Christianity Explained by Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada’s conversation with Christian scholar Dr. P. Johannes:
On April 20, 1928, at 3 pm, Dr. P. Mr. Johannes, the then head professor of philosophy and theology of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata came to the Sri Gaudiya Math, Kolkata at No. 1, Ultadanga Junction Road. He wanted to gather some information about the Vaishnava philosophy and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu from Srila Prabhupada’s mouth. He paid due respect to Srila Prabhupada and discussed various religious and philosophical topics. In this context what Srila Prabhupada said about the propagator of Christianity “Jesus Christ” is described here.
Christ is an empowered incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is an expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. Considering the special requirements and the merit of a particular country or society, Lord Vishnu infused a portion of His power in an eligible Jiva and sent him as Jesus, the son of God. Therefore the most complete manifestation of the Supreme Truth i.e. the transcendental pastimes and mellow of the Svayam Rupa Sri Krishna can never be propagated by anyone else but Krishna Himself. Jesus Christ did not have the adhikara (eligibility) to propagate that unnata ujjvala rasa.
Jesus Christ in the writings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
It is not that the Sanatan Satvata (Hindu Vaishnava) school of philosophy says that the Lord can incarnate only within Sanatan Dharma. They say, “In any country, at any time, anywhere, the Lord can incarnate.”
“It is not that you will see Me appear in Bhārata-bhūmi only. I appear in the realms of the Devas and lower entities as necessary. Thus do not think that I never appear in the realms of the mlecchas and untouchables. For all such low-born persons, whatever dharma they accept as their svadharma, when it tends to degrade, I send a śaktyāveśa-avatāra amongst them to protect their dharma. However, in Bhārata-bhūmi, in the form of varṇāśrama-dharma, svadharma is properly practiced, and I take increased care to establish the dharma of My subjects there.
Therefore, many beautiful avatāras such as yugāvatāras, aṁśāvatāras, etc. can be observed in Bhārata-bhūmi. Where there is no varṇāśrama-dharma, there is no proper execution of niṣkāma-karma-yoga or the perfection of jñāna-yoga or the ultimate achievement of bhakti-yoga. But suppose it is observed among the untouchables that there is a significant advancement in bhakti. In that case, it should be understood to be connected to the spontaneous mercy of a devotee.
(Excerpt from Rasika Ranjana commentary on Gita 4.7 by Srila Thakura Bhaktivinoda)
Therefore Hindus consider Jesus Christ and other non-hindu religious teachers as the empowered messengers of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.
