Answer

In Jain tradition, Shri Krishna is regarded as a great and powerful person, but not as a liberated soul or God. Jain scriptures describe him as a Vasudeva, a heroic worldly being, and state that after death he was reborn in hell because of the violence connected with his life, especially the great wars and destruction associated with his actions.

This is a Jain account, not a Hindu account.

Explanation

Jain Dharma and Hindu traditions understand Krishna differently:

• In many Hindu traditions: Krishna is worshipped as Bhagavān, an incarnation of Vishnu, and is considered divine.
• In Jain tradition: Krishna is a great historical and spiritual figure, but he is still a worldly soul bound by karma.

According to Jain karma philosophy, even a great person can bind heavy karma if their actions involve violence, attachment, pride, anger, or destruction. Jain tradition therefore teaches that Krishna’s role in violent events led to karmic consequences.

However, Jain tradition also holds that Krishna will eventually progress spiritually and become a Tirthankar in a future time cycle. So his hell birth is not considered eternal damnation, but a temporary karmic result.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma uses this teaching to emphasize a central principle:

• No one is above karma.
• Power, fame, devotion, or greatness do not cancel the results of violence.
• Only complete non-violence, detachment, right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct lead to liberation.

So the Jain view is not meant to insult Krishna. It reflects Jainism’s strict doctrine of karma and ahimsa.

Takeaway

It is not written this way in many Hindu traditions because Hindu and Jain traditions have different theological frameworks. In Jain Dharma, Krishna is honored as a great Vasudeva, but he is still subject to karma; therefore, his violent actions led to a hellish rebirth before his future spiritual rise.