Lord Krishna performed his divine pastimes on Earth for 125 years. Following this, his lineage faced a curse from a sage, leading to the annihilation of the entire Yadava dynasty. This curse was imposed due to the Yadavas' violation of the sage's austerities and their mockery of him. Lord Krishna was a complete incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the Mahabharata, he was a supremely powerful, supernatural warrior. In this article, drawing upon knowledge from the Bhagavata Purana and the Mahabharata, we will explore how Lord Krishna and Balarama departed from this world and what became of their bodies.
The Mystery of Lord Krishna's Demise
After the eighteen days of the Mahabharata war, during the coronation of Yudhishthira, Queen Gandhari, mother of the Kauravas, cursed Lord Krishna, implicating him in the war's devastation, predicting a similar fate for the Yadavas. Consequently, Lord Krishna departed, and the entire Yadava dynasty was destroyed.
Lord Krishna returned to Dwarka and, with the Yadavas, ventured into a field. The Yadavas brought with them various fruits and edibles. Krishna offered the provisions to the Brahmins and instructed the Yadavas to await their end.
Dispute Between Sarathi and Krutavarma
Days later, a heated debate arose between Sarathi and Krutavarma while discussing the Mahabharata war. Sarathi, enraged, severed Krutavarma's head, triggering a conflict that saw the Yadavas splintering into factions, engaged in a fratricidal war.
In this war, many Yadavas were slain, including Lord Krishna's son Pradyumna, friend Sarathi, and Aniruddha. Only Bablu and Daruka survived.
By Whose Hand Did Krishna Die?
Krishna went to meet his elder brother Balarama, who was resting on the seashore at the edge of the forest. Balarama relinquished his mortal form, merging with his spiritual self. Krishna, knowing the impending demise, sat silently under a peepal tree, adopting his four-armed form. His red feet glowed like crimson lotuses. At that moment, a hunter named Jara mistook Krishna's foot for the foot of a deer and discharged an arrow. The arrow struck Krishna's foot.
Upon approaching, the hunter recognized the four-armed figure. Trembled with fear, he placed his head at Krishna's feet and sought forgiveness. Krishna reassured him, stating that his act was in accordance with the divine plan, and promised him salvation. The hunter was none other than Bali, the monkey king. In the Treta Yuga, Lord Rama had discreetly killed Bali; now, Bali, reborn as Jara, had enacted the same act.
After the hunter's departure, Krishna's charioteer, Daruka, arrived. Prostrating at Krishna's feet, Daruka wept. Krishna instructed Daruka to travel to Dwarka and inform the Yadavas of the impending destruction, urging them to abandon Dwarka and proceed to Indraprastha.
Following Daruka's departure, Brahma, Parvati, Lokapalas, great sages and ascetics, yakshas, rakshasas, and Brahmins assembled, paying homage to Krishna. Observing the divine manifestation, Krishna stabilized his soul, and his lotus-like eyes closed.
The Departure of Krishna and Balarama
According to the Srimad Bhagavata, when the news of Krishna and Balarama's departure reached their relatives, they too succumbed to grief, relinquishing their mortal bodies. Devaki, Rohini, Vasudeva, Balarama's wives, and Krishna's consorts, amongst others, breathed their last.
