Symbolic Meaning of Krishna's Plays

Shri Krishna's childhood was spent in Gokul, in the home of his father Nand and mother Yashoda. But even these names carry meaning beneath their surface. Go means the senses. Kul means a group. So Gokul is the gathering of all the senses. Nand means bliss. Yashoda means the one who bestows honour — the noble tendency within us.

In the basket, Vasudev carried the newborn Krishna across the Yamuna, and the river itself made way for them. In the same way, whoever carries the thoughts of Krishna and the Bhagvad Gita in their mind — no current in this world can obstruct them.

In Gokul, through his various Lilas, Krishna destroyed the Asuras and brought peace and prosperity to the land. Each of these stories carries a deeper, symbolic meaning.

Aghasur Vadh — Destroying Sin

Agha means sin. By slaying the demon of sin, Krishna brought joy and light to Gokul. The message: when we confront and overcome the sin within us, peace naturally follows.

Bakasur Vadh — Destroying Hypocrisy

Bak means a heron — and the heron is a symbol of deceit and pretence. It stands motionless, appearing pious, while waiting to strike. Hypocrisy destroys life's peace from within. The slaying of Bakasur tells us: the mask of false piety must be removed.

Shakatasur Vadh — Destroying False Pride

Shakat means a cart. This demon represents Mithya Abhiman — hollow, baseless pride. A dog walking beneath a cart believes it is carrying the cart's weight. So, it is with those who are puffed up with self-importance over things that were never their doing. For the well-being and health of human life, Shri Krishna destroyed Shakatasur.

Putana Rakshasi Vadh — Destroying the Impure

Put means pure. Na means not. Putana is the impure one — the ungrateful one. She came with poison smeared on her breast, disguising destruction as nourishment. Shri Krishna destroyed her.

Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, in his work Shri Krishna Charitra, offers an alternative reading: Putana was the name of a poisonous fever that afflicted newborn infants. Krishna studied it and taught that vigorous and firm breastfeeding by the mother could overcome it. Thus Putana — the disease — was vanquished.

Kaliya Nag Mardan — Taming the Poison Within

The serpent Kaliya, with his thousand hoods, had poisoned and polluted the waters of the Yamuna with his venom and his toxic nature, causing great harm to all. Krishna subdued the great serpent. He purified the waters. He freed the people from fear.

Perhaps, at its most practical level, he stopped pollution from entering the Yamuna at a thousand points and made her waters clean again. At the deeper level, the message is clear: the six inner enemies — Kama (desire), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (arrogance), and Matsara (envy) — are the serpent within us that must be tamed.

Govardhan Puja — Worship the Mountain, Not the Mirage

The people of Gokul had been worshipping Lord Indra as the rain god. But worshipping Indra is worshipping opulence and display. Rain does not come from worshipping wealth. It comes from caring for the mountains and the trees, from doing work as hard as the mountain itself.

Krishna taught: perform Nishkama Karma — selfless action. Work for the welfare of all. When the offended Indra unleashed a deluge, Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger and gave shelter to all the people of Gokul, protecting them. Perhaps, in earthly terms, he led everyone to an unseen cave in the mountain where they were kept safe. He initiated the worship of Govardhan — and became Govardhandhari, the one who bears the mountain.

Makhan Chori — The Beautiful Theft

In homes where the children went without life's necessities while their elders sold the butter for profit, Krishna broke those pots and redistributed their contents. He brought true Samajvad (socialism) to Gokul. In this sense, Krishna was a genuine revolutionary. Butter — Navneet — means the essence, the best qualities. Krishna always sought the essence.

The Symbols Krishna Carries

The peacock feather on his head: The peacock is the vehicle of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom. By placing the feather on his crown, Krishna honoured knowledge above all.

The gunja (rosary pea) bead necklace: Red is the colour of revolution. Krishna wore these humble, common seeds around his neck — embracing the ordinary.

The flute (Vansali): A hollow piece of bamboo, brought to life with a single breath — and from it, the creation of music. The simplest of instruments producing the most divine sound.

Gopal — protector of cows: Krishna loved the cows, who themselves exist to nourish others. His very name speaks of tending to those who serve.

May all these symbols show us the true direction of life. May we become dear to Prabhu — may we earn his nearness, his companionship, his love. With the Sankalpa of striving always toward that end, let us offer our worship to Krishna.