Krishna

There are many subtle truths relating to an incarnation that cannot be easily understood. Merely to describe the various sports and exploits of Krishna as a child is only a pastime. God’s ways are infinite and inscrutable. No one can determine or dictate to God how He should act. He can transform anything in a moment. It must be clearly understood that Krishna was such a manifestation of the Divine. The name Krishna must be properly understood. “Krish” + “Na” = Krishna. This means that He is one who cultivates (Krish) the heart. “Karsh” + “Na” is another derivation, which indicates that Krishna is one who attracts —Karshathi-ithi-Krishnah. Krishna attracts people not only by the matchless beauty of His form. He attracts people by His music, His dance, His sports, and His words. Krishna, by His winsome ways, could turn the anger of the Gopis toward him because of his pranks into an enjoyable joke.

Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 27 (1994)

Thirst for Krishna, for seeing Him, hearing Him, His Flute, for installing Him in the heart, in the mind, for grasping His reality through the intellect – this thirst is the healthiest, the most conducive to peace. Devotion to Krishna is the chain by which the monkey mind can be fastened and subdued. Transmute all the desire with which the senses torment you into the thirst for Krishna and you are saved…. Krishna draws the mind away from sensory desires, that is another way in which the draw operates. He pulls the mind toward Him, and so they are pulled away from everything else, for everything else is inferior, less valuable. He satisfies the deepest thirst of man, for peace, joy, and wisdom. That is why He is Meghashyama¾dark blue as the rain cloud. The very sight of the rain-laden cloud is so refreshing. He is lotus-eyed, lotus-palmed, lotus-soled; the lotus is reminiscent of cool, calm, deep lakes of limpid water, the water that quenches thirst. When Krishna-thrishna is quenched, the highest ananda (bliss) is attained; there is no more need, no more want, defect, or decline. The urge to drink inferior drinks that only feed the thirst disappears when once the sweetness of Krishna nama and Krishna bhava (name and thought of Krishna) are tasted.

Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 6 (1966)

Krishna also changed the hearts of many people through love. It may be asked: “Is it not Krishna who killed Kamsa?” Not at all. This is the text-book version. In truth, it was Kamsa’s own heated bhrama (delusion) that killed him. He was always haunted by the fear of Krishna. His death was a result and a reaction of that fear. Men’s thoughts determine their destiny. Hence, men should cultivate good thoughts and eschew all bad feelings…. God has no dislike for anyone. He envies no one. He has no ill-will toward anyone. Nor does He have favorites. The grace one gets is the result of one’s own feelings. [For] God, he alone is a true devotee who recognizes that his sufferings are the consequence of his own bad thoughts and actions.

Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 27 (1994)