Preface 3
Just as white sunlight transmitted through colored gels appears in many different colors, the original Absolute Truth is modified by the medium through which it is revealed. The language used by Jesus or Mohamed or Vyasadeva, the compiler of the Vedas, may differ, and their culture, methods of worship and teaching techniques may seem worlds apart, but all the prophets are striving to communicate substantially the same message to different audiences in different times, places and conditions. Naturally, the details of their teachings vary. I call the direct revelation of the complete Absolute Truth about God the Esoteric Teaching, and this original Teaching is transmitted or reflected in varying degrees of completeness and accuracy in all the religions and philosophies of the world.
Then, do we have any hope of receiving the original message of God—the Esoteric Teaching—unaltered? Certainly: the Supreme Lord is omnipotent, and can do anything He wishes. If God wants to descend to this world and personally reveal His message to anyone, who is to stop Him? Some people may object that it is impossible for God to appear in the material world and communicate His message directly. Indeed, the Roman church declared gnosis a capital heresy despite that fact that Paul was converted by Jesus in a vision. But what is impossible for God? If the son of God, Jesus Christ, can appear in the womb of a virgin, then why is it impossible for the Father to reveal Himself in any way He likes? Of course, when He appears we may not recognize or understand Him, but that is a different problem. When Jesus Christ appeared, the mainstream rabbis and Pharisees refused to acknowledge him, even though he was the perfect fulfillment of many prophecies in their own Scriptures that they could easily quote from memory. Similarly, there is no certainty that our contemporary Christians would recognize or acknowledge God, even if He appeared directly before their eyes.
Actually, of course the Supreme Lord, the Father of all, can appear anywhere He wishes, or reveal Himself to anyone He wants at any time. His will is infallible, His powers inexhaustible. Certainly He has appeared many times in this world, and these historical incidents are recorded in all the Scriptures of all religions, including the Bible. For example, the ancient Vedic religious epic Mahabharata describes the advent and pastimes of Lord Sri Krsna, the incarnation of the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, in what is now called India (formerly Bharata) about 5,000 years ago. The most popular and beloved section of Mahabharata is the famous Bhagavad-gita, or Song of God.
In Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna has inspired billions of devotees with an exposition of the spiritual Truths of life that is comprehensive yet succinct, highly elevated yet practical in its universal applicability. It is the best example in the world’s spiritual literature of God appearing in this material world and enlightening His devotee. Even better, Bhagavad-gita was recorded verbatim by the sage Vyasadeva, himself an incarnation of God, and transmitted to us through the strict Vedic system of disciplic succession without any change. Therefore, it is a complete and literal record of God’s description of Himself and directions on how to approach and worship Him.
The circumstances in which Lord Krsna spoke Bhagavad-gita to His friend and devotee Arjuna exactly parallel Jesus’ situation in the Garden of Gethsemane. The devotee is put into demanding circumstances where he must make a difficult sacrifice, and in his perplexity, seeks the reliable shelter of the Lord’s counsel. In Bhagavad-gita, the Lord replies to Arjuna at length and elegantly solves his problem. In the process, He expounds a wonderful non-sectarian overview of the entire field of religion and self-realization.
Although the authors and editors of the Gospels did not see fit to transmit to us all that transpired between the Lord and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on that fateful night, since Jesus was approaching the very same Supreme Lord with a very similar problem, he must have received a very similar answer.
When I recognized this, I saw an opportunity to apply the message of Bhagavad-gita to fill one of the most tantalizing gaps in the story of the Gospels. The result is the volume you are reading. I beg the reader to be patient with my adaptation, and understand the purpose of the changes I have made to a text and exegesis held sacred by many. In 1976 I wrote my Spiritual Master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, “I am concerned about my Christian relatives and friends, who because of sectarian considerations will never study Bhagavad-gita As It Is or your other wonderful books, or chant the Holy Name of Krsna. If they chant the name of Jesus Christ will they receive the same or similar benefit?” Srila Prabhupada replied in the following inspiring words: “I can give you all guidance and direction for there are millions of Christians in the world today. We are not concerned with how, so much as the fact that one must develop his dormant love for God. This is alright that you will chant the names of Christ for after all he was the representative of God. People are lost due to not following a bona fide religious system. If you can revive their God consciousness that will be very good service.” [letter 76-09-08]
This work and my book Here Be Wisdom are humble attempts to respond to this instruction. They also attempt to fill an aching need for the many inquisitive Christians who, like me, may lie awake at night wondering how the Lord changed Jesus’ mind in the Garden of Gethsemane and set his course aright for the immense sacrifice he was about to make. Certainly there are many errors herein, both in concept and execution, that will be apparent to the discriminating reader. I accept full responsibility for them and beg the readers’ tolerance and forgiveness. I have experienced throughout my life that the Vedic tradition of the Esoteric Teaching offers the best solutions to the practical difficulties and spiritual problems of human life. We may never know exactly what the Lord said to Jesus the night before his trial and crucifixion, but in this work we have applied the best of the Vedic esoteric wisdom to this difficult question. I sincerely hope the reader will find substantial spiritual inspiration and guidance in these pages, and be encouraged to become a better Christian by following the authentic path of Lord Jesus Christ.