Who is Lord Krishna?
Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead according to the Vaishnava tradition followed by ISKCON. Far from being an abstract concept, Krishna is understood to be the all-attractive, all-knowing, and all-powerful Supreme Person with a transcendental form of eternal bliss and knowledge. Krishna is not simply one god among many but is the original source of all other manifestations of God. "Krishna" means "the all-attractive one." Krishna's personal form is described as eternally youthful, with a beautiful bluish complexion, playing His flute, and adorned with peacock feathers.
Krishna in the Mahabharata
In the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna plays a pivotal role as both a divine strategist and moral guide. Though possessing supreme power, Krishna chose to participate in the war not as a warrior but as Arjuna's charioteer, demonstrating His willingness to serve His devotees. During the Kurukshetra War, when Arjuna was overcome with doubt about fighting his own relatives, Krishna delivered the sublime teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita. The Pandavas' unwavering faith in Krishna demonstrates the ideal devotional attitude, as they placed their complete trust in Krishna's guidance despite numerous hardships. Throughout the Mahabharata, Krishna works to establish dharma (righteousness) by supporting the virtuous Pandavas against the deceitful Kauravas.
Krishna's Supreme Position
In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna reveals His supreme position when he declares:
इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां बुधा भावसमन्विता: "I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts." Bhagavad-Gita 10.8
In another verse, Krishna states:
मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव "O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread." Bhagavad-Gita 7.7
As the Supreme God, Krishna appears in various avatar forms throughout different ages. These avatars (divine incarnations) descend to the material world for specific purposes - primarily to protect devotees, annihilate the wicked, and reestablish religious principles when they decline. While Krishna has countless avatars, He Himself is the original Supreme Personality from whom all avatars emanate. In Vaishnava theology, Krishna is not an avatar of another deity but is the original source of all divine manifestations.