Krishna as Supreme Personality of Godhead

What it is: This belief affirms that Krishna is not only a manifestation of the divine, but the supreme and personal form of God.

How the tradition understands it: In the most widespread Gaudiya formulation, other divine forms are recognized, but Krishna occupies central position as full source of the other manifestations.

Textual basis and context: The belief is sustained by devotional readings of the Bhagavad Gita, the Bhagavata Purana, and the Gaudiya commentarial tradition.

Objections and debates: There is debate with other readings of Hinduism about the hierarchy among Vishnu, Narayana, Krishna, and other divine forms, and also variation on how to express this supremacy in philosophical language.

Supportive

Bhagavad Gita 10.8

hare-krishna,bhagavad-gita,krishna,theology

Verse used to affirm Krishna as origin of all.

Reference: Bhagavad Gita 10.8.
Content: Krishna declares to be the origin of all and affirms that the wise worship him with devotion.
Use in debate: One of the most cited passages to sustain the supreme centrality of Krishna in Gaudiya devotional reading.

Bhagavata Purana 1.3.28

hare-krishna,bhagavata,krishna,bhagavan

Classic passage used to present Krishna as original Bhagavan.

Reference: Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.28.
Content: The verse is traditionally read as affirmation of Krishna as original form of Bhagavan.
Use in debate: Has central role in Gaudiya theology about the supremacy of Krishna.

Brahma-samhita 5.1

hare-krishna,brahma-samhita,krishna,theology

Very cited verse on Krishna as supreme cause.

Reference: Brahma-samhita 5.1.
Content: The text presents Krishna as supreme controller, with eternal, conscious, and blissful form.
Use in debate: Much used in the Hare Krishna tradition to reinforce personal and supreme description of Krishna.