Sri Krishna The Charioteer of Blissful Life

Amma's message on Janmashtamai, Sri Krishan's birthday 19 August 2003

We are once more celebrating the Birthday of Sri Krishna. The fact that the Birthday of Sri Krishna, who lived thousands of years ago, is remembered and celebrated with so much enthusiasm is a clear testimony of the greatness of Sri Krishna. But Sri Krishna is not one who should be remembered once in a while. To worship Sri Krishna is to become Sri Krishna. We need to lead our life according to Sri Krishna’s vision and teachings.

Sri Krishna’s form is beautiful. This beauty is not only of the body, but of the never-diminishing beauty of the heart. All positive aspects of human life, expressed to the fullest and blended with divine beauty, become Sri Krishna’s form.

Sri Krishna’s life teaches us how to really lead our life in the world. He was the Great Master who turned failures into celebration. Death is the inevitable for everybody—it will come one day or the other, whether one laughs or cries. Then why not keep smiling? This is what Sri Krishna conveyed through His life. He is the charioteer who leads the chariot of our human life to the realm of divine bliss.

Sri Krishna’s life was an explosion of laughter. Many laugh pointing out the mistakes and drawbacks of others. But the laughter of Sri Krishna came from his revelling in the inner bliss of the Self. It is good to laugh forgetting oneself fully. We should also be able to laugh understanding our own weaknesses and mistakes.

Sri Krishna’s life is a perfect example for people from all walks of life. He lived and performed actions among kings and also among common people. Even though born into a royal family, he became a cowherd, washed others’ feet, cleaned up after others, and also readily went as a messenger of peace to the adharmic Kauravas. Through His life, he taught the world what practical socialism is. Many have become indolent as they don’t have the jobs they wish they had. Sri Krishna taught us to find happiness and contentment in whatever job we do.

Sri Krishna was one of the first to lead the revolution against blind superstition. He taught the people who prayed to Indra, Lord of the heavens, for rain, to worship the Govardhana mountain instead. Thus He taught us the first lessons in nature preservation.

Everybody is searching for ways to overcome sorrow in life. Bhagavan has clearly advised us in the ways to experience true happiness. Why then are we hesitant in putting His teachings into practice? Situations in life can be favourable at times, and unfavourable at other times. However be the situations, one should perform one’s duties with inspiration. Try to put in your best efforts, but keep the real “I” as a witness to everything. That is the message behind the Lord’s smile. This is Sri Krishna’s most important message to humankind.

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