Hare Krsna,
The chronology of Lord Krsna’s appearance in each yuga is a bit perplexing.
Garga Muni told Nanda Maharaja: Your son Kṛṣṇa appears as an incarnation in every millennium. In the past, He assumed three different colors — white, red and yellow — and now He has appeared in a blackish color. [In another Dvāpara-yuga, He appeared (as Lord Rāmacandra) in the color of śuka, a parrot. All such incarnations have now assembled in Kṛṣṇa.] (SB 10.8.13)
Here is my confusion. This discussion between Garga Muni and Nanda Maharaja took place in Dvapara yuga when Lord Krsna actually appeared in His original form. Garga Muni said the Supreme Lord appeared as white, red and yellow in previous yugas. Can we assume that the Lord appeared as white in Satya-yuga and as red in Treta yuga? We know the Lord appeared as yellow in Kali-yuga (as Gauranga Mahaprabhu). Therefore, when Garga Muni said the Krsna already assumed yellow color in the past, how are we supposed to understand this? At the time when this discussion took place between Garga Muni and Nanda Maharaja, Kali Yuga had not yet appeared.
What is my source that Lord appeared as white in Satya-yuga and red in Treta-yuga? The Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes the incarnations for each yuga in chronological order. The Bhāgavatam says, kṛte śuklaś catur-bāhuḥ, tretāyāṁ rakta-varṇo’sau, dvāpare bhagavān śyāmaḥ and kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇam.
SB 11.5.20: In each of the four yugas, or ages — Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali — Lord Keśava appears with various complexions, names and forms and is thus worshiped by various processes.
SB 11.5.21: In Satya-yuga the Lord is white and four-armed…
SB 11.5.24: In Tretā-yuga the Lord appears with a red complexion.
SB 11.5.27: In Dvāpara-yuga the Supreme Personality of Godhead appears with a dark blue complexion, wearing yellow garments.
Eleventh Canto does not mention to Krsna appearing as yellow before Kali-yuga. Therefore there seems to be a contradiction between Garga Muni’s statements and what is mentioned in the Eleventh canto.
In another place, Srila Prabhupada writes: “That is confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam by Garga Muni, who said that although the child Kṛṣṇa was blackish, He also appears in three other colors — red, white and yellow. He exhibited His white and red complexions in the Satya and Tretā ages respectively. He did not exhibit the remaining color, yellow-gold, until He appeared as Lord Caitanya, who is known as Gaurahari.” (SB 11.5.32)
Here also Srila Prabhupada indicates that Lord Krsna did not appear in yellow complexion until His appearance as Lord Caitanya. Therefore, Garga Muni’s explanation that Krsna appeared as yellow in previous yuga is perplexing.
I tried to refer to other acarya commentaries but couldn’t find a conclusive answer. My personal philosophy has been that whenever there are contradictions in the scriptures or something is not clearly explained, I take shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s explanation. In this case, Srila Prabhupada clears up the confusion in the purport. He says:
“To adjust all these statements, one should understand that although in some yugas some of the colors are prominent, in every yuga, whenever Kṛṣṇa appears, all the colors are present. Kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇam: although Caitanya Mahāprabhu appears without kṛṣṇa, or a blackish color, He is understood to be Kṛṣṇa Himself. Idānīṁ kṛṣṇatāṁ gataḥ. The same original Kṛṣṇa who appears in different varṇas has now appeared. The word āsan indicates that He is always present. Whenever the Supreme Personality of Godhead appears in His full feature, He is understood to be kṛṣṇa-varṇam, although He appears in different colors. Prahlāda Mahārāja states that Caitanya Mahāprabhu is channa; that is, although He is Kṛṣṇa, He is covered by a yellow color. Thus the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas accept the conclusion that although Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in pīta color, He is Kṛṣṇa.”
Then I wondered why I need to get into all these perplexing details. It is more important to chantg the Holy Name of the Lord which is the top-most benediction for this age.
SB 11.5.32: In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.
It is, therefore, important to follow the teachings of Lord Caitanya and worship Him by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
“Therefore, to worship Lord Caitanya, everyone should together chant the mahā-mantra — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. To propagate worship in churches, temples or mosques is not possible because people have lost interest in that. But anywhere and everywhere, people can chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Thus worshiping Lord Caitanya, they can perform the highest activity and fulfill the highest religious purpose of satisfying the Supreme Lord.” (SB 11.5.32 P)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 