The Complete Life of Krishna: Based on the Earliest Oral Traditions and the Sacred Scriptures
Product ID: 13103236
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The first book to cover Krishna’s entire life, from his childhood pranks to his final powerful acts in the Mahabharata war • Draws from the Bhagavad Purana, the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata, and India’s sacred oral tradition • Shows how the stories of Krishna’s life are expressed with such simplicity and humor that they enable anyone--man, woman, or child--to see the wisdom of his teachings • Provides a valuable meditative tool that allows the lessons of these stories to illuminate from within Krishna, one of the most beloved characters of the Hindu pantheon, has been portrayed in many lights: a god-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero, an exemplary ruler, and the Supreme Being. In The Complete Life of Krishna , Vanamali, a leading Krishna expert from a long line of prominent Krishna devotees, provides the first book in English or Sanskrit to cover the complete range of the avatar’s life. Drawing from the Bhagavad Purana, the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata, and India’s sacred oral tradition, Vanamali shares stories from Krishna’s birth in a dungeon and early days as a merry trickster in Vrindavana, through his time as divine ruler at Dwaraka, to his final powerful acts as the hero Arjuna’s charioteer and guru in the Kurukshetra war. She explains how Krishna became a mahayogi, the greatest of all yogis, and attained complete mastery over himself and nature. By integrating the hero-child with the mahayogi, the playful lover with the divine ruler, Vanamali shows how the stories of Krishna’s life are expressed with such simplicity and humor that they enable anyone--man, woman, or child--to see the wisdom of his teachings. This complete biography of the man who was also a god provides a valuable meditative tool allowing Krishna’s lessons to illuminate from within. Review: informative Biography - Interesting and well-told overview of the life of Krishna. Balanced telling of major events and spot-on explanation of sanatana dharma AKA the Hindu religion. I was also struck by the similarity of the war between a narcissistic hedonist king and the everyday God-loving moral people. We are reliving events that happened thousands of years ago! Review: Beautiful, Well-Written Book - I wanted to read about Krishna's life from start to finish. When I saw this book and its author, Vanamali, I knew there was no way I'd be disappointed. Vanamali's books are terrific. As usual, Vanamali delivers. The Complete Life of Krishna will take you through Krishna's life. The book reads like a good novel, not like a collection of myths gathered in an academic, dry way. Not only does Vanamali tell these stories in an entertaining manner, she explains the esoteric meaning behind the myths, which are as important as the stories themselves. It's a great story when Krishna cavorts with the gopis and then disappears, leaving them distraught, but it's illuminating when we learn the reason why is the gopis let their egos get between them and Krishna, and thus he disappeared. There were portions of this book that were genuinely funny, and others that were genuinely sad. Once I finished it, I kind of wished I could erase my memory of the book so I could enjoy it as a new reader again. I can't recommend this book highly enough. If you're interested in Krishna at all, you have to get this book ASAP.
| Best Sellers Rank | #280,816 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #26 in Hindu Rituals & Practice (Books) #32 in Bhagavad Gita (Books) #32 in Hindu Theology (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 338 Reviews |
J**H
informative Biography
Interesting and well-told overview of the life of Krishna. Balanced telling of major events and spot-on explanation of sanatana dharma AKA the Hindu religion. I was also struck by the similarity of the war between a narcissistic hedonist king and the everyday God-loving moral people. We are reliving events that happened thousands of years ago!
D**A
Beautiful, Well-Written Book
I wanted to read about Krishna's life from start to finish. When I saw this book and its author, Vanamali, I knew there was no way I'd be disappointed. Vanamali's books are terrific. As usual, Vanamali delivers. The Complete Life of Krishna will take you through Krishna's life. The book reads like a good novel, not like a collection of myths gathered in an academic, dry way. Not only does Vanamali tell these stories in an entertaining manner, she explains the esoteric meaning behind the myths, which are as important as the stories themselves. It's a great story when Krishna cavorts with the gopis and then disappears, leaving them distraught, but it's illuminating when we learn the reason why is the gopis let their egos get between them and Krishna, and thus he disappeared. There were portions of this book that were genuinely funny, and others that were genuinely sad. Once I finished it, I kind of wished I could erase my memory of the book so I could enjoy it as a new reader again. I can't recommend this book highly enough. If you're interested in Krishna at all, you have to get this book ASAP.
H**M
Very Enjoyable Read
I really enjoyed reading this book. I found I looked forward to it every day. I really like the portrayal of Krishna’s life in his younger years (birth to his first marriage). The other stories were interesting as well but I found myself drawn to reading specifically about him. I am a believer of Jesus and know his love so well. Krishna’s love for people/his “devotees” reminded me very much of the Jesus I’ve come to know and have a inward relationship with. I really enjoyed learning some of the Hindu peoples beliefs and culture. The author paints the pictures of each event/ scene well. I was easily able to see things that I was reading, in my mind. Regardless of your belief’s in who the true identity of God is, this is a very enjoyable book that can provide some insight into the personality of Spirit/ God/ Creator.
R**R
Not just a book to read but an experience to imbibe
Humble obeisance to Lord Krishna. Humble obeisance to Mata Vanamali. The book is written in simple language. The incidents are mind capturing and the role of Lord Krishna that is highlighted is enrapturing. The small commentaries by the author highlighting the greatness of The Lord and the inherent meaning along with each incident gives life to the book and hence is an experience. In all there are no words to explain the bliss derived from the first reading. Lord willing hope to read it many more times.
J**4
Excellent
Excellent book on the childhood of Krishna.
S**N
A Must
A must for Krishna Consciousness or anyone curious about Krishna. Vanamali writes in a style so easy for Westerners [like myself!] to understand. This is a wonderful companion to Krishna's divine message in The Bhagavad-gita and The Mahabharata. She really emphasizes Lord Krishna's humanity, as well as divinity... so much so, I laughed and cried. I can't say enough good points about her writing. No matter what-- or how many--books and stories on Krishna you read, this one stands on its own.
A**S
A Great Book about the Great ONE
This is probably the best book I've seen on the life of Lord Krishna. I love it. For me it's almost a scripture. I've learned, I've laughed, I've cried while reading this book. Most of all, best of all, I've loved while reading it. For anyone who loves Lord Krishna, or for the one curious about Him, this book is one that you don't want to miss. It's a great source of faith. And love.
G**I
Completely Enthralling
A tsunami that takes the reader’s breath away, and a magician who explains the magic of the circus. Inspiring read.
S**A
DIVINE. ENCHANTING. BLESSED
I had bough this book in 2019 and finally in 2025 I had the good fortune of reading it. This book is lush and poetic and nothing like I have ever read. So beautiful and so so so enchanting. It’s full of poems and the way it’s written is so divine that you feel the presence of Krishna with you. With each description and story you feel that you are living inside the story. Everything is sooooo beautifully written. The life of Krishna comes alive in these pages and I want to read it over and over and over again. This book is a mediation. This book is a divine blessing and I pray it reaches everyone. Hari Om Tat Sat.
A**R
Great book
I throughly enjoyed reading the book . Detail oriented and very easy to understand. I highly recommend it everyone to wants to know about Lord Krishna
T**2
Beautiful and inspiring
This is the most beautiful account of the life of Sri Krishna. When I read it I really connected with his childlike innocence and purity and I felt real love for him. I found myself looking forward to read each and every chapter of his divine story. Highly recommended
V**D
Awesome amazing work
Life lighting! Thanks to Devi ji and the team effort in building this gem!
R**A
Very Comprehensive
A great book for anybody wanting a summary of the history and detailed stories of the life of Lord Krishna.
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