http://thedevineevidence.com/jesus_similarities.html
In Hinduism, Krishna is believed to be the eighth avatar of Vishnu, the second aspect of the Hindu trinity. Almost every correlation between
Krishna and Jesus can be traced to Kersey Graves, a 19th century author who believed Christianity was created from pagan myths. Though his
works have been proven by scholars to be false and poorly researched (Source), many still ignorantly refer to his arguments not knowing they
are easily disproved by simply comparing the Bible to the Hindu texts.
THE DEFINITION OF KRISHNA Although many critics allege Krishna means Christ, Krishna in Sanskrit actually translates as Black (One) as
Krishna was believed to have blackish-blue skin. The word Christ literally translates as Anointed One. When skeptics, in turn, spell Krishna as
Chrishna or Christna, this is a blatant attempt to spread more misinformation and reinforce their erroneous theories.
A VIRGIN BIRTH A virgin birth is never attributed to Krishna as his parents bore seven previous children. Furthermore, the virgin birth was
not a new concept invented by Christians. The book of Isaiah (written about 700 B.C.) spoke of a Messiah who would be born of a virgin. This
prophecy was in circulation 700 years before Jesus and at least 100 years before Krishna. (Isaiah 7:14) Critics claim Krishna was born to the
virgin Maia but according to Hindu texts, he was the eighth son of Princess Devaki and her husband Vasudeva: "You have been born of the
divine Devaki and Vasudeva for the protection of Brahma on earth." Mahabharata Bk 12, XLVIII
INFANT MASSACRE Critics claim a tyrannical ruler issued a decree to kill all infant males prior to Krishna's birth but the Hindu legend states
Devaki's six previous children were murdered by her cousin, King Kamsa, due to a prophecy foretelling his death at the hands of one of her
children. Unlike Herod who issued a decree to slaughter all the males under two years old, the Hindu version tells us Kamsa only targeted
Devaki's sons. He never issued a decree to indiscriminately kill male infants: "Thus the six sons were born to Devaki and Kamsa, too, killed
those six sons consecutively as they were born." Bhagavata, Bk 4, XXII:7
PARENTS FLEE Critics claim while Krishna's parents fled to Mathura to avoid Kamsa, Jesus' parents fled to Muturea to avoid Herod. But the
Bible tells us Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt- not to some unknown place called Muturea. Furthermore, the Hindu texts tell us Krishna's parents
never had a chance to flee- they were imprisoned by Kamsa so he could kill Krishna once he was born: What faults had [Vasudeva] and his
wife Devaki committed? Why did Kamsa kill the six infant sons of Devaki? And for what reason did [Vishnu] incarnate Himself as the son of
Vasudeva in the prison house of Kamsa? Bhagavata, Bk 4, I:4-5 and Source
SHEPHERDS, WISEMEN, A STAR, AND A MANGER No mention of shepherds or wisemen appear at Krishna's birth. Krishna was born in a prison (not a stable as critics suggest) where his parents bore him in secret. It is unlikely such visitors would arrive only to alert Kamsa to
Krishna's presence!
CARPENTER FATHERS Like Jesus' earthly father, Krishna's father was also said to be a carpenter. Yet nowhere in the Hindu texts does it say
Vasudeva was a carpenter. In fact, we are told he was a nobleman in the courts of Mathura as he was married to Princess Devaki. When
Krishna fled the wrath of Kamsa with his foster parents, we are told his foster-father Nanda was a cow-herd: "Thou art the most beloved of
Nanda, the Cow-herd" Bhagavata, Bk 8, I, pg 743
THE CRUCIFIXION Though critics claim Krishna was crucified, this is mentioned nowhere within the Hindu texts. Instead, we are told exactly
how he dies: Krishna is mediating in the woods when he is accidentally shot in the foot by a hunter's arrow. Skeptics really try to streeetch
this one by claiming the arrow that shot Krishna impaled him to a tree, thus crucifying him. They also point out the similarity between his
wound being in the foot and Jesus' pierced hands and feet. However, if I was carving my initials into a tree and accidentally impaled my wrist,
the idea of saying I was crucified would be absurd. This story relates more to the death of Greek mythology's Achilles than anything else: "A
fierce hunter of the name of Jara then came there, desirous of deer. The hunter, mistaking [Krishna], who was stretched on the earth in high
Yoga, for a deer, pierced him at the heel with a shaft and quickly came to that spot for capturing his prey." Mahabharata, Book 16, 4
THE RESURRECTION Although critics claim Krishna descended into the grave for three days and appeared to many witnesses, no evidence of
this exists whatsoever. Instead, the actual account says Krishna immediately returns to life and speaks only to the hunter by forgiving him of
his actions: "He [the hunter] touched the feet of [Krishna]. The high-souled one comforted him and then ascended upwards, filling the entire
welkin with splendour... [Krishna] reached his own inconceivable region." Mahabharata, Book 16, 4 Some obvious differences between the
resurrections of Jesus and Krishna are as follows:
THE LAST SUPPER Krishna is said to have celebrated a last supper but two reasons offer evidence this event never occurred:
DEPICTED AS BRUISING THE SERPENT'S HEAD Genesis 3:15 is a metaphorical Messianic prophecy which refers to Jesus' spiritual
battle with Satan. Though critics claim Krishna was also referred to as the seed of the woman bruising the serpent's head, this phrase is never
used as a reference to Krishna. The only thing that occurs is a literal battle Krishna encounters with actual serpents. Mahabharata, Bk 7,
LXXXI and Mahabharata Book 8, XC
MISCELLANEOUS POSSIBLE REFERENCES
MISCELLANEOUS ERRONEOUS REFERENCES
CONCLUSION The Hindu texts have admittedly been altered and added to over the centuries. Many comparisons of the newer and older texts
regarding the story of Krishna reveal many tales being added in later texts known as the Puranas (400-1000 A.D.), Bhagavata (400-1000 A.
D.), and the Harivamsa, (100-1000 A.D.). These texts have been proven by scholars to have been written after the life of Jesus.
Skeptical Interjection: According to Hindu tradition, the Bhagavata Purana is believed to have been written by Vyasa in about 3100 BC. It
mentions the Vedic Sarasvati River about 30 times which was believed to be dried up around 2000 B.C.Answer: This is often cited as an argument for an earlier date of the Bhagavata. However it does not hold up for many reasons. The fact that
the Bhagavata Purana mentions the non-extant Vedic Sarasvati River is no more proof of an early date of authorship than it would prove an
ancient date of authorship if I were to write a novel centering around the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The mention of the ancient river proves
nothing more than the knowledge of its historical existence. There is also no record of any of these texts existing prior to the first century A.D.
Even when the older Hindu texts were in circulation, the books regarding many details about Krishna's life were not included. Finally, the
language and grammar of the Bhagavata Purana is not consistent with the more ancient languages of India.
In Hinduism, Krishna is believed to be the eighth avatar of Vishnu, the second aspect of the Hindu trinity. Almost every correlation between
Krishna and Jesus can be traced to Kersey Graves, a 19th century author who believed Christianity was created from pagan myths. Though his
works have been proven by scholars to be false and poorly researched (Source), many still ignorantly refer to his arguments not knowing they
are easily disproved by simply comparing the Bible to the Hindu texts.
THE DEFINITION OF KRISHNA Although many critics allege Krishna means Christ, Krishna in Sanskrit actually translates as Black (One) as
Krishna was believed to have blackish-blue skin. The word Christ literally translates as Anointed One. When skeptics, in turn, spell Krishna as
Chrishna or Christna, this is a blatant attempt to spread more misinformation and reinforce their erroneous theories.
A VIRGIN BIRTH A virgin birth is never attributed to Krishna as his parents bore seven previous children. Furthermore, the virgin birth was
not a new concept invented by Christians. The book of Isaiah (written about 700 B.C.) spoke of a Messiah who would be born of a virgin. This
prophecy was in circulation 700 years before Jesus and at least 100 years before Krishna. (Isaiah 7:14) Critics claim Krishna was born to the
virgin Maia but according to Hindu texts, he was the eighth son of Princess Devaki and her husband Vasudeva: "You have been born of the
divine Devaki and Vasudeva for the protection of Brahma on earth." Mahabharata Bk 12, XLVIII
INFANT MASSACRE Critics claim a tyrannical ruler issued a decree to kill all infant males prior to Krishna's birth but the Hindu legend states
Devaki's six previous children were murdered by her cousin, King Kamsa, due to a prophecy foretelling his death at the hands of one of her
children. Unlike Herod who issued a decree to slaughter all the males under two years old, the Hindu version tells us Kamsa only targeted
Devaki's sons. He never issued a decree to indiscriminately kill male infants: "Thus the six sons were born to Devaki and Kamsa, too, killed
those six sons consecutively as they were born." Bhagavata, Bk 4, XXII:7
PARENTS FLEE Critics claim while Krishna's parents fled to Mathura to avoid Kamsa, Jesus' parents fled to Muturea to avoid Herod. But the
Bible tells us Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt- not to some unknown place called Muturea. Furthermore, the Hindu texts tell us Krishna's parents
never had a chance to flee- they were imprisoned by Kamsa so he could kill Krishna once he was born: What faults had [Vasudeva] and his
wife Devaki committed? Why did Kamsa kill the six infant sons of Devaki? And for what reason did [Vishnu] incarnate Himself as the son of
Vasudeva in the prison house of Kamsa? Bhagavata, Bk 4, I:4-5 and Source
SHEPHERDS, WISEMEN, A STAR, AND A MANGER No mention of shepherds or wisemen appear at Krishna's birth. Krishna was born in a prison (not a stable as critics suggest) where his parents bore him in secret. It is unlikely such visitors would arrive only to alert Kamsa to
Krishna's presence!
CARPENTER FATHERS Like Jesus' earthly father, Krishna's father was also said to be a carpenter. Yet nowhere in the Hindu texts does it say
Vasudeva was a carpenter. In fact, we are told he was a nobleman in the courts of Mathura as he was married to Princess Devaki. When
Krishna fled the wrath of Kamsa with his foster parents, we are told his foster-father Nanda was a cow-herd: "Thou art the most beloved of
Nanda, the Cow-herd" Bhagavata, Bk 8, I, pg 743
THE CRUCIFIXION Though critics claim Krishna was crucified, this is mentioned nowhere within the Hindu texts. Instead, we are told exactly
how he dies: Krishna is mediating in the woods when he is accidentally shot in the foot by a hunter's arrow. Skeptics really try to streeetch
this one by claiming the arrow that shot Krishna impaled him to a tree, thus crucifying him. They also point out the similarity between his
wound being in the foot and Jesus' pierced hands and feet. However, if I was carving my initials into a tree and accidentally impaled my wrist,
the idea of saying I was crucified would be absurd. This story relates more to the death of Greek mythology's Achilles than anything else: "A
fierce hunter of the name of Jara then came there, desirous of deer. The hunter, mistaking [Krishna], who was stretched on the earth in high
Yoga, for a deer, pierced him at the heel with a shaft and quickly came to that spot for capturing his prey." Mahabharata, Book 16, 4
THE RESURRECTION Although critics claim Krishna descended into the grave for three days and appeared to many witnesses, no evidence of
this exists whatsoever. Instead, the actual account says Krishna immediately returns to life and speaks only to the hunter by forgiving him of
his actions: "He [the hunter] touched the feet of [Krishna]. The high-souled one comforted him and then ascended upwards, filling the entire
welkin with splendour... [Krishna] reached his own inconceivable region." Mahabharata, Book 16, 4 Some obvious differences between the
resurrections of Jesus and Krishna are as follows:
- Jesus' resurrection defeated the power of sin and death. Krishna's resurrection had no real affect on mankind.
- Jesus appeared to approximately 500 eye witnesses in the New Testament. Krishna appeared only to the hunter.
- Jesus rose from the dead three days later. Krishna immediately returned to life.
- Jesus did not ascend into Heaven until after the Great Commission. Krishna immediately "ascended" into the afterlife.
- Jesus was aware of what was to take place. Krishna had no foreknowledge concerning his death.
- Jesus ascended into a physical realm (Heaven). Krishna transcended into a mental state (or inconceivable region). The concepts between Heaven (Christianity) and Nirvana (Hinduism) differ greatly.
THE LAST SUPPER Krishna is said to have celebrated a last supper but two reasons offer evidence this event never occurred:
- There is no mention of Krishna having a last supper celebration in any of the Hindu texts.
- Because Krishna had no foreknowledge of his death, there is no reason he would have celebrated such an event!
DEPICTED AS BRUISING THE SERPENT'S HEAD Genesis 3:15 is a metaphorical Messianic prophecy which refers to Jesus' spiritual
battle with Satan. Though critics claim Krishna was also referred to as the seed of the woman bruising the serpent's head, this phrase is never
used as a reference to Krishna. The only thing that occurs is a literal battle Krishna encounters with actual serpents. Mahabharata, Bk 7,
LXXXI and Mahabharata Book 8, XC
MISCELLANEOUS POSSIBLE REFERENCES
- Krishna was the human incarnation of Vishnu. This appears to be somewhat accurate but the actual Hindu triad consists of Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. Not Vishnu, Krishna, and a spirit deity.
- Krishna was of royal birth. (While Krishna was directly born into the noble court of Mathura, Jesus was from the royal Davidian line but born into poverty under the parentage of Mary and Joseph.)
- Krishna was seen as a Savior. (While Jesus was an eternal-spiritual savior who saved His people from damnation, Krishna was an earthly-warrior savior who freed his people from the tyrannical reign of Kamsa).
- Krishna often fasted in the wilderness. The only possible reference I could find to any such thing was that he often retreated into the forest to meditate.
MISCELLANEOUS ERRONEOUS REFERENCES
- Krishna was born in a cave. Actually, neither Jesus nor Krishna were born in caves. Krishna was born in a prison cell and the only reference to Jesus being born in a cave is in noncanonical writings.
- Krishna lived a sinless life. Whereas the Bible makes it clear Jesus committed no sin during His lifetime, The Hindu texts admit to Krishna's promiscuity and numerous sexual affairs.
- Krishna was born on December 25th. Actually, Krishna's birthday celebration, known as the Krishna Janmaashtami, is celebrated in the Hindu month of Bhadrapadha which corresponds to the month of August. Furthermore, it is unlikely Jesus was born on this date. Christmas is only celebrated on this date due to tradition.
- Krishna moved a small mountain to protect a village from disaster. Jesus states if you had faith as a mustard seed you would say to the mountain uproot yourself and be cast into the ocean. Other than the concept of moving mountains, anyone can see that these two statements have nothing essential in common. One describes a physical feat while the other uses moving a mountain as a metaphor to the power of faith.
CONCLUSION The Hindu texts have admittedly been altered and added to over the centuries. Many comparisons of the newer and older texts
regarding the story of Krishna reveal many tales being added in later texts known as the Puranas (400-1000 A.D.), Bhagavata (400-1000 A.
D.), and the Harivamsa, (100-1000 A.D.). These texts have been proven by scholars to have been written after the life of Jesus.
Skeptical Interjection: According to Hindu tradition, the Bhagavata Purana is believed to have been written by Vyasa in about 3100 BC. It
mentions the Vedic Sarasvati River about 30 times which was believed to be dried up around 2000 B.C.Answer: This is often cited as an argument for an earlier date of the Bhagavata. However it does not hold up for many reasons. The fact that
the Bhagavata Purana mentions the non-extant Vedic Sarasvati River is no more proof of an early date of authorship than it would prove an
ancient date of authorship if I were to write a novel centering around the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The mention of the ancient river proves
nothing more than the knowledge of its historical existence. There is also no record of any of these texts existing prior to the first century A.D.
Even when the older Hindu texts were in circulation, the books regarding many details about Krishna's life were not included. Finally, the
language and grammar of the Bhagavata Purana is not consistent with the more ancient languages of India.
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