Lord Krishna had milk. Who are you to stop us? || Acharya Prashant, Conversation (2022)

Summary

The speaker explores the concept of avatars in Hindu philosophy, using Lord Krishna as an example. He explains that avatars are not meant to be perfect or timeless representations of truth, but rather they embody the characteristics of their time, place, and culture. Krishna’s consumption of milk, his attire, and even his choice of musical instrument (the flute) are seen as culturally specific to his era. The speaker stresses that such time-bound attributes should not be carried forward, while the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita—being timeless—are what must endure across ages.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lord Krishna's consumption of milk was a behavior in his childhood, which reflects the customs of his time, not a timeless practice.
• 😀 The concept of 'Avatar' is tied to specific conditions, limitations, and conventions of the time and place in which they were born.
• 😀 An Avatar's behavior, attire, and language reflect the culture and customs of their era, as avatars are not bound to be perfect or timeless embodiments of truth.
• 😀 Just as Krishna wore the clothes of his time, his drinking of milk as a child was a result of his environment, not a universal or eternal practice.
• 😀 The Avatar is subject to the context of their birth, and this influences their choices and actions, whether it’s food habits, language, or clothing.
• 😀 The nature of an Avatar’s life is shaped by geography and age, meaning that their characteristics are specific to their time and place of birth.
• 😀 If an Avatar were to be born today, they would exhibit characteristics relevant to the modern world, such as speaking French or playing the piano instead of a flute.
• 😀 Variations across different Avatars (e.g., their behavior, speech, attire) are not discrepancies in truth, but rather reflections of the time and place they were born into.
• 😀 The Bhagavad Gita is considered timeless and carries forward the eternal truths, unlike the contextual attributes of Avatars, which are tied to specific historical periods.
• 😀 What should be carried forward through time is the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, not the transient practices or customs tied to any Avatar’s life.

Q & A

Why does the speaker differentiate between the childhood and adulthood of Lord Krishna in the context of milk consumption?

The speaker highlights that Lord Krishna’s consumption of milk was limited to his childhood, reflecting the customs of his time and environment. As an avatar, Krishna followed the traditions of his upbringing, but this behavior was not continued into adulthood, as avatars are bound by the constraints of their time and place.

What does the speaker mean when stating that avatars are 'constrained by the limits and conditions of their time'?

The speaker suggests that avatars, though divine, are born into specific cultural, geographical, and temporal contexts. They are not perfect embodiments of truth, but rather exist within the limits of their era, adapting to the customs and practices of the society they are born into.

Why does the speaker emphasize that avatars are not meant to be 'perfect truth'?

The speaker clarifies that avatars are not meant to be flawless representations of absolute truth. Instead, they are human-like beings born into specific times and places, so their characteristics—such as behaviors, attire, and habits—are shaped by the era they inhabit.

What analogy does the speaker use to explain why Lord Krishna drank milk and followed customs?

The speaker compares Lord Krishna drinking milk as a child to wearing the costumes of his time, suggesting that just as Krishna had to wear the clothing of his era, he was also bound to follow the dietary and cultural practices of his community during his childhood.

How does the speaker explain the variation in characteristics among different avatars?

The speaker attributes the differences in avatars' characteristics—such as their behavior, attire, and practices—to the specific time and place in which each avatar is born. These variations reflect the customs and societal norms of the era, rather than the essential, unchanging truth of the avatars.

What would happen if an avatar were born in a different time and place, according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that if an avatar were born in a different context, such as in France, they would likely adapt to the cultural norms of that place, speaking French, and possibly playing instruments like the piano instead of the flute. This highlights the temporal and geographical limitations avatars face.

What does the speaker mean by 'geography and age are not timeless'?

The speaker means that the customs, habits, and attributes that avatars display—such as language, clothing, and food preferences—are shaped by the specific geography and time in which they exist. These are not eternal traits but are instead fleeting and tied to particular periods in history.

Why does the speaker argue that certain practices or habits should not be carried forward to future generations?

The speaker suggests that customs, like eating habits or linguistic preferences, should not be carried forward across centuries because they are specific to the time and place of the avatar's birth. Such practices are time-bound and should not be imposed on future generations, who may have different cultural contexts.

What does the speaker identify as the key message that should be carried forward to future generations?

The speaker emphasizes that the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita—philosophical and spiritual principles—should be carried forward to future generations, as they transcend time and place, unlike the temporal characteristics of an avatar.

How does the speaker view the role of avatars in relation to their cultural surroundings?

The speaker views avatars as deeply connected to their cultural surroundings, arguing that they are not independent of the traditions and practices of their time. An avatar’s actions, behaviors, and attributes are a reflection of the customs and social norms of the period in which they are born.