In the vast expanse of Hindu cosmology, where time moves in cycles and life unfolds across yugas, avatars of the divine return again and again—not to rule, but to restore balance. Lord Krishna, the beloved avatar of Vishnu in the Dvapara Yuga, is one such divine descent. But who was he before this life? What was his past incarnation?
To understand Krishna’s past life is to understand the continuity of divine purpose—an eternal thread of dharma that runs through time, form, and story.
Krishna’s Past Life: Vishnu’s Previous Avatars
According to Hindu scriptures, Krishna is the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, who incarnates whenever adharma (unrighteousness) rises and dharma (righteousness) needs restoration. As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita:
“Whenever there is a decline in righteousness, I manifest myself.”
— Bhagavad Gita 4.7
Before Krishna’s birth in Dvapara Yuga, Vishnu had taken several other forms. The most notable among them, and widely accepted as Krishna’s immediate past life, is:
Lord Rama – The Seventh Avatar
In Treta Yuga, Vishnu incarnated as Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, known for his unwavering dharma, truthfulness, and noble character. While Krishna’s life is full of charm, strategy, and leela (divine play), Rama’s life was marked by restraint, duty, and sacrifice.
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Rama followed the path of Maryada Purushottama—the ideal man.
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Krishna, as Leela Purushottama, showed the divine through love and action.
The soul journey from Rama to Krishna reveals the evolution of spiritual expression—from ideal behaviour to divine spontaneity.
Other Past Lives of Vishnu Before Krishna
As per the Dashavatara (ten avatars of Vishnu), the divine had incarnated earlier as:
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Matsya (fish) – the saviour of life during the great deluge
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Kurma (tortoise) – the supporter of the churning of the cosmic ocean
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Varaha (boar) – the rescuer of Earth
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Narasimha (half-lion) – the destroyer of evil
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Vamana (dwarf) – the divine strategist
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Parashurama (warrior sage) – the remover of corrupt rulers
Each life served a distinct divine purpose in the cosmic balance of good and evil.
Why This Matters to Devotees
Knowing Krishna’s divine lineage is more than history—it’s a reminder of the soul’s eternal nature. Just as Vishnu takes many forms, we too journey across lifetimes, evolving through experience, karma, and grace.
Wearing Krishna pendants, meditating on his name, or reading the Bhagavad Gita connects the seeker with timeless wisdom—born across yugas, but alive in the heart today.
🕉️ Explore Krishna-Inspired Silver Pendants Here and carry his eternal love and strength wherever you go.
Trusted References
Because Krishna was not born for one life—
He is the soul of time itself.
From Rama to Krishna, the divine dances forward—always present, always guiding.
