Characters from Kishna's Life
Explore the lives, roles, and archetypes of the key figures in the Krishnaverse.
tyrant
Aghasura
Aghasura is the serpent-form asura sent to destroy Krishna and the cowherd boys. He swallowed them in his cavernous mouth, but Krishna entered him and by his divine play delivered the boys and granted Aghasura liberation.
seeker
Arjuna
The third Pandava brother and Krishna’s dear friend: a peerless archer, devoted disciple, and the central listener of the Bhagavad Gita whose struggle on the battlefield became a timeless teaching on duty and devotion.
protector
Balarama
Krishna’s elder brother and the first expansion of the Lord. He embodies spiritual strength, agricultural fertility, and protective duty, often shown carrying the plough (hala).
mentor
Bhishma Pitama
Born Devavrata, son of Ganga and King Shantanu, Bhishma is the iconic elder of the Kuru dynasty. He took a solemn vow of lifelong celibacy to secure his father's marriage and remained the steadfast protector and commander of Hastinapur, choosing duty above personal desire and acc
protector
Devaki
Devaki, wife of Vasudeva and sister of Kamsa, is the biological mother of Krishna. She endured long imprisonment, the loss of six children, and deep sorrow, yet remained steadfast in devotion until she witnessed the advent and divine play of her seventh son, the Supreme Lord.
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Draupadi
Draupadi, born of King Drupada's yajna and known as Panchali and Yajnaseni, is the courageous, outspoken queen shared by the five Pandava brothers. Her unwavering devotion to Krishna and her demand for dharma in the face of humiliation make her a central moral force in the Mahabh
lover
Gopis
The gopis are the cowherd maidens of Vraja celebrated in the Bhagavata Purana and bhakti literature for their single‑minded, selfless devotion to Krishna. They model an intimate, personal path of love that sets aside social convention for the joy of divine communion.
protector
Indra
Indra is the Vedic sovereign of the gods, wielder of the vajra (thunderbolt) and lord of rain and storms. In the Krishna-lore he appears both as protector and as a humbled king who recognizes Krishna's supreme position. His stories teach duty, courage, and the need for humility b
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Kaliya
Kaliya is the multi‑hooded nāga who poisoned the waters of the Yamuna and terrorized Vrindavan until young Krishna danced upon his hoods, disarmed his pride, and secured his repentance and exile. He is both antagonist and redeemed one, a symbol of ego purified by divine grace.
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Kamsa
Kamsa is the powerful but fear-driven ruler of Mathura who, fearing a prophecy, rose to cruelty in an attempt to hold onto his throne. He is known for imprisoning Devaki and Vasudeva, sending assassins against the divine child, and ultimately meeting his end at Krishna's hands, w
protector
Kunti
Kunti (Pritha) — sister of Vasudeva, wife of Pandu, and the devoted mother of the Pandavas. Her life is marked by sacred boons, painful secrets, steadfast duty, and deep devotion to Krishna. She protected and guided her sons through exile, war, and the moral crises of their age.
protector
Nanda Baba
The chieftain of the cowherd community in Gokul and Krishna’s foster father. Nanda embodies Vatsalya—fatherly devotion—leading and protecting Vraja while raising Krishna with love and simple, steadfast faith.