The essence of the 'Philosophy of Life', as enunciated by Lord Krishna to the warrior Arjuna in the Bhagvad Gita, is one of the most important works of human civilisation–a guiding document for all of mankind. In addition to his godly stature, Lord Krishna has been the subject of legends and literature, political and theosophical discussions, controversies and conflicts. His image has been moulded in the minds of believers and skeptics, poets and artists, reflecting the tenor of each age and time. As a consequence, it is difficult to separate the historical Krishna from the mythical and spiritual Krishna.
Under the layers of the divine Krishna, the avatar and incarnation, the historical Krishna encapsulates the story of a man of exceptional qualities and a model for all times. This book brings to the reader this extraordinary man, a consummate statesman and nation builder, a warrior and teacher, a philosopher and mystic–a unique persona which is man's empirical understanding of the divine form.
This book is very relevant to the times we live in, as the present state of our society sorely points to the need for a Krishna to be, once again, in the midst of us. It is hoped that reading about the historical Krishna will inspire us to lead better lives, through the pursuit of dharma, above all else.
I had read this when I was sent the original manuscript to pre-edit. I was glad to see that very little has changed in the published version.
This is the timeline of Krishna's life, known to be a historical figure. Using various anecdotes and borrowing from history as well as mythology, you get a better understanding of not only the person, but also about the times in which he lived. Related characters are also introduced.
It is a good read for those interested in finding out the stories behind the myth.