Readiscovery

There’s an amazing similarity in the accounts of the birth of Jesus and Lord Krishna (seen with Radha in the picture). I was suddenly struck by the similarity on Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna, which was celebrated by many people on September 6 and by others on September 7 this year. Both Krishna and Jesus had to be taken to safety when they were born to save them from tyrants who wanted to kill them. Joseph took Jesus and Mary to Egypt to protect the baby from Herod. Krishna’s father, Vasudeva, spirited him away from Mathura to protect him from his maternal uncle, Kangsa.

There are similarities and differences in the lives and teachings of Krishna and Jesus. Jesus is the son of God. Krishna is the incarnation of the deity, Vishnu. Just as Jesus grew up in the care of Joseph and Mary, Krishna was brought up by his foster parents, Yashoda and Nanda. Jesus was born in a manger In Bethlehem. Krishna was born in a prison in Mathura, which was ruled by his maternal uncle, Kansa. His mother, Devaki, and father, Vasudeva, were imprisoned by Kangsa. He didn’t want them to escape because it had been predicted their child would kill him. So he wanted to murder the child. But Krishna escaped like Jesus.

The teachings of Krishna and the stories and songs about him constitute such a vast body of work that one could spend an entire lifetime in his study.

I wanted a quick and easy way to learn about him.

So I turned to ChatGPT. It answered my questions swiftly, writing about the life and teachings of Krishna and the similarities and differences between him and Jesus instantly.

Here are my questions and ChatGPT’s answers trimmed down.

Q. Tell me about Janmashtami.

A. The story of Janmashtami revolves around the miraculous birth of Lord Krishna in the town of Mathura, in northern India, over 5,000 years ago. According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva, who were imprisoned by Devaki’s brother, the tyrant King Kansa, due to a prophecy that predicted Kansa’s demise at the hands of Devaki’s eighth child.

The night of Lord Krishna’s birth was marked by extraordinary events. As the clock struck midnight, a divine aura enveloped the prison cell, and all the guards fell into a deep slumber. At that moment, Lord Krishna was born in all his divine glory. His parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, were overjoyed, and Vasudeva managed to smuggle the newborn Krishna across the raging Yamuna River to the safety of Gokul, where he was raised by his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda. (Nanda was the cousin of Vasudeva: Wikipedia)

Q. What did Krishna do as a child and after he grew up? Did Krishna kill Kansa as prophesied? What did he do before the battle of Kurukshetra depicted in the epic, Mahabharata?

A. The life of Lord Krishna is filled with numerous fascinating and divine events, both in his childhood and adulthood.

As Krishna grew up, he eventually challenged Kansa to a wrestling match in the city of Mathura. During the contest, Krishna defeated Kansa and ultimately killed him, fulfilling the prophecy. The killing of Kansa is seen as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil and the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness).

Here is a summary of some of the key aspects of Krishna’s life before the battle of Kurukshetra:

Childhood:

1. Birth and Early Life: Krishna was born in the prison of King Kansa in Mathura. He spent his early years in the village of Gokul and Vrindavan, where he performed many divine childhood activities, such as stealing butter, playing the flute, and engaging in playful antics.
2. Killing of Demons: Even as a child, Krishna displayed his divine nature by defeating and slaying various demons sent by his evil uncle, King Kansa, who sought to kill him. These heroic acts established his reputation as a protector of dharma (righteousness).
3. Raas Leela: Krishna is often depicted dancing with the gopis (cowherd girls) during the famous Raas Leela, a divine and transcendent dance that symbolises the soul’s longing for union with the divine.

Adulthood:

1. Establishment of Dwaraka: After leaving Vrindavan, Krishna established the city of Dwaraka on the western coast of India. He ruled as a just and wise king and protected his subjects from various threats.
2. Role in the Mahabharata: Krishna played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata epic, which culminated in the battle of Kurukshetra. He served as a peace envoy, mediator, and charioteer to Prince Arjuna during the Kurukshetra War.
3. Bhagavad Gita: One of the most significant events before the battle of Kurukshetra was Krishna’sdiscourse with Arjuna on the battlefield. This conversation, known as the Bhagavad Gita, contains profound spiritual and philosophical teachings and guidance on duty, righteousness, and the path to spiritual realisation.

Q. What is the Bhagavad Gita? What does Krishna say in the Bhagavad Gita?

The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to simply as the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is a sacred and philosophical text that is considered one of the most important and revered works in Hindu philosophy and literature. The Gita is presented as a conversation between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, just before the start of a great war.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna imparts profound spiritual wisdom and guidance to Arjuna, who is facing moral dilemmas and inner conflict about participating in the battle. The Gita addresses fundamental questions about life, duty, righteousness, and the path to spiritual realisation. It covers a wide range of philosophical and practical topics, including:

1. Dharma (Duty and Righteousness): Krishna emphasises the importance of fulfilling one’s duty (dharma) without attachment to the results of one’s actions. He advises Arjuna to perform his duty as a warrior without hesitation.
2. Yoga (Union and Discipline): The Gita introduces different paths of yoga, including Karma Yoga (the yoga of selfless action), Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion), Jnana Yoga (the yoga of knowledge), and Dhyana Yoga (the yoga of meditation). Krishna explains how each path leads to spiritual realisation.
3. The Nature of the Self (Atman): Krishna teaches that the true self (atman) is eternal and beyond the physical body. He describes the eternal nature of the soul and how it transcends birth and death.
4. Detachment and Equanimity: The Gita emphasises the importance of maintaining equanimity in the face of success and failure, pleasure and pain. Krishna advises detachment from the material world and attachment to the divine.
5. The Vision of the Universal Form (Vishvarupa): In one pivotal moment, Krishna reveals his divine universal form to Arjuna, demonstrating his all-encompassing and transcendental nature.
6. The Importance of Surrender: Krishna encourages Arjuna to surrender to him completely, placing his trust and faith in the divine. He assures Arjuna that those who surrender to him will attain liberation.
7. The Role of the Guru: Krishna emphasises the significance of finding a spiritual teacher (guru) to guide one on the path of spiritual realisation.

The Bhagavad Gita, revered by scholars, philosophers and spiritual seekers, continues to be a source of inspiration and guidance for people around the world.

Q. What did Krishna do after the battle of Kurukshetra?

A. After the battle of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna played a crucial role in various events that followed, both as a statesman and a spiritual guide. Here are some of the significant actions and events associated with Krishna after the Kurukshetra War:

Reconciliation and peace: Following the victory of the Pandavas in the war, Krishna worked to reconcile the warring factions and ensure peace and stability in the region. He encouraged the Pandavas and the Kauravas to make amends and supported the process of rebuilding the kingdom.

Yudhishthira’s coronation: Krishna played a key role in the coronation of Yudhishthira as the rightful king of Hastinapura, marking the establishment of a just and righteous rule.

Mourning and departure: After the war, Krishna travelled to the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where he met with the grieving mothers and wives of the fallen warriors. His compassionate presence brought solace to those who had lost loved ones. Following this, he prepared to return to his kingdom, Dwaraka.

Disaster at Dwaraka: Upon returning to Dwaraka, Lord Krishna found that the city had been submerged by the sea due to a curse, and it was gradually sinking into the ocean. He helped the Yadavas evacuate the city and decided to depart from the earthly realm.

Dissension among the Yadavas: Before his departure, Lord Krishna witnessed a quarrel among the Yadavas, which ultimately led to their self-destruction. This was seen as a result of the curse and a sign that his earthly mission had come to an end.

Q. How did Krishna die?

A. The most commonly accepted account of Lord Krishna’s death is as follows:

Krishna lived a full and eventful life, playing a pivotal role in the events of the Mahabharata, including delivering the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. He spent many years in Dwaraka, where he ruled as a just and wise king.

One day, while Krishna was sitting in meditation under a tree in the forest of Prabhasa, he was accidentally struck by an arrow. The arrow, which was tipped with a piece of grass, pierced his foot. This incident is said to be a result of a curse placed on Krishna by a sage named Durvasa, and it was a sign that his earthly incarnation was coming to an end.

Krishna, recognising that the time had come for him to depart from the mortal world, calmly accepted his fate. He did not resist the arrow or the consequences of the curse. Instead, he allowed his divine form to be revealed, and he left his physical body. It is said that his divine form was so radiant and awe-inspiring that those present were filled with a sense of awe and wonder.

After Lord Krishna’s departure, his mortal remains were not found, as they had transformed into a heavenly and ethereal form. Krishna’s departure marks his return to his divine abode, Vaikuntha, where he reunited with Lord Vishnu.

This event is often seen as a symbol of the impermanence of the physical body and the eternal nature of the soul. Lord Krishna’s teachings, particularly those found in the Bhagavad Gita, emphasise the importance of detachment from the material world and the realisation of one’s true spiritual nature.

Q. Who was the wife of Krishna? Did he have more than one wife?

A. Lord Krishna, according to Hindu mythology and scriptures, had several wives, the most prominent of whom was Rukmini. Rukmini was considered his chief queen and a symbol of devotion and virtue. She is often celebrated as a devoted and ideal wife in Hindu lore.

Krishna’s other principal wives included Satyabhama, who was known for her beauty and strength, and Jambavati, the daughter of the bear-king Jambavan. He also had several other queens and consorts, such as Kalindi, Mitravinda, and Satya, among others.

Krishna’s marriages are described in various Hindu texts, including the Mahabharata and the Puranas. These marriages took place under different circumstances and had various reasons, including political alliances, celestial unions, and divine playfulness. In each of these unions, Krishna is believed to have treated his wives with love and respect.

Rukmini, in particular, is highly revered for her unwavering devotion to Lord Krishna, and their love story is often depicted as an example of divine love and devotion in Hinduism.

It’s important to note that Lord Krishna’s marriages and relationships are part of Hindu mythology and religious tradition and are not seen in the same context as human marriages. They are considered divine and symbolic rather than historical events.

Q. Who was Radha? What was her relationship with Krishna?

A. Radha is a beloved figure in Hinduism, particularly in the Bhakti (devotional) traditions. Radha’s relationship with Krishna is one of deep spiritual and divine love.

Radha is traditionally portrayed as a young woman who lived in the village of Vrindavan, near Mathura in northern India. She is considered to be one of Krishna’s foremost devotees and is celebrated for her pure and unconditional love for him. The Radha-Krishna love story, as depicted in Hindu scriptures, poems, and devotional literature, is seen as the epitome of divine love and the highest form of devotion (bhakti).

Some key points about Radha and her relationship with Krishna:

Marital status: Radha is typically depicted as an unmarried gopi (cowherd girl) in most traditional stories and texts. While Krishna had multiple wives, including Rukmini and Satyabhama, his relationship with Radha transcends the boundaries of conventional marriage.

Divine love: Radha’s love for Krishna is often characterised as selfless, passionate, and spiritually profound. Their love is believed to symbolise the intimate and blissful union of the individual soul (atman) with the divine (Krishna), reflecting the core principles of bhakti.

Symbolic significance: The Radha-Krishna love story is rich with symbolism and metaphor. Radha represents the soul’s longing for union with the divine, and Krishna represents the ultimate God or the Supreme Being. Their love is seen as an allegory for the spiritual journey of the individual soul seeking union with the divine.

Devotional poetry: Radha’s love for Krishna has inspired countless devotional poems, songs, and artistic representations in various Indian languages and artistic forms. This devotional outpouring has contributed to the development of bhakti movements within Hinduism.

Cultural significance: Radha-Krishna worship is particularly popular in the Braj region of India, where Krishna is believed to have spent his early years. The celebrations of Holi and Radha Ashtami (Radha’s birthday) are important festivals associated with Radha and Krishna.

Q. What are the similarities between Krishna and Jesus?

A. Both Jesus and Krishna faced threats to their lives from tyrannical rulers. King Herod in the Christian tradition ordered the massacre of infants in an attempt to kill the infant Jesus. In Hinduism, King Kansa sought to kill Krishna due to a prophecy that predicted Krishna’s role in his downfall.

Both figures had foster parents. In Jesus’ case, it was Joseph and Mary who raised him. In Krishna’s case, Nanda and Yashoda served as his foster parents in Gokul.

Both Jesus and Krishna were believed to have divine missions. Jesus came to fulfil the purpose of salvation and redemption in Christian theology. Krishna’s mission included restoring dharma (righteousness) and imparting spiritual wisdom, as depicted in the Bhagavad Gita.

Q. What are the differences between the lives of Jesus and Krishna?

A. Jesus Christ is a central figure in Christianity, which is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion. His life and teachings are documented in the New Testament of the Bible.

Lord Krishna, on the other hand, is a revered deity in Hinduism, which is a polytheistic religion with a wide range of beliefs and practices. Krishna’s life and teachings are primarily found in Hindu scriptures such as the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita.

Birth and parentage:

Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary through divine intervention, as the Holy Spirit is believed to have conceived him. His earthly father is traditionally considered to be Joseph.

Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva, but his divinity is emphasised, as he is regarded as an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism.

Religious practices:

Christianity emphasises faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour of humanity.

Hinduism encompasses a wide array of beliefs and practices, and worship of Krishna is just one aspect.

Role and significance:

In Christianity, Jesus Christ is considered the central figure for salvation, and belief in him is fundamental for Christians.

In Hinduism, Lord Krishna holds a prominent place as an avatar of Lord Vishnu, and his teachings in the Bhagavad Gita offer guidance on duty, righteousness, and spiritual enlightenment. However, Hinduism encompasses many other deities and philosophical perspectives.

Q. What are the similarities and differences between the teachings of Krishna and the teachings of Christ?

A. The teachings of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita and the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament of the Bible share some similarities but also exhibit significant differences.

Similarities:

1. Love and compassion: Both Krishna and Jesus emphasised the importance of love and compassion. Krishna’s teachings on Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion) stress the significance of loving devotion to God, while Jesus’ teachings frequently highlight the importance of loving one’s neighbor and even one’s enemies.
2. Detachment from materialism: Both figures spoke about the impermanence of the material world and the need to detach from material desires. Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, encourages detachment from the fruits of one’s actions (Karma Yoga), while Jesus warned against excessive attachment to worldly possessions.
3. Humility and Servitude: Both Krishna and Jesus exemplified humility and servitude. Krishna served as Arjuna’s charioteer and adviser, and Jesus famously washed his disciples’ feet, demonstrating the importance of serving others with humility.

Differences:

1. Divine nature: The central difference is the understanding of the nature of Krishna and Jesus. In Christianity, Jesus is considered the divine Son of God and the Saviour of humanity. In contrast, Krishna is seen as an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.
2. Monotheism vs. polytheism: Christianity is a monotheistic religion that worships one God in three persons (the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Hinduism, including the worship of Krishna, is typically polytheistic, with a belief in multiple deities.
3. Salvation and atonement: In Christianity, salvation is often associated with faith in Jesus as the means to eternal life. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are central to this belief. In contrast, Hinduism does not have a singular concept of salvation; it encompasses a variety of paths to spiritual realisation, including devotion (Bhakti), knowledge (Jnana), and selfless action (Karma).
4. Organisation and doctrine: Christianity has a more structured and organised doctrinal system, with creeds and dogmas that define beliefs. Hinduism, including the worship of Krishna, is more diverse and open to a wide range of beliefs and practices.