Krishna’s life vividly manifest the ideal to be achieved

Krishna’s life vividly manifest the ideal to be achieved

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. Sri 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 the elect. Sri Krishna points out that the great men are the path-makers who blaze the trail that other men follow.

 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.” (9: 27).

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. 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 fruit of work be your incentive.” (2:47).

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. 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, Lord 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).

God does not stand aside unconcerned when we abuse our privileges and freedom, and when by our actions we cause problems in God’s world. He simply does not wind-up the world (like a clock), set it on the right track and let it jog along by itself. He is not sitting on a throne in a far-away place, allowing us to make mistakes, then judges us into eternal damnation. No! His loving hands are steering us along all the time. The God of the Gita (Sri Krishna) is the upholder of Dharma, not a God remote, unknown and unconcerned with our daily struggles.

Through the life of Lord Sri Krishna we get to see vividly the ideal which we have to attain. He sets a standard which we have to strive for. His teachings dispel the doubts, and His life provides us with the living model which we are to copy for our upward growth. He not only teaches us the true doctrine by which we can conquer our lower self, and come to realize God in our lives, but He offers Himself as a channel of grace and love. By inviting us to trust and love Him, He promises to lead us towards Him.

In Krishna there appeared the Power 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.

 (Pandit Ramdial Balbadar is a prominent Aachaarya (Teacher) of Hinduism in Guyana. He is the compiler and author of many titles and has over 30 years experience in Pandits’ Training across Guyana. He is currently the President of the Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region 3).