Would Krishna embrace Christian Yoga?

By Yogi Baba Prem, Vedvisharada, CYI, C.ay, C.va

Many teachers have attempted to reconcile Hinduism and Christianity. Frequently they are motivated due to financial concerns and fear of offending someone. Often these teachers/practitioners/authorities lose sight that yoga teachings were intended to be concerting and disconcerting. Terms such “yoga is still evolving” are commonly used. We are teaching this to westerners, is another common excuse. And last but not least, the argument that “Krishna did not say, in the Gita someone had to be a Hindu to practice yoga”. While most people can agree that Krishna does not literally say, “One has to be Hindu to practice yoga!” And most people can agree that anyone can practice yoga, does Krishna endorse a system such as “Christian Yoga”? 

To examine this fundamental question, the Bhagavad Gita should be consulted. In the 4^th teaching, Krishna refers back to having taught yoga to Manu. Manu passed the teaching on to the Ikshavaku’s, or the solar dynasty in the Vedic tradition. Here is our first reference to a religion, though a religion of universal truth known as Sanatana Dharma, later known as Hinduism. Krishna also states that the teachings “decayed overtime”. This is obviously a reference that the yogic teachings meanings are lost over time, which is why Krishna is teaching them again. The decay of the teachings is certainly referring to a loss of understanding of the fundamental principles. But it also refers to modification, distortion of, and changing the teachings. 

Christian yoga is a direct attempt to perform the very thing that Krishna warns about!  Additionally, Krishna, in the Gita, refers to Vishnu as the sun god-a direct Vedic reference as well as direct references to reincarnation. The argument is that Christians should be allowed to pick and chose what they are comfortable with. But this is distorting the original teachings of Krishna, who already warned of the teachings decaying. But did Krishna have more to say on this subject?

The Uddhava Gita is considered Krishna’s final teaching while on earth. While this work is not well known in the west, it is in India. Does Krishna shed light on yoga’s connection with Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma. The answer is yes! In the 12^th dialogue, Krishna states that a brahmacharin should offer worship two times a day, the traditional sunrise and sunset. This worship should be to the fire, sun, and guru. Additionally this worship should be offered to the elders, cows, and the Gods. In the 14^th dialogue, Krishna says “do the fire ceremony, chanting my name.” Krishna continues to refer to the Vedas numerous times throughout the Uddhava Gita. He frequently references the Vedas as an authority on Earth. In the 22^nd dialogue, Kirshna states there are three ways that he accepts worship: (1) Vedic, (2) Tantric, (3) a mixture of the two. Krishna also recommends performing purification using mantras from the Vedas and Tantras. All of these references are addressed to the yogi. This is very important as the Uddhava Gita is a text for Bhakti yoga. 

Would Krishna embrace Christian Yoga. The answer is likely NO. Krishna was quite clear on issues and did not frequently mince words. Stating in the  bhagavad Gita, “ I taught this undying discipline…I am the source of everything…I am the beginning, middle and end...” Krishna would likely find it acceptable for Christians doing yoga, providing they followed his instruction. He would likely embrace those so inclined to study the Gita(s). But he would not likely embrace the teachings being distorted, changed, and modified. Possibly he would say, a Christian can do yoga, but yoga is not a Christian doctrine or Christian dogma.