CHAPTER 4, TEXT 7: Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.
Bethlehem - Jesus Christ.
Mecca, Saudia Arabia - Prophet Muhammad.
Lumbini, Nepal - Lord Buddha.
Mathura, India - Lord Krishna.
These are all holy birth places of the leaders of major religions of the world. There are more, of course. To discount any one of these leaders is to discount the existence of a spiritual path that has been followed by millions upon millions of people throughout history.
Sure, the Bhagavad-gita was spoken by Krishna to Arjuna 5,000 years ago in India. But Srila Prabhupad writes that "It is not a fact that the Lord appears only on Indian soil. He can manifest Himself anywhere and everywhere, and whenever He desires to appear." This means that there are genuine spiritual paths that originate in all parts of the world and if one follows the path of that religion with sincerity and devotion, then the soul will become elevated in truth.
What's more, the Prophet Muhammad never, ever claimed to be God; he was a teacher. Jesus is considered the son of God but also God. Lord Buddha and Lord Krishna are considered to be God manifest. Which one of these is legitimate?
They're all legitimate. Prabhupad writes, "Sometimes He descends personally, and sometimes He sends His bona fide representative in the form of His son, or servant, or Himself in some disguised form." Ultimately, the form that God or His representative takes is secondary to the purpose and goal of descending to the earth: "to lead people to God consciousness and obedience to the principles of religion."
This verse and purport speaks to me on a very personal level, because I derive inspiration from several religions, and I am delighted to share a few of these snapshots with you.
Both sides of my family, my mother's side and father's side, have been devoted Catholics for generations. Indeed, when my husband and I attend mass on Christmas and Easter, I feel as though the rituals and songs and prayers resonate in my bones and speak to me in an ancient way. When I taught Religion for grades 6-8 at a private Catholic school for two years, I delved into the understanding and experience of this religion in a very deep way. The songs, saints, prayers, and practices continue to inspire and nourish me.
I have been listening to modern Christian music for fifteen years now, and the intimacy and depth and honesty of the lyrics always bring me to a greater level of sincerity to connect to God. Certain songs bring me to tears. I often listen to songs on repeat for sometimes hours at a time in meditation.
Over the years, I have turned to the names of Allah whenever I feel lost and uncertain. I am moved by the mood that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, and all-compassionate. He knows everything. And if such a loving God is so in control, there is nothing to fear.
The other day, I randomly picked up a Bible, opened up to a random page, and began to read a book of the Bible that I had heard of before but had never really read or studied - Ecclesiastes, which belongs to the Old Testament, The Torah. I read the entire book in one sitting (the first time in my life), entranced, utterly shaken and moved by the power of the wisdom of the book.
And of course, this recording of Srila Prabhupad singing the Hare Krishna mantra has been the soundtrack of my heart and life. I would consider that if I left this world while this track was playing, I would be utterly at peace.
These are just a few snapshots of how I have received spiritual nourishment from various religious traditions over the years. If one has even a drop of sincerity in one's heart, one can see that the mood and devotion of these traditions is real and true. God is so merciful. He comes in whatever way He can be understood by the people in that time and place. He does not demand that we all follow Him in only one way. We follow the Lord how our heart calls us.
The essence of each bona fide religion is the same, though: reawaken the love in your heart by abiding by the principles of truth.
Krishna reassures us here that He descends whenever and wherever there is a need to bring us back to the righteous path, the path of truth and love. Thank you, my Lord. Thank you.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's purport to verse 7 of Chapter 4: https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/4/7/
Bethlehem - Jesus Christ.
Mecca, Saudia Arabia - Prophet Muhammad.
Lumbini, Nepal - Lord Buddha.
Mathura, India - Lord Krishna.
These are all holy birth places of the leaders of major religions of the world. There are more, of course. To discount any one of these leaders is to discount the existence of a spiritual path that has been followed by millions upon millions of people throughout history.
Sure, the Bhagavad-gita was spoken by Krishna to Arjuna 5,000 years ago in India. But Srila Prabhupad writes that "It is not a fact that the Lord appears only on Indian soil. He can manifest Himself anywhere and everywhere, and whenever He desires to appear." This means that there are genuine spiritual paths that originate in all parts of the world and if one follows the path of that religion with sincerity and devotion, then the soul will become elevated in truth.
What's more, the Prophet Muhammad never, ever claimed to be God; he was a teacher. Jesus is considered the son of God but also God. Lord Buddha and Lord Krishna are considered to be God manifest. Which one of these is legitimate?
They're all legitimate. Prabhupad writes, "Sometimes He descends personally, and sometimes He sends His bona fide representative in the form of His son, or servant, or Himself in some disguised form." Ultimately, the form that God or His representative takes is secondary to the purpose and goal of descending to the earth: "to lead people to God consciousness and obedience to the principles of religion."
This verse and purport speaks to me on a very personal level, because I derive inspiration from several religions, and I am delighted to share a few of these snapshots with you.
Both sides of my family, my mother's side and father's side, have been devoted Catholics for generations. Indeed, when my husband and I attend mass on Christmas and Easter, I feel as though the rituals and songs and prayers resonate in my bones and speak to me in an ancient way. When I taught Religion for grades 6-8 at a private Catholic school for two years, I delved into the understanding and experience of this religion in a very deep way. The songs, saints, prayers, and practices continue to inspire and nourish me.
I have been listening to modern Christian music for fifteen years now, and the intimacy and depth and honesty of the lyrics always bring me to a greater level of sincerity to connect to God. Certain songs bring me to tears. I often listen to songs on repeat for sometimes hours at a time in meditation.
Over the years, I have turned to the names of Allah whenever I feel lost and uncertain. I am moved by the mood that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, and all-compassionate. He knows everything. And if such a loving God is so in control, there is nothing to fear.
The other day, I randomly picked up a Bible, opened up to a random page, and began to read a book of the Bible that I had heard of before but had never really read or studied - Ecclesiastes, which belongs to the Old Testament, The Torah. I read the entire book in one sitting (the first time in my life), entranced, utterly shaken and moved by the power of the wisdom of the book.
And of course, this recording of Srila Prabhupad singing the Hare Krishna mantra has been the soundtrack of my heart and life. I would consider that if I left this world while this track was playing, I would be utterly at peace.
These are just a few snapshots of how I have received spiritual nourishment from various religious traditions over the years. If one has even a drop of sincerity in one's heart, one can see that the mood and devotion of these traditions is real and true. God is so merciful. He comes in whatever way He can be understood by the people in that time and place. He does not demand that we all follow Him in only one way. We follow the Lord how our heart calls us.
The essence of each bona fide religion is the same, though: reawaken the love in your heart by abiding by the principles of truth.
Krishna reassures us here that He descends whenever and wherever there is a need to bring us back to the righteous path, the path of truth and love. Thank you, my Lord. Thank you.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's purport to verse 7 of Chapter 4: https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/4/7/
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