yogeshwar Krishna (Krishna, the Lord of
Yoga) and in many more forms.
It
is said in the last verse of Bhagavad Gita:
Where
there is Yogeshwar Krishna and the hero warrior Arjuna,
there prosperity, success and justice will be.
“Yatra Yogeshwarah Krishnah, Yatra Partho Dhanurdharah
Tatra Shreer Vijayo Bhootih, Dhruvaa Neetir Matir Mama.”
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