In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna has a unique relationship with humans through his form. Krishna is addressed as being a refuge or shelter. We gain an understanding that Krishna exists in everything and that everything can in turn find a refuge in Krishna. This reference to Krishna reveals that Krishna is not an altogether separate entity as we have seen from other gods as in the Qur’an or Genesis. Krishna is a God in which all others exist and he is their shelter. This changes the relationship that humans will find with Krishna in that we are already a part of him and that leaves us the ability to focus on discipline and knowledge to please Krishna rather than trying to find a connection with Krishna.
Krishna says to Arjuna, “All creatures exist in me but I do not exist in them (9:4)”. When Krishna says this I think of this huge balloon and I imagine all creatures are within this balloon. But just because the creatures exist within this balloon doesn’t mean that the balloon (Krishna) exists within the creature’s bodies. Now that we have this image of Krishna as this all encompassing being, Arjuna begins to address him saying, “You are supreme, infinite, the highest abode.” (10:12) and “Be gracious, Lord of Gods, Shelter of the Universe” (11:25). Arjuna addresses Krishna with a new understanding—he sees that Krishna is a place in which to reside. This is important because Krishna is not just an all knowing, singular being. In fact, when Arjuna sees Krishna’s true form it says, “Arjuna saw all the universe in its many ways and parts, standing as one in the body of the god of gods” (10:13). We cannot think of Arjuna as a single entity or being—he is the everything.
The idea that Krishna is a shelter and an all encompassing being is something that is a hard concept to wrap the mind around, but to understand the human relationship with Krishna we must understand his form. To realize that he is the universe and that we exist inside him is something completely different from the sort of separate gods we have seen in Genesis and the Qur’an. Instead we see that as a part of Krishna already, it is our duty to reach discipline and a higher knowledge rather than to strive to find this connection with God.
Yes, I agree that the ultimate goal (instead of 'duty') is to be reborn with Krishna, outside the suffering world of death and rebirth. Sacred duty is what Krishna bestows upon every person, and one must do it with no regard for its reward, or fruits, to reach the goal. I like how Marlee says a Hindu doesn't have to "find this connection with God," because Krishna makes it very clear that He and his followers are always connected. This fact, as Prof. Fitzsimmons commented on in class, takes away the ambiguity of what or who the religion's higher power actually is.
ReplyDeleteI'm unsure to what extent I agree with Marlee when she says that since people are already connected to Krishna they can "focus on discipline and knowledge to please Krishna rather than trying to find a connection" with him. I don't think the point is that people should focus on discipline and knowledge in order to please Krishna. The Bahagavad Gita says the man of discipline "seeing everything with an equal eye, he sees the self in all creatures and all creatures in the self" (6:29). The text says that through understanding and discipline one can see the connection of everything (including Krishna). Because Krishna is "the self abiding in the heart of all creatures" (10:20) the man of discipline and understanding will constantly remember Krishna and therefore will be devoted solely to Krishna. Krishna, "impartial to all creatures" (9:29), will not be pleased because someone practices discipline and understanding, but the result "if he is devoted solely to me [Krishna]...his resolve is right. His spirit [will quicken] to sacred duty, and he [will find] eternal peace" (9:30-31). Having the correct resolve to lead him to complete his sacred duty and find eternal peace allows "the man of discipline [to] easily [achieve] perfect joy in harmony with the infinite spirit" (6:28). These results should be as Eric puts it "the ultimate goal" because the impartiality with which Krishna views all creatures will not allow him to be pleased if someone is focusing on discipline and knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marlee that Krishna does seem more connected to creatures than do the Abrahamic gods. The comparison of Krishna to a shelter, as well as the statement that Krishna comprises all creatures, are especially unique. However, I would argue that in the Qur'an and Genesis, God is connected to humankind at least a little bit. This is shown in the fact that God created humans in His image, infusing His own breath into their nostrils. By pouring elements of Himself into them, He has linked Himself to them.
ReplyDeleteMarlee's points upon this idea of Krishna as a shelter is very interesting. Krishna tells Arjuna that "... all that exists is woven in me, like a web of pearls on thread" (7:7). I believe I agree with Marlee on that instead of trying to find the connection or even establish a relationship with the divinity, having Krishna in everything in the universe is a foundation for the focus on seeking knowledge and discipline. Krishna says to "focus your mind to me, let your understanding enterme; then you will dwell in me without doubt" (12:8). The goal of men according to Krishna is to detach oneself from desires created by the senses and to seek knowledge of discipline. Once the devout man accomplishes this, then Krishna will grant him the reward of immortality. Krishna mentions that the ones "even more dear to [him] are devotees who cherish this elixir of sacred duty as I have taught it, intent on [him] in their faith" (12:20). By being from Krishna like everything else, men can focus on being devout and thus accomplish their sacred duty for Krishna.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily that it might be a stretch to define human and God's relationships as completely different in the Bhagavad-Gita and the Qur'an/Genesis. Because God creates humans in His own image, I would think Marlee's argument in her last sentence could be applied to the Qur'an/Genesis. Because we are made in God's image, and have a connection from birth, we have a duty to do whatever it may be to reach him.
ReplyDeleteI agree and I think that the relationships with God between the texts are more similar than different. They both focus around the central idea that those who focus their entire being on obeying God and following his teachings will be rewarded. Though both God's desire what is best for individuals, it is truly up to the individual to follow teachings or not causing them to decide their own fate.
ReplyDeleteI think Marlee's point about the goal of life being reborn with Krishna is interesting, however I agree with Iska that it is broader than that. Krishna is the overarching force that is in everything and therefore I feel that instead of being "with Krishna" the believer's goal is to gain the discipline and understanding to see all things in the way that they are without any other outside forces.
ReplyDelete