Krishna Bhakti:

Stotras of Sri Krishna: (Stotras)

• Slokas:

• Kasturi Tilakam Lalata Patale
- कस्तूरीतिलकं ललाटपटले वक्षःस्थले कौस्तुभं
• Krishna Avatara (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
- कृष्ण अवतार
• Krishnaya Vasudevaya (Srimad Bhagavatam)
- कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकी नन्दनाय च
• Mukam Karoti Vachalam
- मूकं करोति वाचालं पङ्गुं लङ्घयते गिरिं
• Namo Brahmanya Devaya (Vishnu Purana)
- नमो ब्रह्मण्य देवाय गोब्राह्मण हिताय च

• Stotras:

• Achyutashtakam (Adi Shankara)
- अच्युतस्याष्टकम् - अच्युतं केशवं रामनारायणम्
• Bala Mukundashtakam
- श्रीबालमुकुन्दाष्टकम् - करारविन्देन पदारविन्दं मुखारविन्दे विनिवेशयन्तम्
• Jagannathashtakam (Adi Shankara)
- श्रीजगन्नाथाष्टकम् - जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन_पथ_गामी भवतु मे
• Madhurashtakam (Vallabhacharya)
- मधुराष्टकम् - अधरं मधुरं वदनं मधुरं - मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्
• Nandakumar Ashtakam (Vallabhacharya)
- नन्दकुमाराष्टकम् - सुन्दरगोपालम् उरवनमालं नयनविशालं दुःखहरम्
• Pandurangashtakam (Adi Shankara)
- पाण्डुरङ्गाष्टकम् - महायोगपीठे तटे भीमरथ्या - परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्

• Pilgrimage Slokas:

• Krishna & Vrindavana Forest (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.15)
- कृष्ण वृन्दावनम्
• Twelve Forests of Mathura Mandala (Padma Purana - Patala Khanda - 69)
- द्वादशारण्यम्

• Nama Japa & Others:

• Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Japa
- हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण - कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
- हरे राम हरे राम - राम राम हरे हरे


Stotras of Devi Radha:

• Stotras:

• Radha Shoddasha Nama Stotram (Brahma Vaivarta Purana)
- राधाषोडशनामस्तोत्रम् - राधा रासेश्वरी रासवासिनी रसिकेश्वरी
कृष्णाप्राणाधिका कृष्णप्रिया कृष्णस्वरूपिणी



Incarnation of Sri Krishna: (Incarnation) (Lineage) (Deeds)

1. Purpose of Incarnation: (Incarnation)

• Burden of Bhoomi Devi: When Bhoomi Devi (Mother Earth) was overburdened by the battles of arrogant demons who assumed the role of kings, she took refuge of Lord Brahma. Bhoomi Devi (Mother Earth) assumed the form of a cow who had tears in her eyes and was weeping piteously. She came to Lord Brahma and told about her distress to him. Lord Brahma, understanding the situation, went to the Milky Ocean (Kshira-Payo-Nidhi) with the devas and Tri-Nayana (Lord Shiva). After going there, the gods worshipped the Lord who was Jagannatha (Lord of the Universe), Deva-deva (God of gods) and Vrisha-Kapi (God of beings), with collected mind by reciting the Purusha Sukta.

• Lord decides to incarnate and gives instructions: When the Purusha Sukta was being recited, Lord Brahma went into samadhi and heard a divine voice in the sky (which contained the message of the Lord). Lord Brahma then told the devas to execute the words of the Lord. He told the devas that the Lord already knew about the distress (fever) of the Earth (Dhara-Jvara). The devas should, through their amshas (part-manifestations), take birth in the family of the Yadus. As long as the Lord, through his own Kala-Shakti (Divine Power in the form of Time), reduces the burden of the Earth, the devas should remain there. When the Lord who is Bhagavan and the Supreme Purusha incarnates in the house of Vasudeva, the celestial women (Sura-Stri) should also take birth for his pleasure. The Kala of Vasudeva known as Ananta, who has thousand faces and is self-resplendent (Svaraat) will incarnate before and act for the pleasure of the Lord. Bhagavati Vishnu Maya, by whom the worlds are bewitched, will also appear on the command of the Lord, to serve his purpose.

(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - Adhyaya 1)


2. Lineage of Sri Krishna: (Lineage)

• Lineage of Sri Krishna (Chandra Vamsha - Yadu branch)
• Lineage of Pandavas (Chandra Vamsha - Puru branch)

(Mahabharata - Adi Parva) and other sources

3. Deeds of Sri Krishna: (Deeds)

• Deeds of Sri Krishna

(Srimad Bhagavatam)



Scriptures of Sri Krishna: (Scriptures)

• Srimad Bhagavatam
• Mahabharata
• Bhagavad Gita
• Harivamsa Purana
• Brahmavaivarta Purana
• Skanda Purana - Purushottama Kshetra Mahatmya
• Padma Purana



Devotees of Sri Krishna: (Devotees)



1. Devotees from Puranas:

• Gopis
• Sudama
• Pandavas


2. Saint Devotees:

• Madhvacharya (1199 - 1278 CE)
• Namdev (1270 - 1350 CE)
• Surdas (1478 - 1573 CE)
• Vallabhacharya (1479 - 1531 CE)
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 - 1534 CE)
• Meerabai (1497 - 1557 CE)
• Eknath (1533 - 1599 CE)



Pilgrimages of Sri Krishna: (Pilgrimages)

1. From life of Sri Krishna - Vraja Bhoomi, Dwarka, Kurukshetra, Prabhasa Kshetra:

1. मथुरा (Mathura): Sri Krishna incarnated in Mathura in the prison of Kamsha. Vasudeva exchanged him with Yogamaya at Gokula. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 3)
→ Mathura (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

2. गोकुल (Gokula): Sri Krishna grew up in Gokula in the house of Nanda Maharaj. He displayed his charming Bala Leelas of stealing curd and performed other pranks with the Gopis during this period. Sri Krishna slayed demons Putana, Shakatasura and Trinavarta who were sent by Kamsha. He also liberated Nalakuvara and Manigriva from their curse. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 5 to 11)
→ Gokul (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

3. वृन्दावन (Vrindavana): Sri Krishna performed the divine Raasa Leela with the Gopis in the Vrindavana forest on the bank of river Yamuna. He slayed many demons here like Bakasura, Aghasura, Dhenukasura, Pralamba, Sankhachuda, Arishta, Keshi and Vyoma who were sent by Kamsha. Sri Krishna humbled Lord Brahma at Vrindavana and freed river Yamuna from the poisonous serpent Kaliya, dancing on his hood after subduing him. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 11 to 37)
→ Vrindavan (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

4. गोवर्धन (Govardhana): Sri Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill and sheltered the people of Vraja when Indra unleashed heavy rains (when people of Vraja stopped worshipping him). Govardhana Hill is part of Vrindavana. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 24)
→ Govardhan (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

5. मथुरा (Mathura): Sri Krishna came to Mathura from Vrindavana to slay Kamsha. He showed the vision of Lord Vishnu to Akrura, captivated the residents of Mathura, broke the sacrificial bow of Kamsha, killed elephant Kuvalayapida, killed the wrestlers of Kamsha like Canura and finally killed Kamsha and set free Devaki, Vasudeva and Ugrasena from the prison of Kamsha. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 38 to 45)
→ Mathura (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

6. अवन्ति (Avanti): Sri Krishna stayed in the gurukula of Sandipani Muni and learned the 64 arts in 64 days. As a gurudkashina, Sri Krishna restored the dead son of Sandipani Muni. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 45)
→ Ujjain (Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh)

7. मथुरा (Mathura): Sri Krishna returned to Mathura after his studies in the gurukula. He sent Uddhava to Vraja. He visited the houses of Trivakra and Akrura. He sent Akrura to the Pandavas at Hastinapura. Sri Krishna defeated Jarasandha seventeen times at Mathura during this time. Finally Sri Krishna established Dwaraka and transported the Yadavas there. He killed Kalayavana through Mucukunda. and pretended to flee from Mathura before Jarasandha. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 47 to 52)
→ Mathura (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

8. द्वारका (Dwaraka): Sri Krishna ruled his kingdom from Dwaraka. During this time he married Devi Rukmini, Satyabhama, Kalindi and others, and performed many Leelas of married life. Sri Krishna showed Narada his many forms doing simultaneous activities in different palaces of Dwaraka. Sri Krishna also slayed demons Mura, Narakasura and Paundraka (the false Vasudeva). He destroyed the pride of Banasura. Towards the end Sri Krishna became more and more engaged with the Pandavas and visited them several times. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 53 to 89)
→ Dwarka (Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat)

9. इन्द्रप्रस्थ (Indraprastha): While Sri Krishna was staying in Dwaraka he went to Indraprastha to attend the Rajasuya Yagna of king Yudhishthira. He slayed Jarasandha through Bhima. He slayed Sishupala during the Rajasuya yagna and liberated him. After returning from the Rajasuya Yagna, Sri Krishna slayed Salva who laid seige in Dwaraka while he was away. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 71 to 74)
→ New Delhi (New Delhi)

10. काम्यक वन (Kamyaka Vana): While Sri Krishna was fighting with Salva in a long drawn battle, the Pandavas lost the game of dice and went for the forest exile. After slaying Salva, Sri Krishna went to the Kamyaka Vana and met the Pandavas. There, he assured the Pandavas and narrated the battle with Salva to the Pandavas. (Mahabharata - Vana Parva)
→ Near Kurukshetra (Kurukshetra district, Haryana)

11. वृन्दावन (Vrindavana): While Sri Krishna was staying in Dwaraka he visited Vrindavana for two months. After returning from Vrindavana the meeting of Sri Krishna with friend Sudama takes place in Dwaraka. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 78 to 81)
→ Vrindavan (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

12. कुरुक्षेत्र (Kurukshetra): While Sri Krishna was staying in Dwaraka he visited Kurukshetra during solar eclipse and met the inhabitants of Vrindavana. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 82). Long after, during the great battle of Mahabharata, Sri Krishna delivered the sermon of the Bhagavad Gita at Kurukshetra.
→ Kurukshetra (Kurukshetra district, Haryana)

13. प्रभास क्षेत्र (Prabhasa Kshetra): Sri Krishna gave up his mortal body at Prabhasa Kshetra.
→ Prabhasa Kshetra (Gir Somnath district, Gujarat)



2. Divya Desams of Sri Krishna:

• DD-27. Thirukavalampadi - Gopalakrishna Perumal (Thirunangur) (Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu): A Divya Desam [Thirukavalampadi Divya Desam].
• DD-39. Thiruparthanpalli - Parthasarathy Perumal (Thirunangur) (Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu): A Divya Desam [Thiruparthanpalli Divya Desam].
• DD-48. Thirupadagam - Pandavadoota Perumal (Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu): A Divya Desam [Thirupadagam Divya Desam].
- Sri Krishna gave darshan of his Pandavadoota form to sage Hareeta and king Janamejaya.
• DD-60. Thiruvallikkeni - Parthasarathy Perumal (Chennai district, Tamil Nadu): A Divya Desam [Thiruvallikkeni Divya Desam].
- Sri Krishna gave darshan of his Parthasarathy form to king Sumathi.
• DD-71. Mathura - Vrindavan - Govardhan (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh): A Divya Desam [Thiruvadamathurai Divya Desam]
- Where Sri Krishna performed his Leelas.
• DD-72. Gokul (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh): A Divya Desam [Thiruvaipadi Divya Desam]
- Where Sri Krishna grew up.
• DD-73. Dwarka (Devbhoomi Dwarka district, Gujarat): A Divya Desam [Thiru Dwarakai Divya Desam]
- Capital of the kingdom of Sri Krishna.
• DD-84. Aranmula - Parthasarathy Perumal (Pathanamthitta district, Kerala): A Divya Desam [Thiruvaranvilai Divya Desam].



3. Other Pilgrimages of Sri Krishna:

• Nathdwara - Shrinathji (Rajsamand district, Rajasthan): A famous temple Sri Krishna in infant form. Associated with Vallabha tradition.
• Kankroli Dwarka - Dwarkadheesh (Rajsamand district, Rajasthan): A famous temple of Sri Krishna.
• Pandharpur - Panduranga (Solapur district, Maharashtra): A famous pilgrimage of Sri Krishna as Panduranga or Vitthal.
• Puri - Jagannath (Puri district, Odisha): An ancient pilgrimage of Sri Jagannath known as [Purushottama Kshetra]. An All India Char Dham and a Shakti Peetha [Viraja Kshetra (Utkala) Shakti Peetha].
• Udupi - Krishna (Udupi district, Karnataka): A famous pilgrimage of Sri Krishna and a Mukti Sthala of Karnataka.
• Guruvayur - Guruvayurappan (Thrissur district, Kerala): A famous pilgrimage of Sri Krishna.
• Ambalapuzha - Krishna (Alappuzha district, Kerala): A famous temple of Sri Krishna.




Sacred Geography associated with Sri Krishna: (Mountains) (Forests) (Rivers) (Trees)

1. Mountains: (Mountains)

• गोवर्धन (Govardhana): Sri Krishna told the inhabitants of Vraja to worship the Govardhana Hill since it provides sustenance to them. Sri Krishna lifted the Govardhana Hill to shelter the people of Vraja when Indradeva unleashed heavy rain on them.


2. Forests: (Forests)

The 12 principal forests of Mathura Mandala: (Refer to Sloka)
(Padma Purana - Patala Khanda - 69)

1. भद्रवन (Bhadravana)
2. श्रीवन (Shrivana)
3. लोहवन (Lohavana)
4. भाण्डीरवन (Bhandiravana)
5. महावन (Mahavana): Nanda Maharaj saw Sri Krishna killing demon Trinavarta at Brihadvana. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 7)
6. तालवन (Talavana): Sri Krishna and Balarama killed Dhenukasura and other ass-demons at Talavana. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 15)
7. खदीरवन (Khadiravana)
8. बकुलवन (Bakulavana)
9. कुमुदवन (Kumudavana)
10. काम्यवन (Kamyavana)
11. मधुवन (Madhuvana): Child Dhruva performed penance in Madhuvana. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 4 - 8)
12. वृन्दावन (Vrindavana): Sri Krishna performed his Rasa Leelas in the Vrindavana Forest. The location of Vrindavana forest is mentioned as between Nandeshwara and Mahavana. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 11)


3. Rivers: (Rivers)

• यमुना (Yamuna): River Yamuna flows through Vraja Mandala


4. Trees: (Trees)

• Sri Krishna Trees: Trees and flowers associated with Sri Krishna





Festivals of Sri Krishna: (Festivals)

1. Shishira Ritu: Pausha Masa (Dec - Jan)
2. Shishira Ritu: Magha Masa (Jan - Feb)
3. Vasanta Ritu: Phalguna Masa (Feb - Mar) → Poornima: Holi
4. Vasanta Ritu: Chaitra Masa (Mar - Apr)
5. Grishma Ritu: Vaishakha Masa (Apr - May)
6. Grishma Ritu: Jyaishtha Masa (May - Jun)
7. Varsha Ritu: Aashadha Masa (Jun - Jul) → Shukla Paksha Dwitiya: Jagannath Ratha Yatra
8. Varsha Ritu: Shravana Masa (Jul - Aug)
9. Sharad Ritu: Bhadrapada Masa (Aug-Sep) → Krishna Paksha Ashtami: Krishna Janmashtami - Shukla Paksha Ashtami: Radha Ashtami
10. Sharad Ritu: Aashwina Masa (Sep - Oct)
11. Hemanta Ritu: Kartika Masa (Oct - Nov) → Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi: Naraka Chaturdashi
12. Hemanta Ritu: Agrahayana Masa (Nov - Dec)