Krishna's Lineage

The Harivamsha, the final part of the Sanskrit Mahabharata, is a powerhouse of Hindu mythology. Its main business is to supply narrative details about the great god Vishnu's avatar Krishna Vasudeva, who has been a comparatively minor character up to now, despite having taken centre stage in the Bhagavad Gita. It puts Vishnu's manifestation as Krishna in its cosmic context and details Krishna's exploits in childhood and maturity. Presenting a wide variety of exciting stories in a poetic register that makes extensive use of natural imagery, the Harivamsha is a neglected literary gem and an ideal starting-point for readers new to Indian literature.