Saturday, 19 April 2025

IN THE COMPANY OF KRISHNA - 17. QUEEN KUNTI


 


Queen Kunti and Lord Krishna shared a deep and special bond. Kunti was Krishna’s paternal aunt, the sister of his father, Vasudeva. Though they were family, Kunti also saw Krishna as a divine being and treated him with great devotion and respect.

Throughout her life, Kunti turned to Krishna for support and guidance, especially during tough times faced by her sons, the Pandavas. Krishna, in return, deeply respected Kunti and always showed her affection and care.

They shared many meaningful moments together. Kunti met Krishna during Draupadi’s swayamvara and admired his wisdom and bravery. Later, during the Pandavas’ exile, Krishna offered to take Kunti to Dwaraka for safety, but she chose to stay. When Krishna visited Hastinapur as a peace messenger, he visited Kunti at Vidura’s home, showing the strength of their connection.

Their bond grew stronger through marriage as well-Kunti’s son, Arjuna, married Krishna’s sister, Subhadra, making Kunti Krishna’s mother-in-law in another way.

Despite not growing up together, Kunti and Krishna maintained a close, loving relationship marked by mutual respect, devotion, and family ties.

Here are references from Sanskrit literature that mention or highlight the relationship between Queen Kunti and Lord Krishna, particularly from the Mahabharata and related texts:

🔸 1. Mahabharata-Sabha Parva (Book of the Assembly Hall)

Context: Kunti's deep respect for Krishna is shown when he visits the Pandavas.
Sanskrit verse (approximate):

"Namaskaram kritvā Kunti tam upagamya Madhavam |
  Ashru-purna-mukhi Kunti, Krishnaṃ paryapṛcchata"-Mahabharata, Sabha Parva, Chapt 71-72

Kunti, with tears in her eyes, approached Madhava (Krishna) and bowed before him.

🔸 2. Mahabharata-Udyoga Parva (Book of Effort)

Context: When Krishna comes to Hastinapura as a peace messenger, he meets Kunti.
Sanskrit verse (approximate):

"Yatra Kunti Mahābāho Madhavaṃ samupāgamat |
Tam āśliṣya vacaḥ ślāghyaṃ prāha dharmaṃ anusmaran" Mahabha-Udyo-Parva, Chap-132-133

The mighty-armed Kunti came to meet Madhava (Krishna), embraced him, and spoke words of wisdom, remembering dharma.

🔸 3. Mahabharata-Stri Parva (Book of the Women)

Context: After the war, Kunti expresses her grief and devotion to Krishna.
Sanskrit verse:

"Namasyāmi purāṇam tvām Ishvaraṃ jagatām patim |
Bhaktānāṃ priyam ātmānaṃ dharmasya ca paraṃ gatim" Mahabharata, Stri Parva, Chapter 26

I bow to you, the eternal one, Lord of the universe, beloved of devotees, and the ultimate refuge of dharma.

🔸 4. Bhagavatam (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam)-Canto 1, Chapter 8

Context: One of the most famous prayers by Kunti to Krishna, full of love and surrender.
Sanskrit verse:

"Namaste Pankaja-nābhāya, Namaste Pankaja-māline |
Namaste Pankaja-netrāya, Namaste Pankaja-aṅghraye"
O Krishna, with lotus-like navel, garland, eyes, and feet—I offer my respectful obeisances to you.

 

 (I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z2025 and hyperlink https://www.theblogchatter.com)


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