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14. THE CONCEPT OF AVATARS
Triad consisting of Samkarsana/Balarama, Ekanamsa and Vasudeva Krsna. Mathura Museum No. 67.529
Gandhi
In Modern Indian Interpreters of the Bhagavadgita By Robert Neil Minor the analysis by J.T.F Jordens on "Gandhi and Bhagavadfita gives the following insight into the concept of Krishna as God by Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi and Bhagavadgita J.T.F Jordens
This brings us to the question of how Gandhi conceived figure of Krishna, and how he interpreted the passages of the Gita which have very specific things to say about Krishna. A letter to Jamnadas Gandhi written in 1900 shows ... The essential ideas stated in that letter are the following. Every atman about to attain moksa is an avatar or divine incarnation. Once it has reached moksa, it naturally becomes one with the absolute, and as such perfect. But while living on earth, avatars cannot be perfect..... From those early days onward Gandhi often referred to imperfections of the historical Krishna, for example: "Krisha, Rama and others were divine incarnations....but we need not believe in their perfection while yet alive". "nor do I regard Rama and Krishna as portrayed in the two
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