Krishna Consciousness
On Janmastami I was flooded by messages on whatsap and social media full of soppy songs on Krishna, who’s Birthday it celebrates.
The funny ones from irreverent friends spoke of his birth in Jail, history of crimes, murders, womanizing etc and admired him for reasons that would make Munnabhai proud.
But look at him critically, and he is a path breaking figure in the Epic.
He is a tough guy, as evident from the numerous battles and physical combats he wins, beating demons, champion wrestlers, and others, but there is no machismo about him. He happily spends time with the women and his music, chills out with friends, takes care of his looks; in fact, he is the first metrosexual man in history.
He is aware of his divine status, but doesn’t rub it in, preferring a mortal lifestyle. Moreover, except for the fabulous motivational speech set to poetry that’s the Geeta, which he uses as a last resort to kickstart the wimpish Pandavas, he doesn’t even sermonize at the drop of a hat.
He is comfortable with women and has a beautiful platonic relationship with Draupadi, establishing that men and women can be friends and equals, something that the other testosterone charged male characters did not display. His complete surrender to his lover, an older married woman Radha, beats all stereotypes. He is a true feminist.
He shuns the throne, and supports a republic. In fact, the Mahabharata could be seen as a battle between two political ideas, the republic of the Yadavas versus the Monarchy of Jarasandha, where the Kuru Pandavs were mere pawns. So we have a true democrat.
Despite being a masterly warrior, he prefers to change his capital rather than needlessly expose his citizens to war, preferring the ignominy of being called a coward, the Ranchode, to glory in battle. He was the original peacenik
He was extremely loyal to his friends, whether Sudama or Arjun or Draupadi, and could be the originator of the bro code.
He helps his sister elope with her lover, facing the wrath of his family for breaking her arranged marriage with a powerful king. How cool is that!
A very mischievous child, wild youth makes him very human, no goody goody milksop like his earlier Avatar Ram or a mad max like the even earlier Parasuram. He also lived a good life, enjoying material pleasures and generally chilled out lifestyle, not obsessing over his duties, whilst at the same time being the mastermind at all political games and providing exemplary governance to his people.
He manipulates the entire war, whilst apparently driving a chariot. The author of the Art of War should pay homage to him.
The greatest motivational speaker of all time, he gets Arjun to get over his last minute nerves and creates a masterpiece in the process. A poet cum Management Guru, can you beat that?
Finally he ends his life in obscurity, killed by a stray arrow, his family scattered. This shows that he didn’t believe in dynastic politics either.
Leaders today need to seriously learn from him, or the story, and not just pray at his temples
That’s a very different blog I am reading on janmaahtmi. Yes u r right that leaders today need to learn from him.
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thank you 🙂 Yes, Ramrajya isnt all that its claims to be. Krishnarajya maybe?
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Happy Janmasthami. Love ur take on the naughty Shri Krishna, loyal friend who gives love freely without expectations.
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like Sholay 😀
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Very nicely written. Krishna is my favourite character because of the human traits he reflects.
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Thanx Samita. Pl try Krishna & Karl too 🙂
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Krishna was the Avatar of his time and age, just like his predecessors. Till the next one comes, he will remain the most popular one because of the new age he ushered in…The tragedy however is that we haven’t even fully brought about in concrete reality the age that Rama ushered in with his Avatar-hood. Krishna’s age is still some time away 😦
This was a very good read, Soumya!
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Thank you 🙂 but didn’t Krishnas age end during the epic. & Budha was the next Avatar. Although incorporated later. Kalki is awaited. Gaddafi was a canditate in some book I read. Now is Namo contesting? My vote goes to Chaitanya Kabir Nanak or Ramkrishna. Depends whose impact survives a few centuries. Or maybe its time for a female Avatar?
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It is believed that the Mahabharata was a battle between two ideologies, personas, or masterminds as you may say.
That of Krishna and of Shakuni.
The rest is history.
Quite an insightful write-up, Soumya.
We could consider Krishnarajya too, considering the current state of affairs. 🙂
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Thank you Stir Your Souls. :). Has this stirred yours? Yes I’ve mentioned elsewhere that wd be way better than Ramrajya. Pl also try Krishna & Karl. May enjoy it
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Yes, surely.
I’m supportive of your view on Krishna leading the way for today’s governance, too. 🙂
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A ‘critical’ analysis of Lord Krishna indeed.
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Have borrowed one idea from Panchajaya but gave credit. Rest are original. Pl try Krishna & Karl. Completely revolutionary take ;D
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A very good read. However Lord Rama and Lord Krishna came to Earth for different purposes and both together bring about the sum total of human values. To diminish one against the other is in my view seeing only half the picture. Jai Shri Rama Jai Shri Krishna.
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Thank you. I wasn’t analysing them as divinity which is a matter of faith. I looked at them as charectors in epic litereture which they also are. Pl try my Krishna & Karl which is a new take on the subject
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A Big Wow….
that’s what immediately came to my mind reading the article on Krishna. I am mesmerized by the analysis.. totally innovative but true and motivating as well..
Really great going…
All the best Sir
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thank you. if you liked this try Krishna and Karl. That could be an unique interpretation
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A Big Wow….
that’s what immediately came to my mind reading the article on Krishna. I am mesmerized by the analysis.. totally innovative but true and motivating as well..
Really great going…
All the best Sir
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thank you. if you liked this try Krishna and Karl. That could be an unique interpretation
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This was a very informative and interesting post, and written in an entertaining way.
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thank you. if you liked this try Krishna and Karl. That could be an unique interpretation
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ok then! You’ve relate well to the basic human traits, strengths and weaknesses. There are so many tales of “heros”, who are revered for their qualities, but who failed to exhibit those famous qualities when push came to shove. Yudhisthir, for example.
I think too often we deify without performing a reality check. Which you have done well. Make this a series and cover the pantheon.
For god’s sake (pick one,any one) fix the About page!!!! It drives me nuts with the repetition and the big orange box link on the home page as well – very distracting…. (sorry – The PeevedPunjabi snuck in there! )
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Thank you, but I have tried and failed. Will try again with your patient coaching 😀
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Give me admin access, I can fix it for you and you can have it back. I promise I won’t eff it up. You can tell me what you want to see and I can set it up for you. Maybe, I’ll even give you a set of instructions…. you know teach you how to fish instead of bhajoing the maach for you. ( Or in my case, carefully deboning the ilish…)
Use TheLastWord2608@gmail.com as the email id.
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Thank you I will be eternally grateful. Sending via fb messanger
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Go to WP Dashboard. Check down there where it says Users. The use the email ID I gave you to invite me. Select “Administrator” from the drop down.
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yaaay!!! did it
On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 1:43 PM, Idyll Dreams of an Idle Fellow wrote:
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Good boy! Here’s a biscuit….
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yaay!!! you did it!!! thank you veeeery much 😀
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https://soumyamukherjee8.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/krishna-and-karl/
the post I have been exhorting everyone to read 😀
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Wow, no wonder Krishn is one of the most favoruite gods of all 🙂 Very nice post, as always. He did leave his message behind in the eternal Geeta so we all could learn from him. But the problem arises when the messages of Gods get misinterpreted due to ignorance or selfish motives and turned into dogmas.
Lovely post, as always 🙂
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thank you Jyoti 🙂 Yes thats absolutely true
On Fri, Sep 4, 2015 at 3:39 PM, Idyll Dreams of an Idle Fellow wrote:
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Soumya way ahead as usual..mast mast .hope Namo reads it and takes a leaf from it..keep em flowing friend.
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Thanks a ton 😊 boss but don’t get me jailed 😀
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Reblogged this on Idyll Dreams of an Idle Fellow and commented:
A tribute on janmasthami
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A fresh perspective! You could perhaps consider doing a series on our other religious heroes.
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Allow me to share this one with you:
https://ashokbhatia.wordpress.com/2015/09/04/management-lessons-from-the-life-of-lord-krishna
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Had read this earlier. I think it was a part of a series if I remember right
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Yes, I have also posted on management lessons from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Thirukkural. Thank you.
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Have you tried my book sir?
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No, I have not had the privilege as yet. Do please guide me suitably.
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Please Google soumya Mukherjee author 😀 and order on amazon 😊
Or try memories a novella on amazon. It’s available on amazon uk. E book version is available too 😊
Would love your feedback
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This is by far the most spiritually authentic understanding of Krishna that I have come across. The so called religion has very cleverly ignored the ‘material-spiritualistic’ approach of Krishna that is an example set by this man. Because people are not able to explain or understand the deeds of Krishna as an adult so they are retardedly stuck in his childhood, as it offers them a safe zone. Krishna’s story is a story of detachment and renouncement and also a journey to the true Brahamcharya!
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Thank you. I see that you have understood my story.
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Great piece Wiseguy from the east.
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Shukriya dost
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A very practical analysis of the Hindu God & his ways. Most attractive feature of Krishna I like is his transparency and proximity to human nature. He is more of Sakha than God. Very approachable.
Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks mam. I attempted a secular analysis of a God
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Very tactfully handled the writing. Good one to read.
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Thank you Madam. You have got the point.
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Spot on, Soumya. Spirituality is great. But when it is put into practical use, not only are the results very good, but the lessons therefrom endure. 🙂
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You always get me sir
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It was so interesting and informative.
Once again a great piece from you sir.
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Shukriya
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Decoding the enigmatic personality of Lord Krishna,the most misunderstood of our Gods, is not an easy one !!!
His personality has multiple layers !!! For believers he is ocean of knowledge, a mystic,yogi,warrior, devoted lover & a master statesman all rolled into one !
And for the doubters & detractors he is cunning, womaniser & manipulator par excellence !!! It all depends on how we look at things, and not how they are in themselves.
I must thank you for taking the side of Dharma & showcasing the personality & character of the Lord in a postive manner !!!
Incidentally , you also share some of his great personality traits & the resemblance is uncanny.A few common traits are complexion , selfless character , devoted lover , great friend , witty & humorous & one who fights and runs away to live to fight another day !!!
It is always a pleasure to read your creative writings Sir !!!
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😃 I am absolutely overwhelmed even if you are pulling my leg 🙏🙏🙏
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Awestruck, just like your other piece onLord Shiva. Please, Sir, I want some more😄(Twisted)
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TATHASTU
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Beautifully contemporarised. He is famous for the mischief of stealing ‘makhan’ as an ordinary child to the world but he has a message. Milk, butter etc was the wealth of Gopikas. Sacrifice of wealth is the path to God. Gopikas were angry apparently but they were joyous in their heart by the fact that they have enough to feed the Lord.
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Beautiful interpretation
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Very befitting writeup.
Good reading 👍👍
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Dhonyobad
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