Yes, not just anywhere but everywhere in the Vedas. Let’s dive deep into it.
LORD KRISHNA IS MENTIONED EVERYWHERE IN THE VEDAS
Lord Krishna is mentioned everywhere in the Vedas. If this were not true, He would be at serious fault for making the following bold statement in Bhagavad Gita.
vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo
‘’By all the Vedas, I am to be known’’- Bhagavad Gita 15.15
Before jumping into quoting the various verses from the Vedas, please hear my two cents of blabbering. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.
BE A SEEKER NOT A SKEPTIC
There are many such bold declarations, such as Gita 15.15, made by Krishna, throughout the Bhagavad Gita. Are all these statements not to be taken at their face value? Did some ghost speak through the transcendental body of Krishna? Should I attempt to screw up some indirect meaning of such direct declarations? We should ask ourselves such tough questions, before making any judgment call on whether Krishna is mentioned in the Vedas.
The whole thing hinges on a few important questions. Are we ready to sincerely explore? Do we seriously wish to study scriptures with an open mind, without any pre-bias and envy? Do we really have faith in the words of the Vedas as something divine, and not as a man-made concoction?
If the answer to the above questions is yes, we will find that Krishna has been glorified throughout the Vedas. Else, our intent will be no different from western orientalists such as Max Muller and H.H. Wilson, who wanted to look down upon Hindus, proving to us that we worship many man-made, pagan, mythical, and polytheistic gods.
Are we okay to buy into the above colonial mindset? If not, Hindus should become more responsible, less skeptical, and more a seeker, a seeker who is curious to explore the knowledge of Brahman. Knowing well that I am incapable of deciphering the terse Sanskrit texts of the Vedas (BTW, thanks to the colonial mindset, I know English well), one should humbly approach a qualified Guru- the spiritual master, who follows a proper disciplic succession (Parampara) and learn Vedic scriptures from them, for they have realized the absolute truth. More on this later.
THE MEANING OF THE VEDAS ARE DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND (BE HUMBLE)
In Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna explains to Uddhava as follows
śabda-brahma su-durbodhaṁ
prāṇendriya-mano-mayam
ananta-pāraṁ gambhīraṁ
durvigāhyaṁ samudra-vat‘’The transcendental sound of the Vedas is very difficult to comprehend and manifests on different levels within the prāṇa, senses, and mind. This Vedic sound is unlimited, very deep and unfathomable, just like the ocean.’’- Srimad Bhagavatam 11.21.36
In the above verse, Krishna explains the difficulty of comprehending the actual meaning of the Vedas, for Sabda- Brahma (Vedas) is another form of the Lord Himself. Thus, even the great sages such as Jaimini and others find it difficult to arrive at the proper conclusion of the Vedas.
LORD KRISHNA ALONE CAN UNDERSTAND THE TRUE MEANING OF THE VEDAS
One may ask if the meaning of the Vedas is so difficult to understand, who is capable of knowing it? In this regard, Lord Krishna explains
kiṁ vidhatte kim ācaṣṭe
kim anūdya vikalpayet
ity asyā hṛdayaṁ loke
nānyo mad veda kaścana‘’In the entire world, no one but Me actually understands the confidential purpose of Vedic knowledge. Thus people do not know what the Vedas are actually prescribing in the ritualistic injunctions of karma-kāṇḍa, or what object is actually being indicated in the formulas of worship found in the upāsanā-kāṇḍa, or that which is elaborately discussed through various hypotheses in the jñāna-kāṇḍa section of the Vedas.’’- Srimad Bhagavatam 11.21.42
māṁ vidhatte ’bhidhatte māṁ
vikalpyāpohyate tv aham
etāvān sarva-vedārthaḥ
śabda āsthāya māṁ bhidām
māyā-mātram anūdyānte
pratiṣidhya prasīdati‘’I am the ritualistic sacrifice (Karma Kanda) enjoined by the Vedas, and I am the worshipable Deity. It is I who am presented as various philosophical hypotheses (in Jnana Kanda), and it is I alone who am then refuted by philosophical analysis (Neti Neti). The transcendental sound vibration thus establishes Me as the essential meaning of all Vedic knowledge. The Vedas, elaborately analyzing all material duality as nothing but My illusory potency, ultimately completely negate this duality and achieve their own satisfaction.’’- Srimad Bhagavatam 11.21.43
veda-vid eva cāham
‘’I am the only true knower of the Vedas.’’- Bhagavad Gita 15.15
Thus, only Krishna knows the confidential meaning of the Vedas, in truth.
THE ESSENCE OF THE VEDAS CAN BE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH THE MERCIFUL REVELATION OF LORD KRISHNA
Considering the above verses, one may ask if Vedas are so difficult to comprehend that even great sages fail to arrive at the proper meaning of the Vedas and if only Krishna knows their confidential meaning, how can a common man understand the essential import of the Vedas? To this query, Upanishads state as follows
nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo
na medhayā na bahunā śrutena
yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas
tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṁ svām‘’The Supreme Lord is not obtained by expert explanations on Vedas, by vast intelligence (Sanskrit scholarship), nor even by much hearing. He is obtained/understood only by one whom He Himself chooses. To such a person He manifests His own form (revelation of Sabda Brahma and Param Brahma).”- Katha Upanishad 1.2.23 & Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.3
deva prasadat ca
‘’Only by the mercy of Lord, one can understand Him.’’- Svetasvatara Upanishad 6.21
In the above couple of verses, it is explained how the essential import of Vedas, verily Lord Krishna Himself, is revealed only by His mercy. If one doesn’t have Lord’s mercy, he will never understand the import of the Vedas, even if one goes on studying the Vedas for innumerable lives. Thus explains the Lord Brahma
athāpi te deva padāmbuja-dvaya-
prasāda-leśānugṛhīta eva hi
jānāti tattvaṁ bhagavan-mahimno
na cānya eko ’pi ciraṁ vicinvan‘’Lord Brahma says: My Lord if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But those who speculate (through misinterpretation of Vedas) to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years.’’- Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.29
MERCIFUL REVELATION HAPPENS ONLY BY BHAKTI, PERFORMED IN BONAFIDE SAMPRADAYA
If only by Lord’s mercy, one can understand Him, one may ask how Lord’s mercy can be obtained. To this, Lord Krishna states
bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ
‘’Only by Bhakti (devotional service), one can factually know about Me.’’- Bhagavad Gita 18.55
Thus Bhakti is the key to unlocking the mystery of the Vedas and to accessing the Lord’s mercy. Now, Bhakti is channelized to us through a system of Parampara, which gives us an opportunity to render service to the Lord and His devotees, following a bonafide Sampradaya. The Guru should be following one of the four authentic Sampradayas. In fact, one of the qualities of the Guru is mentioned as ‘saṃpradāyī’ (belonging to the bonafide Sampradaya), as quoted in Padma Purana, Patala Khanda 82.8.
LORD KRISHNA IS CONFIDENTIALLY MENTIONED IN THE VEDAS.
Now that we have understood, at least theoretically, that Krishna is the purpose of all the Vedas, one may ask, if Krishna is so clearly declaring, in Bhagavad Gita, that by all the Vedas, He has to be known, why doesn't it appear that simple and clear? Why does it seem, to many people, as if Krishna is not mentioned or somewhere missing in the Vedas? Why such confusion?
To answer the above question, before throwing any speculation in the air, let's hear what Aitareya Upanishad 1.3.14 has to say
tam idandraṃ santam indra ity ācakṣate parokṣeṇa
parokṣapriyā iva hi devāḥ parokṣapriyā iva hi devāḥ‘’The word Indra means idam drah (one who is beyond the range of senses). Thus wise one confidentially calls Him (Hrisekesha or Krishna) Indra. He likes to be invoked confidentially (paroksha priya). Yes, He likes to be invoked confidentially. ‘’ -Aitareya Upanishad 1.3.14
Thus Vedic scripture declares that Brahman or God likes to be invoked confidentially (in a terse or esoteric manner). Thus, Vedic seers and Mantras invoke Him accordingly.
REASON FOR THE CONFIDENTIAL DESCRIPTIONS OF LORD KRISHNA (IN THE VEDAS)
Now, one may ask why God likes to be invoked confidentially. Why does He want to hide His glories in the Vedas? Vedas seem to glorify Him so confidentially that even many Sanskrit scholars fail to recognize the presence of Lord Krishna in the Vedas.
To answer the above query, we have to understand that such confidential descriptions serve two important and necessary purposes.
Firstly, it inspires followers of the Karma Kanda to practice their fruitive rituals, which serve their evolutionary needs (since they are not, currently, ready to take up the Jnana Kanda).
Secondly, it helps conceal the confidential glories of Krishna from the faithless and envious people, who are simply not ready to understand His Tattva or surrender to Him. In fact, the only reason Lord Krishna explained Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna was that Arjuna was a devotee, a friend, and a non-envious of Krishna. This is mentioned by Lord Krishna as follows
bhakto 'si me sakha ceti rahasyam hy etad uttamam
‘’Oh Arjuna, since you are My devotee and friendly to Me, I am speaking this confidential knowledge to you.’’- Bhagavad Gita 4.3
pravakṣyāmy anasūyave
‘’Oh Arjuna, I am speaking this confidential knowledge (of Bhakti) to you because you are non-envious of Me.’’’- Bhagavad Gita 9.1
Further, Lord Krishna doesn’t want Him to be taken cheaply by others, for things that are obtained cheaply are also lost easily, for people don’t tend to value cheap things and, unknowingly, end up committing various offenses to Krishna that only take them away from the ultimate goal of life.
LORD KRISHNA WISHES THAT HE BE GLORIFIED INDIRECTLY (OR CONFIDENTIALLY)
The fact that Lord Krishna has been glorified indirectly in the Vedas has been confirmed by Krishna Himself, in Srimad Bhagavatam 11.21.35, as follows
parokṣa-vādā ṛṣayaḥ parokṣaṁ mama ca priyam
‘’The Vedic seers and mantras deal in esoteric terms and I am pleased by such confidential descriptions.’’
Thus, in the above Bhagavatam verse, Krishna acknowledges or re-affirms, without doubt, the Aitareya Upanishad verse as referring to Himself (parokṣapriyā iva hi devāḥ; parokṣaṁ mama ca priyam)
EXTENT OF THE REVELATION OF THE CONFIDENTIAL TRUTHS IN VARIOUS UPANISHADS
Due to the above-cited reasons, generally, many people, apparently, don’t find enough Vedic Mantras that directly glorify Krishna, although that is not the case, as discussed before and as will be proved later. This confidentiality applies not just to the Mantras of the four Vedas but also to the Upanishads. It is for this reason that Muktika Upanishad states that for realizing the knowledge of Brahman, only Mandukya is enough. If knowledge is not realized from this Upanishad, study all ten primary Upanishads. If still, the knowledge is not realized, then study the 32 Upanishads, etc.
The reason such a hierarchy of Upanishads is presented is that the primary Upanishads generally employ terse and esoteric means to offer the knowledge of Brahman or Krishna. Thus, their revelation is much more indirect and confidential. Thus, many unqualified people are unable to comprehend Brahman from such indirect descriptions. At best, they misinterpret. However, it is also true that Brahman is best realized through such confidential descriptions mentioned in the primary Upanishads, for other secondary Upanishads in the canon may tend to confuse readers through their apparently direct glorifications of various deities, thus making people confused as if which deity is Brahman or Supreme.
However, those who are truly qualified to know Brahman can sufficiently know Him from the ten primary Upanishads, for those are declared to be enough. So, others, who have failed to know Brahman through the primary Upanishads, may not yet be ready or may be qualified to know Him. This is the implied meaning.
Those who are truly able to understand the nature of Brahman from the primary Upanishads should be understood to have properly grasped the true meaning of paroksha jnana (confidential jnana described indirectly). Since they have been able to realize such confidential descriptions, they have themselves proven their qualification and spiritual stamina to know Brahman, and, thus, they don’t take such knowledge, so realized, cheaply. This is another implied meaning. This makes their conviction firm and devotion steady.
However, the general mass may not be able to decipher such confidential descriptions, so commentaries of the qualified acharyas and taking instructions from Guru become an important necessity. It is for this reason that various Vaishnava acharyas have kindly provided us sufficient commentaries on such principal Upanishads, duly following the chain of bonafide Parampara (disciplic succession). This indeed is the requisite qualification to know Brahman.
VEDAS FEAR MISINTERPRETATION FROM NON-DEVOTEES
Now, that we have understood the reasons for such confidential descriptions and their place of importance, it won’t be surprising to see that many unqualified Sanskrit scholars would immediately want to jump onto the Vedas to translate or, put another way, mistranslate them, to serve their ulterior agendas. Naturally, that which is too terse is expected to have lots of misinterpretations too.
Thus, Vedas fear such misinterpretations, for they cloud the real knowledge of Brahman from the innocent masses. This fear of Vedas is stated as follows
Itihāsa purāṇābhyām vedam sam-upabṛmhayet |
Bibhetyalpa śrutād vedo mām ayam prahariṣyati ||
‘’One should interpret the Veda through means of the Itihāsas and Purāṇas. The Vedas fear a person of little learning fearing “he will misunderstand me!”
Quoted in Vasistha Dharma sutra 27:6, Padma Purana 1.2.52, & Skanda purana 5.3.122
TO AVOID MISINTERPRETATIONS, ACCEPT ITIHASAS AND PURANAS AS THE FIFTH VEDA
Since the four Vedas fear misinterpretation of their confidential and indirect glorification of Krishna, Vedas consider Itihasa and Purana as authoritative means of knowledge, and thus consider them the fifth Veda, for they are much more direct and accessible to the masses. Thus, states the Chandoga Upanishad
nama va rg-vedo yajur-vedah sama-veda atharvanas caturtha
itihasa-puranah pancamo vedanam vedah
"Indeed, Rg, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva are the names of the four Vedas. The Itihasas and Puranas should be considered the fifth Veda." (Kauthumiya Chandogya Upanisad 7.1.4)
Thus, one shouldn’t proudly assume ‘’I will only follow the four Vedas as the authority. Puranas are recent and thus I don’t consider them authority’’. Such understanding is grossly defective, for Vedas themselves declare Itihasas such as Mahabharata and Ramayana, and Puranas such as Bhagavatam, etc as authentic. Thus, states the Skanda Purana
veda-van niscalam manye puranartham dvijottamah
vedah pratisthitah sarve purane natra samsayah‘’O best of the Brahmanas, the meaning of the Puranas is unchanging just like that of the Vedas. The (confidential meaning of) Vedas are all sheltered within the Puranas. Of this, there should not be any doubt.’’- Skanda Purana 5.3.121
Thus, one should corroborate Vedas with Itihasas and Puranas.
FEW GLIMPSES OF LORD KRISHNA FINDING THE MENTIONS IN THE VEDAS
Now that we have discussed a lot, giving a backdrop on the confidentiality of the Vedas, qualification to know the essential import of the Vedas, and difficulty in interpreting the Vedas, let us now find some glimpses of Lord Krishna in the Vedas.
apaśyaṃ gopām anipadyamānam ā ca parā ca pathibhiś carantam |
sa sadhrīcīḥ sa viṣūcīr vasāna ā varīvarti bhuvaneṣv antaḥ ||
‘’I saw a cowherd boy. He never falls from His position; sometimes He is near, and sometimes far, wandering on various paths. He is a friend, decorated with a variety of clothes. He descends again and again to the material world.’’ -Rig Veda 1.164.31
tā vāṃ vāstūny uśmasi gamadhyai yatra gāvo bhūriśṛṅgā ayāsaḥ |
atrāha tad urugāyasya vṛṣṇaḥ paramam padam ava bhāti bhūri ||
‘’We wish to go to Your [Rādhā’s and Kṛṣṇa’s] beautiful houses, about which cows with large, excellent horns are wandering. Yet distinctly shining on this earth is that supreme abode of Yours that showers joy on all, O Urugāya [Kṛṣṇa, who is much praised].”- Rig Veda 1.154.6
govinda pundarikaksa raksa mam saranagatam
‘’Oh Govinda, Oh Pundarikaksha, please protect me. I have surrendered unto You.’’-Vasudeva Upanishad
Sac-cid-ananda-rupaya krsnayaklista-karine
‘’I offer obeisances to Krishna, the form of eternity, knowledge, and bliss, whose every act is wonderful.’’- Gopala Tapani Upanishad 1.1.1
brahmanyo devakiputra brahmanyo madhusudanah
‘’Brahman is the son of Devaki. Brahman is the enemy of the demon Madhu.’’ -Atmabodha Upanishad & Narayana Upanishad.
taddhaitadghor āṅgirasaḥ kṛṣṇāya devakīputrāyoktvovācāpipāsa eva sa babhūva so'ntavelāyāmetattrayaṃ pratipadyetākṣitamasyacyutamasi prāṇasam̐śitamasīti tatraite dve ṛcau bhavataḥ ॥
‘’The rishi Ghora Angirasa practiced this Purusha Yajna with the dedication as "This is subservient to Krishna, the Son of Devaki". That Ghora Angirasa had no thirst, as he came upon Brahmavidya through this. At the last moment of his life, he said to Brahman, "You are imperishable, You are unchanging reality (Achyuta), and You are the subtle truth(prana) enlivening this universe"- Chandogya Upanishad 3.7.6
eko devo nitya-lilanurakto bhakta-vyapi bhakta-hridy antar-atma
"The one God is eternally engaged in many sports (pastimes) in relation with His devotees.’’- Purusha Bodhini Upanishad (Atharva Veda)
dve parsve candravali radhika ca yasya amse laksmi-durgadika saktih
‘’In the land of Gokula in Mathura-mandala, Lord Krsna resides. His two sides are Radha and Candravali. Laksmi, Durga, and the Lord's potencies are expansions of Sri Radha.”- Purusha Bodhini Upanishad (Atharva Veda)
Above are just a few glimpses of the mentions of Krishna in the Vedas. This is in no way exhaustive, for there are innumerable such references. For fear of becoming too voluminous, I will not anymore quote such miscellaneous verses.
COMPLETE KRISHNA LILA FOUND IN RIG VEDA (BASED ON MANTRA BHAGAVATAM)
In this last and very important section of my answer, I will try to showcase the pastimes of Lord Krishna that are mentioned very confidentially in the Rig Vedic Mantras. All these pastimes are already mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam, which is considered the cream essence of all the Vedas. Thus, it shouldn’t come as surprise to the devotees.
I will divide these pastimes progressively into four broad Khandas, along with one miscellaneous section, as follows
- Gokula Khanda
- Vrindavana Khanda
- Akrura Khanda
- Mathura Khanda
- Miscellaneous Section
This has never been presented before and will showcase the extraordinary brilliance of how Rig Veda has managed to conceal Lord Krishna- The Supreme Brahman- through its complex and esoteric Mantras. I will not be explaining the complete meaning of any Mantras but will just briefly be indicating which Mantra denotes which pastime of Lord Krishna, in a progressive manner. For a complete explanation of the Rig Vedic Mantras, I would suggest inquisitive readers make a careful study of the book ‘’Mantra Bhagavatam’’, composed by Sri Nilakantha, who is also the author of other famous works such as Mantra Ramayana. He has also written a complete commentary on a hundred thousand verses of the Mahabharata.
Following the explanations of Sri Nilakantha, I have compiled a tabular excel worksheet that progressively explains the eternal pastimes of Lord Krishna, as performed during His Avatara Lila, in reference to the Rig Vedic Mantras.
I. GOKULA LILA IN RIG VEDIC MANTRAS
II. VRINDAVANA LILA IN RIG VEDIC MANTRAS
III. AKRURA LILA (VILAPA- LAMENTATION OF GOPIS) IN RIG VEDIC MANTRAS
V. MISCELLANEOUS SECTION IN RIG VEDIC MANTRAS
CONCLUSION
Thus, one can see the extent of the numerous pastimes of Lord Krishna that are mentioned confidentially in the Rig Vedic Mantras, in a very indirect way ( parokṣapriyā iva hi devāḥ). One who is interested to go in-depth into the explanation of the above Vedic Mantras should consult ‘’Mantra Bhagavatam’’. The link is shared in the reference below. Again, this is in no way exhaustive, for Krishna Lila is unfathomable.
However, if one is not interested to study the explanations of these complex Rig Vedic Mantras and has complete faith in the statement of Lord Krishna, as stated in Bhagavad Gita 15.15, ‘’By all the Vedas, I am to be known’’, you may stop here and simply go on chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra, for this indeed is the essence of all the Vedas, in this age of Kali Yuga.
