Shri Krishna and Arya Samaj

 Shri Krishna and Arya Samaj

-Dr.Vivek Arya

Lala Lajpat Rai who considered Arya Samaj as his mother, has made some remarkable observations about the life of Shri Krishna in his book titled as----------- .

Throughout the history of the globe, great men have been condemned by their adversaries. However, in the case of Shri Krishna, he is one icon whose character has been maligned by his own followers and still the process is going on. Many sects in the name of Krishna have emerged, such as 'Balyogeshwar', 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna Sect', 'Radhavallabh Sect' apart from a network of other divisions. In Bhagwat Purana Shri Krishna's character assasination has been done describing him as "Chaurjar Shikhamani" (leader of the thieves). It is astonishing to note that even Shri Krishna's staunch enemy Shishupal could not pinpoint any flaw in Shri Krishna's life style. On the other hand his present day devotees have not left any stone unturned in vilifying him. Question arises whether such a stigmatised character can be an icon of a Society/ Community/ Nation?

Reflect upon the flawless and impeccable character of Yogeshwar Krishna as given in the Mahabharata. Shri Krishna was an eminent scholar, a great Yogi and a distinguished personality. He had full knowledge of Vedas and Vedangas. Had he not been a Vedic scholar, he would not have delivered the profound message of Bhagavad Gita.

Shri Krishna married only once with one wife Rukmani and observed celibacy for 12 long years. Subsequently, he got a brilliant son Pradyumn. Defaming such a personality as 'sellers of bangles', a flirt who married sixteen thousand women, disgracing Krishna's name with Radha as his wife, all this tantamount to maligning the character of a super star who was absolutely above board.

In the Mahabharata, Radha is depicted as a mother who reared Karna and her fictional name does not appear anywhere else in the entire epic. Bhagavad Purana enumerates various roles of Bhagwan Krishna and even in those roles, Radha's name does not appear. Mainly it is Brahma Vaivarta Purana which talks of Radha's involvement with Krishna. In fact this Purana has a lot of sexual content where the author of this book under the guise of Shri Krishna has tried to indulge in his own sexual gratification. The point to be considered here is that this Purana discusses various types of relationship between Krishna and Radha which goes to prove that Radha was a fictional figure. As per shloka 25 and 26 of Chapter 5 of Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Radha has been shown as the daughter of Krishna since she was born from the left side of the Lord. Chapter 8 of Brahma Vaivarta Purana (Prakriti Khand) describes Radha as a wife of Krishna and the marriage was performed by Brahma. The same Purana's - Prakriti Khand Chapter 49, shlokas 35,36,37,40 and 47 mention that Radha was Mami (maternal aunt) of Shri Krishna because she had married to Krishna's maternal uncle Rayan (brother of Yashodara). In Golak, Rayan has been shown as the Cowboy (Gop) of Lord Krishna. Hence from the Golak's point of view, Radha becomes the daughter in law of Krishna. In the light of above, is it logical to accept Brahma Vaivarta as an authentic text?

Taking cue from the Puranas, Hindi poets of the Sant Tradition have composed romantic poems in the name of divinity. These poets ignored the profound and faultless personality of Shri Krishna as described in the Mahabharata who exercised full self restraint. He distanced himself from womanising and so much so that even after marriage with Rukmani, he observed celibacy for a full period of twelve years. In his hand we find a weapon - 'Sudershan Chakra' to wipe out the evil and wicked persons. Gita describes him as Yogeshwar while Duryodhana puts him in the category of most respectable persons. He used to meditate upon Eshwara the supreme being and even during the war and long journeys performed prayer i.e. 'Sandhya' Swami Dayanand has described Shri Krishna as an "Aapt Purusha" that is an accomplished personality. In the words of Bankim Chander Chatterji, Shri Krishna was a paragon of virtues, an ideal character whose life mission was to protect righteousness and truth. Character assassination of such a person is absolute stupidity and foolishness and we shall not allow anyone to do the same of any of our icons and martyrs.

Your attention is invited to the personality traits of Bhagwan Krishan as described by various persons ((including his antagonists) in the Mahabharata:

Duryodhana : I know it very well that in all the three lokas(spheres), if at all there is any person who is most respected, it is the great Shri Krishna (Mahabharata- Udyogparva 88/5)

Dhritarashtra : Shri Krishna never got defeated in his young age. It is not possible to count his different virtues and merits(Mahabharata Drona Parva 18)

Bhishma Pitamah : Among the twice born, Shri Krishna is highly knowledgeable and amongst the Kshatriyas he is the most brave person. These are the characteristics which make an individual worthy of devotion. He is an eminent scholar of Vedas and Vedangas, excels in valour. Besides, he is kind hearted, charitable, brilliant, brave, polished, shrewd, polite, radiant, exercises patience and a contended individual. Who else can surpass him with regard to these virtues. (Mahabharat - Sabha Parva 38/19-20).

Ved Vyas : Amongst all human beings, Shri Krishna is the most righteous, patient and scholarly. (Mahabharata - Udyoga Parva Chapter 83).

Arjuna : Oh Krishna due to your virtues, you are worthy of respect(dashrah). Your temperament is absolutely free of anger, jealousy, untruth and callousness (Mahabharata - Vanparva 12/36).

Yudhishtra : Oh Srikrishna, like a lion you are the most valiant person of the Yuduvansha clan. We have regained our kingdom on account of your grace, unique political insight, unparalleled physical power, utmost intellectual acumen and gallantry. That is why Oh Shri Krishna destroyer of enemies, we repeatedly bow before you. (Mahabharata Shanti Parva 43).

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya: Neither in the history of any Nation nor time period, there is any match to the most virtuous and upright personality of Shri Krishna, who is absolutely free of all vices and is an ideal character .

Chamupati : We offer the highest position to Shri Krishna who did not accept any position in the Rajasuya Yajna of Yudhisthira. As written in the Mahabharata, his personality traits, merits and actions are like that of an accomplished person who is absolutely faultless. Looking at the Mahabharata, we do not observe any traces of unrighteousness right from his birth till death.

A clarion call - Let us go back to the Vedas. Get rid of superstitions and learn the teachings of Vedas.

Victory to the true Vedic Sanatan Dharma.