9 Names of Shri Krishna and the Stories Behind Them

But have you ever thought why there are so many names to call Krishna? Is it because of the deep emotions and coincidences that the supreme lord, in his 8th human life, has played a central role in many stories.

Could the stories and the names be correlated?

The answer is Yes.

Right from Krishna, which is the first and birth name of Shri Vishnu's 8th Avatar on the Earth to names like Jagannath and Purnapurushottam - every name has a reason and a story to tell.

While it is not possible to cover all the stories and names of Shri Krishna here in one blog, we have picked out 9 names of Lord Krishna and the anecdotes behind them. Learn why Shri Hari has those names and let your love, affection, and devotion for him get even deeper.

And oh, by the way, while we're talking about Lord Krishna, we would like to remind you that Krishna Janmashtami is just around the corner.

Shri Krishna was born on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadrapada under the Rohini Nakshatra, and his time of birth was at midnight.

Typically, according to the Georgian calendar, this day falls between August and September. This year, Janmashtami falls on 26th August 2024, Monday.

Derived from the Sanskrit word "kṛṣṇa," which means "dark" or "black,", the birth name of Lord reflects his distinctive physical appearance. Lord Krishna had dark or bluish-black skin.

But there's more to this story of his birth name…

Krishna was born at midnight in the month of Bhadrapada, under a dark, stormy sky, to Devaki and Vasudeva, who were imprisoned by King Kansa in Mathura.

The King of Mathura, Kansa, who was also Krishna's maternal uncle, had been forewarned by a divine prophecy that the eighth child of his sister, Devaki, would be his doom.

To prevent this, he locked the couple in prison and killed their first seven children.

When Krishna was born, the entire prison was enveloped in a mystical light, and Vasudeva was divinely guided to carry the newborn to safety across the Yamuna River to Gokul, where he was to be raised by his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda.

The dark complexion of the baby was striking, and this unique attribute led to his name, "Krishna".

In spiritual interpretations, Krishna's dark color is often seen as a metaphor for the all-attracting nature of the divine. Black is the absence of color yet holds within it the potential for all colors. Just like that, Krishna embodies all qualities, yet transcends them in his divine form.

In His infancy, little Krishna was affectionately, and often exasperately called Makhanchor. Makhanchor means the butter thief and this name portrays his playful and mischievous nature.

He was called because of His antics in Vrindavana, where He was raised by Nandbaba and Maa Yashoda.

In Vrindavan, Krishna grew up in an environment filled with cows, gopis, and an abundance of dairy products. These eatables were a staple in the diet of the community.

Kri shna's love for butter was legendary. Yashoda, aware of her son's fondness for freshly churned butter, would often hang pots of butter from the ceiling to keep them out of his reach.

However, Krishna, ever the ingenious and mischievous child, would find ways to get to these pots. He and his friends would form human pyramids or use whatever means they could to reach the hanging pots.

Once successful, they would feast on the butter and even share it with the monkeys of Vrindavan. Despite Yashoda's efforts to secure the butter, Krishna's escapades continued.

The tales recount how Yashoda would sometimes catch Krishna in the act. His mouth smeared with butter, Krishna would charmingly deny stealing any butter. He would often blame the cats, dogs, or even the trees for the mischief.

His innocent explanations and charismatic demeanor endeared him further to his mother and the other villagers, even when they were exasperated by his antics.

The stories of Krishna as Makhanchor are not just playful tales but carry deeper spiritual meanings. They symbolize the soul's yearning for the divine essence (the butter) and Krishna's accessibility to his devotees.

Just as he would steal butter, which is a product of hard labor and care, Krishna is depicted as stealing the hearts of his devotees through his love and divine plays.

Rasika means "an expert of aesthetic pleasures" or "one who appreciates and enjoys the essence of fine things". Radha Rani is often called Krishna by this name.

That's because Lord Krishna loved indulging in arts, emotions, and the spiritual rapture associated with divine love. This name of Krishna highlights the mastery in engaging with the world through beauty and joy.

Krishna spent his youth in the lush, vibrant forests of Vrindavan. This is also the place of Krishna's lila was unfolded. Here, the Lord expressed his divine qualities freely and interacted with his devotees in their most heartfelt and innocent forms.

The Raas Leela, a divine dance that Krishna performed with the gopis of Vrindavan is central to understanding why Krishna is called "Rasika". The Lord particularly performed this dance during the autumn season under the moonlit sky,

In this dance, Krishna multiplied himself so that each Gopi believed he was dancing with her alone. This dance is a symbol of divine love and the soul's longing for the ultimate reality.

This is also Lord Krishna's expression of the deep, intimate connection between the divine and the individual souls. It explains how Krishna is personally involved in each soul's story to offer them salvation.

When Krishna is called Vasudeva, he is called by his lineage as the son of Vasudeva.

Krishna's birth father Vasudeva was a noble and respected figure belonging to the Yadava clan. He was married to Devaki, the sister of Raja Kamsa of Mathura.

A divine prophecy at the time of Devaki's marriage warned Kamsa that the eighth child of his sister, Devaki, would be his doom and would ultimately kill him.

Fearing his death, Kamsa initially decided to kill his sister, Devaki, but Vasudeva pleaded for her life, promising to hand over every newborn to Kamsa. Trusting Vasudeva's word, Kamsa spared them but imprisoned both Vasudeva and Devaki to ensure he could kill each child at birth. Despite these precautions, the first six children were tragically killed by Kamsa.

The seventh pregnancy was mystically transferred to Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, who bore Balarama, Krishna's elder brother.

Finally, Krishna was born as the eighth child. His birth was marked by divine signs and wonders. At the time of his birth, the guards fell asleep, and the prison doors magically opened. This allowed Vasudeva to carry Krishna across the Yamuna river to Gokul.

Krishna was then exchanged with the daughter of Yashoda and Nanda Maharaj to keep him safe from Kamsa.

Despite being born to Devaki and Vasudeva, he grew up as the son of Yashoda and Nanda. He later returned to his biological parents after fulfilling the prophecy by slaying Kamsa.

The name Vasudeva signifies Krishna's royal heritage and his connection to the Yadava lineage. It is a constant reminder of his destiny and the divine purpose of his incarnation—to restore dharma and order by removing tyranny and oppression.

Calling Krishna Vasudeva acknowledges his biological roots and the fulfillment of the prophecy associated with his birth.

This name is also a reflection of the principles that Vasudeva, his father, stood for—truth, integrity, and adherence to one's word even under dire circumstances.

Krishna, as Vasudeva, embodies these values throughout his life and teachings, particularly in the Bhagavad Gita.

Madhusudan means slayer of Madhu. With this name, Krishna describes him as a divine hero and protector. That's because he slayed a demon called Madhu.

Madhu was a demon who, along with his companion Kaitabha, emerged from the ear wax of Lord Vishnu while he was in his yoga nidra at the beginning of creation. The two demons represent aspects of ignorance and evil. They emerged while the universe was still formless and under creation.

During the process of creation, Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas, the sacred scriptures, from Lord Brahma, the creator god.

This threatened the cosmic order as the Vedas were essential for the creation process and the maintenance of dharma. Without the Vedas, Brahma could not proceed with creation, and chaos threatened to engulf the cosmos.

To restore order and retrieve the sacred texts, Lord Vishnu was awakened from his deep slumber by the desperate prayers of Brahma. Vishnu engaged the demons in an intense battle.

Vishnu, in his determination to protect creation and restore the sacred texts, ultimately defeated Madhu and Kaitabha. By slaying Madhu, Vishnu not only retrieved the stolen Vedas but also ensured the continuation of the cosmic creation and the establishment of moral and spiritual order.

Krishna is the 8th incarnation of Vishnu and hence inherits the titles and victories of Vishnu. This name is often used in texts and prayers to invoke Krishna's protective and heroic qualities. This name emphasizes his divine nature and his role in upholding dharma.

Krishna is often called Ranchod. Ranchod means "The one who flees the battlefield". The story of this name comes from an episode in the epic Mahabharata. In this story, Krishna strategically retreated from a battle against Jarasandha, the king of Magadha.

Jarasandha was a powerful king who bore a deep grudge against Krishna after Krishna killed his son-in-law, Kamsa. In retaliation, Jarasandha sought to destroy Krishna and his kingdom. He attacked Krishna's kingdom, Mathura, 17 times.

Each time, Krishna and his forces were able to repel the attacks, but the continuous assaults were taking a toll on the kingdom and its people.

Krishna realized that despite his victories, the relentless attacks would eventually weaken Mathura and pose a significant threat to its citizens.

To protect his people and preserve his kingdom, Krishna made a strategic decision. Instead of facing Jarasandha in another potentially devastating battle, Krishna chose to retreat.

He moved his entire community, the Yadavas, to a more defensible location by creating the city of Dwaraka in the region of Gujarat. Dwaraka, being an island fortress, offered natural defenses against attackers and a safe haven for his people.

Krishna's decision to retreat was seen by some as an act of cowardice, and he was pejoratively nicknamed "Ranchod" by his detractors.

However, this name stuck even among his devotees with a completely different connotation. For his devotees, this retreat was not an act of cowardice but a wise and strategic move to ensure the safety and survival of his people. It was viewed as a testament to Krishna's leadership and his responsibility towards his people.

Dwarkadhish refers to Krishna as the lord or king of Dwarka. Krishna was not only the king of Dwarka but also the founding father of the city. With this title, he is celebrated not only as a monarch but also as a protector.

Following numerous attacks on the city of Mathura by the tyrant Jarasandha, Krishna recognized that his beloved city and its people were in constant danger. Despite defeating Jarasandha multiple times, the threat persisted, making life unstable for the residents of Mathura.

In a bid to ensure the safety of his people and to create a more defensible home, Krishna decided to relocate his capital from Mathura to Dwarka.

According to legend, he called upon the divine architect Vishwakarma to build this new city. The city of Dwarka, also known as "Dvaravati," was built on a piece of land in Gujarat. This new setting provided natural fortifications against invaders and was equipped with majestic palaces and fortresses.

Once the city was established, Krishna shifted his entire clan, the Yadavas, to Dwarka, where he ruled as a wise and benevolent king.

As the ruler of Dwarka, Krishna became known as "Dwarkadhish," which literally translates to the 'Lord of Dwarka'.

Under his rule, Dwarka flourished as a well-organized, prosperous city-state, admired far and wide for its wealth, organization, and military strength. Krishna's governance was marked by wisdom, justice, and adherence to dharma.

The original Dwarka city was engulfed by the sea following the curse of Gandhari after the battle of Mahabharata. The sister city, which also goes by the same name is now set up on the same coast.

Parthasarathi means sarthi or charioteer of Arjun. Arjun, the 3rd Pandava brother.

Arjun faced a moral and emotional dilemma at the onset of the Kurukshetra War. Kurukshetra war is often referred to as a battle between good and evil, also called Dharmayuddha.

As the two armies assembled on the battlefield, Arjun was overcome by despair at the thought of fighting against his own kin including his 100 cousins, revered teachers, beloved friends, and close family members. He was grappled by doubts and moral confusion. Which he expressed to Krishna, his charioteer.

Arjuna's crisis was not only about his reluctance to kill his relatives but also about his duty as a warrior which demanded him to fight.

Krishna, serving as Arjuna's charioteer in a non-combatant role, took this moment to deliver the epic Bhagavad Gita, the book of Dharma.

In this book, Krishna explained the importance of duty over personal sorrow and attachments and enlightened Arjuna on various philosophical concepts including karma (action), dharma (duty and righteousness), dynana (knowledge), and bhakti (devotion).

Krishna urged Arjuna to perform his duty as a warrior without attachment to the results, emphasizing the concept of "Nishkam Karma" (selfless action).

He revealed his universal form, demonstrating his divine nature. By doing so, he thereby reassured Arjuna of his omnipresence and the righteousness of fulfilling his duties as a warrior in accordance with his dharma.

This guidance not only cleared Arjuna's doubts but also prepared him to take up arms responsibly, with a clear understanding of his duties as a Kshatriya (warrior).

Krishna's role as the guide and mentor, using the chariot as a metaphorical platform for delivering this profound knowledge, solidified his title as "Parthasarathi".

With this name, it can also be understood how Krishna can lead the way of every individual on the road of dharma in this lifetime. And how Krishna was not only a sarthi to Parth, but to everyone.

Purnapurushottam is one of the most revered names given to Lord Krishna. This name embodies his status as the supreme and complete manifestation of divinity.

The name can be broken down into two parts: "Purna," meaning "complete," and "Purushottam," meaning "the highest or supreme being".

In Hindu philosophy, particularly within the context of Vaishnavism, Krishna is considered the full and most complete incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu.

Vishnu incarnates on Earth from time to time to restore cosmic order and dharma. But among these incarnations, Krishna is often celebrated as the fullest, embodying not just aspects of divine power but also the entirety of Vishnu's qualities and more.

In this Avatar, Vishnu blessed the world, with Bhagwat Geeta, a book of Dharma.

The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, presents a conversation between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, who serves as his charioteer.

In this dialogue, Krishna imparts spiritual wisdom and guidance about duty and righteousness.

During the discourse, Krishna reveals his Vishvarupa, His Universal form to Arjuna. In this form, he showcased his all-encompassing divine nature that transcends time and space.

This revelation marks him as Purushottam - the supreme being beyond all mortal and cosmic constraints.

Krishna's life, known as his "Lila" or divine play, further fortifies his status as Purnapurushottam.

From his miraculous birth, his childhood miracles, his profound teachings in the Gita, to his roles in the Mahabharata... Each aspect of his life showcases him performing roles that span the spectrum of human experiences and divine acts.

This name symbolizes Krishna's mastery over both the material and spiritual realms.

Vedantic philosophy, particularly the Bhagavata Purana, elaborates on the concept of Krishna as the source of all avatars of Vishnu. Thus highlighting His status as Purnapurushottam.

He is described not just as an incarnation of Vishnu but as the original source of all incarnations and even of Vishnu himself. This is a central tenet in the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition, which views Krishna as the original Godhead.

From dark-skinned Krishna, the playful and endearing Makhanchor to the wise and strategic Parthasarathi... Each name of Krishna not only tells a unique story but also reveals a different aspect of his divine nature.

These names—Krishna, Makhanchor, Rasika, Vasudev, Madhusudan, Ranchod, Dwarkadhish, Parthasarathi, and Purna Pusushottam show us the glimpses into his Leela, his philosophical teachings, his protective zeal, and his supreme status as Purnapurushottam. The names are nothing but different stories... The stories that hold deep meanings and messages.

Each name is a window into the divine that shows the qualities that Krishna embodies: unconditional love, divine wisdom, joyous creativity, and transcendental knowledge.

As we celebrate Janmashtami, in 2024, on 26th August, let these names deepen our understanding and appreciation of Krishna's roles. His contributions are not just limited to path. They give us wisdom and take us toward enlightenment even today.