35. Krishna and Jesus Christ – similarities and differences in their teachings
In his lectures on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Sathya Sai Baba said that as soon as you start constantly thinking about Krishna, fixing all your thoughts on Krishna, while simultaneously doing your job in society, then Krishna will take care of everything else in your life.
Sathya Sai Baba said very similar words about the teachings of Jesus Christ, who preached that man should do his best and God will take care of everything else.
In his greatest instructions on the purpose of the Christian life, St. Seraphim of Sarov spoke about the importance of not just doing good deeds but doing them in the name of Jesus Christ. Only such an approach can bring about the acquisition of the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Of course, one can interpret the instructions of St. Seraphim in different ways. Doing good deeds in the name of Jesus Christ means doing an act in the spirit of serving God while realizing that you, as human beings, are perfect instruments in the hands of Divine Providence. In fact, Christ Consciousness and Krishna Consciousness are one and the same. They are both symbols of the Supreme God.
If you do an action for the glory of Jesus Christ, then Jesus Christ will take care of the results. Once you have trusted Jesus Christ and asked him to bless you, then you should recognize his divine control and authority over the results of your labors.
Speaking about the teachings of Krishna and Jesus Christ, Sathya Sai Baba pointed out their similarities. Comparatively, people look for the differences between the philosophy and teachings of these two great teachers. Of course, there are differences. The reason for the differences is that Krishna and Jesus Christ lived in different eras and in different parts of the world.
Krishna lived in India, whereas Jesus Christ preached his teaching in Palestine. The time difference is also important: Krishna lived 3000 years before Jesus Christ. Historically, both are great world teachers who lived in different eras in different parts of the world, but at the same time, they are both symbolically identical.
Krishna and Jesus Christ are symbols of the Absolute Divine Consciousness – the one God, present in everything, who is the infinite cosmic life-affirming force. God cannot be in one person and absent in another person. If God is everywhere, it means that God is also inside of you.
By dedicating all of your actions to the glory of God, you do quality work. Do your best and God takes care of the rest. The one who truly trusts God always overflows in abundance.
Even though there were certain differences in the teachings of Krishna and Jesus Christ, Sathya Sai Baba showed the core identity of these philosophical systems. In his lectures on the teachings of Krishna, Sathya Sai Baba said that the essence of the teachings of Krishna is that by opening God in the heart, you gain bliss and peace. This is also the essence of the teaching of Jesus Christ.
In one of his lectures, Sathya Sai Baba said the most important part of the spiritual message of Jesus Christ is that God is the fundamental nature and ultimate reality of every human being. When comparing the most important teachings of Krishna and Jesus Christ, they are found to be completely identical in essence.
The cause of all suffering is that tense feeling of separateness from one’s existence. This is what gives rise to the small ego that is filled with fear. Feeling fear, the ego becomes aggressive, and the struggle for survival begins.
The source of happiness is a relaxed feeling of oneness. Unity dissolves fears and anxieties. The small and neurotic ego disappears like a cold morning mist. The sun of wisdom shines brightly in the mind of one who has relaxed in the flow of divine providence. Life becomes perfect for those who trust God and are in the flow of divine providence.