Why Krishna Called Ranchhod

Saroj Jangir

Why Krishna Called Ranchhod ?

Krishna is one of the most important deities of Hindu and he has many nicknames, one of which is ‘Ranchhod’. The name "Ranchhod" comes from two words in the Sanskrit language: There are two words combined together, “ran” which has the meaning of “war” and “chhod” has a meaning of “forsake”. Thus the name “Ranchhod” is derived from “Ran” meaning “battlefield” and “chod” meaning “one who has abandoned”.

When delivering the teachings he realized that the war was going to be devastating and thus left the battlefield and did not engage in the fighting. Thus, he got the nickname ‘Ranchhod’ that means ‘He who has left the battlefield’ and the same has been depicted here.

In conclusion, the name Ranchhod belongs to the array of the Hindu god Krishna addressing his qualities as well as actions in the holy myths.

It is rather important for one to know that the story of Krishna and Kalyavan is an episode from Hindu mythology. Kalyavan was one of the famous kings of that time who was also a strong and an intelligent fighter and was an associate of the diabolical king named Jarasandha. Jarasandha had struck Mathura, the place of Krishna several times and that is how Kalyavan was dispatched to Mathura with an intention of conquering the kingdom and humiliating Krishna.

When Kalyavan reached Mathura, Krishna was not there, hence Lord Balarama, who was Krishna’s friend and cousin took up the challenge of fighting Kalyavan. But Kalyavan had a boon which protected him from any enemy in a one-to-one combate and thus Balarama planned to take him to a cave where Krishna was resting.

As Kalyavan saw Balarama’s disappearing into the cave, he entered the cave finding there a man with a piece of cloth over his face sleeping. He thought that this was Krishna and so charged at him with his mace. However, the man was an innocent man and Krishna who actually offended the girl escaped from the scene and ran away.

Kalyavan followed Krishna and they began to flee each other for a long time and they finally reached a fenced city. Krishna then allured Kalyavan to take him through the network of tunnels inside the city and Kalyavan complied to this demand by the Lord. And lastly Krishna came out of the net and showed himself and Kalyavan understood what he did wrong.

Was Lord Krishna the one who actually won the Kurukshetra War?

Lord Krishna was very much involved in the on going war but he did not fight the war himself or corner the last shot. Kurukshetra War was fought between the Pandavas and the Kauravas both being the respective factions of the same lineage and the war lasted for eighteen days. In that epic, Krishna played the role of the charioteer and a wise consultant to the otherwise known Pandavas led by his close associate and follower Arjuna.

Lord Krishna Names with meaning

Krishna: Named as Krishna, Krishna means dark or black which also relates to the complexion of lord Krishna.

Govinda: The name Govinda means ‘one who is the giver of pleasure to the cows’ or ‘protector of the cows’. Lord Krishna is also known also for loving and protecting cows and this is also seen in this picture since cows are held sacred in Hindu religion.
Gopala: The name Gopala literally stands for ‘the protector of ‘gopas’, or the male cows herders’ or ‘the cowherd’. This symbolizes Lord Krishna that is depicted as a pastoral figure in young age in Vrindavan.
Madhusudana: The name “Madhusudana” according to the Hindu belief means “one who killed the demon Madhu”. It symbolizes victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Madhu which forms part of Hindu mythology.
Mohan: The name ‘Mohan’ is same as ‘Murali’, which means charming or enchanting and symbolize Lord Krishna’s attractive personality or looks.
Murari: As the name suggests the word Murari means the killer of the demon Mura. It narrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Mura just as depicted in Hindu’s epics.

"You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction." - Bhagavad Gita 2.47

"The self-controlled soul, who moves amongst sense objects, free from either attachment or repulsion, he wins eternal Peace." - Bhagavad Gita 2.64

"Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction." - Bhagavad Gita 3.8
"The mind is everything. What you think you become." - Bhagavad Gita 6.5

"I am the Atma abiding in the heart of all beings. I am also the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings." - Bhagavad Gita 10.20

Bhagwat Gita Teachings:-

Karma Yoga: Focus on your actions and do them without attachment to the outcome.
Bhakti Yoga: Devotion to God through love and surrender.
Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge and self-realization.
Dharma: Follow your duty in life with integrity and righteousness.
Ahimsa: Non-violence towards all living beings.
Detachment: Do not get attached to material possessions or people.
Self-Control: Control your mind and senses to stay focused and disciplined.
Surrender to God: Have faith in God and surrender to His will.
Renunciation: Let go of desires and attachments to reach a state of peace and enlightenment.
Bhagwan is the Ultimate Reality: Bhagwan is the supreme power that pervades everything in the universe.