Lord Kṛṣṇa Loves Women

Masculinity, Misogyny, and Radical Theology

Abstract

This article challenges conventional interpretations that often instrumentalize the women in Kṛṣṇa's life, particularly the gopīs and Rādhā, within narratives primarily focused on male devotion and pleasure. Countering the misogynistic undertones prevalent in some religious traditions, which portray women as threats to male purity and authority, this article argues for a radical theological perspective: that Lord Kṛṣṇa, as depicted in Sanskrit texts like the Harivaṃśa, Bhāgavata Purāṇa, and Gītagovinda, actively loves and honors women. Through an examination of Kṛṣṇa's interactions with various women – including his lovers, wives, mother, and even those who challenge him – the essay demonstrates a consistent pattern of respect, protection, and valuing of women as individuals with their own desires and experiences. By contrasting Kṛṣṇa's behavior with masculine exemplars like Rāma and the renunciant ideal of the Buddha, the author posits that Kṛṣṇa traditions present an alternative, authoritative masculinity rooted in love and respect for women, thereby offering a significant counter-narrative to misogynistic models within South Asian religious thought.