Sathya Sai with Students: Lessons From The Krishna Avatar

Krishna was able to give a lead and set an ideal example in all spheres of activity. Krishna was a rare individual. He could be regarded as an ideal for the entire world. But to be able to understand these aspects of Krishna, we have to make some attempts and effort. Truly, if we want to comprehend these ideal aspects of Krishna, we have to push aside, to some extent, the Divinity present in Him and concentrate on the human aspects of His life and work.

If we want to understand and comprehend the human aspects of Krishna, we will have to make a journey into the times in which He lived. Many may not have understood this; but if we look at the legends around Sri Krishna, then it will become perfectly obvious to us that humility and obedience were two characteristic features of Him. People of these times are likely to get some doubt whether humility and obedience are qualities which were, at all, really present in Him. The reason for this doubt is that the kind of Krishna which we see depicted in the cinemas today, and the description of Krishna that we read in the texts of today, differ very much from facts, and hence we get this doubt.

When we see these things, we get the picture that Krishna was always fighting with kings and removing them from their thrones. We also think that He was blindly worshipped by His devotees. These are the only two features that we notice. But if we carefully look at the contents of the Mahabharata, written by Vyasa, we get the unmistakable feeling that humility and obedience were present in Krishna in a large measure.

- “Two Great Human Qualities of Humility and Obedience Characterized the Krishna Avatar”, Summer Roses on the Blue Mountains, 1976, Ooty

Everything in the Universe is governed by certain laws. The five elements that constitute the Earth are also controlled by certain laws. Even the infinite ocean moves under certain laws and regulations. In the context of the whole world, man’s life is only a part. Therefore, man’s life has to be regulated. Whether it is for Prema, for hatred, or for anger, some regulation is necessary. Such regulation has been shown to us, as an example, by Sri Krishna in His lifetime.

- “Mahabharata contains many Valuable Lessons for Us”, Summer Roses on the Blue Mountains, 1976, Ooty

Young people should have purity of mind. They should take great care to protect truth and honesty. This was the ideal taught and demonstrated by Krishna. He is one who has eternal youth. We should understand the significance of saying that He is eternally young. By saying that He is eternally young, we should not imply that He has a young and youthful body forever. This should convey to us the meaning that He has no anxiety and that He has a smiling disposition always. This kind of bliss and happiness also gives happiness to one’s body and bodily health.

- “The Human Body is like a Water Bubble on the Surface of Water”, Summer Roses on the Blue Mountains, 1976, Ooty

The cow transforms grass and gruel into sweet strength-giving milk and gives it away in plenty to its master. Develop that quality, that power to transform the food you consume into sweet thoughts, words and deeds of sympathy for all. The child Krishna wept for permission to go along with the cows to the fields of pasture. Yashoda said, “Dear child! Your tiny silken soles cannot walk along those thorny, pebble-filled tracks. I shall get nice little sandals for You. You can go, after the sandals are ready”. But Krishna prattled back. “The cows whom we serve are not shod. Why should we, who are their servants, avoid the thorns and stones which they cannot avoid?” No wonder the cows and calves of Gokul were immobilized and wept, when Krishna left for Mathura!

- “Ask the Right Question”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 08, January 11, 1968, Prasanthi Nilayam

Not recognizing His Divinity many people reviled Krishna calling Him a philanderer and a thief. These accusations do not detract from His greatness. They are born of delusion. Men make the same mistake about themselves, forgetting their inherent Divinity and identifying themselves with their bodies. Krishna appeared in human form to teach mankind to transcend their body consciousness.

- “The Glory of Krishna Avatar”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 27, August 28, 1994, Brindavan

Seva taken up as Sadhana teaches Sahana (fortitude). Even Avatars demonstrate, in their lives, the supreme importance of Seva. When Dharmaraja performed the great Rajasuya sacrifice, on the advice of the sage Narada, in order to propitiate his deceased father, Lord Krishna attended the sacrifice and asked to be allotted some service; He preferred the service of removing the leaves on which food was served for the thousands who were fed every day! Since service was so dear to Him, He was revered as the King-maker of the Age, the Law-giver for all.

- “Ask the Right Question”, Sathya Sai speaks, Volume 08, January 11, 1968, Prasanthi Nilayam

Krishna was always immersed in bliss. Whether it was a burial ground, or a battlefield or a haven of peace, He remained the same. Krishna was standing between two immense opposing armies and He sang a song. That is the Gita, which means song. Would it be possible for anyone to sing in such a situation? One sings only when one is happy. Krishna, because He was the embodiment of joy could sing even on the battlefield.

- “Role of the Avatars”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 23, August 14, 1990, Prasanthi Nilayam