The legacy of Sri Krishna

SRI Krishna’s message has been an eternal source of inspiration, not only to spiritual aspirants, but also to patriots and philanthropists, social and religious reformers, politicians, and leaders of people. He has been a model of perfection, a nation-builder, a creator of unity among diverse creeds, a friend of the lowly and down-trodden, a sworn enemy of the wicked and a savior of the virtuous; an embodiment of love, grace, and beauty on the one hand, and of power, glory and magnificence on the other.

Sri Krishna represents the Soul of Hinduism. It was He who synthesized the ideals of disinterested Action (Karma Yoga), Knowledge (Jnaana Yoga), and Devotion (Bhakti Yoga). He preached the doctrine of harmony among all sects. It was He who pronounced once and for all the reason for God incarnating Himself in the famous verses:
“Whenever there is a decline of (Dharma) Righteousness, and a rise of (A-Dharma) un-righteousness, then I body Myself forth. For the protection of the virtuous and the destruction of the wicked, I come into being from age to age.” (Gita 4: 7-8).
Sri Krishna was more than a religious reformer, because He came not to destroy or condemn those who came before Him, but to fulfill their teachings. He declares that all faiths ultimately lead to the same goal, and that the different paths which people follow are all His Pathways.
“Howsoever men seek Me, even so do I approach them; for all persons follow My path in every way.” (Gita 4:11).
Sri Krishna’s life was His message; He practiced what He preached. He is the very embodiment of the ideal of Karma Yoga. He teaches that we must remain unperturbed by any circumstances, and accept success or failure with an even mind and calm spirit. We should perform our duties, which are determined according to our individual tastes, temperaments and capacities. Our actions must not be motivated by our greed for personal name, fame, or fortune, but by the desire to do good to others. In this way, we must set an example for others to follow and leave our foot-prints in the sands of time, which will guide them too on the path of duty. Lord Krishna says that the leaders have a greater burden in this regard.
“Whatever a great man does, that very thing other men do; whatever standard he sets up, the general public follow.” (Gita 3: 21).
Common people imitate the standards set by leaders of society. They are the path-makers who blaze the trail that other people follow. They set the standard which ordinary people take. The light generally comes through individuals who are in advance of society. They see the light shining on the mountain heights while their fellows sleep in the valley below. They are the salt of the earth, the light of human communities. They set themselves ablaze in the fire of sacrifice that their light may clearly show the path.
Sri Krishna teaches that our every action ought to be a Yajna, a form of worship.
“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as oblation, whatever you bestow as gift, whatever you do as penance – offer it all to Me.” (Gita 9: 27).
By declaring that those who work only to satisfy their own taste and appetite are selfish and committing sin, He is giving us a pattern of socialism which is religious in outlook and truly Hindu. It is only selfless interest in our duties that will lead us to Jnaana or Self-knowledge. Self-giving results in the consecration of all acts to God. The tide of our common tasks of daily life must flow through the worship of God. Love of God is not an escape from the harshness of life, but a dedication for service to God and humanity.
“You have the right to work, but never to gather the fruits thereof; let not the consequences of work be your incentive, nor let there be tendency to inactivity.”
This is the ideal of Karma Yoga, as embodied in the Gita, which has inspired thousands of men and women to fulfill their duty regardless of the consequences.
“To thine own self be true,” says Shakespeare in Hamlet. Here, a father is advising his son to follow his swadharma, or prescribed, natural duties. Lord Krishna advises that it is better to perform one’s own prescribed duties, even imperfectly, than to do with perfection the duties prescribed for another.
The Law of Karma declares that we are the builders of our own destiny. We are not only the results of our past deeds, but by our own present deeds we are also building our future. So, Sri Krishna declares: “A person should uplift himself by his own efforts, and should never despair or degrade himself; for his own self is his friend, and again his very self can be his own enemy.” (Gita 6: 5).
Lord Sri Krishna teaches us to avoid excesses and practise moderation in everything. In Gita 6:16-17, He says: “Yoga, (spiritual discipline), which rids one of miseries, is not meant for those who eat too much, who sleep or keep awake too much, nor for those who indulge in unnecessary and long fasting. Yoga takes away the sorrows of those who are moderate in their eating and recreation, moderate in all their actions.”
He prescribes the Golden Mean – the Middle Path. According to philosophers, virtue is a mean between two extremes. The middle path is the solution to life; neither asceticism on the one hand, nor license and perversion on the other hand. Everything is for use, and everything must be used wisely in order to be fully enjoyed.
The last word of Sri Krishna recommends complete resignation to the will of God. Egoism must be totally sacrificed. “Give Me your whole heart; love and adore Me; worship Me always; bow only to Me. In this way you shall find Me. This I promise you, for you are exceptionally dear to Me.
This is the promise of the Merciful Lord Sri Krishna to all mankind. In Krishna, there is hope for redemption. The ultimate mystery, the Supreme Teaching is repeated here. Thought, Worship, Sacrifice and Reverence – all must be directed to the Lord. We must let ‘ourselves’ go in a simple, sustained and trustful surrender of oneself to God, and open ourselves out to Him. Our spiritual life depends as much on our going to Him, as well as on his coming to us. It is not only our ascent to God, but also His descent to man.
The Bhagavad Gita has influenced millions of people. Sri Krishna’s name rings down the corridor of history. He has stamped His name perhaps on the most marvelous civilization of the ages. Sri Krishna, from His humble seat in a chariot, has moved India. He will move the world, and all those who study Him. A hundred kingdoms have crumbled; and innumerable relics of ancient art and memorials of kings and statesmen are gone. Krishna has stamped His name upon the life and culture of the Hindus. In Krishna, there appeared the force of the Avataara, in all its glory. The Word did not remain a word, but became a living, moving reality. In Krishna, the Gita has become incarnate as a redemptive Power of Life.

PT. R. BALBADAR

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