Lord Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva.  He is the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu.  Krishna means the "Existence of Knowledge and Bliss."  He is usually depicted as a young cow herder with a flute in his hand.  During the war of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna taught Arjuna the philosophy of life, and this forms the essence of Bhagvad Gita.

Krishna holds the flute to his lips with two arms.  The flute is an attribute associated with Krishna.  In his other two hands he holds a discus and a conch, symbols associated with Vishnu.  The conch represents Om and the discus represents the sun.  Krishna is surrounded by 7 cobras.  Cobras also known as Nagas, are symbols of kundalini power, cosmic energy coiled and slumbering within man.  It inspires seekers to overcome misdeeds and suffering by lifting the serpent power up the spine into realization.  The snake also represents freedom in Hindu mythology because they cannot be tamed.  Hindus believe in the immortality of the snake due to the shedding of its skin.  A snake eating its tail is a Hindu symbol of eternity.

Excerpt from the Bhagavata Purana
Book 10, Discourse 69
Applying the flute to the lips means purifying the heart, turning the mind unto God. Yearn for the Truth.  Crave after a taste of the Supreme Reality. Putting yourself in that state of mind, is applying the flute to the lips. In this state of mind, with this peace of heart and purity of soul, begin to chant the sacred syllable ‘OM’.  This is putting the breath of sweet music into the flute. What is this flute?  It is simply a symbol for you, (representing) yourself. Indian poets attach great importance to the virtues of the flute.  What virtue does the flute possess that it was raised to such an elevated and dignified position (touching Krishna’s lips)? The flute’s answer w as: ‘I have one virtue.  I have made myself void of all matter. I have emptied myself of non-self.’  The flute, indeed, is empty from head to foot.  Make your whole life a flute.  Make your whole body a flute.  Empty it of selfishness and fill it with divine breath.  Purify the heart.  Sing the name of God.  Dance to God’s tune.

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