Akrura

Akrura (Sanskrit: अक्रूर, Akrūra) was a chief of the Yadavas, an ancient people of India, and a descendant of the Vrishni kula (clan). He is worshipped as Shri Akrurji Maharaj (Hindi: श्री अक्रूरजी महाराज) by the present-day Varshney community and is also known as Babrhu.[1] The life of Akrura is depicted in the ancient Indian texts known as the Puranas.

Life

Akrura Speaks to the Cowherds

Akrura (whose name derives from the Sanskrit akrur, meaning "who is not cruel")[2] was one of twelve sons born to Śvaphalka and Gāndinī.[nb 1] Śvaphalka was a son of Prsni[3] and Gāndinīa was a daughter of the king of Kashi.[1] Though sections of the relevant Puranas are missing, and remaining ones are unclear,[nb 2] there is a general recognition that a direct line of descent exists from Yadu through Krostu, Satvata, Vrishni, Yudhājit and then to Prsni, Śvaphalka and Akrura. In Vrishni, Akrura shared the same great-great-grandfather as Krishna.[5]

Akrura married Sutanu, who was the daughter of Ahuka, and with her had two sons, Devaka and Updevaka.[1][nb 3] He reigned at Dvārakā and Pargiter believes that this was the family's chiefdom as far back as Vrishni.[6]

Kamsa ruled over the area as king, being based in the capital at Mathura. He had a desire to see Krishna and Baladeva, his brother, killed. To achieve this end he ordered Akrura to bring them from Ambadi, where they were staying, on the pretext of an invitation to view a ceremony known as "worshipping the bow".[7]

Akrura was given Syamantaka, a significant jewel in Hindu mythology, for safekeeping.

Akrura in Hindu scriptures

Akrura's Mystic Vision of Krishna, Bhagavata Purana

Śvaphalka, of the Vrsni dynasty, married Nandini, daughter of the king of Kasi, and Akrura was born to them. Akrura was an uncle of Krishna but is respected more as a worshipper of Krishna. He is mentioned in Hindu scriptures in the following ways.

Shri Akrura Maharaj Temples

Shree Akrura with Krishna and Balarama, Gopi Nath Temple

Akrur Ghat

Akrura Ghat is one of the bathing ghats at Vrindavan, Mathura district. This is the place where Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama are believed to have revealed their forms of Lord Vishnu and Sesha Naga to Akrura. The text Adi Varaha Purana illustrates Akrura Ghat as the king of all holy places.

One of the major attractions is an ancient Gopi Nath temple dedicated to Krishna and Balarama. Akrura is depicted standing in between the two. It is believed that one can eradicate all his sins by bathing here during a full moon.

See also

References

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Notes
  1. ↑ Gāndinī is also known as Nandini.
  2. ↑ One example of the difficulties regarding clarity is that Vrishni had two sons who shared the same name.[4]
  3. ↑ Devaka is also known as Devavat, and Updevaka as Upadeva.
Citations
  1. 1 2 3 Garg, pp. 305-306.
  2. ↑ http://www.naamkaran.com/babynames/meaning-of-akrur.html
  3. ↑ Pargiter, p. 107, 280.
  4. ↑ Pargiter, p. 104.
  5. ↑ Pargiter, pp. 102-109.
  6. ↑ Pargiter, p. 280.
  7. ↑ Swami, p. 782.
Bibliography
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