On Janmasthami today, let us make a pledge to develop the qualities of Krishna like love for all, childlike innocence, and playfulness; for, by loving all, like innocent children, we will be able to regard all religions and their Gods as equals, says OSWALD PEREIRA
I am a devotee of both Krishna and Christ. What does that make me? A blend of Hindu and Christian? Half-Hindu, half-Christian? My answer to the two questions, would be: ‘None of these.’ I am neither Hindu nor Christian.
Being part of a religion can be very comforting. It gives one a feeling of belonging. But when we seek religion for comfort or belonging, it doesn’t seem to be the right reasons to do so and the motive appears not really altruistic.
So, personally, I’d rather not belong to any particular religion and keep my heart and soul open to all the avatars, prophets and saints ― the more the better! Disciples of Paramhansa Yogananda, pray as follows:
Divine Mother, Heavenly Father,
Dearest Friend, Beloved God,
Lord Jesus Christ, Babaji-Krishna, Lahiri Mahsaya, Swami Sri Yukteswarji,
Beloved Guru, Paramhansa Yogananda
Saints and Sages of all religions, we humbly bow to you all.
May Thy Love shine forever on the sanctuary of our devotion,
And may we be able to awaken Thy Love in all hearts.
Aum, Peace, Amen.
I sincerely believe, confining Krishna or Christ to one particular religion colours them with exclusivity, marring the inclusiveness and universality of the two divine avatars, who descended onto earth to save the whole world, entire mankind and not one particular country, region or community.
Today, being Krishna Janmasthami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, let’s now talk about Lord Krishna.
Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “Whenever, O Arjuna, righteousness declines, and unrighteousness prevails, my body assumes human form and lives as a human being.” He adds, “In order to protect righteousness and also to punish the wicked, I incarnate myself on this earth from time to time.”
Clearly, Lord Krishna is not talking about incarnation in a country or region but on earth. He is also not descending on earth as a Hindu or incarnation of a religious denomination.
Then why do we equate Lord Krishna with India and Hinduism and even boast about our country showing the world the way with a religion that originated in our land, even running down other religions as unequal and not as good?
Lord Krishna taught us detachment and non-possession. But if it is one thing that we are so attached and possessive about, it is religion. Wouldn’t it be better to be humble and less egoistic about our religious beliefs and our Gods?
I have sometimes asked my Hindu friends who are critical of other religions, what if in their next birth they were not reborn into a Hindu family? The answers I have got were interesting. ‘We are proud to be born as Hindu because of our past good Karma and we will be born again as Hindu because we continue to do good karma.’
Christians don’t believe in rebirth. But they equal their Hindu counterparts in feeling proud about their religion. They seriously believe that Christ is the best God, and affirm that they are the ones chosen by Jesus to enter the Kingdom of Heaven ― so exclusive, isn’t it?
It’s perfectly human to love the God that you grew up believing in. But as one grows and matures, one should learn to grant beingness to other religions and their Gods.
Many in the West, including Christians, love and adore Krishna as much as they do Christ. Through Krishna, through yoga, and meditation, they have learnt to look within and rediscover Christ in His pure divinity, devoid of any pride and pomp.
There is a Krishna-Christ Connection, a synergy between Krishna Consciousness and Christ Consciousness. As the father of the Krishna Consciousness Movement, A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada said: “When an Indian person calls on Krishna, he often says, Krsta. Krsta is a Sanskrit word meaning attraction. So when we address God as Christ, Krsta, or Krishna, we indicate the same all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
On Janmasthami today, let us make a pledge to develop the qualities of Krishna -like love for all, childlike innocence, and playfulness. For, by loving all, like innocent children, we will be able to regard all religions and their Gods as equal to ours.
Oswald Pereira, a senior journalist, has also written eight books, including The Newsroom Mafia, Chaddi Buddies, The Krishna-Christ Connexion, How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life and Crime Patrol: The Most Thrilling Stories. Oswald is a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and practises Kriya Yoga.
More Stories by Oswald Pereira
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Krishna consciousness and Christ consciousness are in fact rolled into one, for humanity is the common denominator of both one. This is reflected in the mission statement of their life to uplift humanity, which transcends all boundaries, erected not by divinity but only by man.
Ritualisations of religious practices overtime has merely detached ourselves from the original flair of insights of Krishna & Christ and fragmented societies into faiths and religions, if we can genuinely understand.
May this auspicious day we invoke this Krishna consciousness & Christ consciousness which is but a synergy and fusion of Divine statement for humanity’s upliftment rolled into one. Humanity is indeed the ultimate religion and to establish it, Divinity descends down to earth as the will of the universe, in service of man.
Thank you Oswald ji, for sharing such a beautiful post which speaks up true religiosity as the celebration of the universality of every religion in service of humanity and man.
Well said, Baturamji, “Krishna consciousness and Christ consciousness are in fact rolled into one, for humanity is the common denominator of both.”
You have summed up it up so beautifully when you say, “true religiosity as the celebration of the universality of every religion in service of humanity and man.”
All Gods lead us to have faith in the Supreme being, a divine feeling, no matter what religion we belong to.
True, Anuja, all Gods lead us to have faith in the Supreme Being.
Very well compiled and good thought provoking writeup! Keep up the good work of bringing about a good change in attitude ??
Thank you, Vani, for your kind words and your support to our website.
Inspires us to go on writing.
Amazing! What a wonderful thought. Let’s love, connect and worship all the Divine Beings and energies with equal reverence, respect and love
🙂