Tab Article

ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Genre: Philosophy, Spirituality, Hinduism, Religion

Book Review:
In ''Krishna: The Man and His Philosophy,'' the iconic and controversial spiritual teacher Osho offers a radically unconventional and deeply provocative interpretation of one of Hinduism's most beloved and complex figures. This is not a devotional text or a traditional theological study; it is a freewheeling, insightful, and often iconoclastic discourse that seeks to strip away the layers of myth and dogma to reveal the ''man'' and his philosophy.

Osho, described by The Sunday Times of London as one of the ''1000 Makers of the 20th Century,'' brings his unique perspective to the teachings of Krishna, particularly as embodied in the Bhagavad Gita. His central and most striking thesis, articulated in the introduction, is that ''in the whole history of the old humanity Krishna alone is against repression.'' He contrasts Krishna with other religious figures and traditions that he believes have taught denial and suppression of natural instincts. Osho argues that this suppression has made humanity ''suicidal,'' leading to inner conflict and self-destruction.

Drawing a parallel with the insights of Freud, Osho presents Krishna as the embodiment of a life-affirming, integrated, and joyful approach to existence. He explores Krishna's multifaceted personality—as a prince, a strategist, a lover, a friend, and a guide—to illustrate a philosophy that embraces life in its totality rather than escaping from it. The book covers key episodes from Krishna's life and major themes from the Gita, including karma, dharma, and the nature of the divine, but always filtered through Osho's distinctive lens.

The book is not for the faint-hearted or the orthodox. Osho's style is conversational, challenging, and designed to provoke thought. He is a master storyteller and a brilliant intellectual provocateur. Whether you agree with his interpretations or find them deeply unsettling, this book is an undeniably stimulating and thought-provoking read. It invites you to encounter Krishna not as a distant deity, but as a vital, relevant, and radical philosopher whose message speaks directly to the challenges of modern life. As Tom Robbins famously called him, Osho is indeed ''the most dangerous man since Jesus Christ,'' and this book is a perfect example of his dangerous, liberating, and transformative vision.