Krishna and Jesus are Both all About the LOVE

I don’t know how we got to this one question, and I could kick myself for not bringing along a Moleskine for note taking, but it was the question of love.  And as Sadhu Maharaja talked on about the difference kinds of love, brotherly, conjugal and divine, and the appropriateness of each

The interior heart of understanding can recognize truth in an instant.

one at difference times, an enlightened thought arose in my mind.  It’s hard to recall now, the epiphany fomenting amongst the steady stream of wandering thoughts, just barely dancing on the outskirts of deep understanding – but this was something I could almost grasp.  The loves Jesus talks about, eros, philia and agape, the greatest one of all being agape – selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love.  The love Jesus has for His father and for His followers.   And Radha for Krishna.  I never quite got this love between Krishna and Radha and how it is so central to Hinduism.  And how the women so worship and aspire to be like Radha, to be with Krishna.  But it’s not an “eros” love, it’s “agape” love.  And through this divine love, they come into a relationship with the supreme being.  And somehow, this is much like Jesus and His bride, the church.  I don’t quite get it, but a light went on, there’s a connection here, one that I don’t understand, but almost feel.

I walked away from this lecture feeling I was on to something, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it.  A better understanding, yes, but still not able to map it out in my brain with any real clarity – it was more a feeling in my heart.

Our True Name

We are also given three names, according to Sadhu Maharaja.  One name by our parents, another name by your guru, and the third name is your real name – your eternal, spirit name – given to you by a messenger from Radha.  You only get a chance to receive this name once – so you better write it down (when it comes to you in meditation or contemplation, I guess).

Beg, Borrow or Steal

Sadhu Maharaja, Munger Raj Mandir, Vrindavan, India

And only greedy people will have the opportunity to receive their third, real name.  And impatient, yes, you must be impatient.  The class seemed confused by this as well, since most people are encourage not to be greedy and not to be impatient.

So Sadhu Maraharaj told this story:  If you have a piece of sweet (candy or something like that) and I really want it, I will ask you for it (beg); but you won’t give it to me, so I ask if I can borrow some money from you so I can buy the sweet from you (borrow); you still won’t do this, so I am left to stealing the sweet from you, this is how badly I want it.  I will beg, borrow or steal to get it, this is greedy.  This is how greedily you must want to know your true self.  And you should also be impatient, and waste no time getting it.

Reincarnation

Munger Raja Mandir, Vrindavan, India

Here’s the story he told about reincarnation:  You have two mothers.  One mother has a child who is behaving very badly, so the mother kicks the child out of house, telling the child never to return.  The second mother’s child is also behaving badly.  So the mother tells the child to behave, and gives the child a chance to improve its behavior.  The child still does not behave, and again the mother gives the child another chance to work on improving its behavior.  She doesn’t kick the child out, she gives the child opportunities to improve its behavior.  This is reincarnation. You get a “do over.”

The group of devotees and listeners was at

Prasadam – Munger Raj Mandir, Vrindavan, India

least 95% foreigners.  From what I could tell, many Russians, Swedes and Bulgarians made up the 25 – 30 or so people.

Prasadam

After the lecture, we all partook of the noon Prasadam.

Your Thoughts?

I would love it if anybody can bring some more light to bear on this question of love and Radha/Krishna. I almost think I understand the mystical and miraculous meaning, and how there are many parallels with Jesus,  but any insight would be greatly appreciated!  Please comment below!

The quote, “The interior heart of understanding can recognize truth in an instant.” by Richard Hooper, is from this great, little book “Jesus, Buddha, Krishna & Lao Tzu: The Parallel Sayings” that I just happened to find one day in the bargain section at Barnes and Noble.