Incarnation of Sri Krishna

1. Purpose of Incarnation:

Sri Krishna

• Burden of Bhoomi Devi: When Bhoomi Devi (Mother Earth) was overburdened by the battles of arrogant demons who assumed the role of kings, she took refuge of Lord Brahma. Bhoomi Devi (Mother Earth) assumed the form of a cow who had tears in her eyes and was weeping piteously. She came to Lord Brahma and told about her distress to him. Lord Brahma, understanding the situation, went to the Milky Ocean (Kshira-Payo-Nidhi) with the devas and Tri-Nayana (Lord Shiva). After going there, the gods worshipped the Lord who was Jagannatha (Lord of the Universe), Deva-deva (God of gods) and Vrisha-Kapi (God of beings), with collected mind by reciting the Purusha Sukta.

• Lord deciding to incarnate and giving instructions: When the Purusha Sukta was being recited, Lord Brahma went into samadhi and heard a divine voice in the sky (which contained the message of the Lord). Lord Brahma then told the devas to execute the words of the Lord. He told the devas that the Lord already knew about the distress (fever) of the Earth (Dhara-Jvara). The devas should, through their amshas (part-manifestations), take birth in the family of the Yadus. As long as the Lord, through his own Kala-Shakti (Divine Power in the form of Time), reduces the burden of the Earth, the devas should remain there. When the Lord who is Bhagavan and the Supreme Purusha incarnates in the house of Vasudeva, the celestial women (Sura-Stri) should also take birth for his pleasure. The Kala of Vasudeva known as Ananta, who has thousand faces and is self-resplendent (Svaraat) will incarnate before and act for the pleasure of the Lord. Bhagavati Vishnu Maya, by whom the worlds are bewitched, will also appear on the command of the Lord, to serve his purpose.

(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - Adhyaya 1)

2. Lineage of Sri Krishna:

• Lineage of Sri Krishna (Chandra Vamsha - Yadu branch)
• Lineage of Pandavas (Chandra Vamsha - Puru branch)

(Mahabharata - Adi Parva) and other sources

3. Deeds of Sri Krishna:

• Deeds of Sri Krishna

(Srimad Bhagavatam)