Krishna

Family: Yadavas · Role: Vrishni chieftain · First appears: Book II (The Bride's Choice) · IV. The Suitors

In Book II (The Bride's Choice) · IV. The Suitors, Krishna recognizes the sons of Pandu in their Brahman guise and points them out to Valadeva. In Book II (The Bride's Choice) · VIII. Krishna to the Rescue, he recognizes Arjun, Bhima and Yudhishthir among them and speaks words of peace to appease the tumult. In Book III (The Imperial Sacrifice) · III. Glimpses of the Truth, Narad sees him as Narayana, the Primal Cause; in Book III (The Imperial Sacrifice) · IV. The Arghya, Yudhishthir gives him the foremost honour at the sacrifice. Sisupala objects, accuses him of being unworthy of the honour, and recounts his own grievances against Krishna, including his aspiration to Krishna’s wife, Rukmini. Krishna says Sisupala has never sought in his heart to wrong his kinsman, then kills him with his discus.

In Book III (The Imperial Sacrifice) · VII. Yudhishthir Emperor, Krishna bids farewell to Yudhishthir and his family and leaves for Dwarka. In Book V (Woman's Love) · Introduction, he visits Yudhishthir in exile, consoles Draupadi and advises the brothers. In Book VI (Cattle-Lifting) · VI. The Wedding, he gives rich presents to the sons of Pandu. In Book VIII (Fall of Bhishma) · Introduction, Krishna joins Yudhishthir as friend and adviser and becomes Arjun’s charioteer. When Bhishma’s assault routs Yudhishthir’s forces, Krishna cannot turn the tide; he charges at Bhishma with his discus, but Arjun catches him and returns him to the chariot. Arjun pledges to face Bhishma himself, and Krishna agrees to withhold his weapon.

In Book IX (Fall of Drona) · III. Abhimanyu's Death, Krishna returns with Arjun from a distant battlefield as Yudhishthir tells Arjun of Abhimanyu’s death. In Book XII (Sacrifice of the Horse) · V. Gifts, Krishna leaves Hastina for Dwarka. The Conclusion says that he and Valadeva die shortly after, and that the city of the Yadavas is swallowed by the ocean.