Siddhinarasima Malla's reign is often celebrated as one of the finest among the kings of Patan. During his rule, Patan maintained excellent relations with many neighboring kingdoms, including the Gorkha Kingdom, which was ruled by Ram Shah at the time. The two kingdoms had an agreement to have a joint successor if either ruler died without a male heir. Siddhinarasima Malla also fostered friendly relations with the Terai region, as his wife, Bhanumati, hailed from there. He established an agreement with Kantipur that allowed merchants from Patan to trade in Lhasa and had a similar arrangement with Gorkha, promoting economic prosperity.
One of the notable architectural achievements during his reign is the Krishna Mandir, a 17th-century Shikhara-style temple. Built by King Siddhinarasima Malla, who ruled from 1619 to 1661, the Krishna Mandir is an exemplary model of the Shikhara architectural style, common in northern India and Bengal. This design technique is also seen in monuments as far away as Bagan, Myanmar. The temple, crowned with 21 golden pinnacles, features three floors, each intricately designed.
The name "Krishna" is derived from the Sanskrit word Kṛṣṇa, which means "black," "dark," or "dark blue." The tradition of Krishna appears to be an amalgamation of several independent deities from ancient India, the earliest being Vāsudeva, a hero-god of the Vrishni tribe. The worship of Vāsudeva is documented from the 5th–6th century BCE in the writings of Pāṇini and from the 2nd century BCE in epigraphy, such as the Heliodorus pillar. Over time, the Vrishni tribe is believed to have merged with the Yadavas/Abhiras, whose hero-god was Krishna. Vāsudeva and Krishna eventually fused into a single deity, as depicted in the Mahabharata, and were later identified with Vishnu in the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita. By the 4th century CE, the cult of Gopala-Krishna of the Ābhīras, a protector of cattle, was also integrated into the Krishna tradition.
Krishna, a central figure in Hinduism and an avatar of Vishnu, embodies a wealth of symbolic meanings. One of the most iconic symbols associated with Krishna is the flute (bansuri), which represents divine music and the call of the divine. When Krishna plays the flute, it is believed to enchant the hearts of all beings, symbolizing the divine call that attracts souls toward God. The flute’s hollowness signifies the need for individuals to empty themselves of ego and desires to be filled with divine grace. Krishna's blue skin represents the infinite and the immeasurable, akin to the vastness of the sky and the ocean, symbolizing his boundless nature and his role as the sustainer of the universe. The peacock feather adorning his crown is another significant symbol, representing beauty, grace, and the cyclical nature of time, as the peacock is often associated with the monsoon season, which heralds renewal and growth. His playful and loving interactions with the gopis (cowherd girls) in the village of Vrindavan signify the soul’s deep love and longing for union with the divine. Furthermore, Krishna’s relationship with Radha symbolizes the eternal love between the individual soul and the supreme soul, emphasizing devotion and surrender to the divine. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna’s role as a charioteer and guide to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra illustrates the importance of righteousness, duty, and the path to self-realization. These symbols collectively present Krishna as a multifaceted deity who guides devotees toward spiritual enlightenment and embodies divine love, wisdom, and the ultimate truth.
The cowherd staff (Venu) he carries symbolizes his role as a protector and caretaker of his devotees, akin to a shepherd tending to his flock. His association with cows further emphasizes this symbolism, as cows are revered in Hinduism for their gentleness and their provision of nourishment, representing Krishna's nurturing aspect. The lotus flower (Padma) often seen with Krishna symbolizes purity, beauty, and spiritual awakening, as the lotus rises untainted from the muddy waters, mirroring the journey of the soul towards enlightenment despite the material world's challenges. His yellow garments (Pitambara) are symbolic of the earth and his deep connection to humanity, as yellow is a color that represents knowledge and learning. Krishna’s mischievous childhood activities, like stealing butter (Makhan Chor), signify the joy and innocence of a divine child, illustrating the importance of maintaining a playful and joyous heart in the pursuit of spirituality. The depiction of Krishna dancing on the serpent Kaliya is a powerful symbol of his ability to conquer evil and restore order, demonstrating his role as the divine protector who vanquishes negativity and protects dharma (cosmic law and order).
His role as a diplomat and his profound teachings in the Mahabharata emphasize his wisdom and strategic acumen, symbolizing the importance of intellect and moral reasoning in the face of adversity. The Sudarshana Chakra, a spinning disc-like weapon often associated with Vishnu and Krishna, represents the mind’s ability to cut through ignorance and illusion, leading to spiritual clarity and truth. Krishna’s many romantic liaisons, especially his relationship with Radha, symbolize the bliss of divine love and the intense devotion (Bhakti) that leads to the ultimate union with the divine. The river Yamuna, where many of Krishna’s pastimes took place, symbolizes the flow of life and the purifying power of divine grace. These rich symbols collectively depict Krishna as a divine entity embodying love, wisdom, protection, and the joyous nature of the divine, guiding his followers toward a path of spiritual awakening and enlightenment.
