The Etymological Derivation Of The Name "Christ"
These are common American names. The Sanskrit word "Krista" is a variation of the word KRISHNA, one of the countless and ancient names for God Almighty in that language. The name "Krishna" also means "all attractive". Who is the most attractive person? GOD, of course. Why is God a Person? It is written, "MAN IS MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD." If we are persons, then logically, as our creator, God is the Supreme Person. Why is God called "All-attractive"? Because He has everything in full.... including power, fame, renunciation, wealth, personal beauty, and intelligence. Human beings may have some of these attributes in part. But God, as the Supreme Person, has everything in full, with no shortage in any way. No one possesses anything beautiful, intelligent, great, powerful or more opulently than God Almighty. Even the Atheists are attracted to the power of God Almighty, albeit, in a negative manner.
We should ask, "What do Christ and Krishna have in commom? It is common knowlege that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Who he called "The Father". He referred to himself as the Son of God dozens of times, and to God the Father over 200 times in the New Testament. What is not generally known is that God has many names in many languages, not just a few Biblical names. One such name for God is Krishna. Initially, we may object, but when we think about this concept without anger, prejudice, or preconceived bias, we can logically conclude that God must have unlimited names, because God himself is unlimited, by the very definition of the word... "GOD". American Indians have names for the Holy Spirit. The Eskimos, the same. Muslims call God "Allah". People in all lands of the Earth have different names for God. If we contemplate this idea for a moment in silent prayer, then we can understand it's simple, obvious truth. There are countless names for God.
Why irrationally object because of our own prejudicial feelings? God, being unlimited, must have unlimited names. This is the logical conclusion. One of these names for God is Krishna, the self-same Jehovah-God of the Holy Bible. Another name for God is Rama. In Hebrew, this truth is explained... "SHEMAH YISRAEL ADONOI ELOHENU ADONOI ECHAD"..."HEAR! O ISRAEL, THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE." We may want ot object, but God Is ONE, portrayed differently in different cultures and lands of the world by his different names and pastimes. Knowing this truth is the beginning of wisdom and inner peace, the initiation of our own personal mental healing, the casting out of our own "devils" of prejudice and of our unconscious hatred for others. Understanding that God is ONE for all people of the Earth implies; the eventual dissolution of our inner feelings of mistrust for others who seem different than ourselves, but whom Jesus taught us to love even as our very selves. God is ONE, and all human beings are family members.
The Old Testament declares that by the Holy Name of the Lord one will be saved, and shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. In this way, the individual is encouraged to take shelter of God's holy names. "Christ" indicates the Son of God. The name "Krishna" denotes God the Father, as in the Judeo/Christian reference to God. Christ or Krishna, the name is the same. Like Father, Like Son, as the old saying goes. We may conclude that the etymological derivation of the English world "Christ" is the Sanskrit word "Krishna". It is always advisable to chant and sing the holy names of Christ or Krishna. Catholic priests use the Greek name "Christos" freequently in hymns and while chanting prayers.
Many Christians also sing hymns, using the English translation "Christ". Franciscan monks and many other monastic sects use the Latin names "Jesu Christe" in Gregorian chants. Also, in India and now around the world, many worshippers of God sing the universal, non-sectarian names of "Krishna". There is no duality or spiritual conflict of interest. In this way, one may chant any of God's millions of names in devotion for protection, self purification and eventual liberation.
Unfortunately, many people who believe in God waste much valuable time arguing about the 'correctness' of their own chosen religion. But 'correctness' is not the point, nor the goal, nor the final outcome of religion. Developing our love for God and others is the essential goal of all religious thought. The command of Jesus Christ, the spiritual master of the Christian world is, "Love the Supreme Lord with all your heart, soul and mind," and also, "Love your neighbor as your very own self." It is fairly obvious that the international neighbors of Christians are Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hare` Krishnas, etc. According to Christ's command, Christians do not need to quarrel with their neighbors of different religious persuasions, but simply love them.
Such argumentative behavior was and is contrary and counterproductive to Jesus Christ's command, "Love thy neighbor." How can you fight with someone you are instructed to love by your spiritual master. Jesus never recommended such fighting, nor killing of others who were different, as has been an unfortunate part of Christian expansion and history. Jesus commanded his followers, "If you love only your own kind, then you are nor better than the common people and the sinners." In all Scriptures it is recommended to glorify the holy names of the Lord, and to treat others as you like to be treated yourself, the "GOLDEN RULE". In this way, there is no necessity to want to change anybody to be like ourselves. We are all certainly still spiritually growing, and in much need of understanding just what Jesus meant when he stated: "Love the Lord and love your neighbor." One may sing or glorify any of God's holy names. The Bible encourages us... "From sunrise to sunset, one should sing the praises of the holy names of the Lord." Similarly, the Vedic literatures encourage us to chant and sing...
HARE` KRISHNA HARE` KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE`
HARE` HARE` RAMA HARE` RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE` HARE`
Jesus healed others by the potencies of God's holy names. In this regard, Jesus states: "I have come to glorify the Father, and do nothing of my own accord." This was Jesus's personal sentiment, that everything depended upon God, the Father. He denied doing anything by his own power. We are all powerless without God's grace. Even Jesus Christ is powerless without the grace of God the "Father". If we sing and chant the holy names of the Son or the Father, the end result will be the same. Countless thousands have been healed an purfied over the centuries by the holy names of Jesus and Christ. In this world, calamities abound at every step. If somehow or other, we can learn to rely upon the holy names of Christ, Christos, Hare` Krishna, or Hare` Rama, then surely we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. People who are different than ourselves deserve the same love and consideration that Jesus offered them when he taught us: "Love thy neighbor".
Jesus commanded it of those who
chose to be called his true followers. "If you love me, then follow my
commandments." No one is superior to anyone else. Jesus never had such
prejudicial feelings, and considered himself the servant of humanity. Jesus
therefore commanded Christians to offer the same love and respect they
wished for themselves to all others, whether they be Buddhists, Jews, Hare`
Krishnas, Jesuit Monks, or Muslims. By taking shelter of the holy names
of God, this love for God and respect for one and all can factually be
acheived in a very short time. Thank you for your consideration of this
short message of hope. May the Lord bless your and your family. For additional
information, please visit your nearest Krishna temple. ( See Main
Index or 
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Your Eternal Servant, Jagannatha Tirtha. Please make 100 color copies and distribute freely. Thank you.
