At what age did Krishna perform His lilas? Acharya Shri Kumudesh Bhatt answers

• By Acharya Kumudesh Bhatt

The lilas are enlisted on the basis of Krishna’s age, and the location where they were enacted.

Vrindavan, 2022-05-02 (Acharya Shri Kumudesh Bhat): The vivid descriptions of Shri Krishna’s superhuman, yet playfully accomplished feats makes everyone wonder about the age at which they were performed. The center stage for Krishna lilas kept shifting from Gokul and Vrindavan where he played as a divine child and then a young cowherd, to Mathura and Dwarka where he was in the role of a diplomatic, and detached king.

Performed until the age of three years and two months, the lilas in Gokul include Putana Vadh (six days), Shakat Bhanjan (three months), Naamkaran Sanskaar (hundredth day), Trinavarta Vadh (one year), and Yamala-Arjun Uddhar and Damodar lila at three years and two months old.

Krishna’s lilas in Vrindavan begin at the age of three years and three months with His arrival in the enchanting forest. Proceeding from there, Vatsasur Vadh was performed at three years and four months, Aghasura Vadh and Brahmamohana lila at four years and four months, Gocharan lila at five years and two months, Kaliya Daman and first meeting with Gopis at six years and nine months, Govardhan lila at seven years and two months, Raaslila at eight years and one month, Ambika Van Gaman (rescuing Nand Baba), Shankchuda Vadh and Holi lilas at nine years, Keshi Vadh, Akrura’s coming to Vrindavan and Daan and other raag-anuraag lilas between ten and eleven years.

Krishna’s arrival in Mathura and the killing of Kansa was carried out at eleven years and one month. Other pastimes in Mathura include Yagyopaveet (eleven years and five months), Gurukul Gaman for 64 days (eleven years and seven months), and Kubja Uddhar (fourteen years and two months). Between His 15^th and 32^nd years Krishna had to face Jarasandha’s attacks, 18 of them every year.

The lilas in Dwarka commence at the age of 32 years with Krishna marrying Rukmini. Pradyumna was born at 33. Krishna married several other princesses between the ages of 34 and 40. During this time He also killed Bhaumasura. Kurukshetra Milan was staged at 45 years-old. When Krishna was 51, Pradyumna returned to Dwarka after 18 years. Baldau was sent to Braj a year later. Krishna’s grandson Aniruddh was born at 53. Rajasuya sacrifice and Shishupal Vadh happened at 72 years. It was followed by Draupadi Cheer Haran at 73, also the year when Krishna’s Braj lilas came to an end. The Pandavas returned from exile when He was 86. The war of Mahabharata took shape in His 87^th year, eventually happening for 18 days when He was 89. Shri Krishna returned to his heavenly abode at the age of 125.

(Reference taken from Vaishnavatoshini Tika of 10th Canto of Shrimad Bhagvatam, by Shri Jiva Goswami, Shri Krishna Charitra (in Marathi) by Shri Chintamani Vaidya, Subodhini Grantha of Shri Vallabhacharya, and from the works of Shri Vishwanath Chakravarti Pada.)

About the author

Acharya Kumudesh Bhatt ji is a Sanskrit scholar and principal of a Shri Dharma Sangha Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya in Vrindavan. He is the son of Great Scholar and Acharya of Goudiya Samradaya Shri Achyut Lal Bhatt ji, who is from the lineage of Shri Gadadhar Bhatt Goswami.