Kṛshṇa Upanayana

This is the account of the upanayana (the sacred thread rite) of Kṛshṇa and Balarāma. It is told in the Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa of the Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa (Chapters 99 to 101). It is one of the grandest ceremonies in the Purāṇa. Vasudeva and Devakī hold it at Mathurā, and the devas, the ṛshis, the great women and the Kuru and Pāṇḍava families gather for it. It is Kṛshṇa’s formal entry into the brahmacarya āśrama (the student stage of life) under the guru Sāndīpani.

Garga’s announcement (Chapter 99)

At the right time Garga, the family purohita (priest) of the Yādavas, came to Mathurā with the news that the auspicious moment for the upanayana of Kṛshṇa and Balarāma had come. Vasudeva began at once to prepare what would be the grandest ceremony of the age.

Vasudeva sent invitations through the three worlds. Those who gathered included the following.

From the Kuru and Pāṇḍava side: Bhīshma, Droṇa, Karṇa, Aśvatthāmā, Kṛpācārya, Dhṛtarāshṭra, and Kuntī with all five Pāṇḍavas.

From the world of the ṛshis: Atri, Vasishṭha, Cyavana, Bharadvāja, Yājñavalkya, Parāśara, Pulaha, Pulastya, Agastya, Saubhari, the four Kumāras (Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanātana and Sanatkumāra), Durvāsa, Vyāsa, Śuka, Viśvāmitra, and Sāndīpani himself, who was named the ācārya (teacher) of the ceremony.

From the divine realms: Brahmā came down on his swan (haṃsa-vāhana). Bhagavān Śiva came with Pārvatī. All the devas, Indra, Varuṇa, Kubera, Sūrya, Agni, Vāyu and Yama, came in their divine vehicles. Garuḍa served as the own vāhana (carrier) of Kṛshṇa throughout.

The ceremony began with Gaṇeśa pūjā. An elaborate abhisheka (ritual bath) of Gaṇapati was done first, as the śāstra says. Without pleasing the deva of beginnings, no great work can go forward.

The great assembly (Chapter 100)

All the great women of the divine and human worlds also gathered. Aditi, Diti, Devakī, Rohiṇī, Rati, Sarasvatī, Sāvitrī, Yaśodā, Arundhatī and countless other pativratās (devoted wives) came and paid their respects to Pārvatī. Devakī herself performed the auspicious rite (maṅgalakaryam) for Kṛshṇa and Balarāma.

Kṛshṇa and Balarāma then came into the assembly. Kṛshṇa was dark in colour, wearing yellow silk and the Vaijayantī garland. Balarāma was dressed in white. All the devas and ṛshis were moved with deep feeling. Brahmā, Śiva, Ananta and all the devas who were there praised Kṛshṇa with hymns of praise. They said that he is the Parabrahman come down and the refuge of all worlds. The music of the gandharvas filled the air.

The Gāyatrī upadeśa and the ceremony (Chapter 101)

Sāndīpani gave the sacred initiation into the Gāyatrī mantra, which is the heart of the upanayana. Pārvatī herself gave the first bhikshā (alms) to Kṛshṇa, who was now a brahmacārī (student). This is the custom: the mother of all gives the first alms to the student. Then all the women who were there gave bhikshā in turn, with rich gifts of gems, gold and ornaments.

Kṛshṇa took the bhikshā with perfect respect. He offered a part of it first to his guru Garga, and then the proper share to Sāndīpani. When the ceremony ended there was a great mahotsava (festival), with music, recitation of the Vedas, gifts to brāhmaṇas and food for all the guests.

When the celebration was over, Nanda and Yaśodā wept at the thought that Kṛshṇa would now leave for further study. Kṛshṇa comforted them lovingly and told them that he would go to Avantī (Ujjain) to study at the āśrama of Sāndīpani. Kuntī and the Pāṇḍavas went back to Hastināpura loaded with gifts. The devas and ṛshis who had gathered went back to their own realms, content.

Sources

• Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, Chapter 99 (Garga’s announcement, the guests, the Gaṇeśa pūjā)
• Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, Chapter 100 (the grand assembly)
• Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, Chapter 101 (the Gāyatrī upadeśa, the bhikshā and the end of the ceremony)