The Bhagavadgita -S. Radhakrishnan
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY
5. Krsna, the teacher
God is never born in the ordinary sense. Processes of birth and incarnation which imply limitation do not apply to Him. When the Lord is said to manifest Himself at a particular time, on a particular occasion, it only means that it takes place with reference to a finite being. In Chapter XI the whole world is seen in God. The subjective and the objective processes of the world are only the expressions of the higher and lower natures of the Supreme; yet in whatever is glorious, beautiful and strong, God's presence becomes more manifest. When any finite individual develops spiritual qualities and shows large insight and charity, he sits in judgment on the world and starts a spiritual and social upheaval and we say that God is born for the protection of the good, the destruction of the evil and the establishment of the kingdom of righteousness.
|
References and Context
- ↑ S., commenting on this, observes: "That is, Indra, a deva, looking on his own self as the Supreme Brahman by the vision of the sages according to the Sastras, says, `Know me' just as the sage Vdmadeva seeing the same truth, felt, `I am Manu, I am Surya ' In the Sruti (that is the Brhadaranyaka Up.) it is said, The worshipper becomes one with the god he truly sees ' "
- ↑ IV, to. Jesus spent his life in solitary prayer, meditation and service, was tempted like any of us, had spiritual experiences like the great mystics and in a moment of spiritual anguish, when he lost the sense of the presence of God, cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?" (Mark xv, 34). Throughout, he felt his dependence on God. "The father is greater than I": (John xiv, 28). "Why callest thou me good ? None is good, save one, even God" (Luke xvxu, 19). "But of that day and that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son but the Father" (Mark XIII, 32) "Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke XXIII, 46) Though conscious of his imperfections, Jesus recognized the grace and love of God and willingly submitted himself entirely to Him. Thus delivered from all imperfection and taking refuge in Him, he attained to a divine status. "I and the Father are one" (John x, 3o).