Krishna: The Man & His Philosophy

Treating Krishna not as a piece of myth or the product of a poet s imagination, but as a real historical figure, Osho answers several questions put forth by his disciples about Krishna. Krishna is one personality who never fails to intrigue people who learn about the culture of India. To Indians, he is God personified. Even to non-believers, he is a figure who cannot be ignored. Taking in all aspects of Krishna s life, Osho portrays him as a liberated soul, a man far ahead of his times. He says to the readers that in Krishna they can see themselves, if they are willing to shed their preconceived notions and inhibitions. In Osho s view, Krishna is a man who lived life as it should be lived. He accepted the world and life itself at its own terms. As Osho points out, religious people accept god but not the world they live in, while atheists accept the world they live in but not the concept of God. Krishna was the only person, says Osho, who accepted both the world and God. And so, he had no difficulty in involving himself in all the worldly affairs that his life entailed, while at the same time realizing the highest philosophical truth of the divinity of all existence. He lived fully in the materialistic world, and yet was able to view his life dispassionately when needed. This enabled him to teach his beloved friend, Arjuna, the highest truths about the world, the soul, about upholding one s duty and about reaching the highest spiritual goal of liberation without cutting oneself off from the world.