Knowledge Bank

Why did Krishna run away from Jarasandha?

Lord Krishna is lovingly called Rancchod (रणछोड) in North India because he left his battle with Jarasandha midway and migrated with his entire clan to Dwaraka. Mahabharata very clearly says that Balarama at one point in time was just about to kill Jarasandha. But then, an oracle was heard that Jarasandha was destined to die at the hands of Bhima. Rajasuya of Yudhishtira was the first step for the Pandavas to show their power to the world. Vanquishing someone as formidable as Jarasandha definitely would help in this. Krishna must have intended to make this happen.

What is the problem with Western translations of Vedic texts?

Due to cultural gaps, Western translators do not understand the original context of the Vedic texts. The evolution of Hinduism affects the translation of the Vedic texts, often distorting the original meanings. Hinduism transitioned from Vedic rituals to later spiritual traditions. This shift changed how many terms like 'light' and 'darkness' were understood. Over time, cultural changes also led to a loss of the original context, making it difficult for later interpreters to capture the Vedic nuances. Additionally, the language evolved, with Classical Sanskrit differing from the older Vedic Sanskrit, leading to potential misunderstandings. Movements like Bhakti introduced new interpretations, adding emotional connotations that were not present in the Vedic period. The interaction with other philosophies further merged ideas, overshadowing the original Vedic meanings. As a result, translations often reflect these later influences, rather than maintaining the original qualitative distinctions intended in the Vedic texts.