(Hinduism, Sanskrit)
  1. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in His original, two-armed, form, who is the origin of all of the Lord's other forms and incarnations (avataras). He was born as the ninth avatara of Vishnu, and the twentieth purusha incarnation. He was the son of Vasudeva and Devaki. This romantic cowherd figure is regarded by the Hare Krishna movement to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all other figures (including the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) are demoted/relegated to the position of demigods. He is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam, thus:

    "ekonavimshe vimshatime
    vrishnishu prapya janmani
    rama-krishnav iti bhuvo
    bhagavan aharad bharam

    In the nineteenth and twentieth incarnations, the Lord advented himself as Lord Balarama and Lord Krishna in the family of Vrishni [the Yadu dynasty], and by so doing He removed the burden of the world."

    Bhag., Canto 1, Ch. 3, Text 23

    "bhumeh suretara-varutha-vimarditayah
    klesha-vyayaya kalaya sita-krishna-keshah
    jatah karishyati jananupalakshya-margah
    karmani catma-mahimopanibandhanani...

    When the world is overburdened by the fighting strength of kings who have no faith in God, the Lord, just to diminish the distress fo the world, descends with His plenary portion. The Lord come in His original form, with beautiful black hair. And just to expand His transcendental glories, He acts extraordinarily. No one can properly estimate how great He is..."

    Bhag., Canto 2, Ch. 7, Text 26, et. seq.

  2. also a name of Draupadi (the /a/ is long, however, and should be written with a macron)

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