The Biological Father of Lord Krishna Was Vasudeva, But Some Scriptures Say - No One Was the Biological Father of Lord Krishna. He Has No Father, So Who Was the Dad?

The story of Lord Krishna, one of the most celebrated deities in Hinduism, throws a paradox at us when it comes to his origins. In Hindu scriptures, two contradictory scools of thought emerge about his birth. On one hand, the Puranas and epic texts like the Mahabharata clearly state that Krishna's biological father was Vasudeva. On the other hand, the Bhagavad Gita and Vedantic philosophy insist that Krishna is birthless, eternal, and without a father. 

How do we reconcile these two seemingly opposing claims? 

Maybe appreciating and understanding the different sides to Krishna's identity and the reason behind these opposing depictions.

Vasudeva: The Biological Father in the Scriptural Narrative

In the traditional story found in the Bhagavata Purana and the Mahabharata, Krishna's birth is described in pristine/ clear detail. According to these scriptures, Vasudeva, a prince of the Yadava dynasty, and his wife, Devaki, were the biological parents of Krishna. Devaki's brother, Kamsa, a tyrant king, learned through a prophecy that Devaki's eighth son would be the cause of his death. Fearing for his life, Kamsa imprisoned both Vasudeva and Devaki and vowed to kill every child born to them.

On the night of Krishna's birth, the story goes that Vasudeva saw a series of miraculous events. Shackles holding Vasudeva locked down fell away, the prison doors became open, and the guards slept like newly born babieszzzZZZ.

 In this moment, Vasudeva carried the newborn Krishna across the Yamuna River to the village of Gokul, where he, Lord Krishna was exchanged with the daughter of Nanda and Yashoda. So Krishna was raised by Nanda and Yashoda, but his biological father was, without question, Vasudeva.

This story presents Krishna in a very human form, born to earthly parents and facing the trials and tribulations of life. It allows devotees to relate to him as a child, a young boy, and later as a wise and divine hero. From this perspective, Vasudeva is unquestionably Krishna's biological father.

The Theological Perspective: Krishna as the Birthless and Eternal Being

In opposition, the Bhagavad Gita, considered a philosophical and spiritual text, offers a different understanding of Krishna's identity. In several verses, Krishna himself emphasizes that he is "unborn (ajah)", "changeless (avyaya)", and "without beginning (anadi)". These descriptions imply that Krishna is not restricted by the laws of nature or the cycle of birth and death, unlike ordinary living beings.

Key Verses from the Bhagavad Gita:

Chapter 4, Verse 6: “Although I am unborn and my transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all living entities, I still appear in every millennium in my original transcendental form.”

Chapter 7, Verse 24-25: "The less intelligent think that I, the Supreme Lord, was formless earlier and have now assumed this personality. They do not understand the imperishable exalted nature of My personal form. I am not manifest to everyone, being veiled by My divine Yogmaya energy."

Chapter 10, Verse 3: “Those who know Me as unborn and beginningless, and as the Supreme Lord of the universe, they among mortals are free from illusion and released from all evils.”

These verses indicate that Krishna's appearance in the world is not an ordinary birth but rather a beyond our current ability to fathom manifestation through his Yogmaya (divine energy). It suggests that Krishna is beyond human limitations and that his "birth" was simply a way of manifesting in the material world to fulfill his divine purpose.

Reconciling the Two Perspectives:

These two perspectives are not necessarily contradictory but rather represent different aspects of Krishna's identity. To understand this, it is essential to recognize that Hindu philosophy often embraces the concept of paradox and duality. Krishna, as a divine figure, embodies multiple truths simultaneously:

As the Supreme Divine (theological perspective): Krishna is eternal, without beginning or end, and beyond the laws of nature. He doesn't take birth in the way ordinary humans do. Therefore, he has no biological father in the absolute sense.

As an Incarnated Being (scriptural narrative): Krishna took on a human form, lived an earthly life, and participated in human relationships. In this context, Vasudeva was his biological father, and Nanda acted as his foster father.

Hinduism is unique in that it allows for multiple layers of truth. The Bhagavad Gita reveals Krishna's spiritual, eternal nature, while the Puranas and Mahabharata depict his human-like journey through life. Both aspects are essential to understanding the full nature of Krishna's identity.

The Role of Vasudeva and Nanda: Fathers with Different Roles

While Vasudeva was Krishna's biological father, Nanda played an important role as his foster father, raising him in the village of Gokul. Nanda provided Krishna with love, care, and guidance, shaping his early life. So, in a broader sense, both Vasudeva and Nanda are recognized as fathers to Krishna, each fulfilling different aspects of fatherhood.

Vasudeva's role symbolizes the biological connection, while Nanda represents the emotional and nurturing role of a father. This duality enhances the rich storytelling tradition around Krishna, allowing devotees to see him as both divine and deeply relatable.

Who Was the Father of Krishna, Then?

The answer to this question depends on the lens through which you view Krishna's life:

From a scriptural narrative perspective (Puranas & Mahabharata): Vasudeva was undoubtedly Krishna's biological father.

From a theological and philosophical perspective (Bhagavad Gita & Vedanta): Krishna is the eternal, birthless Supreme Being who has no father.

Embracing the Paradox The question of Krishna’s fatherhood is a perfect example of the profound nature of Hindu philosophy, which accommodates multiple layers of meaning and truth. 

By embracing both perspectives, we can appreciate the wealth/ depth of Krishna's story (lila). This duality allows Krishna to be both an accessible, relatable figure and the infinite, eternal Supreme Being, embodying the ultimate truth that divinity can manifest in countless ways while remaining beyond all limitations.

In this way, the story of Krishna goes beyond the ordinary, reminding us that divinity can coexist in the mundane and the miraculous, the human and the divine something suggested in Plato's cave a completely different tale from another culture.  Krishna's father is both Vasudeva and no one at all—a reflection of the profound mystery of the labelled divine.

Olofin