Is Shri Krishna Same as Mahavishnu?

Question

Since childhood we have heard “God is one” and also that there are several Divine authorities. We also hear that Shri Krishna is the Supreme God. Also, the prevalent view is the Shri Krishna is descension of Mahavishnu.

This is confusing. Can you please resolve who Shri Krishna is?

Answer

Who is the Supreme God?

All the Vedas and scriptures clearly declare that Shri Krishna is the Supreme Lord.

कः परमो दैवः?
कृष्णो ह वै परमं दैवतम्।
“Who is the Supreme God? — Shri Krishna is the Supreme God.”

Are there other Gods too?

Yes, there are many forms of God, but they are all descensions (avatars) of Shri Krishna. He alone is the Avatari (source of all Avatars).

The hierarchy of divine expansion begins with Shri Krishna. He first reveals a form known as Karnarnavshayi Mahavishnu. From Him, the expansion continues:

• Garbhodashayi Mahavishnu From Him emanates
• Kshirodashayi Mahavishnu (who resides in the hearts of all beings as Paramatma)
• From here, forms like Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva manifest.

What is the role of these forms?

Each Avatar descends with a specific purpose: to create, protect devotees, destroy demons, or restore dharma. It is Kshirodashayi Mahavishnu who descends in every age as Narsingh, and Vaman etc.

Then when does Shri Krishna Himself descend?

The Supreme Shri Krishna (Swayam Shri Krishna) descends only once in a whole Kalp (4.29 billion years). This glorious event happens in the 28th Dwapar Yuga of the 7th Manvantar.

His only purpose is to bestow Divine Love Bliss upon deserving souls. 5000 years ago, in the last Dwapar Yuga, Swayam Shri Krishna appeared along with Shri Radha Rani to distribute this love.

But didn’t Shri Krishna kill demons like Kans and Putna?

Yes, but that was technically done by the Yugavatar Krishna, a descension of Kshirodakshayi Mahavishnu.

When Swayam Krishna appears, the Yugavatar Krishna merges into Him. Therefore, externally we see one personality, but both functions are occurring: the Yugavatara aspect handles the demon-slaying, while Swayam Shri Krishna engages in the Divine Love pastimes (like the Raas).

So what is the difference?

• Swayam Shri Krishna (Avatari): The ultimate source. Comes once per Kalpa. His sole focus is bestowing Divine Love (Prema).
• Yugavatar Krishna (Avatar of Mahavishnu): Appears every Dwapar Yuga. His focus is establishing Dharma, giving the Gita, and removing burden from the earth.

Final Understanding

Shri Krishna is Avatari — the Supreme God. All other forms (Vishnu, Shiva, etc.) are His Avatars or empowered expansions.

Shri Maharaj Ji emphasizes devotion (bhakti) if the Avatari Shri Krishna, the ultimate source of all grace.

Further Reading and Reference

• Related Concepts:
  • Are Shri Krishna and MahaVishnu Different?
  • Srishti—Creation