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THE SEARCH FOR SRI KRISHNA
otherwise what is its origin? From where do the different feelings of necessity within us come? They must be present in the causal world, for everything is emanating from Krishna. So, the hankering of every atom of our body, mind, and soul will receive its greatest fulfillment there. This understanding is given by Vai›ˆavism, by ßrÈ Chaitanya MahÅprabhu, by ßrÈmad-BhÅgavatam, and by Krishna in the Bhagavad-gÈtÅ. BHAGAVAD-G^Tå: ITS HISTORY AND TEACHINGS Christian: I’ve heard of the Bhagavad-gÈtÅ. What is the history of its origin? ßrÈdhar MahÅrÅj: In the Bhagavad-gÈtÅ, Krishna tells Arjuna, “What I am saying to you now is not a new thing. I have already told this to SËrya, the sun-god, and he delivered it to Manu, the father of man. In this way, this knowledge descended in disciplic succession, and by the influence of time it was finished. Again, I am repeating that ancient knowledge to you.” This refers to karma-yoga: “Don’t care about the result, good or bad; go on with your duty. Then you can have general peace of mind.” Christian: What is the message of the Bhagavad-gÈtÅ? ßrÈdhar MahÅrÅj: There are different stages of education imparted in Bhagavad-gÈtÅ: bhakti-yoga, karma-yoga, jñÅnayoga, a›ÊÅnga-yoga, so many different layers of theism, but pure devotional theism begins where Krishna says, sarvadharmÅn parityajya “Give up your affinity to all other