Section 12.2: The Geeta on Abrahamics?
In general Hindus are pluralists (Ishvara Allah tero nam; meaning one God having different names). The author has not found many verses in the Holy Geeta that portrayed Hinduism as an exclusivist and supremacist religion. Further, there is no mention of interfaith marriages and no criticism of other religions, probably because most other religions came into existence after the Hindu scriptures were written. In spite of all these, the author found few verses that could be objectionable to an Abrahamic dating person. The Hindu-Abrahamic couple should read these together and decide what it means to their planned married life.
Below are translations of verses from Geeta given by God (Lord Krishna) to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. Reflections on potentially how to interpret these scriptures are provided in italics.
- 3:32 But those who cavil at My teaching and do not follow it, know them to be absolutely ignorant, devoid of all knowledge and lost. [Can one achieve perfection by following the Holy Bible, Torah or Koran?]
- 4:11 As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pritha. [Does “Everyone” include Christians, Jews, Muslims and atheists?]
- 6:14 Serene-minded, fearless, firm in the vow of Brahmacharya, having controlled the mind, thinking on Me and balanced, let him sit, having Me as the Supreme Goal.
- 6:47 And among all Yogis, he who, full of faith, with his inner-self merged in Me, worships Me, is, accoding to Me, the most devout.
- 7:7 There is nothing else higher than Me, O’ Arjuna. Everything is strung on Me, like the clusters of gems on a string. [In seemingly contrast to Krishna’s message, Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father (God) except through Me” (John 14:6) and Allah said, “Those that embrace Islam pursue the right path.” (Koran 3:19 and 72:13) Interfaith couple needs to discuss—are all messengers telling us the same thing or are these different messages?]
- 7:15 The evil-doers, deluded and the lowest among men do not seek refuge in Me; being deluded by the illusive nature (Maya), they lack proper knowledge and follow the ways of the demons.
- 7:23 Verily the “fruit” that accures to those men of little-intelligence is finite. The worshippers of the Devas go to the Devas but My devotees come to Me.
- 9:11 The fools disregard Me, dwelling in human form. They do not know My transcendental nature. [Some Jews and Muslims may have problem accepting the concept of God in a human form.]
- 9:23 Those who are devotees of other gods and who worship them with faith actually worship only Me, O son of Kunti, but they do so in a wrong way. [As discussed later for the Torah (Subsection 12.3.3), Bible (Subsection 12.5.2) and Koran (Section 12.6), similar verses raise questions for who is “God” and who are “other gods.” It may confuse interfaith couples for which one of these scriptures to follow or which one of these Gods to believe in. It should be noted that Lord Krishna does not instruct devotees to conduct violence against those who do not believe in Him, believe in other Gods or are atheist.]
- 10:20 I am the Supersoul, O Arjuna, seated in the hearts of all living entities. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings.
- 11:55 My dear Arjuna, he who engages in My pure devotional service, free from the contaminations of fruitive activities and mental speculation, he who works for Me, who makes Me the supreme goal of his life, and who is friendly to every living being—he certainly comes to Me. [Two people may interpret a single verse/ayat/stanza in different ways. For example, here “friendly to every living being” is certainly a pluralistic inclusivist message, but someone else may find Lord Krishna’s message “makes Me the supreme goal” as an exclusivist message. Likewise, Lord Jesus also gave seemingly conflicting messages in the Bible. Jesus said, “Love thy neighbors,” “He who is not with Me is against Me” and “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Further, if one interprets “Me” in these scriptures as the Supreme Being (The Creator, LORD God, Allah or Father the God) then there would be not a conflict in interpreting different scriptures but it would be wrong to interpret “Me” as a person or a personal God.]
- 12:6-7 But those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, having fixed their minds upon Me, O son of Pritha—for them I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death. [An Abrahamic may not believe in reincarnation]
- 12:8 Settle your mind in Me alone, let your intellect dwell in Me, then you will live in Me alone, there is no doubt about this.
- 18:65 Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are very dear friend.
- 18:66 Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear. [Is Lord Krishna asking abandoning Abrahamic faiths?]
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