THE AGE OF LORD KRISHNA- & THE AGE OF A HUMAN BEING
Lord
Krishna forms the nucleus of many scriptures like the Mahabharata, Bhagavata,
Harivamsa and Vishnu Purana. Many a number of incidents took place in his life
some involving, the Pandavas, the heroes of Mahabharata, some the residents of
Brindavan etc., some the Yadavas, some the friends and enemies of Krishna. The
age of Krishna at the time of the various incidents is an interesting question.
But we have no direct hints in any of the scriptures in respect of many life
incidents. Numbers 18,8, 7 played major role in the life
of Lord. He was born as 8th child after
death of 7 children, after performing seven days and seven years rituals by the
parents of Lord Krishna rituals, as the eight principle in the eighth month, eighth
lunar phase. 18 in Sanskrit means Jaya Mahabharata
is called by another name by Jaya where 18 Askwhohinis fought for 18 days. So life of the Lord is also divided by numerological manner into seven sections, with
a span of 18 years scale, carrying the significance of spiritually scales of evolution,
which effects human life in Astro- biological, Astro- psychological scales of
life.
1. 1.Divine Birth.
Krishna
was born on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the Lunar month Sravana,
when the Moon was in the constellation of Rohini. Bhagavata, Vishnu Purana and
Harivamsa say the same thing. He was born at midnight, just before the rise of
moon, i.e., with his Ascendent in Taurus. (Harivamsa Poorva-52, Vishnu Purana
V-1-26). But we do not know in which year he was born. The Puranas say that the
Kali age entered, on the day on which Krishna left his body. (Bhagavata -
IX-7-2; Mastya Purana 271-51). It was also said Krishna was born in the Dwapara
Yuga, which just preceded the present Kali Yuga, i.e., the Dwapara of the 28th
Maha Yuga. (Vishnu. IV-4 & 20) Bhagavata and Vishnu Purana say that he
lived for more than 125 years. (Bhagavata. XI-6; Vishnu. V-37) If we calculate
the beginning of Kali Yuga, it is the 18th Feb. 3102 B.C., Pramaadhi Chaitra
first day. This is the death of Lord Krishna. If we trace back to the 126 th
year, the date of birth of Krishna
occurs at the mid night of 19/20th July 3228 B.C., Srimukha Sravana, 8th day of
the dark fortnight, when the Moon was in the constellation Rohini. These
calculations were arrived at by Mr. B.V. Raman, in his outstanding work
"Notable Horoscopes". Let us accept this date of birth for the
present and proceed further.
(so Mihira celebrates the 19 annual
event on July 19. This day in this year also carries spiritual significance of a Vyasa Pounima and Guru Pournima in the year 2016 Durkmukhinama year )
Krishna
was shifted from Mathura to Vraja on the night he was born. In Vraja, he killed the demon Pootana at the age of some
days. He killed Sakatasura in the third month and Trinavarta at the age of one
year. (Bhagavata X. Poorva. 230). Bhagavata says that he practised walking and
talking after these incidents. (Bhagavata X. Poorva. 301.)
2. 2.Divine Play
After
he uprooted the two great trees, he was shifted to Brindavana. There took place
the killing of Vrutrasura and Bakasura. Then, at the age of 5, he killed
Aghasura. After that Brahma tried to deceive Krishna but he himself was
deceived by Krishna Maya. This took place at 5-6 years of age. (Bhagavata. X.
Poorva. 487). At the age of seven, he lifted the hill Govardhana. (Bhagavata.
X. Poorva. 932). He lived at Gokula Brindavan up to the age of 11 years.
(Bhagavata. III. 105).
At
the age of 12, he proceeded to Mathura, killed Kamsa and crowned Ugrasena as
king. Then Krishna proceeded to Sandeepani to learn all the sciences and arts.
Then after some time, he sent Akroora to Hastinapura to know the welfare of the
Pandavas. By that time Pandavas arrived at Hastinapura from the forests after
the death of their father. The Kauravas got envious of them and tried to kill
Bhima in several ways. (Bhagavata. X. Poorva. 1508, 1512).
Now
we can guess the age of Krishna and that of the Pandavas at the time of this
incident. Dharmaja, Bhima, Arujuna and Nakula & Sahadeva were born at one
year intervals. At the time of their arrival at Hastinapura, Dharmaja was 16,
Bhima was 15, Arjuna was 14 and Nukul & Sahadeva were 13. Dharmaja was
elder than Krishna. Krishna was younger than Bhima. Krishna and Arjuna seem to
be of the same age. But it appears from the reading of the above works, that
Arjuna used to respect Krishna and Krishna used to play jokes on Arjuna. So we
can safely assume that Krishna was younger than Bhima and older than Arjuna.
But, for our purpose, we can safely assume that Krishna and Arjuna are
approximately of the same age. (Bhagavata-X-Uttara-103, 104).
By
the time the Pandavas arrived at Hastinapura, Krishna was 14. (Bharata. Adi.
VI. 142). After their arrival there, it may have taken two years approximately
for the Kauravas to get envious and try to kill Bhima by poisoning, throwing in
Ganges etc. Just then Krishna, when he was 16, sent Akroora to Hastinapura to
enquire about the welfare of the Pandavas. When the Pandavas were in trouble,
Krishna intervened unasked. This is the highlight of the quality of Krishna,
the saving of the virtuous.
It
can also be presumed that Krishna used to go over to Hastinapura now and then
as a courtesy visit. Kunti, the mother,
of the Pandavas, is the paternal aunt of Krishna. It is no wonder, if he went
over to see his near relatives. It is not only a presumption. Harivamsa says
that Krishna defeated Karna, Suyodhana, Bhima, Arjuna, Aswatthama, Drona and
Kripa in a sportive combat. (Harivamsa. Uttara. VI 259)
3. 3 Celestial Experience
After
the death of Kamsa his wives Asti and Prapti went to their father Jarasandha
and complained against Krishna. He grew furious and 'the same moment' he
declared war against Mathura. Like that he attacked 17 times consecutively. For
these 17 invasions, it took some 6 years. After the 17th invasion and before
18th invasion, Krishna built Dwaraka. So it may be in his 18th year.
Afterwards, he married Rukmini and it may be nearly at the age of 20. He got a
son Pradyumna and it may be nearly at
the age of 21.
Till
now, the majority of our decisions are only guess. We are able to know the age
of Krishna at the time of the marriage of Satyabhama. The Pandavas arrived at
Hastinapura when Krishna was 14 and they
lived there for 13 years. (Bharata. Adi. VI. 142). By that time Krishna was 27.
The Pandavas lived at Varanavata for one year. (Vyasa Bharata. Adi. Jatugriha).
Then the wax house was burnt. By that time Krishna was 28. About that time,
Krishna got back the jewel Syamantaka, married Jambavati and Satyabhama. After
these marriages, Satadhanva, a Yadu, killed Satrajit. At that time Krishna was
not in Dwaraka. Bhagavata says that, on hearing that the Pandavas were burnt,
Krishna went to Hastinapura to give solace to Kauravas. (Bhagavata. X Uttara.
83) Vishnu Purana says that Krishna went to Varanavata, to save the Pandavas
from being burnt in the wax house. (Vishnu. VI. 278, 281). Harivamsa says that,
Krishna heard that the Pandavas were burnt in the wax house. Though he knew
that they were safe, he went to Varanavata, to deceive Duryodhana. (Harivamsa.
Poorva. III. 203). Seemingly contradictory, all the above three statements
might be correct. When Pandavas were at Varanavata, he might have gone there to
give them advice. He returned. When he heard that they were burnt, he might
have gone to Varanavata to deceive Duryodhana and then he might have gone to
Hastinapur to further deceive Duryodhana.
We
can feel the helping hand of Krishna for the Pandavas in the background. Indeed
Krishna loved Pandavas very much!
The
Pandavas had to spend their exile-incognito in the forests for a prolonged period.
Then they went to Ekachakrapura and lived there in the disguise of Brahmins and
had their livelihood by begging (Aayavara). During this period, Krishna does
not appear to have met the Pandavas at any place, except at the time of the
Swayamvara of Draupadi. Much time should have elapsed from the date of the
exile of the Pandavas from Varanavata, to the date of Swayamvara of Draupadi.
How long was it? We do not know, but there is a hint for us to guess the
time-lag. When the Pandavas were in Ekachakrapura, a well - versed Brahmana
came there and told them many stories of many countries. In the course of
narration, he told Pandavas about the Swayamvara of Draupadi, the daughter of
Drupada. He also told them that Drupada begot his two children, Draupadi and
Dhrishtadyumna, not from the womb of his wife, but from the sacrificial fire.
The Pandavas were astonished to hear this strange story. They asked the
brahmana to tell them the whole story. Drupada, being shamed by Drona,
conducted a sacrifice to beget a boy who can kill Drona, and also a daughter.
He intended that his daughter should be married to Arjuna (Bharata. Adi. VII.
24). Dhrishtadyumana, though he was born to kill Drona, was sent to Drona to
practise archery. This is a paradox and we can understand the high stature of
Drona, to teach Dhrishtadyumna, who was born to kill him! Dhrishtadyumna learnt
archery under Drona and also had Brahmastra, one of the highest mantric
weapons. For all this, it takes atleast 10-12 years. Even Arjuna took nearly 10
years to all learn these astras. It would not take less time for
Dhrishtadryumna. So, Dhrishtadyumna learnt archery with Drona, for nearly 10-12
years, the Pandavas left Hastina when Krishna was 28. Only after that
Dhrishtadyumuna would have come to Drona as a student. Arjuna defeated Drupada,
approximately in his 24th year, i.e., 10 years after the date of their arrival
at Hastina. Drupada took nearly 2 years for his sacrifice, i.e., when Arjuna
was 26. The Pandavas left for Varanavata when Arjuna was 27. Furthermore,
Draupadi was ready for marriage at the time of Swayamvara. It is just natural.
That means Arjuna was around 42 at the time of Swayamvara (26+16). Therefore,
we can decide that Pandavas spent nearly 12-14 years in exile and incognito.
4. 5.MAN OF YOGA
This
we can confirm in another way also. Krishna spent 12 years continuously in
austerity in the Himalayas for the darsan of Lord Siva. A continuous spell of
12 years for Krishna's penance can be found only at this period and nowhere
else. All the other time, he was found either in Dwaraka or Hastina or Panchala
or Indraprastha. (The concluding table of ages at the end of this article
offers further details). After the Pandavas left Varanavata and went into
exile, Krishna did not seem to appear in any situation in either of the above
places. Hence we can conclude that he performed austerity in the Himalayas
during the above period. Krishna was 42 at the time of the Swayamvara of
Draupadi.
But,
we have to face on anachronism here. Among those who were present at the
Swayamvara, there was Aniruddha also and he was the grandson of Krishna. If the
grandson of Krishna attended the Swayamvara as a candidate, Krishna was atleast
55 and Dharmaja should be atleast 57! This seems most unnatural. Hence, for the
present, we have to set aside the mention of Aniruddha at the Swayamvara as an
interpolation. There is no other go for us, until we find a proper solution in
the researches to come.
Krishna
recognised the Pandavas in the Swayamvara. Afterwards he met them in utmost
secrecy. (Bharata Adi. VII. 217). Then he returned to Dwaraka. After some
months, the Pandavas married Draupadi and Krishna sent them presents that
evening. (Bharata, Adi. VIII.7). The Pandavas lived happily in the city of
Drupada for one year. (Bharata. Adi. VIII. 9).
5. 4.EMBODIMENT OF LAW
After
this incident, Vidura came to Panchala, as a messenger of Dhritarashtra. He
wanted to take the Pandavas back to Hastina. Then Krishna was again in
Panchala, (Bharata. Adi, VIII. 57). By that time, Krishna was 44. He
accompanied the Pandavas to Hastina. The Pandavas spent a period of 5 years in
Hastina. As seen from the text, it seems that Krishna was there all these
years. But we may infer that he might have gone to Dwaraka and returned to
Hastina when the situation warranted.
Then
Dhritarashtra divided the kingdom and gave Indraprastha to Dharmaraja. At the
time of coronation of Dharmaja, Krishna was 49. Then the Pandavas had to
construct a city for themselves and had to re-establish all the affairs of the
kingdom. It would take at least one year. All this time Krishna was with them
and gave his assistance and advice. Then he returned to Dwaraka and, perhaps
after a few days, Narada came to them. He stipulated a condition that Draupadi
should live in turns with each of the brothers for one year. When she was with
one brother, if any other one happened to see that they were alone, he should
leave the city and spend one year on a trip to the many 'teerthas'. (Bharata.
Adi. VIII. 115). But another edition of Vyasa Bharata says that the time limit
is twelve years and not twelve months. (Vyasa Bharata. Adi. Rajyalabha.) The
teerthas that Arjuna visited were too many and they extended over the whole of
Northern India. He spent some time with Uluchi in the Nagaloka. He married
Chitrangada, the princess of Manalurupura, and lived there for a considerably
long time. The above edition of Vyasa Bharata says that he spent there more
than three years. Then on his way, he came to Dwaraka, spent some months there
in disguise, married Subhadra and escaped from Dwaraka. Thereafter he again
spent much time in his Teerthayatra. In view of all this, we can safely accept
the proposal of the above edition of Vyasa Bharatha that Arjuna spent 12 years
in Teerthayatra. At the time of completion of Teerthayatra, Arjuna was 62 and
Krishna was also of the same age.
After
that, Arjuna begot Abhimanyu in a very short time, that means it may be at the
age of 63. Afterwards the five brothers begot five children, Upapandavas, each
in the consecutive years. All of them learnt archery from Arjuna. For all this,
it takes atleast 7 years, from the date of Arjuna's return. Then took place the
incident of Khandava Dahana. By that time Krishna was 69. Then Mayasura
constructed the famous Mayasabha in 14 months. In that court hall, Dharmaja
spent some months happily. Then Narada arrived and suggested the Royal
Sacrifice. Dharmaja invited Krishna to accept the Royal sacrifice. Krishna
proceeded to Girivraja along with Bhima and Arjuna and got Jarasandha killed.
Jarasandha vadha might be at the age of 71.
6.
UNIVERSAL VISION
UNIVERSAL VISION
As
a part of the Royal Sacrifice, the four brothers of Dharmaja conquered the
whole country and it took at least two years. (Arjuna proceeded towards
far-North, upto Uttara Kuru, i.e., the present Tibet. Sahadeva proceeded far
towards the South upto Tamilnadu.) The preparations and the introductory
sacrifices of the Royal Sarifice took one year. In that Sacrifice, Krishna
killed Sisupala and gave grand vision . By the time of the Royal Sacrifice,
Krishna was 74. The next year took place the game of Dice and the Pandavas
proceeded into exile. Then Krishna was 75 years old.
7.secret journey
Rest
of life of Krishna was kept as secret after Mahabharata war to departure of his
physical body.
Mihira presents the symbolical journey of the lord with scientific
and
Theological
developments which cohesive with the
life of Krishna acting as fomula of nature in psychological developmental
stages of the infant. These are given as seven steps of psycho- Genetic series
which has to be read at the birth of
every child for the first seven days. upon the planet .
Age
of the Krishna
|
Age
of man
|
Septenary
scale
|
1-18yrs
|
First
day of the birth, birth date in each
year,
|
Divine
birth
|
18-36
yrs
|
Second
day of the birth, second day from birth date.
|
Divine
play
|
36
-54 yrs
|
3rd
day of the birth, 3rd day from the birth date.
|
Celestial
experience
|
54-72
yrs
|
4th
day of the birth, 4th day from the birth
date.
|
Embodiment
of law
|
72-
90yrs
|
5th
day of the birth, 5th day from the birth date.
|
Man
of yoga
|
90-
108yrs
|
6th
day of the birth, 6th day from the birth date.
|
Universal
vision
|
108-126
yrs
|
7th
day of the birth, 7th day from the birth date.
|
Secret
journey
|
The
age of the Lord Krishna can be divided into seven ages which represent 7 Ages
and ages of humanity. The 7 racial plans
of the humanity and the seven process that one has to proceed in the path of
truth and light on which masters has tread upon till now. Theses seven
demarcations represent septenary cycles of human life, which trigger a change
that occurs from seven days of the birth of the child to every seven years of human life.)
