Lord Krishna's Clan Associations

Exploring the lineage and tribal affiliations of one of Hinduism's most revered deities

Primary Clan: The Yadavas

Krishna was born into the Yadava clan (also called the Yadu dynasty or Yaduvamsha), which forms the very core of his identity and stories.

• Ancestry: The Yadavas claimed descent from Yadu, one of the five sons of the legendary King Yayati.
• Immediate Family: He was the son of Vasudeva and Devaki, often referred to as Vāsudeva and Devakinandana.
• Upbringing: Krishna was raised by Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul. Nanda was also a Yadava and chief of a cowherd community.

"Although worshipped as a universal god, Krishna's earthly story is deeply rooted in the politics, wars, and destiny of the Yadava clan."

Sub-group: The Vrishnis

The Yadava clan was a large confederation of allied tribes. The most prominent among them during Krishna's time were:

• Vrishnis (to which Krishna's family belonged)
• Andhakas
• Bhojas

Krishna is therefore often specifically called a Vrishni hero. His most important relationships—with his brother Balarama, his friend Sudama, and his wife Rukmini—were all within the Yadava/Vrishni clan.

The Kingdom: Dwarka

To protect his people from constant attacks, Krishna led the Yadavas from Mathura to establish a new, magnificent city on the western coast of India: Dwarka. This became the capital of the Yadavas.

Summary of Krishna's Clan Associations

Clan Level	Association	Significance
Dynasty	Yadava (Yadu Dynasty)	His birth lineage, descendant of King Yadu
Tribe	Vrishni	His specific sub-clan within the Yadavas
Family	Vasudeva	His immediate family (son of Vasudeva)
Foster Family	Nanda's Yadava Tribe	The cowherd community that raised him in Gokul
Kingdom	Dwarka	The city he founded as the capital for the Yadavas

Historical & Cultural Significance

Krishna's clan affiliation is crucial to understanding his role in Hindu scriptures:

• Political Role: His identity as a Yadava prince and king of Dwarka is central to the Mahabharata
• Mahabharata: He provided his army to the Kauravas and himself as counselor to the Pandavas
• The End of the Yadavas: Scriptures describe a great internal war that destroyed the Yadava clan
• Dwarka's Submergence: After Krishna's departure, Dwarka was submerged by the sea, marking the end of an era (Yuga)

Created with HTML & CSS | Information about Hindu Mythology