What is the nature of the Krishna Avatar? Bhagawan reveals today by explaining the essential meaning of the name ‘Krishna’.

‘Krishna’ is derived from the root ‘Krish’, which means (1) to attract, (2) to plough and cultivate, and (3) the Divine principle beyond time, space and causation. Krishna, like all Avatars, attracts not only seekers, saints and sages but the simple, the innocent and the good. He also draws the curious, the critics, the sceptics and those who suffer from atheism. He draws them towards Himself by the irresistible charm of His person, by His invincible look, His voice, His flute, His counsel and His undaunted heroism. He is ever in a state of Bliss, spreading harmony, melody and beauty around Him. He sings everywhere—in the peaceful pasture and lands of Brindavan and in the blood-soaked battlefield of Kurukshetra. He holds the flute in His hand in one place, and He wields the whip in the other. But what emerges is meaningful and moving music, either Venuganam or Bhagawad Gita! Ganam and Gita both mean song! Why does He attract all to His Presence? To plough the heart, prepare it for receiving the shower of grace, to grow the seeds of love, weed it of all evil thoughts which smother the crops of joy and to enable it to gather the harvest of wisdom. That wisdom finds its fulfilment in Krishna Himself, for Krishna also means the Pure Essence, the Supreme Principle, the Sat-chit-ananda.