Why one should not view Lord Krishna’s back

Usually, when you visit a temple, you make it a point to see the deity; however, you might not be aware that one should not view the back of the deity’s idol. You may be wondering why this is the case—there is a story behind it. According to the legend, while Shri Krishna was engaged in battle with Jarasandha, an ally of Jarasandha—the Asura Kalayavana—also arrived to fight the Lord. Kalayavana confronted Shri Krishna and challenged him. Shri Krishna then fled the scene. It was precisely because he fled the battlefield in this manner that he came to be known as ‘Ranchhod’.

As Shri Krishna fled, Kalayavana pursued Him. The Lord retreated from the battlefield because Kalayavana possessed immense merit from his past lives, and Krishna does not punish anyone as long as the power of their accumulated merit remains. As Kalayavana ran while gazing at Krishna’s back, his unrighteousness (*adharma*) began to increase; for unrighteousness resides in the Lord’s back, and beholding it causes unrighteousness to grow.

When the merit of Kalayavana’s past deeds was exhausted, Lord Krishna entered a cave where King Muchukunda lay in deep slumber. Muchukunda had received a boon from Indra, the King of the Gods, stating that anyone who woke him from his sleep—and upon whom the King’s gaze fell—would be instantly reduced to ashes. Kalyavana woke up Muchukunda, mistaking him for Krishna, and the moment the demon’s gaze fell upon the king, he was instantly reduced to ashes.
Therefore, one should not look at the back of Lord Sri Hari, as doing so diminishes the merit of one’s virtuous deeds and fosters unrighteousness. One should always view Krishna from the front, facing His divine countenance.