On Sri Krishna

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“God is proud of His Divinity in Sri Krishna.
Man is proud of his humanity in Sri Krishna.

"Sri Krishna is the beloved Boatman who untiringly plies His Boat of Consciousness
between India's unparalleled history and Her unrivalled spirituality. " 

"The Gita is Sri Krishna's Heart, His Vision-in-Fulfilment.
The Gita is humanity's breath, its journey towards Immortality.  
"

"Sri Krishna's Flute stirs the Universal Consciousness.
Sri Krishna's Gita enchants the Transcendental Consciousness.  
"

- Sri Chinmoy (1)

 

Foremost amongst the Hindu scriptures is the Bhagavad-Gita  “The Song Celestial”

The Bhagavad-Gita is loved and cherished by Hindu’s because it embodies the timeless message of Sri Krishna. Through his discourse with Arjuna, Sri Krishna gives a concise and simple message for the upliftment and fulfillment of the human Soul. Sri Krishna speaks with an unmistakable authority, in our hearts we feel the message of the Gita comes direct from the highest source.

Sri Chinmoy says of Sri Krishna:

Sri Krishna walked the soil to annihilate the philosophies of world-shunning spirituality and of world-grasping materialism. He established on earth the “Dharmarajya,” the Kingdom of the Inner Law. He restored the true spirit of Kshatriya heroism, motivated not by human ego, but by Divine Will, making man a devoted and active instrument of the Supreme. He brought down to the earth-consciousness the supreme Truth that earth and earthly life, being inherently divine, must be made outwardly divine, fully and totally, in every sphere, in every aspect.

(Commentary Bhagavad Gita)

Most significant in the life of Sri Krishna was his cousin and devoted disciple Arjuna. Arjuna representative of aspiring humanity was the perfect instrument for conveying and implementing the message of yoga and devoted action.Their relationship blossomed from the friendship of family members to that of devoted disciple and Master. Sri Chinmoy states.

Arjuna is the ascending human soul. Krishna is the descending divine Soul.
Finally they meet. The human soul says to the divine Soul: “I need you.”
The divine Soul says to the human soul: “I need you, too. I need you for my self-manifestation.
You need me for your self-realisation.”
Arjuna says: “O, Krishna, you are mine, absolutely mine.”
Krishna says: “O, Arjuna, no mine, no thine. We are the Oneness complete, within, without
.”

- Sri Chinmoy (1)

 

In the Bhagavad Gita Sri Krishna reveals himself as a direct descent of the Absolute Supreme. As a young boy he startles his mother by revealing his Universal form. To Arjuna he also shows his universal form, so vast and all pervading Arjuna has difficulties comprehending

Whenever unrighteousness is in the ascendant and righteousness is in the decline, I body myself forth.
To protect and preserve the virtuous and put an end to the evil-doers, to establish Dharma, I manifest myself from age to age.

Bhagavad Gita Ch1

It is true that in India many disciples are eager to proclaim their Guru as an avatar, as Swami Vivekananda wrly remarked In East Bengal, India the avatars seem to grow like mushrooms. But full avatars like Sri Krishna are indeed most rare. Many are of the opinion that Sri Krishna was the most perfect of avatars. Sri Chinmoy says:

“There are also Anshavatars (Partial Avatars). But Sri Krishna is a Purnavatar (Complete Avatar) in whom and through whom the Supreme is manifested fully, unreservedly and integrally. When human aspiration ascends, the divine Compassion descends in the cloak of an Avatar." (1)

The message of the Gita is that however men may approach the Lord Krishna so he will accept their devotion. This could be as the heart felt devotion of the gopi’s or through the determined meditation of yogi’s of the selfless service of disciple’s such as Arjuna. Sri Chinmoy says:

As men approach me, so do I accept them.”
There can be no greater solace than his to the bleeding heart of humanity.
If we accept Krishna with faith, he illumines our doubting mind.
If we accept Krishna with love, he purifies our tormenting vital.
If we accept Krishna with devotion, he transforms the ignorance-night of our life
into the Knowledge-Sun of His eternal Life
.”

Sri Chinmoy (1)

 

The Bhagavad Gita says much of the great battle of the Mahabarata but it must not be forgotten the diversity and manifestation of Krishna’s mission during his short life. Of great importance in his divine lila was the period in Vrindaban as a simple cowboy. It was in Vrinadaban that the great tradition of Vaishnavism really started and devotional Hinduism found its most powerful expression. 

 

<>“Sri Krishna stole the hearts of the Gopis unconditionally. The Gopis stole His Ecstasy unreservedly.  
Sweetness and grace inexpressible, bond unbreakable, sacrifice unfathomable
- this indeed is Radha, the Mother-Heart of Sri Krishna.
Radha carries the human soul into Sri Krishna’s Heart.
Sri Krishna transforms the human soul into the Divine Soul
and commands it to play its role in the Divine Play.”

- Sri Chinmoy

 

See also: short Biography of Sri Krishna

Bibliography

(1) Bhagavad Gita commentary by Sri Chinmoy

(2) Message Light Bhagavad Gita

(3) Singer of the Eternal Beyond - Play about Sri Krishna written by Sri Chinmoy

 

          

Hinduism Links

Hinduism

The Vedas

Life of Sri Krishna

About Sri Krishna

Introduction to Gita

Selections from the Gita

Commentary on the Gita