Krishna Prasada : a taste of God : Sanatana Dharma

Abstract

A person consists of a body and a mind; we cannot be a mind without a body, otherwise we will not qualify as human beings. A human person is created with a purpose. How can we understand the purpose of our corporal end? Man is often concerned to make the best out of his life as a result of his fear of death. We move towards death with fear. The eastern attitude towards death is different from the western in many ways. The person is often considered to be solely responsible for his destiny. Often there is no 'other' to save him. The Yogin is earnest, persevering and systematic in his approach to achieve his own liberation. This essay presents the Hindu concept of salvation, referred to in Indian Spirituality as the Final Freedom, and one of the best ways how to attain it, that is, through The Path of Devotion (Bhakti Marga). For the Hindu, life is sacred but he is also aware of its ambivalence and he is earnest to taste the Divine whilst he is still here on earth. A taste of God consciousness will eventually direct his path to Him. An outline is given of the Hindu Scriptures and Chapter Twelve of the Bhagawad-Geeta is discussed in some detail. Other chapters present the Hindu concept of sin, the practical discipline of Yoga as a means of purification and moksha as the path of liberation from the illusion of life. The Christian concept of God as presented by two Christian Indian authors gives us another dimension to the possible Christian understanding of Christ. The Church urges the Christian community to acknowledge, preserve and foment the spiritual and moral truths found in non-Christian religions, whilst at the same time to be a witness to its own Christian faith (Vat.Il, Nostra Aetate 1975 p: 653).