Krishna is one of the most beloved and important gods in Hinduism. He is known for his playful nature, his love of music and dance, and his role as a teacher and guide. However, there is one unusual feature of Krishna’s appearance that is not often discussed – his weak left foot.
Krishna’s Birth and Early Life
To understand the story behind Krishna’s weak foot, we have to go back to his birth. Krishna was born in Mathura to Devaki and her husband Vasudeva. At the time, Devaki’s brother Kamsa was the evil king of Mathura. When Kamsa learned that Devaki’s eighth child would kill him, he imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva and killed their first six children. The seventh child, Balrama, was mystically transferred to another womb. When Krishna, the eighth child, was born, Vasudeva managed to smuggle him out of the prison and switch him with a baby girl born to Yashoda and Nanda in Vrindavan. Krishna then grew up as a cowherd in Vrindavan, unaware of his royal lineage.
While living in Vrindavan, Krishna displayed his divine powers on many occasions. As a baby, he killed the demon Putana when she tried to poison him. As a young boy, he lifted the Govardhana hill to shelter the villagers and cattle from Indra’s wrath. Tales of Krishna’s adventures and miracles spread throughout Vrindavan and beyond.
The Prophecy
When Krishna was born, there was a prophecy made that he would die at the hands of his uncle Kamsa. Kamsa was told that the eighth child of Devaki would kill him, so he was always on guard against this threat. He kept sending demons and threats to kill Krishna, but thanks to Krishna’s divine powers and intelligence, he escaped every time.
When Krishna reached his teens, he became aware of the prophecy. He decided at that time that it was inevitable that he would have to face his uncle Kamsa. So he voluntarily went to Mathura along with his brother Balarama to confront his destiny.
Krishna’s Fight with Kamsa
In Mathura, Krishna and Balarama issued a challenge to Kamsa to face them in a wrestling match. Kamsa eagerly accepted, seeing this as his chance to finally eliminate the threat to his life. He sent his best wrestlers to fight Krishna and Balarama, but the two brothers defeated them all.
Finally, Krishna faced off against Kamsa himself. After a fierce fight, Krishna grabbed Kamsa, swung him around with great force, and threw him to the ground. Jumping on top of him, Krishna pinned Kamsa down and killed him, just as the prophecy had predicted.
The Curse from Yashoda
To understand what happened to Krishna’s foot, we have to go back in time again to his childhood days in Vrindavan. Krishna was known as a mischievous child, often getting into trouble with his adopted mother Yashoda.
One day, little Krishna was caught stealing butter by Yashoda. Frustrated by his behavior, she tied him to a mortar as punishment. However, Krishna managed to wiggle free and further exasperate Yashoda by breaking the butter pots. In her anger, Yashoda chased after him wielding a stick. At one point, she threw the stick but it struck Krishna’s left foot instead of hitting him.
Yashoda immediately felt remorse and picked up Krishna to console him. But the damage was done – Krishna’s left foot was left slightly injured and weakened by the blow. This was the curse that Yashoda had inadvertently placed on him as a little child.
Why the Weak Foot?
Krishna’s weakened left foot did not impede him greatly during his youth. He was still able to accomplish miraculous feats and defeat powerful foes. However, when it came time to face his uncle Kamsa, the prophecy seemed destined to come true no matter what. Krishna needed to defeat Kamsa in order to rid the world of his evil, but the curse left him vulnerable.
During the wrestling match, Krishna ended up using his weakened left foot to pin Kamsa down. The injury left him unable to apply full force, allowing Kamsa an opportunity to briefly break free of Krishna’s grip. But Krishna finally managed to grip him again and deliver the killing blow.
So in essence, Krishna’s left foot was made weak by Yashoda’s curse so that the prophecy could be fulfilled. With his strength slightly sapped, Krishna could destroy Kamsa but also remain vulnerable for a time. This allowed the predetermined events to play out as fortune had ordained.
Deeper Meaning of the Weak Foot
Beyond the literal story, Krishna’s weak foot also carries symbolic meaning. Hindu scriptures teach that gods take human form to maintain balance between good and evil. For this balance, even the gods’ powers must have limits.
Krishna’s weakened foot represents human vulnerability even in a godly incarnation. It shows that divine figures are not just heroic superhumans, but blend human flaws with spiritual perfection. Krishna’s foot reminds devotees that infallible gods cannot solve every problem – people must also strive and sacrifice.
The weak foot also symbolizes human shortcomings that make fulfillment of prophecy possible. However mighty he was, Krishna could not resist his destiny just through power. His vulnerability left space for destiny’s will to prevail despite his divinity.
Other Interpretations
There are other interpretations of Krishna’s weak foot as well. Some say it alludes to imperfections or weaknesses that help the divine serve humanity. For instance, it grounds them in human experience, or allows people to relate to gods through shared vulnerabilities. Views differ on how literally versus symbolically Krishna’s weak foot should be taken.
Metaphysically, some schools of thought see the weak foot as representing bondage to the material world that stops souls from reaching divine potential. Like the literal prophecy binding Krishna, human souls are bound by karma and must work diligently for liberation.
The Foot Today
Today, the legacy of Krishna’s weakened foot persists. In many sculptures and images of Krishna, one foot is depicted slightly lifted, alluding to his injury. Artists take care to convey this defining feature of Krishna’s physical form and its symbolic significance.
When Krishna is pictured standing and playing the flute, his weight rests on the right leg while the left foot lifts gracefully. Temple sculptures sometimes articulate the left foot differently to highlight this aspect of Krishna’s story.
However, Krishna’s weakened foot caused him no limitations in his activities. Scriptures tell of him later dancing playfully and expertly on one foot to please his devotees. So while images preserve the foot’s frailty, it also honors Krishna’s triumph over this imperfection.
Conclusion
Krishna’s left foot was made weak by his adopted mother’s curse, allowing destiny to run its course. But beyond the literal tale, the foot carries deeper symbolism about divine-human links, vulnerability’s role, and humanity’s spiritual mission. Images of Krishna depict the weak foot both to convey his physical reality and to remind devotees of eternal truths known through his life.