Was Krishna A God Or A Brilliant Political Strategist?

Celebrating Janmashtami

As Janmashtami approaches this year on August 26, the world is vibrantly celebrating Lord Krishna ‘s birth. From the playful echoes of his flute in the dusty bylanes of Vrindavan to the grand pujas in bustling temples, Krishna is celebrated as the beloved child, the divine lover, and the eternal cowherd.

Yet, as we revel in his divine play and youthful mischief, Krishna’s persona emerges with a complexity that transcends simple categorization as just a deity. Krishna was not merely a god but also a masterful political strategist.

The Divine Avatar

Krishna’s mythological role as an avatar of Vishnu presents him as a cosmic force of boundless influence. In Pavan K. Varma’s The Book of Krishna, The Blue God is portrayed as a figure whose presence spans the divine and the earthly. Devdutt Pattanaik’s Krishna’s Secret further unpacks this duality, illustrating how Krishna is seen in two distinct lights: the playful, flute-playing cowherd from the Bhagavata, and the conch-blowing warrior and strategist from the Mahabharata. This duality is more than a mere difference in portrayal—it reveals the breadth of Krishna’s influence, encompassing both the spiritual and the strategic.

Ramesh Menon’s Life and Songs of the Blue God vividly retells Krishna’s life, portraying him as a deity who blends divine grace with worldly engagement. Menon’s depiction brings to life Krishna’s divine play (Lila) and his role as a source of spiritual wisdom, highlighting his capacity to guide and inspire through both charisma and profound teachings.

Strategist Extraordinaire

Yet, Krishna’s narrative is not confined to divine miracles and enchanting tales. His role in the Mahabharata reveals a side that is deeply political and strategic. The Bhagavad Gita, a central text of the Mahabharata, provides a glimpse into Krishna’s strategic mind. Here, Krishna offers Arjuna more than just spiritual advice; he imparts a sophisticated blueprint for navigating moral and political dilemmas, emphasizing the intersection of duty, ethics, and strategic foresight.

Krishna’s involvement in the Kurukshetra War underscores his exceptional strategic skills. His guidance in navigating alliances, managing complex relationships, and directing military tactics is pivotal. Pattanaik’s analysis demonstrates how Krishna’s strategies were instrumental in securing victory for the Pandavas and restoring dharma (righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness). His role as a charioteer, often interpreted as symbolic, reveals his practical wisdom in warfare and diplomacy, blending divine insight with pragmatic tactics.

Blurring the Lines

The convergence of Krishna’s divine nature and his strategic brilliance blurs the lines between the celestial and the earthly. Are Krishna’s actions purely manifestations of divine will, or are they carefully calculated moves aimed at achieving a higher moral order? His is a character who seamlessly integrates divine intent with worldly strategies.

Menon’s portrayal of Krishna, both as a playful deity and a master strategist, highlights this complexity. The same figure who dances with the gopis and enchants with his flute also orchestrates major events in the Mahabharata. This duality reflects a nuanced understanding of leadership—one that combines spiritual insight with strategic acumen.

Kurukshetra

In fact, in Krishna: Life and Song of the Blue God, the narrative begins on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where the great warrior Arjuna is gripped by a deep crisis of conscience. At this pivotal moment, his divine charioteer, the Blue God, unveils the profound teachings of dharma. Through a masterful blend of Krishna’s sacred wisdom and his extraordinary life, the book vividly brings to life the insights and actions of one of India’s most revered deities.

Roberto Calasso, in Ka, emphasizes this point by contrasting Krishna’s era with earlier times. He describes a world where divine and mortal realms had shifted significantly, with Krishna emerging as a crucial figure when traditional forms of power and spirituality had evolved. Krishna’s strategic brilliance and divine nature become intertwined in a new, complex framework of leadership and morality.

The Duality of Lord Krishna

As Janmashtami is celebrated with fervor and devotion, Krishna’s legacy invites us to contemplate a profound duality. He is celebrated as the divine child whose birth is worshipped with joy and reverence. Yet, he also embodies the essence of strategic brilliance, navigating the intricacies of human affairs with unparalleled insight. Perhaps, the divine and the pragmatic are not mutually exclusive but are woven together in the fabric of his being. In many ways, Krishna is not just a god but a figure of exceptional strategic prowess, who offers timeless lessons in leadership and wisdom.

Image courtesy: unknown author – https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O82745/painting-krishna-as-srinathji/ (Wikipedia)

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