What Happened to Krishna’s Body After Death?

Paramveer Singh July 16, 2025 0 Comments What Happened to Krishna's Body After Death?

Krishna, one of the most worshipped God in Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma, is known for numerous divine miracles during his life time. His story, filled with lessons of love, devotion, and goodness. Krishna comes to his devotees as their friend, their child, or perhaps as a lover or a soulmate. However, what happened to Krishna’s body after death, is often a topic of debate among his devotees. In this blog, we will know in the details about what happened to Krishna after his death.

The Story of Krishna’s Departure

Ancient texts like the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana consider the death of Krishna as one of the significant events in Hindu mythology. Krishna lived a long life, having spent many years, serving as a guide, protector, and even a leader for several forms of life on Earth. The latter part of his life coincided with the Dwapara Yuga, which was the age preceding the current Kali Yuga. The demise of Krishna marks the end of an epoch. The manner of his exit was a mini epic tragedy which signified the close of his human-like persona. As narrated in folk stories, he was shot in the foot by an arrow which triggered his physical death.

A hunter named Jara, mistaking Krishna’s feet for a deer, shot him, marking the physical death of Krishna. This event is important in Hindu belief systems for more than one reason, particularly because of the events that transpired afterwards. Like many pivotal points in Indian philosophy, his death is rich with meaning.

The Death of Krishna and the Symbolism Behind It

Krishna’s death carries not only mantle of significance, but considerable symbolism as well. Alongside the themes of Brahmanism, his death wasn’t a spontaneous act of misfortune, but a conclusion to the journey he had been on intimately since birth. According to legend, Krishna’s time to depart the world came as part of a divine scheme towards the conclusion of the Dwapara Yuga. With the loss of his presence, the world signified a transition from an era of virtue and morality towards one that was filled with chaos, conflict and degradation: the Kali Yuga.

Similarly, the metaphorical significance of Jara shooting him in the foot also describes a deeper social and spiritual philosophy. Everyone leaving their respective mortal coils serves to remind us of how life and death is something that’s completely beyond human control and shall exist forever, unfettered by the chains of time, narrative or corporeal form.

What Changes Occurred to Krishna’s Body Post Mortem?

In the forest, he perished following the impact of an arrow. As far as the texts tell us, his body did not undergo decay in the way human bodies conventionally do. With regards to Krishna, The Bhagavata Purana goes into detail describing that his body had become transformed and remained divinely untouched by the physical laws that operate on ordinary beings. His corporeal form was not a human body after death, but one that surpassed human existence.

The Loss of the Body: According to the Bhagavata Purana, it signified his transcendence. In this case, he assumed both gone and eternal, beyond time and death. Most importantly, physically, transcending the corporeal remains strife body. Hence, while ascended to divine abode, it was said that he did not leave just the corporeal remains behind, rather, the “body” per se: corporeal remains, strife free body body.

The Transformation of the Body: Notably, some versions of the story suggest Krishna’s body was never to decay. Even in death, his form was so radiant that it continued to glow with celestial light and purity. This notion, suggests, that Krishna is an eternal, divine figure whose body was not subjected to the laws of nature like that of ordinary mortals.

The Implication of His Departure: Krishna’s bodily departure are often treated as allegorical. It signifies the closing of an epoch in which divine presence was directly accessible on Earth, marking the beginning of an age in which Krishna’s presence would be revered, felt through teachings, scriptures, and divine consciousness, rather than in physical form. The bodily disappearance of Krishna signifies transcendence of all mortal constraints, serving as a reminder about the fleeting nature of existence.

Krishna’s Divine Nature and the Eternal Message

The vanishing of Krishna’s body into the divine realm instead of decomposing highlights his divine nature. As an avatar of Lord Vishnu, Krishna’s departure from this world was not something that he was physically bound to in the same way humans are, as he would no longer be present in a corporeal sense.

Hindu philosophy teaches that the soul is eternal and immutable, while the corporeal body is ephemeral. For devotees, while the physical form of Krishna may be lifeless, his teachings and guidance are ever-present and accessible for all, marked through texts such as the Bhagavad Gita.

The Lasting Legacy of Krishna’s Teachings

In my opinion, focusing on the actual remains of Krishna and speculating on the fate of the mortal remains diverts attention away from the more important aspect that is his truly boundless legacy. The divine precepts of his devotion serve as the guiding light for many followers who wish to espouse love, duty, and piety in their lives.

Devotees presume that Krishna lives on within them and in the manner they practice his teachings. His departure implies a physical form is unnecessary for his teachings to endure. In reality, through devotion and the practice of dharma (righteousness), his spirit is kept alive.

Conclusion: Krishna’s Death and Its Deeper Meaning

The philosophy contemplating the event of Krishna’s body disappearing is deeply rooted in theology and philosophy. His departure serves not just as a divine event, but a reminder of the cyclical nature of existence and mortality. The removal of his physical body represents the surpassing of divinity and demonstrates the eternal quality of his essence, teachings, and love.

To millions around the globe, even though Krishna’s physical form is absent, his divine essence is ever-present. Even in absence of his physical presence, he continues to aid humanity through boundless wisdom, love, and compassion while guiding his devotees through life’s intricacies and the soul’s voyage.