If Even Krishna Faced Karma, What Hope Do We Have?
Last Updated:
Even Krishna couldn't escape karma — a divine reminder that no one is above the law of cause and effect.
In the intricate philosophy of Hinduism, karma isn't just a law — it's the law. A cosmic scale of action and consequence, karma governs the fate of all beings, mortal and divine. And yet, the paradox remains: even Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, the very teacher of dharma in the Bhagavad Gita could not escape it. If he couldn't, can anyone?
Why Krishna's Death Was Not Just a Death
Krishna's life, though divine in essence, unfolded like that of a mortal – filled with duty, compassion, war, and teachings. His death, however, is where the deeper symbolism of karma strikes hardest. Shot by a hunter named Jara, Krishna left his earthly form not in battle or grand sacrifice, but through what seems like an accident. But mythology hints at something far more complex.
This moment is often traced back to a karmic thread from the Ramayana, where Lord Rama (an earlier incarnation of Vishnu) killed Bali from behind — a controversial act, criticized even then. Bali was reborn as Jara, who unknowingly returned the debt. Thus, karma completed its cycle, revealing its impartial nature: not even divine avatars are exempt.
Another layer adds depth — the curse of Gandhari. After the Kurukshetra war claimed the lives of her sons, Gandhari, in grief and fury, cursed Krishna for allowing the destruction. Coupled with the downfall of the Yadavas due to arrogance and internal conflict, Krishna's passing becomes not just the end of a life, but the natural unfolding of karmic law.
Krishna Never Escaped Karma — He Embraced It
Krishna wasn't punished by karma. He honoured it. Throughout the Mahabharata, he operated within human limitations, choosing to be a guide rather than a controller. In the Bhagavad Gita, he teaches Arjuna the essence of karma yoga — to act without attachment, to perform one's duties without clinging to the fruits of the effort.
'You have a right to perform your duties, but not to the fruits thereof."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47
This teaching underscores a powerful truth: it's not about escaping karma, but aligning with its rhythm.
What It Means for Us
Krishna's life and death offer a humbling, yet liberating lesson: karma is neutral, exact, and universal. Whether one is a king, a commoner, or a god in human form — no one bypasses the effects of their actions.
So what does that mean for us?
Every action counts. Karma doesn't skip anyone. What we do today shapes our tomorrow — tangibly or subtly.
Intent matters, but outcome matters too. A good heart cannot always erase a harmful effect. Both action and awareness must walk hand in hand.
Spiritual detachment is key. As Krishna taught, freedom lies not in control, but in surrender — acting rightly and letting go of reward or blame.
Karma Is Not Punishment — It's Reflection
Krishna's story isn't about divine failure; it's about divine responsibility. Karma is not a weapon, but a mirror — reflecting what we choose, revealing who we are. His life invites us to see karma not as a force to fear, but a path to walk with awareness, grace, and integrity.
In the end, Krishna didn't fall to karma. He fulfilled it — with full knowledge, full acceptance, and complete mastery.
And perhaps, that is the real liberation: not escaping karma, but embracing it so fully that it no longer binds us.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
Ideal guru and sishya
Tiruvalluvar says, 'The crown of wealth is one's compassion; all other wealth is found among even the meanest of men.' One may say it is very difficult to show kindness to one's persecutor in the Kali Yuga, but when one decides to overlook faults in others who set out to injure one, then one is walking in God's way, as shown by our acharyas, said Damal S. Ramakrishnan. Saint Ramanuja had a harrowing experience when his guru himself orchestrated an attempt to cause injury to Ramanuja, while they had crossed the forests of the Vindhyas. Sensing the mood in the camp, Ramanuja slipped away and made his escape through the forests, keen on returning to Kancheepuram. However, he did not know the direction to travel and lay down exhausted under a tree. A hunter and his spouse appeared forthwith and enquired about his travails. Out of respect and regard for his guru and impelled by his inherent compassion, he refrained from naming anyone; instead, he merely says he has to reach Kanchi and whether they can guide him. The hunter couple readily offers to take him to Kanchi as they were also headed there. Ramanuja says, 'Ramaya Ramabhadraya' (You appear like Rama and Sita to me). The couple asks, in feigned innocence, 'Who is this Rama and Sita that you speak of?' Ramanuja, stunned by their 'ignorance' , immediately narrates the Ramayana in great detail, which ends as they reach Kanchi. Here, the couple disappears as soon as they enter the town and that is when Ramanuja realises that the hunter couple was none but Varadaraja Perumal and Perundevi Thayar, the deities of Kancheepuram temple. In another incident, that took place years later, when his guru Tirukoshtiyur Nambi arrives in Srirangam, Ramanuja goes forward to receive him and as is the practice, prostrates before Nambi. In sampradaya, a sishya, prostrating to the guru, will continue to do so until the guru calls a halt to the prostration. When Nambi did not give the stop signal for a long time, Kidambi Acharya, Ramnuja's sishya, took matters into his own hand and ending Ramanuja's prostration in the hot sands, lifted him up, defying Nambi. However, Nambi smiled and said, 'This was a test to identify Ramanuja's true sishya and you have done very well.' Acharyas not only possess great knowledge that they pass on, but they also identify the most sincere sishya, like Ramanuja.
News18
a day ago
- News18
If Even Krishna Faced Karma, What Hope Do We Have?
Last Updated: Even Krishna couldn't escape karma — a divine reminder that no one is above the law of cause and effect. In the intricate philosophy of Hinduism, karma isn't just a law — it's the law. A cosmic scale of action and consequence, karma governs the fate of all beings, mortal and divine. And yet, the paradox remains: even Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, the very teacher of dharma in the Bhagavad Gita could not escape it. If he couldn't, can anyone? Why Krishna's Death Was Not Just a Death Krishna's life, though divine in essence, unfolded like that of a mortal – filled with duty, compassion, war, and teachings. His death, however, is where the deeper symbolism of karma strikes hardest. Shot by a hunter named Jara, Krishna left his earthly form not in battle or grand sacrifice, but through what seems like an accident. But mythology hints at something far more complex. This moment is often traced back to a karmic thread from the Ramayana, where Lord Rama (an earlier incarnation of Vishnu) killed Bali from behind — a controversial act, criticized even then. Bali was reborn as Jara, who unknowingly returned the debt. Thus, karma completed its cycle, revealing its impartial nature: not even divine avatars are exempt. Another layer adds depth — the curse of Gandhari. After the Kurukshetra war claimed the lives of her sons, Gandhari, in grief and fury, cursed Krishna for allowing the destruction. Coupled with the downfall of the Yadavas due to arrogance and internal conflict, Krishna's passing becomes not just the end of a life, but the natural unfolding of karmic law. Krishna Never Escaped Karma — He Embraced It Krishna wasn't punished by karma. He honoured it. Throughout the Mahabharata, he operated within human limitations, choosing to be a guide rather than a controller. In the Bhagavad Gita, he teaches Arjuna the essence of karma yoga — to act without attachment, to perform one's duties without clinging to the fruits of the effort. 'You have a right to perform your duties, but not to the fruits thereof." — Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47 This teaching underscores a powerful truth: it's not about escaping karma, but aligning with its rhythm. What It Means for Us Krishna's life and death offer a humbling, yet liberating lesson: karma is neutral, exact, and universal. Whether one is a king, a commoner, or a god in human form — no one bypasses the effects of their actions. So what does that mean for us? Every action counts. Karma doesn't skip anyone. What we do today shapes our tomorrow — tangibly or subtly. Intent matters, but outcome matters too. A good heart cannot always erase a harmful effect. Both action and awareness must walk hand in hand. Spiritual detachment is key. As Krishna taught, freedom lies not in control, but in surrender — acting rightly and letting go of reward or blame. Karma Is Not Punishment — It's Reflection Krishna's story isn't about divine failure; it's about divine responsibility. Karma is not a weapon, but a mirror — reflecting what we choose, revealing who we are. His life invites us to see karma not as a force to fear, but a path to walk with awareness, grace, and integrity. In the end, Krishna didn't fall to karma. He fulfilled it — with full knowledge, full acceptance, and complete mastery. And perhaps, that is the real liberation: not escaping karma, but embracing it so fully that it no longer binds us.
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
10 countries with highest Hindu population, 5 Muslim nations on the list; this is ranked 2nd after India, name is..., Pakistan ranks....
AI-generated/Representational The global Hindu population has increased by a healthy 12 percent, from 1.1 billion to 1.2 billion (1.2 crore) in the last decade (2010-2020), and Hinduism is the fourth largest religion on the planet after Christianity, Islam, and those who identify as atheists or religiously unaffiliated, a new survey has revealed. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, the majority of Hindu population (about 99 percent), is concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region, out of which 95 percent live in India, while others reside in neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Interestingly, among the top 10 countries home to largest Hindu populations, five are Muslim majority nations, with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) being notable names. As per the survey report, India is home to 94.5 percent of the global Hindu population, with Hindus accounting for around 79 percent of the country's total population. Nepal, where 81 percent of the population follow Hinduism, forms 2 percent of Hindu population worldwide, followed by Bangladesh with a 7.9 percent Hindu population, Pakistan (2.1%), Indonesia (1.6%), Sri Lanka (14.5%), United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and UAE. according to the report. India and Nepal are the only two Hindu-majority in the world, home to nearly 97 percent Hindus globally. As per the Pew Research Survey, Hindu population has rapidly increased in Middle East-North Africa, witnessing a surge of nearly 62 percent. Similarly, the population of Hindus has increased by 55 percent in North America, which is higher than population increase witnessed by other religions. Among the top 10 countries with the largest Hindu population, Hindus are also largest religious minority in as many as eight countries, as per the report.
