In the session organized by Amritadarshanam– International Centre for Spiritual Studies in association with AYUDH Amritapuri chapter, on January 28, 2019, Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh explored the meaning of the name Krishna and illustrated Krishna’s role as a social reformer. The session was presided over by Swami Prajnanamritananda Puri from Mata Amritanandamayi Math and the audience included members of AYUDH, Amritapuri chapter, and the students and faculty of the Amritapuri campus.

The eloquent lecture of Dr. Ganesh shed light on the purpose of the Krishna avatar and the specific purpose of having a dark skin tone. Krishna’s dark color hints at his nature of being and mysticism, said Dr. Ganesh, who went on to say that when one submits himself to the lord, one realizes the blackness, which symbolizes the hidden knowledge.

By citing astronomical data of that day such as dakshinayana, krishnapaksha, etc., Dr. Ganesh has driven home the point that the birth of Krishna indeed happened at an auspicious moment and it meant happiness for all the worlds. During the session, he explored the story of Krishna as presented in the Harivamsa of Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana.

One important aspect of Krishna’s life that Dr. Ganesh highlighted was his formative years at the Gurukulam. The speaker put Krishna’s attitude towards his colleagues in perspective by comparing his friendship with childhood friend Kuchela against the relationship that existed between Drona and Drupada, who were also childhood friends. Concluding his talk, Dr. Ganesh designated Krishna’s empire Dwaraka or Dwaravati as the original gate way of India. The session concluded with a question answer session.