Krishna: The Man and His Philosophy - Osho - Oshorajneesh.com

CHAPTER 21. CHOOSE THE FLUTE OR PERISH
I repeat, the Mahabharat happens in spite of the flute. It is interesting to note that after the advent
of the cross it takes two thousand years for war to grow to its present dimensions of a massive war
enveloping the whole earth, but the Mahabharat takes place even when Krishna is playing his flute.
The truth is that the flute and its message is not rightly understood and appreciated. It fails to make
an impression on the sado-masochistic minds of the people.
Another thing worth considering in this context is that Krishna participates personally in the war. You
cannot think of Jesus joining a war of any kind. If someone suggests to him to do so, he will say,
”Have you gone mad? Don’t you know what I teach?” Jesus has said, ”The prophets of the past
have said that if someone gouges out your one eye you should take out his both, but I tell you if
someone slaps you on the tight cheek, turn to him the other one too. And I tell you if someone takes
your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if someone asks you to carry his bag one mile, go
with him two miles – maybe out of shyness he does not ask for more than a mile.” Now this person
cannot be goaded into fighting a war.
It looks somewhat paradoxical and complex that while Jesus refuses even to resist evil, Krishna
feels no compunction in leading a destructive war like the Mahabharat. But the reason is obvious.
For Jesus, life is so miserable and meaningless that it is not worth fighting for. For Krishna, on the
other hand, life is so blissful that even a war can be risked for it.
I would like to go into this matter rather deeply, because it is significant for us and our times.
For Jesus, life as it is is so utterly miserable and meaningless that a slap or two on the cheek will
not add to its pile of miseries. It can be said that his cup of suffering is so full that any more suffering
will not make a difference. So he turns his other cheek to you so you don’t have to take the trouble
of turning it yourself. He is already so miserable that you cannot make him any more miserable.
For this reason, Jesus cannot be persuaded to take part in war. He alone can agree to fight who
declares that life is a blessing and not a curse, that life is bliss and not suffering. He will stake
everything to defend the joy and bliss of life. He will do anything for the sake of life.
Not only Jesus, even Mahavira and Buddha will not say yes to war. Only Krishna is capable of doing
it. If there is any other person in the world of spiritualism and religion who can come near Krishna
in this respect, it is Mohammed. At some level, at some depth Mohammed is closer to Krishna than
others, although he cannot be fully with Krishna.
Whosoever feels that there is something precious and worthwhile in life which needs to be
preserved, to be fought for – he will join hands with Krishna. For those who think otherwise, who
see nothing in life worth preserving, the question simply does not arise.
But remember, Krishna is not a warmonger. He is not a hawk, as some pacifists would like to call
him. He is a supporter of life, he stands by life, and he will fight for it if need be. If the great values of
life – without which life would cease to be life – are in peril, Krishna will not hesitate to defend them
with missiles. Not that he relishes violence or war, but if it becomes unavoidable he will not shirk the
responsibility.
Krishna: The Man and His Philosophy 407 Osho