Kṛṣṇa’s Dance with the Cowgirls, the Concept of Līlā, and the Importance of Kṛṣṇa’s Name

Abstract

This article explores the significance of the name "Kṛṣṇa" in the context of his celebrated līlās, particularly the dance with the cowgirls described in the Harivaṃśa. It examines traditional interpretations of the name, such as its association with the dark blue or black color of Kṛṣṇa's skin and its connotations of attractiveness and power. The paper then reflects on the use of etymology in religious studies, distinguishing between historical linguistic approaches and traditional explanations rooted in theological perspectives. By re-examining the often-overlooked myth of Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva's births from black and white hairs, the paper proposes an alternative interpretation linking the name Kṛṣṇa to the symbolic importance of the black antelope skin in Vedic sacrifice (yajña). This interpretation suggests that Kṛṣṇa, the "Black" one, embodies the cosmic sacrifice (yajñapuruṣa), closely intertwined with his elder brother Baladeva, who represents the "remainder" of the sacrifice.