Who is Sri Krishna ?

Hare Krishna !

In my humble opinion, Sri Krishna and Maha-Vishnu are non-different . In Guruvayoor temple , the Deity is Maha-Vishnu who is worshipped as Sri Krishna . Same is the case with many other Vedic Krishna temples which were consecrated by the Devatas. In Vishnu Sahasranamam and Narayaneeyam, Bhagavan Krishna is repeatedly addressed as Maha-Vishnu .

A Bhakta should be aware that, Sri Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead . Otherwise , he will be deluded by ‘Maya’ (illusion) and can’t attain proper ‘Saranaagati’ at the lotus feet of Bhagavan . Sri Krishna says in Gita ( 10.7) “He who knows in truth My opulence and yogic power , has firm bhakti in Me. There is no doubt about this ” .

The Braj vasis were ‘Rsis’ in their previous birth ; and as a result of their accumulated ‘punya’ , they could afford to take liberties with Bhagavan . However , ordinary mortals like us who are severely hampered by the sinful reactions of previous births , need to be extra vigilant to escape from the destructive influence of ‘false ego’ caused by Maya . Therefore, we the eternal servants of Bhagavan Krishna must surrender unconditionally to Bhagavan Sri Krishna and take refuge at HIS lotus feet .

As Suneetaji pointed out the other day , Arjuna was a great vedic scholar ; and he was taught by none other than Dronacharya , the incarnation of Brihaspathi (Deva-Guru) . However, in the war field Kurukshetra , when he came face to face with the hard realities of life , Arjuna was overcome by ‘Maya’ . He forgot all the transcendental knowledge he had acquired till then ; and started behaving like a novice . Then Bhagavan Krishna asked Arjuna to surrender to HIM ( the Supreme God) in order to be qualified to receive the supreme transcendental knowledge in the form of ‘Bhagavad Gita’ . We must remember that even top Devatas such as Lord Indra , Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva failed miserably when they were challenged by the Maya-sakti , the powerful illusionary energy controlled by Maha-Vishnu .

When King Mucukunda asked Sri Krishna, “ Who are You ” ?

SB 10.51.23 – 30 : As he gazed at the Lord, King Mucukunda saw that He was dark blue like a cloud, had four arms, and wore a yellow silk garment . On His chest He bore the Srivatsa mark and on His neck the brilliantly glowing Kaustubha gem . Adorned with a Vaijayanti garland, the Lord displayed His handsome, peaceful face, which attracts the eyes of all mankind with its shark-shaped earrings and affectionately smiling glance. The beauty of His youthful form was unexcelled, and He moved with the nobility of an angry lion. The highly intelligent King was overwhelmed by the Lord's effulgence, which showed Him to be invincible. Expressing his uncertainty, Mucukunda hesitantly questioned Lord Krishna as follows.

Sri Mucukunda asked :
· Who are You who have come to this mountain cave in the forest, having walked on the thorny ground with feet as soft as lotus petals?
· Perhaps You are the potency of all potent beings. Or maybe You are the powerful god of fire, or the sun-god, the moon-god, the King of heaven or the ruling demigod of some other planet . I think You are the Supreme Personality among the three chief gods, since You drive away the darkness of this cave as a lamp dispels darkness with its light.
· O best among men, if You like, please truly describe Your birth, activities and lineage to us, who are eager to hear.

SB 10.51.23 – 30 : Thus addressed by the King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, origin of all creation, smiled and then replied to him in a voice as deep as the rumbling of clouds.

The Supreme Lord said :
· My dear friend, I have taken thousands of births, lived thousands of lives and accepted thousands of names . In fact My births, activities and names are limitless, and thus even I cannot count them.
· After many lifetimes someone might count the dust particles on the earth, but no one can ever finish counting My qualities, activities, names and births.
· O King, the greatest sages enumerate My births and activities, which take place throughout the three phases of time, but never do they reach the end of them .
· Nonetheless, O friend, I will tell you about My current birth, name and activities. Kindly hear. Some time ago, Lord Brahma requested Me to protect religious principles and destroy the demons who were burdening the earth . Thus I descended in the Yadu dynasty, in the home of Anakadundubhi . Indeed, because I am the son of Vasudeva people call Me Vasudeva .
· I have killed Kalanemi , reborn as Kamsa, as well as Pralamba and other enemies of the pious. And now, O King, this barbarian has been burnt to ashes by your piercing glance.
· Since in the past you repeatedly prayed to Me, I have personally come to this cave to show you mercy, for I am affectionately inclined to My devotees.

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!! !