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Who was Jesus? Krishna explains in the Bhagavad-gita (4.7) : yada
yada hi dharmasya - glanir bhavati bharata "O descendant of Bharata, whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice and a predominant rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself." Either Krishna comes Himself or He sends His empowered representative, a shaktyavesa avatara, a perfect being empowered (shakti) by Sri Krishna to preach sanatana dharma, the pure eternal religion, the universal religion of the soul. We understand Jesus to be such a shaktyavesa avatara, a perfect soul, a messenger of the Supreme Being. Srila Prabhupada was quite specific: he said Jesus descended from Satyaloka, the highest planet of this universe. As for the denizens of Satyaloka, it is stated: na
yatra soko na jara na mrtyur - nartir na codvega rte kutascit "In that planet of Satyaloka, there is neither bereavement, nor old age nor death. There is no pain of any kind, and therefore there are no anxieties, save that sometimes, due to consciousness, there is a feeling of compassion for those unaware of the process of devotional service, who are subjected to unsurpassable miseries in the material world" (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.2.27). Such great souls are completely selfless and only interested in saving the fallen souls in the material world. Hence they descend to this level of consciousness. tiksavah
karunikah - suhrdah sarva-dehinam "The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime" (Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.21). Srila Prabhupada explains this verse: "The Srimad-Bhagavatam states that any bona fide preacher of God consciousness must have the qualities of titiksa (tolerance) and karuna (compassion). In the character of Lord Jesus Christ we find both these qualities. He was so tolerant that even while he was being crucified he didn't condemn anyone. And he was so compassionate that he prayed to God to forgive the very persons who were trying to kill him. As Christ was being crucified he prayed, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they are doing." Jesus Christ was such a great personality--the son of God, the representative of God. He had no fault. Still, he was being crucified. He wanted to deliver God consciousness, but in return they crucified him. They were so ungrateful. They could not appreciate his preaching. But we appreciate him and give him all honors as the representative of God" (The Science of Self-Realization, chap. 4). Great souls are never disturbed under any circumstances: narayana-parah
sarve - na kutascana bibhyati "Devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord, never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord" (Srimad Bhagavatam 6:17.28). Even when facing tribulations, as in Jesus' case crucifixion, a pure soul on the highest level of intimacy with God, absorbed in God consciousness-Krishna Consciousness-is not afraid under any circumstances: "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children" (Luke 23:28). brahma-bhutah
prasannatma - na socati na kanksati "One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity, absorbed in pure devotion to Me" (Bhagavad-gita 18.54). Being absorbed in carrying out the will of the Lord, great souls return to the spiritual world after having accomplished their mission.
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