Krishna

Krishna

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JANMASTAMI AT MY PLACE

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I got up at 8.00 am, tired but was very happy since it was janamashtami. i got ready by 9 am and went strait to temple. In Thakur Village there is ganpati temple where a hall is decorated with Krishna's photos. After darshan i bhought flowers and garlands.

I returned home and then bathe Krishna with milk and water and then started the decoration, Then pooja.After that i carried on my activities including fasting.Also my mom made makhan for my makhan chor. She first gave it to Krishna, i was in the mandir and then later we had it for 3-4 days, it was tasty.

In the night wnet to temple for bhajans. those 1 30 min were magical in the temple i enjoyed a lot and my mind was a t peace and my body filled with energy while chanting Krishna, Krishna bhajans.

JANMASTAMI PHOTOS

JANMASTAMI STORY PHOTOS

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JANMASTAMI

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Today is the most beautiful day in the life of Krishna's thousands of devotees. Today is Janmastami the birth of the supreme my friend Krishna about 5000 years ago. Krishna took birth to free mother earth form sinrs. the most beautiful scene when krishna Took birth. the gaurds in the prison fell asleep, the doors opened and Vasudev took nandlal in a basket out and over yamuna river in heavy rain , water till his cheast and sheshnag protecting nandlal from rain by covering him.

Vasudev took him to gokul. Today all devotees pray and keep fast till midnight 12 when krishna was born and the sweat sound of kritans and bhajans go and mathura and gokul, birth palce and chilhood place of Krishna light up. the most beautiful scenes ever seen. Today every where u see u will feel the bhakti and power of Krishna. Everywhere people dance break matkis and dive in the ver beautiful bhakti of krishna in their various ways.

STORY OF JANMASTAMI BY Dr SATISH GOSAIN & Madhava Priya Devi Dasi.
Happy Janamashtami
Story of the Advent of Lord Krishna
By Madhava Priya Devi Dasi

Once, about 5000 years ago, it happened that the earth was overburdened by too many demonic personalities having taken birth in the royal families of many kingdoms. They amassed huge armies and made powerful political alliances with one another.

Mother Bhumi, or Mother Earth, the presiding deity of the earth planet, felt distressed by the burden. She turned herself into the shape of a cow and went up to the planet of Lord Brahma, the topmost of the demigods, to ask for help. The Vedic culture, which is the highest culture throughout the universe, values cow protection, so she felt confidant that her chances of success in getting help would be enhanced by her having become a cow.

She appeared before four-headed Lord Brahma with tears in her eyes, telling of her plight. Brahma was very concerned, but he did not know exactly what to do, so he decided to appeal to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Calling all the demigods and demigoddesses to accompany him, Brahma went to the ocean of milk to pray to the Supreme Lord. In the highest part of the universe there is an ocean of milk, not like our milk that would spoil but milk of a finer, more subtle quality that is almost spiritual. On this ocean of milk the Supreme Lord Kshirodakashayi Vishnu rests upon His serpent bed formed by Ananta Shesha.
The demigods all chanted prayers glorifying Lord Vishnu, and then Brahma sat and silently meditated upon Him.Then the Lord spoke to Brahma in his heart, telling him that He would come in His original form of Krishna and help planet earth. He also said that the demigods should all take birth in the Yadu dynasty on earth in order to participate in His pastime. Brahma relayed this message to the demigods.

Back down on earth, it came to pass that Vasudeva and Devaki, who were to become the parents of Krishna, were united in marriage. There was a very great wedding procession after the ceremony, when Vasudeva set out for his home with his new bride Devaki. Devaki's older brother Kamsa drove their chariot.

Everything was peaceful and nice until...

Suddenly a voice spoke from the sky for all to hear. "Kamsa! You are a fool! You are driving your sister's chariot, not knowing that the eighth child of this marriage will kill you!"

Kamsa was one of the demonic personalities who had taken his birth in this particular family. He did not hesitate; he was ready to cut off his own little sister's head then and there, in front of everyone, just to save himself from a possible danger in the future. He grabbed her by the hair and drew his sword.

Vasudeva had no weapon with him. He tried to save his new bride, but he had only his wits to use. He first tried to convince Kamsa by good logic and philosophy, telling him that we are not these bodies, and that the soul never dies. But Kamsa did not care, so the only thing left for Vasudeva to do was to promise to hand over the babies as they were born. He was thinking, by then I will figure out something, but at least Devaki will be saved. Kamsa accepted this because he knew Vasudeva was always true to his word.

When the first baby was born, Vasudeva, true to his word but with heavy heart, brought the baby to Kamsa. But Kamsa was so pleased with Vasudeva's honesty, that he had a rare moment of compassion. He said, "There is no need to give me this baby; the prophecy said it would be the eight child who would kill me." Vasudeva took the baby home with him again, but he did not trust Kamsa.

Sure enough, after Kamsa listened to all his advisors, he decided that actually any of the babies could be the one to kill him. He had a crooked heart, so he thought that Providence was also dishonest, and the prophecy might not be dependable. So he went to Vasudeva and Devaki, forcibly took the baby from them, and killed it. Then, just to be safe, he also had Vasudeva and Devaki put into prison.
Each year, Devaki gave birth to a child, and Kamsa killed it. Neither Devaki's tears nor good advice from well-wishing friends could dissuade him from these evil activities. In fact, it usually happened that people who tried to reason with Kamsa became his worshipers, so strong was his demonic charm.Kamsa also made stronger alliances with other demons, and increased his atrocities against the good kings and princes and the brahmanas.

After Kamsa had killed six of Devaki's babies, Devaki became pregnant again. This time she was filled with effulgence and gladness, and felt that the Supreme Personality of Godhead was within her. This was Balarama, who is the expansion of Krishna and who, in another form, serves Krishna's form of Vishnu as the serpent bed. He came first, in the mood of serving Krishna, to purify the womb so that Krishna could come next.But Devaki did not give birth to Balarama. Krishna made an arrangement to transfer Balarama to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva who had been sent to his brother Nanda, the king of the cowherd village of Vrindavan. Balarama was therefore born in Vrindavan, and everyone thought Devaki had had a miscarriage.

Then Devaki became pregnant with Krishna. It is clearly explained that this conception was pure and spiritual and not by the normal means of conception of a child between a man and a woman. She was radiant, and even Kamsa noticed. His fear increased, while Devaki's joy increased. When Krishna was born, He at first appeared with four arms like Vishnu, and with fully grown hair, silken clothes, and crown and jewels. This was so that Vasudeva and Devaki would know without doubt that the Supreme Personality of Godhead had been born to them. They had prayed and performed many austerities in previous lifetimes for this blessing, and always they had prayed to the Vishnu form of the Lord. Now they could see that their prayers had been answered. They offered their Lord prayers in a worshipful attitude.Then He turned Himself into an ordinary newborn child, that is, one with two arms and not formally dressed or decorated. As Krishna, He could let His parents love Him as their little child.But not for long. Their parental affection caused them to feel fear for His safety, since Kamsa had killed so many other babies. In the night, before Kamsa could learn of the child's birth, the prison doors mysteriously opened. The guards were asleep. Vasudeva carried baby Krishna out into the night, where the flooding Yamuna River gave him safe passage, and he took the baby to the village of Vrindavan. There he left Krishna in the bed of Yashoda, who was sleeping deeply in exhaustion after just giving birth to a baby girl. Vasudeva took the girl baby back with him, and in the morning he presented Kamsa with a girl baby instead of the feared son.Kamsa was so evil, however, that he tried to kill this girl baby as well, but she slipped out from his arms and rose up into the sky, where she revealed herself as the goddess Durga, with ten arms holding ten weapons. She scolded Kamsa, and, to make him leave Devaki alone after this, she told him that the child who would kill him was already born somewhere in the world.Meanwhile, Krishna and Balarama began their lives as children of Nanda and Yashoda in the village of Vrindavan. There are many stories to tell of their adventures there. Later, as youths, they went into the city and Krishna did indeed kill Kamsa. There are many stories to tell of their pastimes after that as well.
All glories to Lord Krishna!!
Happy Janamshtami!
Yours in service of Krishna,
Vishvambhar

BHAGAVAD GITA

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Bhagavad Gita or also Known as the song of the gods is the most spiritual book of India, Bhagvad -Gita shows us the path of realizing the self, and relationship with god, it shows us how one can attain eternal bliss or Moksha and become Free from the cycle of Birth and Death. It shows aus path of Devotion or Karma in order to be free from this illusionary world of MAYA. It is said that once read Bhagavad Gita then you don't have to read any other book, it is true since Bhagavad Gita shows us the absolute truth about this world and us and what is our goal in life.

It is a conversation Between rjuna, the son of Prtha and The supreme Personality Shree Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.Arjuna throws his weapons and decides not to fight, shree krishna motivates him by showing him his universal form( Virat Roop) and tells Arjuna that Even if rjuna does not fight all these people are going to die, arjun sees , karn, bhishmpitama etc dying by the hands of the supreme, the supreme Krishna tells him that it is he who is Ctually klilling them and Arjuna is only the mediam, so arjun must perform his karma as a worrior and fight, apart from arjuna, bhishmpitama and sunjaya were able to see this virat roop of the lord. After this Arjuna diecides to fight and picks up his weapon

Sumarry : The Bhagavad-gita opens with blind King Dhritarashtra requesting his secretary, Sanjaya, to narrate the battle between his sons, the Kauravas, and their cousins, the Pandavas. Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, out of affection for His devotee, the Pandava prince Arjuna, has agreed to drive his chariot. As Arjuna takes up his bow and prepares to fight, he sees the sons of Dhritarashtra drawn in military array and requests infallible Krishna to draw his chariot between the two fighting forces. There in the midst of both armies, Arjuna's mind reels as he foresees the imminent death of his teacher, relatives, and friends. He throws down his bow and arrows and decides not to fight.


Read Bhagvad Gita Online AS it is By His devine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
http://www.krishna.com/gitaframeset/gita_frameset.html

Krishna's message to the world

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Though Krishna left this world 5000 yrs ago, he lives in the heart of his devotees, he is always there for his devotees and thoug his devotees may sometimes be in trouble but they always come out of it unharmed.

For Krishna everyone in the world is his devotee, one who surrenders to krishna is his friend. Krishna said in bhagvad gita that who ever loves me is a friend to me. A devotional friendship with Krishna is something that is valuble than even the world that we live in, a friend like Krishna will always watch over his friends and love them 10 times more than the devotee ( friend) does.

Through Bhagvad Gita Krishna told the future ( us ), he was reffering to Arjuna but inturn it was for all those who are his devotees, friend and wants to know the truth. Krishna let us know that we are the soul and not the Body, we can never die, it is only that this body decays and is destroyed and then we find onother body. This world id full of sufferings and pain, where lust, greed anger thrive, but there is another world, the WORLD OF KRISHNA .

In this world no one suffers or dies, in this world the person stays always in state of happiness and divine, to reach this world one must give the biggest of sacrifices while on this planet. The one must surrender himself to Krishna. There ways to do so of which Krishna spoke in the Bhagvad Gita, by following these we can attain Moksha and emerge in krishna.

We are all part of Krishna who have disattached ourselves from him to find a better world but in turn we have fallen into this ditch of worldly existence and lost in it, but we must realize our true goal which is not to earn money , power , women , but to achive Krishna and become one with him and attain eternal bliss.

In Gita Krishna shows tow prominant ways 1> Bhakti-yoga 2>Karma-yoga. One can choose any of these ways to be librated from this world and attain Krishna. These two ways must be follwed by following Three paths to Enlightenment.

1> Satya

2>Rajas

3>Tamas

Bakti-yoga is one in which a person dives completely into Bhakti (prayer) and nothing else, for such a person only Bhakti is everything and he does nothing but chats name of the lord and preches his teachings and sings his name, meditates upon the lord, eats how much he should or less, sings the bhajans of the lord and dances in the glory of the lord.

Karma-yoga is one in which a person dives in Karma, for such a person doing his Karma is the prayer offered to the lord. he dives in Bhakti but not completely, for such a person bhakti is his karma. The person who walks on this path must taste the fruits of his karma without any anxiety and greed, what ever comes in msut except it as a gift from the lord because each fruit of his Karma will eraze that karma of his and move him closer to the supreme.

In both ways one gets librated from his fellings, in Bhakti-yoga, the person dwells in Krishna and so his karma are erazed and he obtains the lord

In Karma , he does not has axiety or greed of his fruits of karma he reiceves and lets anything come towards him as gift from lord, thus like this his karma are erazed and he obtains the lord.

It for us to choose which way we will go and which path, only a guru can tell us this, a spiritual guru know which part is sutable and os we must consult a guru and let him guide us to salvation( Moksha ).

The Departure Of Krishna

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In this last chapter of Krishna Katha, tears roll down the cheeks for this is the most sadest and painful chapter, in this chapter Krishna leaves his bidy and returns to his adobe. every devotee of krishna will be sad after reading it. W e always wished for Krishna to stay , but this is world is called MRITULOK meaning anyone who is born in this world has to leave even the supreme.

As mentioned in the Final note , shree krishna was given a curse by Duryodhana's mother when Krishna went to see her after the war, she gave a curse stating that as she has seen her children die in front of her, so will Krishna see his children and relatives die in from of him, the Supreme Lord smiled and took the curse as blessing, after words Duryodhana's mother realized her mistake that she did in anger and asked for forgiveness in front of the lord, Krishna smiled and said " Don't Apollogies , you are like my mother." Krishna gave huge sacrifice for his devotees and he lost his brother and his sons and grandsons.

Shree Krishna one day was under a people tree when a hunter by mistake shot an arrow at him, this arrow proved fatal, but as Krishna was leaving his body he blessed the hunter and after 125 years and wiping out all the sinners of that time and relieving the Earth, Krishna left.

According to the sriptures the hunter that shot Krishna was King Bali of Kishkindha, the same who lord RAMA killed, Lord Ram killed bali from bihind and made sugreev the king ( In ramayana) and so Krishna paid of that dept by getting hit by the hunter( Reincarnation of Bali) from behind.

This shows that Weather it is us the devotees or the lord, everyone must go through the fires of Karma yog before attaining Moksha.

After mahabharat was over, krishna went to Duryodhana's mother- Kunti. She was so angry with Krishna that she gave krishna aq curse, " Your whole family will be killed in front of your eyes as has mine". Krishna accepted the curse with a smile. But after some time Kunti realised that she had done wrong, but Krishna said "You are like my mother and a curse from your mouth is like a blessing for me".Also once there lived a Brahman at Dwarika. Whenever a child was born to him, it died. So, the Brahman was very grieved. He used to place the dead infant at the royal gate and go away. This happened many a time and once in the presence of Arjun too who had come to see Krishna. Seeing the Brahman in grief, Arjuna gave him a pledge to save his next child. But this time, the infant dramatically disappeared soon after its birth. Arjuna was highly perturbed to see his pledge broken and so he got ready for self-immolation. How could Krishna brook it? Krishna took Arjuna to Lord Narayana who said, "Arjuna ! I wanted to see you along with Krishna. So, this drama of the disappearance of the Brahman's son was enacted." Saying so, the Lord returned all the children of the Brahman to Arjuna who duly handed them over to their father. Having been offended with the Krishna's family, the local Brahmans uttered a curse on them, "All of you will die fighting among yourselves." Balram had already passed away and most of the other members of Krishna's family also died fighting. One day Krishna was sitting under a peepal tree. Taking his brilliant heel to be the eye of a deer, a hunter shot an arrow at it. Then Krishna delivered a sermon to Maitreya and asked Uddhav to meditate at Badrinath. Thus relieving the Earth of all the sinners of the time, Krishna returned to his heavenly abode.

MAHABHARATA - FINAL NOTE

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After reading MAHABHARATA many people say that Krishna used wrong methods to win the war, people say Krishna used CHAAL KAPAT so that his dear Arjuna and the pandavas could win the battle, saying this they also say that Shree Krishna cannot be God since for God everyone is equal.

But these people don't see reallity behind the war and shree Krishna's sacrifices. Everyone of us in this illusionary world today do the same thing, we want truth(SATYA) to win and false(ASATYA) to loose and we are ready to do anything for this, for justice to prevail.

Shree Krishna did the same thing, we all live in this modern day world, but we don't know the truth, the truth is today world is standing on the stones of mahabharata. What ever we see today is due to the victory of Pandavas in the great war, what Krishna did in the war , so that truth can prevail and we and this world can exist today as it is.

Krishna used CHAAL KAPAT ( wrong methods ) in MAHABHARATA so Truth ( SATYA) can Prevail over False ( ASATYA) and we can exist the way we are. Krishna knew that the Kauravas had bigger and more powerful army and that Karn- the son of the sun, was a powerful warrior and had the potential to defeat Arjuna.

If the kauravas would have won then think what would be today's world be like. Krishna did what he had done in MAHABHARATA so that the future can be secure. For this krishna sacrificed his brother Balram, his sons and Grandsons, such a big sacrifice Krishna gave for his devotees, we the people of this world.

We must all understand the deepness of Krishna's leelas and embrace them and imerge in his love and let him guide us through this illusionary world.

MAHABHARATA

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The battle of Mahabharata ended with a defeat for the Kaurvas and a glorious victory for the Pandavas. So, Krishna drove Arjuna's chariot back to the Pandava camp and asked him to get down at once. But Arjuna refused saying that conventionally it was the charioteer who got down first followed by the warrior. But Krishna insisted on Arjuna's getting down from the chariot first. Arjuna could not afford to disobey Krishna and got down along with his bow and quiver of arrows. It was after this that Krishna came down from the chariot. Arjuna was surprised to see that the chariot along with the horses, was burnt to ashes as soon as Krishna got down from it. He was at a loss to understand how and why it had happened. He asked Krishna to explain the puzzle in detail. Krishna said, "The chariot was already going to be burnt but had checked this phenomenon deputing Hanumana on guard. If conventionally I had got down earlier than you did, you would also have been burnt along with the chariot and the horses. That was why I insisted on your getting down first. As soon as I got down, Hanumana flew away leaving the chariot unguarded and it was burnt to ashes.

MAHABHARATA

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After the fall of Bhishma, Drona assumed the command of the Kaurva army but he was killed. His son Ashwathama got very offended with the Pandavas. So, he directed the Narayanastra at them. It was a quality of this weapon that it never hit a soldier who was on foot or armless or who had turned his back towards it. Seeing the dangerous Narayanastra, all the warriors threw their arms and got down their chariots turning their backs towards it. But Bhima considered it an insult to do all these things. On the other hand, he kept roaring aloud brandishing his mace in the air. The result was that innumerable fire-arrows came out of the above-named Narayanastra and shot towards Bhima. When Krishna saw this, he rushed towards Bhima and stood in front of him turning his back towards the Narayanastra. Not only this, he bent Brim's head down with his hands and hid it in his arms. Also, he snatched his mace and threw it on the ground. As a result, the Narayanstra went back without doing any harm to any of the Pandavas.
Ashwathma was highly enraged with the Pandavas. He set the Pandava camp on fire and, as a result most of the Pandava soldiers and five sons of Draupadi were burnt alive. When the Pandavas returned the next day, Draupadi told them about the woeful happening. The Pandavas were struck with grief and enraged Arjuna chased and captured Ashwathama. He was going to kill him but Draupadi asked him to spare his life because he was the son of his guru. So, Arjuna got his head shaven clean and dug the jewel out of his forehead and then set him free. Ashwathma felt highly insulted and he shot his divine weapon (Brahmastra) at the Pandavas with a view to extinguishing their generation. But Krishna saved all of them and then ran to Uttra, wife at Arjuna's son Abhimanyu, who was in the family way. As soon as she delivered a son, Brahmastra attacked the infant but Krishna made it ineffective using his chakra. It was this infant, named Parikshat, who became the next Pandava king.

MAHABHARATA

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Krishna's peace-mission had miserably failed and he had returned to Indraprastha to give a green signal for the preparations for the impending war. The war having been declared, both the armies marched to the field of Kurukshetrato face each other. Krishna had taken a vow not to fight as a warrior in this war. He had accepted to act as Arjuna's charioteer only. Directed by Arjuna, Krishna drove his chariot to the no-man's land so that he could view the warriors who had come to face him. When Arjuna saw his blood relations, revered guru Drona and respectable Bhishma standing in the opposite camp his mind shook and he was filled with doubts. He said to Krishna, "I won't fight at all. Is it proper and worthy of me to kill all my near-ond-deor ones only to get a throne ? No, not I won't do it at all." Krishna felt upset when he saw that Arjuna was quite averse to war and had placed his bow down. It was at this time that Krishna delivered his sermon of the Gita to Arjuna. He said, "O Arjuna ! you have got the right to act only without bothering about the result. Man's soul is immortal and it is the body only that perishes. This is a holy war and a true warrior (Kshatri) cannot afford to prove a coward." Hearing these words, Arjuna realised his mistake and got ready to fight.

Bhishma loved the Kaurvas and the Pandavas alike. Though he was fighting on behalf of Duryodhana, yet he had never tried to kill any of the five Pandavas. He had been killing only their soldiers. Duryodhana did not like it and he said to Bhishma, "Grand-father ! you are avoiding the murder of the Pandavas while fighting. Do you want them to be victorious? I do not expect such a thing from you as you have always been faithful to the Kaurava throne." Bhishma had nothing to reply back and so he said, "I shall direct my arrows at the Pandavas if Krishna does keep his vow of not fighting as a warrior." Duryodhana was very pleased to hear these words. The next day, Bhishma fought like a lion so much so that he caused Arjuna to swoon when struck by his arrows. The horses of Arjuna's chariot were also killed. How could Krishna tolerate all this 2 His anger knew no bounds and he decided to break his pledge. Raising the wheel of a broken chariot, he ran towards Bhishma. Bhishma felt frightened and folded his hands in order to beg his pardon. Seeing this, Arjuna came running, pacified Krishna and taking him by the arm, he took him back to his chariot.

Incited by Duryodhana, Bhishma once again took a pledge to kill the Pandavas. The news of this pledge reached the Pandava camp and they were extremely worried. They knew that Bhishma had the boon to die only when he wanted to do so and so it was impossible to kill him. Once again Krishna came to their help and asked them not to fee) anxious at all. Escorting Draupadi to Bhishma's place at night, Krishna advised her to go inside and make obeisance to the old worrier who was sitting for meditation with his eyes closed. Draupadi went in and said, "Glory be to you, grandfather!" Without opening his eyes, Bhishma uttered a blessing, "May you never be a widow and enjoy the company of your husband till your death!": When Bhishma opened his eyes, he was surprised to see Draupadi sitting in front. He at once followed that she had come to him on the advice of Krishna who must be there somewhere around. Just then, Krishna stepped in and Bhishma stood up to greet him with profound devotion and piety. In this way, Krishna had saved the Pandavas from the fatal wrath of Bhishma.

MAHABHARATA

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The Pandavas, having passed thirteen years in exile had returned to Indraprastha. They asked Dhritrashtra to return their kingdom as the condition of the game had been duly fulfilled. But Duryodhana was not ready to part with what he had been possessing for over thirteen years. So, a war between the two became inevitable. Preparations started to be made for a big trial of strength between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Alliances started to be made on both sides. In the course of these moves, both Arjuna and Duryodhana approached Krishna far help. Incidently Krishna was enjoying a sound sleep at that time. Duryodhana was lucky to reach earlier than Arjuna. So, he sat towards Krishna's head. Ariuna, when he reached, sat near Krishna's feet. So, when Krishna got up and sat down, his eyes first fell on Arjuna because he was just in front of his face. He asked him to narrate the purpose of his visit. Duryodhana interrupted saying that he had come earlier and the first choice of demanding anything should be given to him. Krishna shook his head and allowed Arjuna to have his say asking him, "Arjun! I will help both of you. Choose one thing out of myself and my large army." Arjuna chose Shri Krishna and Duryodhana laughed at his folly. He was damn happy to have Krishna's powerful army. He was damn happy to have Krishna's powerful army.

Yudhishthir, we know, was a sagacious person who hated war though he was a great worrier. His very name means--unshakable in war. He tried his level best to put off the war against Duryodhana but all in vein. As his last effort, he sent Krishna as his envoy to advise Duryodhana to give up the war-path and settle the matter through negotiations. Just on the eve of Krishna's departure, Draupadi came to him and showing her ruffled locks of hair said, "O Krishna! you are going with a message of peace to Duryodhana. I request you not to forget about my hair that was drawn and dragged in the open court by Dushasana. I have not dressed them for the last thirteen years." Krishna retorted, "Be consoled ; my peace-mission is not going to put the war off because it is inevitable. Rest assured that you will be duly avenged. Nevertheless my visit to Hastinapur will certainly prove that the Pandavas, on their part, did their best to avert the war and thus the entire blame will rest on the shoulders of the Kaurvas for which the posterity will never pardon them."

When Krishna got to the Kaurava court, he was accorded a warm welcome. Dhritrashtra entertained Krishna duly and asked him about the purpose of his visit. Krishna talked of avoiding the war by giving a small territory--five villages-to the Pandavas and thus restoring peace to the entire family. He argued with Duryodhana from every angle on this point in order to convince him that the impending war would be highly disastrous. Unluckily Duryodhana was in no mood to reconcile. He announced most indignantly." No, not at all no territory, not equal to a needle-point even. I have won their kingdom. It can't be returned until and unless they win it back with the force of their arms. Why shouId they beg for it like urchins?" When Krishna asked Duryodhana to restrain himself from using disgraceful words for the Pandavas, he flew into a rage and ordered his men to capture Krishna and imprison him. Hearing Duryodhana's words, Krishna felt upset not out of fear but due to disappointment over the failure of his mission. But he was not ready to take chances because Duryodhana could be wicked to any extent. So, he decided to exhibit to Duryodhana a glimpse of his divine power. He assumed his fearful colossal form and everybody present there was amazed as well as afraid to see it.

In spite of being offended with Krishna, Duryodhana could do no harm to him because according to the prescribed norm, an envoy could not be harmed or punished even if he used harsh words against the king to whose court he had been sent. As for Krishna, he was so displeased with Duryodhana that he rejected his stately hospitality and left the court at once. Vidur, a cousin of Dhritrashtra, was a godly person who knew that Krishna was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Having left the court, Krishna went to Vidur's house where he was received warmly. Vidur's wife was equally God-fearing and pious. She was beside herself with joy to see Krishna in her house. Lost in deep emotion and profound devotion, she decided to entertain Krishna with bananas. How strange ! Vidur's wife was offering banana-peels to Krishna for eating while the inner fruit was being thrown away into the dust-bin. She was, in fact, lost to herself in emotion and could not pay attention to what she was doing. As for Krishna, he enioyed the peels as if they were more delicious than the bananas. He did not even point out to her about what she was doin

MAHABHARATA - The world War

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This katha of Shree Krishna is one of the epic kathas of today, the mahabharata, it called so since it was a world war in which every king in this world took part. It was war between Dharma and Adharma , it was during this war that Krishna showed his universal form and gave us the invaluble Bhagvad Gita, which tells Mankind his true goals, which is to be one with the supreme and not to get entangled in this material world .

The Mahābhārata (Devanagari: महाभारत) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Rāmāyaṇa.
With more than 74,000 verses, long prose passages, and some 1.8 million words in total, it is arguably the longest epic poem in the world.[1] Taken together with the Harivamsa, the Mahabharata has a total length of more than 90,000 verses.
It is of immense religious and philosophical importance in India and Nepal, and is a major text of Hinduism. Its discussion of human goals (artha or wealth, kama or pleasure, dharma or duty/harmony, and moksha or liberation) takes place within a long-standing mythological tradition, attempting to explain the relationship of the individual to society and the world (the nature of the 'Self') and the workings of karma.
The title may be translated as "the great tale of the Bharata Dynasty", according to the Mahābhārata's own testimony extended from a shorter version simply called Bhārata of 24,000 verses[2] The epic is part of the Hindu itihāsas, literally "that which happened", along with the Ramayana and the Purāṇas.
Traditionally, the Mahabharata is ascribed to Vyasa. Due to its immense length, its philological study has a long history of attempts to unravel its historical growth and composition layers. It probably reached its final form in the early Gupta period

Pandavas were the couisen brothers of krishna. And Duryodhana along with his 99 brothers was couisen brother to pandavas. Duryodhana was very jealous of the rise of the Pandavas. The constant help that they were getting from Krishna, was an eye-sore to him as well. But he was helpless and so he chose to checkmate them through some trick. He knew the weakness of Yudhishthir for playing dice. So, he conferred with his maternal uncle, Shakuni, who was a past-master in dice-games. When Duryodhana invited Yudhishthir tothe game, he could not refuse and soon reached Hastinapur. Duryodhana deputed Shakuni to play on his behalf and he, through his unfair moves, kept heaping defeat after defeat on Yudhishthir. Having lost h is kingdom and every other belonging, Yudhishthir staked his four brothers. When he had lost them too, he staked himself and thereafter his wife Draupadi as well. Duryodhana's joy knew no bounds and he asked his brother Dushasana to bring Draupadi to his court and to strip her there itself. So, Draupadi was dragged to the court and Dushasana set about stripping her. The helpless queen prayed to God for help. How could Krishna sit silent? He responded through his miraculous power and the saree of Draupadi got increased to such a length that Dushasona grew tired of drawing it off her body.

Krishna had saved Draupadi and Duryodhana had not been able to disgrace her in the open court. But enraged at his vicious attempt, Bhima had pledged to kill Duryodhana and his brother Dushasana. This pledge frightened Duryodhana's father, Dhritrashtra, who returned to Yudhishthir everything he had lost in the game. This embittered Duryodhana and he decided to humble the Pandavas in other way. He asked Yudhishthir to have his lost things on the condition that the Pandavas would go into exile for thirteen years, the last year of which they would remain underground and untraced. Duryodhana was not satisfied even now. He pleased saint Durvasa through hospitality and then persuaded him to go to the Pandavas along with his ten thousand pupils and ask for meals. Durvasa complied with Duryodhana's request and went to the Pandavas along with his pupils. Out at elbows, Draupadi found it impossible to entertain the saint and apprehended a curse from him. She preyed to God and Krishna at once responded. He asked for the utensil which had been given to her by the Sun-god. He touched it and asked Draupadi to go on serving food to the saint and his pupils. The utensil I did not run short of food till all of them were satisfied fully. So, Durvasa returned happy and satisfied. So, Durvasa returned happy and satisfied.

Krishna and Sudama - the devine friendship

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In this chapter of the katha, we shall see the friendship between the supreme and sudama. Friendship is the only relationship that is not present when we ar born, it is something that we must make and when your friend is the supreme Shree krishna , then your life becomes devine.

sudama and Krishna met in gurukul and shree krishna offered friendship to sudama. One night devi Rukmani woke from her sleep hearing a sad tune coming out from the lord's flute, so she asked him what is wrong, krishna explained her about sudama and his tribles, sudama was going through tough times, he was extreemely poor and his family has not eaten in days, but still he had unbreakable faith in Krishna, sudama was a genius, sudama knew that his condition was due the fruits of his past and present birth , so in order to achive Krishna and become one with him, we all must enjoy the fruits of our good or bad karma without any greed( NIS SWARTH)

Krishna said in Bhagvad gita that one who loves me is dear to me and a friend to me. shree krishna loves his devotees so mush that if they sad or hungry shree krishna feels that pain too. In case of sudama when sudama gave away his luch to his pet animal ( COW ) and a beggar who came begging , shree krishna also left his food and stayed hungry. such love shree Krishna has for his devotees.

We have already read about Krishna's class-mate and close friend Sudama. Having finsihed his schooling, he returned to his village and married Sushila. Sudama was very poor though he was very content. But his wife often goaded him to go to Krishna and ask for financial help. At last Sudama agreed to visit Dwarika. Sushila gave a small packet of parched rice to Sudama to offer as a humble present to Krishna. Sudama traversed the distance slowly and steadily and at last reached Dwarika. Reaching the palace gate, he sent word to Krishna about his arrival. Hearing the very name o~ Sudama, Krishna rushed bare3ooted to the gate to receive his friend and escorted him inside. Seating him on a cushion, Krishna washed his feet and entertained him duly. Rukmini, Krishna's wife, kept fanning Sudama all this while. Seeing Krishna's grandeur, Sudama felt very small and could not dare to offer the humble present that he had brought. But Krishna knew everything and so he signalled to Rukmini to snatch the packet that Sudama had hidden under his arms. The royal couple enjoyed the parched rice as if it were a sumptuous dish. Sudama stayed with his friend for a few days and then returned home. He was highly ashtonished to see his hut replaced by a magnificent house full of each and every comfort and his family dressed in valuable garments. How happy must he have felt indeed !

Rajsuya Yajna and Krishna kills Shishupal, shalva and Dantvakra

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In this chapter of Katha we will se ehow sree Krishna beheads shisupal, son of Jarasandh and also the one whom Rukmani's brother wanted her to marry,with sudershan chakra and the also destrying his sinner friends shalva and Dantvakra.

The Rajsuya Yajna was nearing its completion. The last rite was to confer honors upon the kings who had participated in the ritual. Before starting this rite, it was customary to worship the best participant according to the manner prescribed in the religious scriptures. Yudhisthir did not want to choose the best candidate for worship after his own will. So, he decided to consult all the participants present there. Sahadeva, ruler of Magdha, proposed the name of Krishna as he was obliged to him for his coronation. Most of the kings and the Brahmans seconded the proposal though a number of kings opposed it also. The opposing faction consisted of the supporters of Shishupal, who had an old grudge against Krishna because of Rukmini. Shishupal opposed the worship of Krishna as the best participant using objectionable and disgraceful words for him. He suggested that either Bhishma or Drona should be the candidates for worship. But these two elderly participants had already supported Krishna's candidature. So, a wrangle cropped up over the point and Yudhishthir was at a loss to understand what to do.The brawl over the choice of the rightful candidate for worship was not coming to an end as Shishupal and his supporters were dead against the worship of Krishna. At last Krishna stood up and addressed the gathering saying~" I beg the attention of all of you to what I am going to say. Shishupal is my cousin--sonof my father's sister. He has been opposing me at every step for a long time. I would have done away with him far earlier but for his mother's request to pardon him. Now I warn him to come to the right path. I won't say or do anything till he has used at least one hundred disgraceful terms for me. But after it, won't spore him at all." Unluckily better sense did not prevail on Shishupal and he went on with his abusive terms against Krishna. So, Krishna flew into a violent rage and declared, "The fellow is bent upon meeting with his end and I am helpless." Saying so, Krishna wielded his chakra and directed it at Shishupal. It went revolving to Shishupal and severed his neck from the rest of his body. Then it returned to Krishna's hand. Everybody Present was frightened to look at Krishna who had assumed his divine colossal form (Virat Roop)· Everybody stood up and prayed Krishna to be cool. So, he came to his normal form and put on a loveable look as before.

Shalva was a close friend of Shishupal Having got the news of Shishupal's murder, he was mad in rage and made up his mind to avenge his friend's death. He invoked Lord Shiva and asked for a boon. When the Lord gave his assent, Shalva asked for a unique vehicle that could move on land, in air and on water with equal agility and at the same time could be invisible when required. Lord Shiva ordered Maidanava, chief of the demons, to build the vehicle for Shalva. Obtaining the vehicle and having his army bearded on it, Shalva marched on Dwarika. Krishna was not there as he was stilt at Indraprastha, Yudhishthir's capital. So Pradyumna, Krishna's son, faced Shalva with his army and routed a major part of it. The news soon reached Krishna who hastened to Dwarika to deal with Shalva. Using his famous bow-Shorong Bow-- he did away with the remaining soldiers of the invader. Then Krishna struck the vehicle with his mace and it was broken to pieces. Enraged at it, Shalva sprang at Krishna with a mace in his hands. But Krishna was more than a match for him. He directed his chakra at him and it cut off both the arms and the neck of the opponent instantly.

King Dantvakra was the ruler of Karusha kingdom. He was a bosom friend of Shalva who had been slain by Krishna even after obtaining a unique vehicle from Shiva through a boon after long meditation. When Dantvakra heard that his friend had marched on Dwarika with a view to punishing Krishna for the murder of Shishupal, he lifted his mace and made for the battle-field with a view to helping his friend Shalva. Dantvakra was so confident and proud of his prowess that he did not take any army with him. Not only this, he forgot to take his chariot even in the heat of his enthusiasm to help his friend to chastise Krishna. Before long, he reached the field where the battle was going on. As soon as Dantvakra saw the dead body of his friend Shalva, he became mad in rage and his eyes began to emit fire. Seeing Krishna standing near by, he lifted his mace and struck Krishna at his chest. Krishna was, however, able to bear the brunt of the blow and he challenged Dantvakra to be on his alert. Krishna lifted his mace Koumodaki and hit it at the chest of his opponent. Dantvakra could not stand the blow. His chest-ribs were broken and staggering over a few steps, he fell down lifeless on the ground.

Krishna defeats Banasur and Bhim challenges jarasandh

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In this chapter of Katha we will see how the supreme Shree Krishna defeats the evil banasur, banasur was an evil demon with thousand arms, his daugther fell in love with grandson of Krishna and with a help of her friend kodnapped Krishna's grandson, knowing this krishna attacked banasur, insipte of banasur attempt to stop krishna with deseases, shree krishna defeated him, but on request of Lord Shiva, shree krishna spared his life and cut all his arms except 4 arms. Also how Krishna leads bhim to fight jarasandh and free 85 kings that jarasadh imprisoned.

Banasur was a ferocious demon who had one thousand arms. His daughter was extremely charming. She chanced to see Anirudh, the grandson of Krishna, and fell in love with him. So, she sent Chitralekha, one of her close friends to bring Anirudh to her by dint of her miraculous power. Chitralekha did the job for her friend. When Banasur came to know of it, he entrapped Anirudh in a snake-trap as he was against his marriage with her daughter. Saint Narada informed Krishna of the mishap. Krishna marched on Banasur with a huge army. Banasur was a devotee of Lord Shiva and so the Lord came to help the demon along with his pupils. Banasur felt quite fearless now. Krishna killed all the soldiers of the demon and also the pupils of Lord Shiva. As for Shiva, he used Jarimbhal--a sleep-prevailing weapon, on him and he was lost in deep slumber. Now Krishna began to cut off the arms of Banasur and he raised a hue and cry, which aroused Lord Shiva from slumber. On Shiva's request, Krishna spared the last four arms of the demon who now gladly gave his daughter to Anirudh in marriage. Also, he became a devotee of Lord Krishna.

As we read in the previous chapter that Krishna, having been invited by Kansa to Mathura; came there to take part in the Bow-yajna along with Nand Baba and other respectable milkmen of Vrindavan. After killing his maternal uncle, Kansa, and his wrestlers, Chanur and Mushtik, he set Vasudeva and Devaki free and enthroned his grandfather, Ugrasena, restoring his lost crown to him. Then Krishna and Balram went to the Gurukula of Saint Sondipani at Ujjain and completed their schooling within a short period of 64 days only. Also, he constructed the town of Dwarika at a peninsula bordering the West Coast of India. Soon after this, he did away with Kalayavana, Bhaumasur, Banasur and several other evil persons. Not only this, he salvaged King Muchukund and king Nriga also. Now Paundrik, the ruler of Chunar, raised his head as he was very jealous of Krishna's rise. Incited by his flatterers, he declared himself to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. As people considered Krishna also to be the human form of Lord Vishnu, Paundrik challenged Krishna for a combat. When Krishna went to him, he was astonished to find him wearing two artificial arms and other accessories often seen in the hands of Lord Vishnu. Krishna defeated him and put him to death along with his supporter, the ruler of Kasha.

Jarasandh, the ruler of Magadha, was Kansa's father-in-law. Enraged at the murder of his son-in-law, he had already attacked Mathura seventeen times but every time he had suffered a crushing defeat. Even then, his power had not been broken and he was ready for a trial of strength once again. Yudhishthir the Pandava king, was planning to perform a Rajsuya Yajna with a view to celebrating his victories over most of the kings of North India. Krishna apprehended trouble at the hands of Jarasandh during the performance of the Yajna. So, he advised Yudhishthir to do away with him before the Yajna. Krishna's advice appealed to Yudhishthir's mind and he sent his brothers, Arjuna and Bhima, with Krishna to the capital of Magadha. Reaching there, Bhima challenged Jarasandh for a wrestling bout. How could he help accepting it. The wrestling bout went on for thirteen days but without a win for either of the contestants. On the fourteenth day, Krishna signaled Bhima to tear his opponent into two halves demonstrating the action by tearing a leaf and throwing its two parts into opposite directions. Bhima followed the signal and acted upto it literally. As a result, Jarasandh was no more.
Jarasandh had imprisoned eighty-five kings on unfounded charges against them. All these kings were set free after the death of Jarasandh. They were sent back to their respective capitals and at the same time invitation to take part in the Yajna to be performed by Yudhishthir was accorded to each of them. Not only this, Sahadev, son of Jarasandh, was coronated to succeed his father as the next ruler of Magadha. Krishna having returned to Indraprastha, capital of Yudhishthir, the yajna was started. All the near relatives were entrusted with important jobs, viz -acceptance of presents was handled by Duryodhana, the job of giving alms was given to Kama, preparation of eatables was put under Bhima while Krishna undertook the humblest of the jobs--washing the feet of the Brahman s and the saints coming to participate in the yajna. The arrangement of the yajna was so efficient that everyone was happy and satisfied. The most remarkable thing about the yajna was that the Brahmans and the saints were beside themselves with joy to have the divine touch of Krishna's hands at their feet.

Krishna marries Rukmini

Rukmini, daughter of king Bhishmak of Kundinpur, had fallen in love with Krishna. So, her father decided to, marry her off to Krishna. But Rukmi , her brother, was dead against this marriage. He wanted her to marry another prince named Shishupal. The old king Bhishmak had to agree to what his son Rukmi wanted. So, he sent a message to Shishupal to come with a marriage party. Rukmini, too, sent a secret letter to Krishna to come and save her. So, Krishna had reached Kundinpur earlier than Shishupal came with the marriage-party. Balram too followed Krishna with a large army. A few hours before the marriage ceremony, Rukmini came out of the palace for worship of Mother Goddess in a temple. Krishna seated her in his chariot and made for Dwarika. Shishupal and Rukmi followed Krishna with their armies but Balram barred them on the way and defeated their armies. So, they had to return disappointed and ashamed. Krishna, on reaching Dwarika, duly married Rukmini according to religious rites. Victorious Balram too returned to Dwarika soon.

A powerful noble named Satrajit lived in Dwarika. He had worshipped Sun god and the god was pleased with him. So, he gave a divine jewel to Sarajit which the noble was very proud of. Krishna had once or twice asked the noble for the jewel but to be refused only. One day Prasenjit, Satrajit's brother, went for a game in a nearby forest. He had taken the jewel with him too. There he had to confront a (ion and was killed along with his horse. As Prasenjit did not return, Satrajit blamed Krishna of his murder for the sake of the jewel. So, Krishna proceeded to the forest to bring the reality to tight. Reaching the forest he found the dead bodies of Prasenjit and his horse. But close by, he saw a lion lying dead as well. Not only this, he sported some footprints leading into a nearby cave. Jambvant, who had killed the lion and taken away the jewel, lived in that cave. Krishna went into the cave and asked Jambvant to hand over the jewel to him. On his refusal, a combat ensued that went on for 28 days and finally Jambvant accepted Krishna's superiority. So, Jambvant returned the jewel to Krishna and also gave his daughter Jambvati to Krishna in marriage. Krishna handed over the jewel to Satrajit who felt so ashamed that he, too, gave his daughter, Satyabhama, to Krishna.

jarasandh attacks Mathura, Kalyavana vadh and Krishna getting the name Ranchhod.

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Shree Krishna and Balram returned form the ashram , there welcome was grand. On the other hand jarasandh , Kansa's father-in-law was furious of his son-in-law's death. he decieded to avenge him. He attacked Mathura 17 times but failed by the hands of Krishna and Balram, these two alone,togeather with akroor-ji and a few friends deafeated jarasadh's army and killed many sinners that came , leaving jarasandh, this was krishna's plan to eliminate sinners from the laps of mother earth. One of them was Kalyavana , he was a terror and terrorised people. during thia battle with Kalyavana , shree krishna got the name RANCHHOD.

Krishna took this name saying " MERE KISIBHI BAKTH NE MUJHE EISA KHOOBSURAT NAAM NAHI DIYA". Even though Kalyavana was sinner still he was a devotee fro Krishna, this shows that all are same in lords eyes. Many people say that Krishna has runaway from battlefield, they say that such a person cannot be God but no one evr understood the reason for shree krishna to runaway and be called Ranchhod. Shree Krishna could have destroyed Jarasandh in one go but he didnot because " shree Krishna was not alone fighting, shree krishna was not fighting for himself but for his devotees and each and every soul in Mathura.In sipte defeating jarasandh each time he would return with another army and more sinners, he was very stubburned and keen in avenging Kansa's death. If shree Krishna would have killed Jarasandh the someone else would have come to avenge him and the someone else and so on, this would not end and the people of Mathura would suffer, so for his devotees and people shree krishna backedaway and seetled in dwarka with everyone soul in mathura.To protect and end the troubles for his people shree krishna backaway and happily took the title of Ranchhod." With this shree Krishna showed his Brilliance and greatness.

This event also teaches us that in abattle not only strength but mind must also be used, if you have to protect someone who you love, if you have to backaway for them then you must rather then engaging in more trouble and destrying the ones who love you, worship you.

The miracles performed by Krishna were very strange indeed. Each of these miracles had a big secret behind it. Kalyavana was a tyrant lowly person who was a terror for the people. Let us read how Sri Krishna eliminated him in a dramatic way Kansa's father-in-law was a very powerful king named Jarasandh. He was enraged at the murder of his son-in-law and so he attacked Mathura seventeen times. But every time, Krishna and Balram routed his army. Now Kalyavana raised a large army and incited by Jarasandh planned to attack Mathura. Krishna had got a new city of Dwarika built on a peninsula on the western coast of India. So, he sent the people of Mathura to live there in safety. Kalyavana followed Krishna~like a shadow. - Krishna left Dwarika unarmed and bare-footed. Kalyavana too left his chariot and ran after Krishna to catch him and kill him , Krishna ran on and on with Kalyavana following him at his heels. Now see how Krishna pushed him into the laws of death in a dramatic way.Running on and on, Krishna led Kalyavana into a cave where a king named Muchukund was sleeping soundly because of a boon conferred on him by gods. A soon as Krishna went near him, he lay his yellow blanket on the sleeping king and hid himself aside. Kalyavana too came inside the cave. In the heat of his rage he took the sleeping king for Krishna and struck him hard with his foot.

Muchukund was disturbed and he got up. . As soon as he cast an angry look at Kolyavna, he was burnt alive to death. The story goes that Muchukund had fought against the demons to save the gods from them. He was able to defeat the demons decisively. The gods were very pleased and they asked him to ask for a boon. Muchukund, weary of a long war against the demons asked for a long sleep. So, the gods said, " Go and sleep at any place on the earth Whoever disturbs you during your sleep, will be burnt alive as soon as you look at him." Krishna had led Kalyavana into the cave to have him burnt alive and to prove the veracity of the boon that the gods had conferred on king Muchukund. How difficult to perceive the miracles performed by Krishna were indeed!Kalyavana, according to the boon of the gods conferred on Muchukund, had been burnt alive. So, Krishna came out of his hiding place. King Muchukunda saluted Krishna with profound devotion and praised him a lot. Then seeking his permission, the king proceeded to the forest for meditatibn. As soon as Krishna got out of the cave, Kalyavana's army barred his way. But Balram had also reached there by now. So, both the brothers put Kalyavana's army to rout and proceeded to Dwarika. Jarasandha, who had already suffered defeat seventeen times at Krishna's hands, attacked Mathura once more. But knowing that the people of Mathura had shifted to Dwarika, he directed his army to march on Dwarika. So, Jarasandha overtook Krishna and Balram, who were coming to Dwarika after routing Kalyavana's army. Seeing the large- army, Krishna, under a dramatic move, fled away along with his brother Balram: Because of this miraculous move, Krishna came to be known as Ranchhod also. The word means--runner from the battlefield

Krishna goes to Brahmacharya ashram

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As you soe, so shall you reep , this life that we live is a gaint karma, every soul must go through the sins or good karma , Krma yog is fire that every soul burns and the he can reach the supreme(Krishna) , if you do good karma then the result is good and if you do sinful karma then the result is bad. Kansa's sinfull karma led him to his death. A person must endure the good aor bad result of his karma without any feelings of sorrow , ego, anger, exitement, one must not complain for the fruits he gets of his karma and take them as blessings of the lord, if he does this then he can attain eternal bliss(moksha).

in this chapter of Katha we shall see how after ending Kansa, shree krishna gives the kingdom back to his Grandfather Ugrasen, and Krishna's life in Ashram and his friendship with Sudhama.

Krishna had displayed his childhood-miracles at Gokul and Vrindavan. There he had eliminated a number of demons, unjust persons and sinners. Then, invited by Kansa, Krishna came to Mathura and did away with him along with his treacherous supporters. Next, he freed his parents and his grandfather, King Ugrasen and also enthroned him to wear his lost crown. Now Krishna bade farewell to Nand Baba and other milkmen of Vrindavan after giving them valuable gifts and showering due honors on them. Vasudeva, now, chalked out a program to make his sons step into Brahmacharya ashram duly according to the religious rites. A yajna was held and sacred thread ceremony of both the brothers was observed. Rohini had been called to Mathura to participate in all these religious rites. With clean-shaven heads, vermilion marks on their foreheads, mekhalas and lion-cloths on their waists and plasha rods in their hands, both the brothers looked very impressive indeed. Vasudeva, Devaki and Rohini were beside themselves with joy to see their sons through the ceremonies. They were overbubbling with filial affection indeed, through the ceremonies.

The sacred-thread ceremony having been over, Vasudeva decided to send his sons to some gurukula for education. After a thorough thinking, they were sent to Saint Sandipani's ashram located at Ujjain. Both the brothers threw themselves heart and soul into studies. They served their teacher with implicit devotion and he, in turn, was very happy with them. There were a number of other students too at the gurukula. One of them was Sudama, son of a poor Brahman. Krishna was very close to him. In course of time, they became bosom friends. One day the wife of Saint Sandipani asked Krishna to go to the forest and fetch dry wood for the havana. Krishna, accompanied by his close friend Sudama, went to the forest to collect and bring dry wood. As soon as they were ready to leave the forest with wood, a violent hazy storm, blew. It went on for a long time and both the friends lost their way. They roamed hither and thither along with the faggot of wood. The sun set and darkness prevailed all around. So, they were forced to pass the night under a tree. Next morning, the saint came to look for them. Seeing them with the wood, he felt very pleased at their obedience and showered blessings on them.
Krishna and Balram, being divine beings, were themselves a stare-house of knowledge. Their going to the gurukula aimed at establishing ideals for others and at highlighting the honour of the teacher in the society. In a short period of sixty-four days, they mastered the Vedas, Upvedas, other religious books and all the sorts. Saint Sandipani was amazed at the grasping power of both the brothers. But, his inner vision guided him on to understand that Krishna was an incarnate of Lord Vishnu. So, he viewed Krishna with great devotion in his heart of hearts. Having finished their schooling, Krishna and Balram took leave of Saint Sandipani and offered to pay guru-dakshina. After consultations with his wife, the saint said, "I want my son, who was drowned in the river while bathing some time back, to be alive." So, Krishna went to the Death-god and asked him to bring the saint's son to life and send him back to the earth to live with his parents. The saint was so pleased to have his son back. Then Krishna and Balram took leave of their schoolmates and returned to Mathura

Keshi vadh Krishna leaves Vrindavan and retuns to Mathura Kansa vadh

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Kansa was Frustrated since all the demons that he sent were killed by Krishna , Kansa's last worrior keshi , Kansa send him to kill Krishna but Krishna kills Keshi too. Keshi death leaves Kansa broken and he gets furious and sends to bring Krishna and Balram to mathura where he plotted to kill them. When Krishna was leaving for Mathura, the gopis wept, they could not bare to be seprated from Krishna , Krishna never returned to Vrindavan again, he stayed in Mathura and then In Dwarka After He Killed Kansa , the Gopis Cried and Cried all of them , without Krishna vrindavan was a place without a soul, Gopis cried so much that there mind purified, all the dirth was washed away by tears and Gopis started seeing Krishna in each and everything and attained Moksha( Salvation,Self-realization). This was what Krishna wanted , tha is why he left so that the gopis can become one with krishna eternally, Moksha is the true destination for everyone in this world.

Now Kansa was trembling with fear at the very thought of Krishna. Every demon sent by him had been killed at Krishna's hands and he was now convinced that his end was quite near too. So, Kansa now deputed Keshi, his strongest demon, to put an end to Krishna's life. This demon used to roam in the form of a dark black horse, very dreadful to look at, so much so that even gods feared to see eye to eye with him. Keshi came to Vrindavan at Kansa s bidding in the form stated above. He started running through the streets of the village neighing furiously. People were so afraid that they shut their doors and the scared cattle broke loose to run for safety. As soon as Krishna heard of this horse, he lost no time to follow that he was a demon sent by his maternal uncle, Kansa. So, with a view to chastising him, he challenged Keshi who was in the lookout for an opportunity for an encounter with Krishna. Seeing Krishna in front, Keshi fell upon him in full fury. Opening his mouth wide, he tried to bite Krishna who pushed his arm into his mouth and broke all his teeth. Then he enlarged the length and girth of his arm to such an extent that Keshi's throat got choked and his belly got inflated. Finally it burst causing the demon to fall down dead on the ground.

Keshi's death broke the back of Kansa. He could not think of any warrior who could undertake the task of putting Krishna to death. So, he decided to take recourse to treachery in order to achieve his objective of killing his nephew Krishna. Akrur, chief of the charity department of Kansa, was a very saintly person. Kansa asked him to go to Vrindavan and bring Nand Baba's family and other respectable milkmen to participate in the Bow-yajna. A godly person as he was, Akrur gladly agreed to go to Vrindavan. He had a keen desire to see Krishna, the incarnate of Lord Vishnu Himself. So, riding a chariot, he proceeded to Vrindavan. Reaching the outskirts of Vrindavan, Akrur caught sight of Krishna's footprints and his heart began to overbubble with devotion for Krishna. Stopping the chariot there, he got down and seeing Krishna's footprints with tearful eyes, paid obeisance to them. He felt proud of being lucky enough to have a chance to do this religious act. Akrur, then, reached Nand Baba's house and delivered Kansa's message to him. Nand Baba entertained him duly. Akrur disclosed everything about Kansa's treacherous plot to kill Krishna.

As mentioned on the foregoing page, Nand Baba and Krishna had become aware of Kansa's plot. So, Nand Baba did not want to take Krishna and Balram to Mathura with him. But Krishna did not want to lose this opportunity of killing sinful Kansa to rid the Mother Earth of his burden. Krishna himself proclaimed the invitation of king Kansa throughout the village. So, all the milkmen got ready with their carts to visit Mathura. On the day fixed for the Bow-yajna, the milkmen loaded their carts with butter, curd and milk to be presented to the king and departed to Mathura. Krishna and Balram were sitting on Akrur's chariot and the procession of carts, led by Nand Baba, got on its way to Mathura. Just at that time, the gopis came running and surrounded Akrur's chariot. They would not allow him to take Krishna into the fold of such a great danger wherein his very life was at stake. Moreover, they feared that Krishna might not come back to Vrindavan. Akrur tried his level best to advise the gopis but they were not ready to hear anything. They were struck with separation from their darling-Krishna-and caught the wheels of the chariot. At last, Krishna himself sermonised and consoled them. They returned to Vrindavan with heavy hearts and the procession advanced on its way to Mathura.
As we know that Kansa invited Krishna and Balram through Akrur to participate in the Bow-yajna after he had lost all the demons in his service and other warriors one by one at Krishna's hands. He wanted to kill Krishna through a trick. Akrur proceeded to Mathura after seating Krishna and Balram in his chariot. Reaching the bank of the Yamuna Akrur stopped the chariot. Seeking the consent of both the brothers, he went to have his bath in the river. When Akrur dipped in the river-water, he saw Krishna and Balram inside the water. But when he drew his head out of the water, he found both the brothers sitting in the chariot. He felt highly amazed indeed. Now Akrur had a second dip and saw Lord Vishnu relaxing on the body of Sheshnaga. He found a close semblance in the faces of Krishna and Vishnu. Akrur felt flattered to have a glimpse of Lord Vishnu in the river-water. Having had his bath, he said his prayers and returned to the chariot. Time and again, he was looking at Krishna with eyes full of devotion. He was thanking his stars to be lucky enough to act as the charioteer of Krishna (Lord Vishnu Himself).

Nand Baba and the other milkmen had reached Mathura much earlier than Akrur and both the brothers because Akrur had stopped with his chariot for a bath in the Yamuna. Nand Baba had set up his camp in a garden outside the town. When Akrur reached there, Krishna and Balram got down while Akrur advanced further. He informed the king of the arrival of Nand Baba's group and then made for his home. Krishna and B8lrama had their meals and rested for some time in the garden. Then they sought Nand Baba's permission and went sight-seeing round the town of Mathura along with their team of cowboys. Roaming about, they came across the royal washer man who was going to deliver the wash in the palace. Krishna said to the washer man by way of joke, "Wassermann! Give us some of these clothes to wear." The Wassermann was very proud of his being in the royal service. So, he snubbed Krishna and Balrama using disgraceful and abusive words for them. Krishna could not tolerate the insult and decided to teach him a lesson. Krishna advanced towards the Wassermann and gave such a hard blow with the side of his palm on his neck that he fell down dead on the spot. Seeing this, the other washerwomen took to their heels.All the clothes of the royal Wassermann and those of others who had run away, were lying near the dead body of the washerman. So, Krishna and Balram opened the bundles of clothes and all of them put on multi-colored beautiful dresses. Having done this and leaving the rest of the clothes as they were, the team of cowboys advanced further. Evidently, the clothes did not fit on them properly. They had been attracted by their colors only. The cowboys were pointing out to each other about the clothes, they had worn. One said to the other: "Your clothes are very loose!" While the other said, "This shirt is very tight for you." So, they decided to put off the clothes and throw them away. A tailor, sitting near by, was seeing all this. The tailor, when he saw Krishna and Balram, was struck with their handsome personalities. Going up to them, he said, "Pray I mend these clothes for you z" Then without waiting for the answer, he set about mending the clothes and in a short time he did the job. Now the clothes looked very nice on each cowboy. Krishna was very pleased with the tailor and conferred on him the boon of becoming a noble godly person. So, he felt very pleased and praised Krishna a lot.
Krishna made up his mind to go to the site of the Bow-yajna. So, they Enquirer about this site from the people and soon advanced in that direction. Reaching the site of the yajna, Krishna and Balram looked at the bow that was very heavy--so much so that even Kansa could lift it with difficulty after worshipping it daily. He had put brave soldiers to guard the bow. Krishna and Balram, despite the presence of the soldiers, went near the bow. Krishna at once lifted it and pulled its string with such a force that it broke into two with a loud twang. Seeing this, the soldiers fell upon both the brothers who beat them with the pieces of the bow. So they went running to their master Kansa and told him about what had happened. Kansa got furious and he dispatched a regiment of armed soldiers to deal with Krishna and Balram who eliminated the entire regiment in no time. Now Krishna and Balram returned to Nand Baba's camp and related to him the entire incident. Then having had their bath, they took their meals and went t~ sleep. Kansa was cut to the quick over the lot of his regiment.

Next day, Kansa invited Krishna and Balram to see the bouts among his wrestlers. Before their arrival, Kansa got his most dangerous tusker-Kublayapeed intoxicated with wine and ported it on the gate of the wrestling arena along with its mahout. This was done with a plan to incite the intoxicated elephant to attack Krishna and Balram as soon as they reached the gate of the arena. Evidently, the beast was supposed to trample both the brothers to death under its feet. So, as soon as both the brothers turned up before the arena gate, the mahout incited the mad elephant and it fell upon them in fury. It curled its trunk round Krishna's body and tried to lift him up but all in vein. Krishna and Balram broke both its tusks and the beast screamed in pain and feeling very weak trumpeted aloud. Taking full advantage of this opportunity, Krishna caught hold of its trunk and flung it on the ground. Then both the brothers beat it to depth with its own tusks. Now it was the turn of the mahout. He too was given a sound beating so much so that he succumbed to the thrashing. The people standing around took to their heels out of immense fear.Sinful Kansa had pinned great hopes on his tusker- Kublayapeed, but they had been dashed to the ground by Krishna and Balram. So, he asked his famous wrestlers to challenge both the brothers for bouts. These wrestlers were named Mushtik and Chanur. Having done away with Kublayapeed and its mahout, Krishna and Balrama went inside to see the wrestling bouts. Chanur and Mushtik challenged them for bouts. How could they afford not to accept the challenge after all? So, they took off their clothes, entered the arena and the bouts began. Both the wrestlers were using deceptive moves to checkmate the brothers but all to no purpose. Kansa's wrestlers did not aim at free and fair wrestling, but their objective was to kill both the brothers who were well on their guard. They rendered each unfair move on the part of the wrestlers useless. When Chanur got awfully tired, Krishna lifted him on his hands well above his head and flung him onto the ground with such a force that he was killed instantly. Chanur's death did away with Mushtik's courage and Balram soon killed him. Some other wrestlers- Kout, Shala, Toshal etc.--also met with the same fate.Having seen his strongest wrestlers being killed before his very eyes, Kansa began to tremble out of Krishna's fear. At the same time, he flew into a rage and ordered all the playing drums and bugles to be silent. Then he bucked up his soldiers saying, "What are you seeing now? Catch hold of these two rascals and do away with them!" Not only this, Kansa asked his soldiers to put Vasudeva and Ugrasena to death as well and to seize all the carts of the milkmen that had come with Nand Baba and then put them to the sword too. How could Krishna brook such words for Nand Baba and his dear mates? He flew into a violent rage and challenged Kansa and jumped on to the dais where he was sitting. Kansa trembled all over in fright and tried to run away. But Krishna at once held him by the hair and flung him on the ground with a jerk. Then Krishna sat on his chest and began to rain blows on his sides. Kansa cried for-help saying, "Save me! Save me!" When nobody came for his help, he implored Krishna to be spared. He looked his death dancing before him. Krishna then strangled him to death. Seeing their brother being killed, all the eight brothers of Kansa fell upon Krishna and Balram who did away with all of them too one by one.

Having killed sinful Kansa, Krishna and Balram made for the prison-room where Devaki and Vasudeva were imprisoned. The guards were struck with fear to see them and opened the gates of the prison-room at once. Both the brothers went inside and untied the fetters of Vasudeva and Devaki. The parents kept gazing at their sons with tearful eyes out of filial affection. How handsome, captivating and well -built they indeed were! Devaki and Vasudeva hugged them closely out of love. Then Krishna and Balram escorted them to the site o~ yajna where a large crowd of people had assembled to raise slogans in Krishna's admiration, "Glory be to Krishna! Glory be to Balram!" Praising the courage and bravery o both the brothers, the crowd greeted them and their parents with profound respect and devotion. Not only this, they raised slogans condemning sinful Kansa as well. Krishna pacified the crowd raising his hands and asked for their opinion regarding the enthronement of some one on Kansa's throne. It was decided that the old king Ugrasena-(Kansa's father) should be enthrone as the rightful King of Mathura. Respecting the opinion of the people, Krishna decided to set Ugrasena free. So, he and his brother Balram went to the prison-room where the old king was behind the bars and untied his chains. Ugrasena was given a bath and dressed in a stately robe. Then escorting him to the court, Krishna and Balram seated him on the throne and placed his usurped crown on his head. At once people started raising slogans of glory to Ugrasena and Krishna and of condemnation to Kansa. King Ugrasena embraced Krishna and Balram and showered blessings on them. Seeing this, all the courtiers too began to admire both the brothers for what they had done. A large number of noble persons had fled Mathura because of Kansa's excesses. They had settled at other places. Now that Kansa had disappeared from the scene, these people returned to their respective homes in Mathura. King Ugrasena began to rule as before taking due care of his people and observing all religious norms essential for an ideal king. As a result, people became fearless, prosperous and happy again. So, they began to fulfill their duties towards the state gladly.