A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.895

c5.895

KRISHNA. ‘Black.’ This name occurs in the Rig-veda, but without any relation to the great deity of later times. The earliest mention of Krishna, the son of Devakī, is in the Chhāndogya Upanishad, where he appears as a scholar. There was a Rishi of the name who was a son of Viswaka. There was also a great Asura so named, who with 10,000 followers committed fearful devastation, until he was defeated and skinned by Indra. In another Vedic hymn, 50,000 Krishnas are said to have been slain, and it is added in another that his pregnant wives were slain with him that he might leave no posterity. This is supposed to have reference to the Rākshasas or to the dark-coloured aborigines of India.