Is there any resemblance between Krishna's life in any other religious books?

Krishna is one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism, and his life story is full of miracles, adventures, love, and wisdom. He is considered to be an avatar, or incarnation, of Vishnu, the supreme god of preservation and protection. But is Krishna's life unique to Hinduism, or does it have parallels in other religious traditions?

In this blog post, we will explore some of the similarities and differences between Krishna's life and the lives of other religious figures, such as Jesus, Buddha, and Zoroaster. We will also examine some of the possible influences and connections between these religions and their stories.

Krishna and Jesus

One of the most obvious comparisons that can be made is between Krishna and Jesus, both of whom are believed to be divine incarnations who came to earth to save humanity from sin and evil. There are many striking similarities between their birth stories, such as:

- Both were born in humble circumstances: Krishna in a prison cell, Jesus in a manger.

- Both were threatened by a tyrannical king who ordered the massacre of infants: Krishna by Kamsa, Jesus by Herod.

- Both were miraculously saved by their parents who fled to a safe place: Krishna to Vrindavana, Jesus to Egypt.

- Both had miraculous births: Krishna was conceived without sexual intercourse, Jesus was born of a virgin.

However, there are also significant differences between their lives and teachings, such as:

- Krishna performed many miracles throughout his life, such as lifting a mountain, killing demons, and playing with the sun and moon. Jesus performed fewer miracles, mostly healing the sick and raising the dead.

- Krishna had many romantic relationships with various women, especially the gopis (cowherd girls) of Vrindavana. He also married 16,108 wives, including Rukmini, Satyabhama, and Jambavati. Jesus remained celibate and never married.

- Krishna taught various paths to liberation, such as karma yoga (action), bhakti yoga (devotion), jnana yoga (knowledge), and raja yoga (meditation). He also revealed his universal form as the source of all creation in the Bhagavad Gita. Jesus taught mainly about love, faith, repentance, and forgiveness. He also claimed to be the only way to God and the Son of God.

- Krishna died a natural death after being shot by a hunter's arrow in his foot. He then ascended to his eternal abode in Vaikuntha. Jesus died a violent death by crucifixion and then resurrected on the third day. He then ascended to heaven.

Krishna and Buddha

Another comparison that can be made is between Krishna and Buddha, both of whom are regarded as enlightened beings who taught humanity how to overcome suffering and attain peace. There are some similarities between their lives and teachings, such as:

- Both were born as princes: Krishna as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki, Buddha as the son of Suddhodana and Maya.

- Both renounced their royal privileges and left their palaces: Krishna to live among the cowherds of Vrindavana, Buddha to seek enlightenment under a bodhi tree.

- Both faced temptations from evil forces: Krishna from Kamsa and other demons, Buddha from Mara and his army.

- Both taught about compassion, non-violence, detachment, karma, reincarnation, and liberation.

However, there are also important differences between their lives and teachings, such as:

- Krishna was aware of his divinity from birth and displayed supernatural powers throughout his life. Buddha was unaware of his true nature until he attained enlightenment at the age of 35.

- Krishna enjoyed life's pleasures and engaged in worldly affairs. He also played various roles such as a lover, a friend, a warrior, a king, and a teacher. Buddha renounced all worldly pleasures and attachments. He also followed a monastic lifestyle and focused on meditation and teaching.

- Krishna advocated devotion to God as the highest path to liberation. He also revealed himself as the supreme personality of Godhead who manifests in various forms. Buddha did not acknowledge any personal god or creator. He also taught that all phenomena are impermanent and devoid of self.

- Krishna left behind many scriptures that contain his teachings and stories, such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Bhagavata Purana, and the Mahabharata. Buddha left behind no written records of his teachings. His teachings were preserved orally by his disciples and later compiled into various scriptures such as the Pali Canon.

Krishna and Zoroaster

Lastly, we can examine the similarities and differences between Krishna and Zoroaster, the ancient Persian prophet who founded the religion of Zoroastrianism. Here are some of the key similarities and differences between them:

- Both were born in humble circumstances: Krishna in a prison cell, Zoroaster in a cowshed.

- Both were threatened by a tyrannical king: Krishna by Kamsa, Zoroaster by King Vishtaspa.

- Both advocated devotion to God: Krishna to Vishnu, Zoroaster to Ahura Mazda.

- Both taught about karma, reincarnation, and liberation.

However, there are also important differences between their lives and teachings, such as:

- Krishna was a polytheist who believed in many gods, while Zoroaster was a monotheist who believed in one supreme god.

- Krishna taught the path of bhakti (devotion) as the highest path to liberation, while Zoroaster taught the path of good deeds and righteous living as the way to reach heaven.

- Krishna was born in India and his teachings are found in Hindu scriptures, while Zoroaster was born in Persia and his teachings are found in the Avesta.

- Krishna was an avatar of Vishnu, while Zoroaster was a prophet who received divine revelations from Ahura Mazda.