The Buddha and His Impact on Brahminism

About 800 years ago, near the Mahanadi river delta, a poet called Jayadeva composed a Sanskrit poem called Gita Govinda that introduced the Brahmin world to Radha, the beloved of Krishna.

- Devdutt Pattanaik

It begins by describing how Krishna’s father Nanda tells Radha to take his little son back home. On the way, in the forest of dark ‘tamala’ trees, under a sky overcast with dark monsoon clouds, the child Krishna transforms into a grown up Krishna, Radha and Krishna engage in an intimate dalliance, described in rich evocative language by the poet. The relationship is clandestine, secretive, beyond the understanding of social norms, law and customs. This poetry stands at the interface of Tantrik and Bhakti belief. Tantra celebrates sensuality. Bhakti celebrates sentimentality. Tantra is physical. Bhakti is emotional.

In this work, Krishna is identified both as the immortal infinite Vishnu as well as one of his mortal and finite avatars. His elder brother is also identified as an avatar. Also included in the list of avatars is Buddha. Vishnu takes the form of Buddha to save animals from being slaughtered in Vedic rituals. Today, many Hindus get upset when told that Vedic rituals involved animal sacrifice. Clearly, Buddhist influence on Vedic Brahmins has been profound, though always denied.