Krishna (Sanskrit: कृष्ण, IAST: Kṛṣṇa) is a major deity in Hinduism, worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and, in several traditions, as the Supreme God in his own right. Also known by names such as Govinda, Madhava and Gopala, he is regarded as the God of Love and is revered for qualities of compassion, protection and tenderness. The narratives of his life, collectively known as Krishna Lila, depict him as a divine child, a youthful cowherd, a lover, a hero, a teacher and the universal supreme being.
| Name | Krishna (Kṛṣṇa) |
|---|---|
| Other names | Govinda, Madhava, Gopala |
| Tradition | Hinduism |
| Affiliation | Eighth avatar of Vishnu; Svayam Bhagavan in Krishnaism |
| Birthplace (tradition) | Mathura |
| Parents (biological) | Devaki and Vasudeva |
| Foster parents | Nanda and Yashoda, of Gokul |
| Consort associated in devotional tradition | Radha |
| Festival | Krishna Janmashtami |
| Abode | Vaikuntha (and the city of Dvaraka, established by him) |
| Key texts | Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavata Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana |
According to tradition, Krishna was born in Mathura to Devaki and Vasudeva, but was raised by Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul to protect him from his maternal uncle, the tyrant king Kamsa. The name and synonyms of Krishna have been traced to literature and cults dating from the 1st millennium BCE.
Krishna's iconography reflects various stages of his life. He is depicted as an infant eating butter, a young boy playing a flute, a handsome youth with Radha or surrounded by female devotees (the gopis), and as a charioteer counselling Arjuna on the battlefield.
Krishna is a central figure in the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana, the Brahma Vaivarta Purana and the Bhagavad Gita, and is mentioned across a wide body of Hindu philosophical, theological and mythological literature. These texts portray him in multiple aspects—as a god-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero and the universal supreme being.
In sub-traditions such as Krishnaism, Krishna is worshipped as the Supreme God and as Svayam Bhagavan (God Himself). His teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, delivered to Arjuna on the eve of the Kurukshetra War, occupy a foundational place in Hindu philosophical thought. His birthday is observed annually by Hindus as Krishna Janmashtami, set by the lunisolar Hindu calendar and typically falling in late August or early September of the Gregorian calendar.