Krishna Worship And Its Place In Indian Religion
Uploaded by tyson_626 on Feb 23, 2005
Krishna Worship And Its Place In Indian Religion
In the Gita Govinda one must be able to look though the graphic eroticism to truly see the religious message presented by Jayadeva. Unlike other Indian religious text or teaching such as the Dhhammapada and The Laws of Manu, which are more direct in delivering their messages the Gita Govinda uses symbols to illustrate its religious principles. The Gita Govinda is an example of Bhakti or devotional Hinduism. In the Gita, Rada's love for Krishna the supreme incarnation of Vishnu represents mans ability to have a personal relationship with his god. The images presented and the messages of the Gita Govinda are quite different from Buddhist and Upanishadic teachings but one can still see aspects of their influence on the Bhakti tradition.
The form of both the Dhammapada and The Laws of Manu is more along the lines of teacher reciting rules and consequences if rules are broken to a group of students or knowledge seekers. The Gita Govinda on the other hand is the poem with very special meter that should to be accompanied by a dancer and music when recited. The Gita is much less direct in it messages which is told through an erotic love story. The Gita can reach a greater audience than the other previously mentioned works simply because of its appeal as story as well as an art.
In the Dhammapada and Laws of Manu passion and desire are seen as evil. This view is not shared in the Gita Govinda where Rada's passion for Krishna is the constant theme and focus of the poem. In the Dhammapada the Buddha says things such as "...passion will break through the unguarded mind." (Dhammapada 36) while Manu, in the Laws of Manu comments on desire saying, "Acting out of desire is not approved of..." (Laws of Manu 16) Rada's desire to be with Krishna and to share his love becomes her only reason for wanting to live. This devotion to Krishna is what eventually beings them back together and is also what defines the Bhakti religious movement in Hinduism.
In the Gita Govinda the idea that Krishna is not simply the supreme deity but also that he is capable of having a one on one spiritual relationship with a human is what makes this religious story unique. ...