The Divine ‘friend’ with followers the world over

How do you resist feeling attracted to a personality who’s an epitome of beauty, wealth, power, success, detachment and knowledge? Well, Lord Krishna is one such Supreme Being and a spiritual force who embodies all the above qualities, as mentioned in the Vishnu Purana, and naturally, that draws him devotees from around the world.

On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, observed as Sri Krishna’s birthday, his devotees share thoughts on why Krishna has a universal appeal among the young and old, and across all culture, caste, colour and regions.

The eternally approachable Supreme Being

N. Naveen completed his   engineering course (EEE), and had been working with a company belonging to the Tata Group when he opted to quit and devote himself full time to the service of Lord Krishna. Now known as Sri Sampati Dasa, he carries on his devotion through social work.

Currently in his 30s, Sampati Dasa heads the Youth Club of ISKCON Bengaluru.
He says, “I feel Krishna is one God who is not only eternally attractive in all forms but also quite approachable. His followers can worship him as any relation.

Sampati Dasa

For instance, little Krishna or Balagopal is a son for millions of mothers and fathers, for instance, Devaki–Vasudev and Yashoda–Nandalala. Then, as a friend of both Arjuna and brother of Draupadi, he is also invoked as a friend, while many worship him as the beloved of Radha.

Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna, in which his words are always motivating, relevant and practical, and forms the crux of the Bhagavad Gita have ensured that many of his followers worship him as the supreme master or teacher.”

Sri Krishna’s scientific and practical wisdom

A software engineer who was earlier named P Sudhir currently works in the US. In his early youth, he was never much of a believer in God and had dismissed everything as mythology and sentiments. But even then, he always wanted to understand if God existed.

P. Sudhir

“Once at a souvenir shop of a temple in California, I came across the Bhagwad Gita written in English by Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabupada. The scientific Vedic knowledge was explained with clarity and evidence with references and analogies in such a way that I was amazed. There is no blind faith, no superstition in Sri Krishna’s words of practical wisdom, as is found in the Bhagavad Gita. The scientific representation of spirituality and Sri Krishna’s personality attract me the most. I took deeksha and was renamed as Sukhada Govinda Dasa,” he says, and has started a small Krishna Balaram Temple in San Francisco Bay Area.

Devotees among foreigners and Indians alike

Frenchman Alain Delloye, who is presently known as Aanadamaya Dasa, has been associated with Iskcon Hyderabad for 50 years. He took deeksha at the age of 26 and dedicated his entire life to the service of Lord Krishna.

Alain Delloye

“I am most attract to chanting Sri Krishna’s names (Harinam Sankirtan), Krishna’s philosophy presented by Swami Prabhupada in his books like the Commentary on Bhagavad Gita and Association of Krishna devotees with the service to God,” he avers.

Another person who sees the Vedic Philosophy, the words of Lord Krishna as found in the Bhagavad Gita, as practical, modern and easy to follow and understand is MBBS graduate Niskinchana Bhakta Dasa, president of Hare Krishna Movement, ISKCON in Vizag.

Niskinchana Bhakta Dasa

According to him, Lord Krishna can be lovable, lenient, likable, kind, angry and full of mischief as a kid. “He is more like a boy-next-door than any fearful entity. That makes him widely accepted,” says Bhakta Dasa.

“In fact, people, including youngsters, are interested in the practical, non-orthodox aspects of spirituality. “Rules for becoming a devotee are also not rigid, as they can be married family-persons or Brahmacharis or can be full time or part time volunteers. They also are attracted to the Purnavatar Sri Krishna who imbibes every trait of the Supreme Being.”