The disposition of Krishna’s body after his death is a topic that holds significance in Hindu mythology and traditions. According to ancient texts like the Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana, and Harivamsa, Krishna’s earthly departure occurred at the end of the Yadava dynasty and the conclusion of the great Kurukshetra War. The story of Krishna’s demise, also known as his Mahaprasthanika, sheds light on the fate of his mortal remains and the spiritual symbolism associated with it.
Krishna’s death took place under unique circumstances. While he was meditating in the forest, an arrow inadvertently struck his heel, causing a mortal wound. Realizing that the time had come for him to leave his earthly form, Krishna embraced the event as an opportunity to return to his divine abode. He then revealed his true cosmic form to his beloved devotee, Arjuna, and bid farewell to his earthly companions.
Upon witnessing Krishna’s transcendental form, Arjuna experienced a mix of awe and devotion. Krishna then instructed Arjuna to cremate his mortal body, ensuring that no remnants remained. Arjuna was also entrusted with the task of taking care of the women, children, and other vulnerable members of the Yadava clan, as their time of prosperity had ended.
Following Krishna’s instructions, Arjuna performed the last rites by cremating Krishna’s body in a grand funeral pyre. It is said that as Krishna’s body was consumed by the flames, divine celestial beings and gods descended from the heavens to witness the auspicious event. The fire turned Krishna’s mortal remains into ashes, signifying the impermanence of the physical form.
After the cremation, the ashes were collected and immersed in the holy river Yamuna, near the city of Prayag (modern-day Allahabad), where the Ganges and Yamuna rivers converge. This act of immersion is considered sacred and symbolizes the purification and liberation of the soul. It represents Krishna’s return to his eternal divine realm.
The significance of Krishna’s postmortem journey goes beyond the physical realm. It carries profound spiritual symbolism. Krishna, being an avatar of Lord Vishnu, embodies the divine principle and cosmic energy. His departure signifies the cyclical nature of existence, where birth and death are mere transitions in the eternal journey of the soul.
The immersion of Krishna’s ashes in the sacred river also symbolizes the dissolution of the individual self into the cosmic consciousness. It represents the merging of the mortal with the immortal, the finite with the infinite. In Hindu philosophy, this process is known as “moksha” or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Furthermore, the story of Krishna’s death serves as a reminder of the impermanence of worldly attachments and the ultimate reality of the divine. It teaches devotees to transcend the material realm and seek a deeper connection with the spiritual essence that resides within all beings.
Final Conclusion on What Happened to Krishna’s Body After Death
In conclusion, after Krishna’s death, his mortal body was cremated by Arjuna, following Krishna’s divine instructions. The ashes were collected and immersed in the sacred river Yamuna, symbolizing the dissolution of the physical form and the liberation of the soul. This event carries deep spiritual significance and teaches profound lessons about the transient nature of existence and the eternal essence that underlies it all.
