Following Lord Krishna in Hinduism is a deeply spiritual practice that encompasses devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), and righteous action (karma). Krishna, as the divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is believed to be the Supreme Being who guides humanity through his teachings, stories, and through his divine presence in sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita. To follow Krishna in modern times involves understanding his divine qualities, engaging in devotional practices, and aligning one's life with the principles of love, devotion, and righteousness that Krishna represents.
1. Devotional Practices
A. Chanting and Meditation
Chanting the holy names of Krishna, especially through mantras like the Hare Krishna mantra ("Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare"), is considered one of the most powerful ways to connect with Krishna. Repetition of this mantra purifies the mind and heart and draws the devotee closer to Krishna. You can chant this mantra on a mala (prayer beads) while meditating, especially at a quiet time of day.
Other mantras include:
- Om Namah Bhagavate Vasudevaya: An invocation to Lord Krishna, meaning "I bow to the Lord Vasudeva (Krishna)."
- Radhe Krishna, Radhe Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Radhe Radhe: A mantra to invoke the energy of Radha, Krishna's consort, symbolizing love and devotion.
B. Recitation of Sacred Texts
The Bhagavad Gita is Krishna's most important dialogue with his devotee Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. In this text, Krishna explains the paths of devotion, knowledge, and righteous action. Reading and reflecting upon its verses, or listening to discourses on the Gita, is essential for those who wish to follow Krishna’s teachings.
C. Prayer and Worship
A simple prayer to Krishna might sound like this: "O Krishna, beloved of Radha, I bow down to you. Please bless me with wisdom, love, and devotion, so that I may serve you with all my heart, mind, and soul. Remove the darkness of ignorance from my heart and guide me on the path of righteousness."
You can also pray to Lord Krishna for specific desires or for the well-being of loved ones, but always with the understanding that devotion to Krishna transcends material desires.
2. Simple Steps for Worship (Puja)
Performing a simple puja (ritual worship) to Krishna at home can be a way of cultivating devotion. Here is a basic outline of a home puja:
Prepare the Space: Clean the area where you plan to perform the puja. Ideally, create a small altar with an image or idol of Lord Krishna.
Offer Flowers: Fresh flowers (such as marigolds or roses) are traditionally offered to Krishna. These represent love and purity.
Light a Lamp or Diya: Lighting a lamp symbolizes dispelling darkness and ignorance.
Offer Incense (Agarbatti): Light incense as a symbol of purifying the atmosphere and invoking divine presence.
Offer Prayers: Chant mantras or recite prayers such as the Hare Krishna mantra, or offer your heartfelt words to Krishna.
Offer Prasadam: You can offer food to Krishna (such as fruits, milk, sweets) and then distribute it as prasadam (blessed food) among family members or guests.
Aarti: Conclude the puja with the aarti (a form of worship involving the waving of a lit lamp in a circular motion). The aarti to Krishna is usually sung as part of the puja.
3. Clothes and Colors for Worship
When worshipping Krishna, it is customary to wear clean, modest, and simple clothes. Traditional attire for puja includes:
- Men: A dhoti or simple kurta.
- Women: A sari or a simple salwar-kurta.
In terms of colors, blue is considered an auspicious color for Krishna since he is often depicted wearing blue garments. Yellow is also a color associated with Lord Krishna, as he is often depicted wearing yellow garments during his time on earth.
4. Ideal Gods and Goddesses to Worship Alongside Krishna
In Hinduism, Lord Krishna is worshipped with his divine consort Radha, and both are often revered together. While Krishna is the focal point of devotion, his various incarnations and manifestations—like Lord Rama or Lord Narasimha—can also be venerated.
Additionally, worship of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity) can be aligned with Krishna’s teachings on abundance in the material world being a gift from the divine. Durga and Saraswati may also be worshipped for strength and wisdom.
5. Rare Facts About Krishna
Krishna’s Childhood (Leelas): Krishna’s childhood, particularly his miraculous feats such as lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect his devotees from Indra's fury, and his playful, loving interactions with the gopis (milkmaids), are celebrated as his divine "leelas" (pastimes). These stories emphasize Krishna's divine nature while also teaching lessons in devotion, humility, and service.
Krishna’s Role in the Mahabharata: While Krishna is known for his youthful playful nature, he was also a strategic and wise leader in the Mahabharata. As Arjuna's charioteer, Krishna imparted the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, offering profound insights into life, duty, and the nature of the soul.
The Infinite Form (Vishvarupa): In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna reveals his cosmic form (Vishvarupa) to Arjuna, showing that he is the Supreme Being who transcends all forms and is the source of the entire universe.
6. Practical Steps for Following Krishna in Modern Times
In today’s world, following Krishna can be integrated into daily life in practical ways:
Practice Selfless Action: Krishna advocates the path of karma yoga, where you perform your duties without attachment to the results. In modern terms, this means working diligently and ethically in your profession or personal life while maintaining detachment from success or failure.
Cultivate Bhakti (Devotion): Bhakti is the heart of Krishna's teachings. Devote yourself to a life of kindness, love, and service. Acts of charity, care for the environment, and selfless service are modern expressions of devotion.
Balance Material and Spiritual Life: Krishna teaches the importance of balancing the material and spiritual worlds. In a modern context, this means pursuing material goals (career, family, etc.) while maintaining spiritual practices like meditation, prayer, and self-reflection.
Connect with Like-minded Devotees: Join a community (satsang) of people who share a love for Krishna and engage in group chanting, learning, and discussion of spiritual texts. This collective energy can help maintain your devotion.
Celebrate Festivals: Participate in major festivals like Janmashtami (Krishna’s birthday), Holi (celebrating Krishna’s playful nature), and Govardhan Puja (commemorating Krishna’s protection of the villagers). These festivals provide a wonderful opportunity for community worship and celebration of Krishna's divine acts.
To follow Krishna in Hinduism is to embrace the teachings of love, devotion, and wisdom that Krishna imparts. Whether through chanting, prayer, reading sacred texts, or leading a life of ethical conduct, every action that aligns with Krishna's teachings draws one closer to the divine. Krishna's message is timeless: the path of devotion, coupled with knowledge and righteous action, leads to eternal peace and liberation (moksha). By practicing these principles in daily life, one can experience the grace of Krishna in both the material and spiritual realms.