Who is Krishna?

More Than a Charioteer

When Arjuna collapses on the battlefield, it's his charioteer who responds. But this is no ordinary charioteer. Krishna is Arjuna's cousin, best friend, advisor, and, as the Gita will reveal, the Supreme Being incarnate.

Understanding who Krishna is transforms the Gita from good advice into divine revelation.

The Historical Krishna

Within the Mahabharata's story, Krishna is:

• Prince of the Yadava clan, born in Mathura, raised in Vrindavan
• Arjuna's cousin, through family connections on both sides
• A king and diplomat, ruler of Dwaraka, political strategist
• Friend and advisor, especially close to Arjuna

Before the war, both sides sought Krishna's alliance. He offered a choice: one side could have his army, the other could have him personally, but he would not fight. Arjuna chose Krishna himself. Duryodhana took the army.

This is why Krishna serves as Arjuna's charioteer, a position of service, yet also of intimate access and guidance.

The Eighth Avatar

But Krishna is much more than a human prince. Hindu tradition recognizes him as the eighth avatar of Vishnu, a direct incarnation of the Divine.

As Krishna himself explains in the Gita:

"Whenever dharma declines and adharma rises, I manifest myself. For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of dharma, I am born age after age."
Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8

This means the charioteer giving advice is actually the creator and sustainer of the universe in human form. The Gita isn't just philosophical wisdom, it's direct teaching from the Divine.

The Multiple Faces of Krishna

One of the remarkable things about Krishna is his many aspects:

The Playful Child

Stories of Krishna's childhood in Vrindavan, stealing butter, playing pranks, enchanting everyone with his charm, reveal the Divine as joyful, accessible, and intimately present in daily life.

The Divine Lover

His relationships with the gopis (cowherd women), especially Radha, symbolize the soul's longing for union with the Divine. This aspect makes Krishna the focus of intense devotional practice.

The Wise Teacher

In the Gita, Krishna is the perfect guru, patient, clear, meeting Arjuna exactly where he is. He doesn't lecture; he responds to genuine questions with tailored wisdom.

The Cosmic Lord

In Chapter 11 of the Gita, Krishna reveals his Vishvarupa, his universal form. Arjuna sees the entire universe, all beings, past and future, contained within Krishna. It's terrifying and overwhelming.

The Friend

Despite being the Supreme Being, Krishna relates to Arjuna as sakha, a dear friend. This is crucial: the Gita shows that the Divine is not only transcendent but intimately available.

Why Krishna Teaches

Krishna could have simply told Arjuna to fight. Instead, he teaches for 18 chapters. Why?

• Action must be understood, not just commanded. Blind obedience isn't dharma. Arjuna needs to understand why he should act.
• The teaching benefits all. The Gita isn't just for Arjuna, it's for anyone who faces moral confusion.
• Transformation requires depth. Surface answers don't resolve deep crises. Krishna addresses the root of Arjuna's confusion.

Krishna's Teaching Style

Notice how Krishna teaches in the Gita:

• He starts with the eternal, the nature of the soul, before addressing the immediate situation
• He offers multiple paths, knowledge, action, devotion, suited to different temperaments
• He combines firmness with compassion, he gently rebukes Arjuna's confusion while honoring his genuine concern
• He reveals himself gradually, only showing his cosmic form when Arjuna is ready to receive it

The Relationship That Makes the Teaching Possible

The Gita works because of the relationship between Krishna and Arjuna. Arjuna isn't asking a stranger for advice, he's surrendering to his most trusted friend who also happens to be the Divine.

This models how spiritual teaching works: it requires trust, openness, and genuine seeking. Arjuna asks not from idle curiosity but from desperate need. Krishna responds not with abstract philosophy but with practical wisdom born of love.

For Modern Readers

You don't have to accept Krishna's divinity to benefit from the Gita. The teachings stand on their own merit. But understanding that Krishna is considered divine helps explain:

• Why the Gita is so revered (not just wisdom, but revelation)
• Why devotion (bhakti) is offered as a path (surrendering to Krishna)
• Why the cosmic vision of Chapter 11 is so significant

Whether you see Krishna as God incarnate, a wise teacher, or a literary device, the question remains: What do you do when facing impossible choices?

Krishna's answer begins in Chapter 2.