Lord Krishnas Departure and the Eternal Wheel of Karma

Title: Lord Krishna's Departure and the Eternal Wheel of Karma

Lord Krishna's departure from this Earth is a subject of deep spiritual contemplation and scholarly study. Several scriptures, including the Bhagavatha Purana, describe the circumstances and the significance of His departure. This departure marked the end of Dwapara Yuga and the transition to Kali Yuga.

The Incidental Arrow

According to the Bhagavatha Purana, Rimead Bhagavatha 11:30:33, a hunter named Jarā mistook Lord Krishna's foot for a deer's face. Believing he had found his prey, Jarā shot an arrow towards the foot of Lord Krishna. This incident led to Krishna's departure from this Earth, marking its completion and the transition to a new era.

The Mahabharata also confirms this account, stating that after the Kurukshetra War, Yadavas perished due to infighting in Dwaraka. Krishna was lying in a yogic trance in a forest of Prabhas when Jarā, in his reincarnation as Vali, mistook Krishna's foot for a deer and shot an arrow.

A Deeper Look into the Narrative

The narrative of Krishna's departure is often intertwined with concepts of karma and the inevitability of human actions. One version suggests that Lord Krishna's cousin, Neminatha, the 22nd Jain Tirthankar, predicted this incident. Neminatha, after Balabhadra's approach, revealed that Krishna would be killed by his own cousin, Jaratkumar. This revelation prompted Krishna to leave Dwaraka and settled far away to avoid the impending fate.

Another version, however, points towards the fulfillment of Krishna's righteous deeds. After the completion of His duties, Krishna's merits were believed to have ceased, leading to the destruction of Dwaraka due to a curse by Gandhari, who had lost all her 100 children during the Kurukshetra War. The curse led to the Yadavas engaging in infighting, ultimately resulting in their demise.

The Deity of Krishna's Departure

Following the great war and the execution of His duties, Krishna allowed the natural progression of events to occur. He preferred not to intervene and allowed the Yadavas to fight among themselves. Krishna then retired to Prabhas, lying under a tree, where He was mistakenly shot by Jarā. This event marked the end of an era and the transition to Kali Yuga.

Lord Krishna's departure is viewed as a symbol of the eternal wheel of karma, emphasizing the importance of human actions and their consequences. It also highlights the significance of accepting one's fate and the inevitable cycles of life and death.

Conclusion

The tale of Lord Krishna’s departure and the cosmic significance of the arrow shot by Jarā holds profound spiritual and philosophical lessons. It underscores the importance of understanding the eternal cycle of karma and the necessity of accepting the natural progression of events. Krisha's departure is a reminder of the importance of living in harmony with the natural order and the inevitability of the human experience.