A Question I Never Really Understood
Being born and brought up in a typical Indian (especially Hindi-speaking) family, I was always surrounded by devotion. There were pictures of different gods in the house, festivals were celebrated with enthusiasm, and stories from scriptures were often heard.
But somewhere deep inside, there was always one confusion that I never really voiced:
If there are so many gods… then who is actually supreme?
Among all these divine personalities, Lord Krishna always stood out to me — but in a very confusing way.
I would often see his pictures as a small baby — crawling, smiling, and stealing butter. And honestly, I used to wonder:
How can a small child perform such extraordinary, almost impossible tasks?
Who exactly is Krishna?
Is He just a character from stories?
Is He God?
Or is He a historical personality whose life has been exaggerated over time?
These questions stayed with me for years… without any clear answer.
The Turning Point: When I Opened the Gita
Everything began to change in the year 2022.
It was during the lockdown — a time when the whole world had paused. There was nowhere to go, nothing urgent to chase, and for the first time, there was space to reflect.
Out of curiosity, I decided to read the Bhagavad Gita.
Not casually… but seriously.
And that is where things started to shift.
While reading Chapter 7, I came across a verse that quite literally shook my understanding:
मत्त: परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय ।
मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव ॥ (Bg. 7.7)
Krishna says:
“There is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, like pearls are strung on a thread.”
This was not a symbolic statement.
It was direct. Absolute.
And at that moment, a very real question arose within me:
Why is Krishna speaking like the Supreme?
So… Who Is Lord Krishna? Really?
As I continued reading, more clarity began to unfold.
Krishna Himself explains:
सर्वयोनिषु कौन्तेय… अहं बीजप्रद: पिता ॥ (Bg. 14.4)
“I am the seed-giving father of all living beings.”
सर्वस्य चाहं हृदि सन्निविष्टो… (Bg. 15.15)
“I am seated in everyone’s heart.”
And then, from the Brahma-samhita:
īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ… sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam
“Krishna is the Supreme Controller, the cause of all causes.”
In simple terms, what I began to understand was this:
Krishna is not one among many gods.
Krishna is the source of everything.
Not just a divine figure…
but the origin of all existence.
Not Just a God in Stories
Growing up, Krishna was often presented through stories — especially His childhood pastimes and His relationship with Radha.
But the Gita presents a very different, deeper perspective.
Krishna says:
जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यम्… (Bg. 4.9)
“My birth and activities are divine.”
And also:
नाहं प्रकाश: सर्वस्य… (Bg. 7.25)
“I am not revealed to everyone.”
This means something very important.
Krishna is not a mythological character.
He is a divine reality — but not everyone can understand Him.
Even His relationship with Srimati Radharani is not ordinary.
rādhā-kṛṣṇa eka ātmā… (CC Ādi 4.56)
It is a spiritual exchange — beyond material interpretation.
The more I read, the clearer it became:
We often misunderstand Krishna because we try to judge Him through a material lens.
Seeing Krishna Through the Gita’s Eyes
The Bhagavad Gita slowly revealed a complete picture.
Krishna is not just a teacher in the Gita — He is
The Creator
न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि… (Bg. 9.5)
The Maintainer
मयाध्यक्षेण प्रकृति:… (Bg. 9.10)
The Supreme Controller
ईश्वर: सर्वभूतानां… (Bg. 18.61)
He is not separate from creation — yet not limited by it.
This was a completely different understanding from what I had grown up with.
Why Krishna Feels So Personal
One of the most beautiful realisations was this:
Krishna is not distant.
He is deeply personal.
He tells Arjuna:
भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति… (Bg. 4.3)
“You are My devotee and My friend.”
And when Arjuna is confused, he surrenders:
शिष्यस्तेऽहं… (Bg. 2.7)
“I am Your disciple.”
Krishna becomes:
- A friend
- A guide
- A protector
And finally says:
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य… (Bg. 18.66)
“Surrender unto Me, I will protect you.”
At that point, Krishna stopped feeling like a distant God…
and started feeling like someone very close.
Understanding Krishna Through His Relationships
Naturally, many questions arise.
His father is Vasudeva, who carried Him across the Yamuna to safety — a moment filled with divine protection.
His principal queens include Rukmini and Satyabhama. The story of Rukmini’s marriage, where Krishna carried her away with divine courage, reflects a deeper principle — that the Lord responds to sincere devotion.
Krishna accepted Sandipani Muni as His teacher, showing that even the Supreme Being sets an example for the world by following discipline.
His sister, Subhadra, is also part of His divine pastimes and plays an important role in the Mahabharata.
But one realisation stands above all:
These are not ordinary events.
They are transcendental pastimes, meant to elevate our understanding — not limit it.
My Most Personal Realization
The biggest transformation in my understanding came when I read the Bhagavad Gita as it is, presented by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
For the first time, Krishna was not just explained…
He was revealed.
By great fortune, I came in contact with ISKCON and began practising bhakti.
And today when I reflect, I genuinely feel the following:
If I had not received this knowledge…
I would not be where I am today.
Krishna, to me now, is the following:
- All-attractive
- All-loving
- Always present
And I truly feel deeply fortunate to be connected to this path.
What Changes When You Understand Krishna
When this understanding becomes real, life begins to change.
Fear starts reducing:
न मे भक्त: प्रणश्यति (Bg. 9.31)
“My devotee never perishes.”
Clarity increases:
मन्मना भव… (Bg. 9.34)
“Always think of Me.”
And purpose becomes clear:
कौमार आचरेत्प्राज्ञो… (SB 7.6.1)
Life is no longer random.
It becomes meaningful.
So… Who Is Lord Krishna for Me Now?
After this journey, if someone asks me the following:
Who is Lord Krishna?
My answer is simple.
Krishna is not just God.
He is:
- My guide
- My well-wisher
- The one who understands me better than I understand myself
And perhaps that is the real truth.
A Small Invitation
If you are also someone who has had similar questions…
I would genuinely encourage you:
Try reading the Bhagavad Gita seriously.
Not casually.
Not academically.
But with sincerity.
Because sometimes…
One verse is enough to change everything.
Hare Krishna
