Krishna in the Mahabharata

The Hindu god Krishna is a central figure in the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic, where he serves as a key participant in its narrative of war, duty, and societal transition. Identified as the human avatar of the god Vishnu, Krishna appears in multiple roles, including counselor, warrior, diplomat, and teacher, influencing the outcomes for the Pandavas and Kauravas, the epic’s rival factions. His involvement highlights themes of righteousness (dharma) and the shift from the Dvapara Yuga to the Kali Yuga, a period associated with moral decline in Hindu cosmology.

Krishna, born to Vrishni fraction of the Yadava clan, enters the epic with a background of notable deeds, such as the killing of Kamsa and the founding of Dvaraka. As a cousin to the Pandavas through his aunt Kunti, and a close associate of Arjuna, Krishna engages with the epic’s characters on both personal and strategic levels, often using diplomacy or divine intervention to support dharma. His absence during events like the dice game and his active participation in moments like Bhishma’s defeat illustrate a complex involvement in the narrative.

The Mahabharata portrays Krishna as a figure whose actions span familial ties and cosmic responsibilities. His relationship with the Pandavas begins early and intensifies through the war, while his divine identity as Vishnu, recognized by figures like Vyasa and revealed to Arjuna, shapes his broader significance.