Keshava

Keśava may also refer to: the grammarian Kesiraja
krishna

Keshava (Sanskrit: केशव keśava) is a name of Vishnu from within Hindu tradition. The name appears as the 23rd and 648th names in the Vishnu sahasranama of Mahabharata. Lord Keshava is venerated by those persons wanting to avert bad luck, or ill omens. His consort is Keerti.[1]

Scriptural references

Vishnu Sahasranama

According to Adi Sankara' s commentary on the Vishnu sahasranama, Keshava has following meanings:

Padma Purana

According to the Padma Purana the name refers to Krishna's long, beautiful looking unshorn hair.

Bhagavad Gita

In the Bhagavad Gita Arjuna uses the name Keshava[2] for Krishna a number of times, referring to him as the 'Killer of the Keshi demon' : I am now unable to stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. I see only causes of misfortune, O Kesava, killer of the Keśī demon. (Bhagavad Gita 1.30). The demon Keshi, in the form of a horse, was sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna but was overpowered and slain (Vishnu Purana 5.15-16).

See also

References

  1. The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography by Margaret Stutley p.71 73
  2. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, a New Translation and Commentary, Chapter 1-6. Penguin Books, 1969, p 148-149 (v 54)

External links


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