Christ in the Hindu Scriptures?

Below, you will find an article that gives us ample evidence that even the Hindus are waiting for a Saviour according to their scriptures.  There are many things exposed here that most Hindus have never heard of before as the vast majority of this generation has not read the Hindu Scriptures and base their faith on what is taught to them either by religious traditions or a guru. 

 

Therefore, I encourage you to take a few minutes and read through this article in order to make an educated decision about who Christ is for you.

 

 

Animal Sacrifice
Many learned Vedic commentators of India of the past and present agree that animal sacrifices in India are true and factual. Shankara and Ramanuja who were recognized as religious leaders of the past, both recognize the practice of animal sacrifices in ancient times. In India during the Vedic period, saints observed Nara Medhya Yagnam (Cow body sacrifice), and Ashwa Medhya Yagnam (Horse body sacrifice).


(Abel offering Sacrifice)
The great scholar P.B. Kane has written volumes of books on Indian animal sacrifices.  Mahavira and Gowthama Buddha alienated themselves from Vedic animal sacrifices. It was during Buddhist rule in India, animal sacrifices to gods and goddesses were forbidden. But, even then, in many villages and small towns, these animal sacrifices are still practiced by the people.

Many religious scholars are struggling to disprove and get away from the fact of ancient animal sacrifices during the Vedic period. They are seeking to write apologetic literature, giving figurative interpretations to ritual accounts.

There is nothing wrong in spiritualizing the sacrifice (Yogna) for Yagna (sacrifice) indeed is the shadow of reality. At the same time, one cannot deny the history of animal sacrifices in the Vedic period.

One cannot discard the evidence of Rig Vedha 10th mandala, chapter 91, and Yazar Vedha chapters 22, and 23.

The Bible too presents the accounts of many animal sacrifices, ordained by God under the Law of Moses. But here again, it is mentioned as a foreshadowing of the real sacrifice of God himself. The real and supreme sacrifice was to take place upon the cross of Jesus Christ.

 

Christians do not observe animal sacrifices. They believe that the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has fulfilled all animal sacrifices in his one and only sacrifice. My humble opinion is, disciples of the Vedanta would make a grave mistake if they deny the old heritage of animal sacrifices of the Vedic times. It does not mean that these animal sacrifices need to be revived again. Animal sacrifices are practiced even today on Indian Soil, though the Government forbids it.

Every home sacrifice many young lambs for their gods. Christians will surely understand how the Jewish animal sacrifices have a place on Indian soil because Jews migrated to India, especially to South India, even before the birth of Jesus Christ.

People in India still believe that by sacrificing an animal, the curses and sins of their family will be gone.

Once again, all animal sacrifices both in Vedic times in India and in Old Testament times in Palestine are shadows of the real sacrifice of God or Prajapatti.

(Praja = People; Pathi = god, so God is called god of people).

In Tamil Nadu, India, I have personally witnessed such animal sacrifices and often spoke to the people about the parallels between the Old Testament and Indian Vedic scriptures, which were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

For many educated people it is an eye opener:  Read the book of Moses 2, Leviticus Chapter 1″ 1-9.
 Jesus is the fulfilment of all animal sacrifices.  Read Hebrews 7:28, 9:28, 10:10,12, and 14.


Atonement for Sins
In the beginning, God allowed mankind to sacrifice animals, so as to make them understand that there is atonement for everyone’s sins, as it is written in Thertiriya Aranyaka verse 3, “Sarvapapa pariharo raktha prokshna mavasyam” which means that the atonement is through shedding of blood only.

Though the animal’s blood is not a substitute, it was expected that man would repent and turn away from his sinful ways by watching an innocent animal, which is being sacrificed on his behalf. But mankind started practicing it just as a ritual, and false religion, and thus, came once again under condemnation.

If mankind were to be saved from this predicament, it had to be, as Thertiriya Aranyaka 3rd verse says again, “thad raktham Paramatmena punyadana baliyagam” which means that this blood has to be through the sacrifice of God himself.

The Purusha Sukta says, there is no other way other than the sacrifice of Purusha Prajapati. “Purushao vava yagna” (Chandokya Upanishad 3.16.1), God, the Purusha is the sacrifice.

Not only by acknowledging but also by accepting this sacrifice as one’s own, and for one’s own sake, the identity of one’s self with the Divine Self is achieved.