Is Jesus Christ the real Prajapati mentioned in Hindu Vedas?

Based on the OPEN source and non-copyrighted article “Sacrifice” by the Late Adhyaksha Anubhavananda Kesava Raya Sarma Mandapak which was later translated from the Telegu by H. Kaveribhai

“Asato ma sat gamaya (From Illusion lead me to the Truth); Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya (From darkness lead me to Light); Mrityur ma amritam gamaya (From death lead me to Immortality)” – Bryhad Aranyak Upanishad 1.3.28)

Hindus have recited this familiar prayer for centuries, and it expresses the universal hunger for escape from spiritual emptiness, spiritual uncertainty, and spiritual death. It was written by the sages who recognized that spiritual Truth eluded them; that they were imprisoned by spiritual darkness; and that they needed eternal life. The sages recited this prayer continually, even as they developed many philosophies, rituals, and divine personalities that they hoped would provide the answer to this prayer. While the sages knew of some fundamental attributes of the person who would grant their request for Truth, Light, and Immortality, but their writings never identified the person. Most of the Hinduism followers have no access to their holy books and trustingly embrace all the teachings taught by the pundits, without validating the basis of their belief.

It is interesting to note that the Vedas and Upanishads (the source of Hindu teachings) reject their pundits’ teachings. These writings teach about sin, heaven, hell, salvation (mukti) from hell and one exclusive way to salvation. Almighty God had graciously allowed the Vedic writers a glimpse of the same mystery of salvation that He had given to the prophets of Israel in those days, and so the one clear path to mukti lies hidden in the Vedas and Upanishads, even though the complete truth was not fully revealed there.

The main theme in the Rig Veda and Upanishads is the nature and purpose of only one supreme sacrifice known as Purush Prajapati: the Lord of all creation who became Man (Sathpathbrahmana 10.2.2.1-2; Rig Veda Purushasukta 10:19). This Purush (man) is the only way to eternal life (“…Nanyah pantha vidyate – ayanaya”: Yajur Veda 31:18).

Note that this Purush is not a generic “self” but rather a person as described in Sanskrit dictionaries by Sanskrit scholars. Similarly, the Prajapati is not among the mythical and even wicked characters found in Hindu traditions, but He is the Lord of all creation by definition.

This Supreme Creator took a perfect human body (Nishkalanka Purush) and offered it up as a self sacrifice (Brihad Aranyak Upanishad 1.2.8). This Purush was symbolized by a lamb that was then the animal most commonly sacrificed (Maddyandiniya Sathpathbrahmana III). This Purush was above sin, and only in knowing Him does one obtain immortality (Chandogya Upanishad 1.6:6,7). Acknowledging the Purush-sacrifice imparts eternal life (Kathopanishad 1,3.8,11) After giving himself as the supreme sacrifice, this Purush resurrected (not reincarnated) himself (Brihad Aryanak Upanishad 3.9.28.4-5; Kathopanishad 3:15).

Clearly, the purpose of this sacrifice is to provide the only way to Heaven and the only way of escape from Hell (Rig Veda 9:113.7-11; Rig Veda 4.5.5;7.104.3). Advayatarakopanishad 17,18 declares him the Supreme God (Param Brahma), the Supreme Way (Paragati), and the Supreme Wealth (Param Dhanam). These are some of the many titles given to the Supreme Truth (Paravidya), but there is only one Supreme Truth, and there is only one Supreme Way to it as the Vedas teach.

The teachings concerning Purush Prajapati become meaningful only when viewed through the life of the Lord Jesus which portrayed the mystery of salvation which God had conceived before he even created the universe, or even the Vedas and/or Bible was written.

The Svetasvataropanishad 3:8 states: “I know the (one) supreme Purush…Only in knowing Him does one pass over death. There is no other path leading to eternal life”. Hinduism teaches about the four paths to salvation, that truly are the four necessary aspects of a disciple relationship with the Purush Prajapati according to the Vedas. They are:

1. Accepting the sacrificial work (karmasmaarg) of transferring one’s sins to the supreme sacrifice;
2. Knowing (Gyanmaarg) the Purush-Paravidya (the supreme knowledge who liberates)
3. Meditating upon Him (Yogamaarg)
4. Devoting one’s life to the Purush (bhaktimaarg) in gratitude for the sacrificial substitution.

The resurrected Purush-Prajapati is returning to earth once more: according to the Vedas, this is the last Avatar (human incarnation). All mankind have sinned, having transgressed the law of God. Therefore, men devise various ways and means how to escape the wrath of God, and live. In our country of India the Brahmins perform sacrifices, and the non-Brahmins offer animals in sacrifice.

An examination of the Vedas reveals that sacrifice is spoken of as the only means of salvation.

• “Prathamani Dharmani” – “ Sacrifices are the foremost of our first duties.”
• “Yagnovai Bhuvanasya Nabhih” – “ Sacrifice is the mainstay of the world”
• “Yagne Sarvam Pratishthitam” – “Sacrifice that bestows all things”
• “Yagnovai Sutarmanowh” – “ Sacrifice is the bark (boat) that enables one to live well”
• “Yagnona Vu Deva Divangatan” – “Only by means of sacrifice, the gods attained heaven”
• “Rutasyanah Pathanaya Ati Viswani Durita” – Afford deliverance through the path of sacrifice.

These doctrines proclaimed by the Vedas, declare the sacrifice should be the foremost of all penances that must be performed for the atonement of sins.

Let us also see what the Bhagvad Gita says:

Slo. “Sahayagnah Prajasrushtva Purovacha Prajapatih Anena Prasavishyadhwam Eshavostvishta Kamadukh” – “In the beginning alone, along with the creation of man, God instituted the sacrifice, and told them, ‘May this grant the desires of your heart’.”

“Yagnakshapitakalmashah” – Those whose sins have been effaced by means of sacrifice.”

“Nayam Lokostyayagnasyah kutonayah kurusattama” – Oh noble man (kuru), there is no place in this world for him who does not perform even a single one of these sacrifices; how then shall he obtain heaven?” In this way, the importance of sacrifice is taught.

Yet in the;

• Mundakopanished, we see, “Plava hyere adrudhayagnarupah” – The timbers of the bark of sacrifice are unsound.”
• In Skanda Puranam Yagna Vaibhava Khandam, 7th chapter, we read: Slo. “ Plava eyete sura yagna adrudhashcha na samshayah” - Ye gods, sacrifices are like the timbers of a bark; there is no doubt that they are unsound.”
• Tandya Maha Brahmanam says, Sru: “Yagnota avati tasya chhaya kriyate” – It is a sacrifice that saves. What is being performed, is the shadow of sacrifice.”
• In Rig Veda, we read, Sru: “Atmada baladah yasya chhaya-mrutam yasya mrutyuh” – He whose shadow and death, confer the spirit and strength.”

The above sayings clearly reveal that the sacrifices performed do not themselves confer salvation, but they are the type and the shadow of a great salvation-giving sacrifice.

• Aitareya Brahmanam says, Sru:” Yaja-manah pashuh yaja manameva suvargam lokam gamayati” – He who offers the sacrificial animal; therefore he who performs sacrifices goes to heaven.
• The Satpatha Brahmanam we read, “Prajapatir yagnah” – God himself is the sacrifice.
• Tandya Maha Brahmanam of Sama Veda we read, Sru: “ Prajapatir devebhyam atmanam yagnam krutva prayachhat” – God would offer Himself as a sacrifice and obtain atonement for sins.
• Satapadha Brahmanam says, “ Tasya prajapatirardhameva martyamasidardhamamrutam” – God became half mortal and half immortal. That means, He united in Himself the human and the divine.
• In the Purusha Sukta we read, the God Brahma is sacrificed.

What is evident from all these teachings is that the true and great redeeming sacrifice would be the one performed by the Sovereign Lord of this world, who putting on both mortality and immortality and becoming incarnate as God-man, would Himself be the sacrificial animal and offer Himself as a sacrifice to redeem mankind from their sins.

This is what Rig Veda says about the sacrificial animal:

1. It must be a goat without blemish
2. The “balusu” bush must be placed round its head
3. It must be bound to a sacrificial post
4. Nails must be driven into its four legs till they bleed
5. The cloth covering the goat should be divided among the four priests
6. None of its bones must be broken
7. The goat should be given a drink of Soma juice
8. After it has been slain, it must be restored to life again
9. Its flesh should be eaten

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My analysis from the above excerpt and I have used the New International Version of Bible :

Now, these details lead us to conclude that the sacrificial death of the incarnate God-head, must have answered this description in full. Thus, it is said that God Himself must become man, and then become a sacrifice to save sinners. But we do not read any such thing written about the incarnations in any of the Hindu Shastras (Scriptures). There is no God-incarnate-man, who died a sacrificial death, to save sinners.

But there is a country called Israel/Palestine in the west of Asia, on the Mediterranean coast in the center of the great land mass of the world. In this country was born of a holy virgin’s womb, the incarnate God, in whom were fulfilled all the details of the description given about the God-man. He was absolutely without blemish. He lived a perfectly holy life, He was both mortal and immortal, that is to say, He was both human and divine. Since in the incarnation that took place in Israel/Palestine was fulfilled the atoning sacrifice for the saving of sinners, it is evident that this was the True Incarnation Of God, whom sinners should take hold on for their salvation. This incarnation is the Lord Jesus Christ. He was Jesus Christ from the Bible.

From the beginning Jesus foretold His sacrificial death to save mankind, and then of His living again as death conqueror. He voluntarily surrendered into the hands of wicked men, who loved sin, hated His teachings and wanted to kill Him. If we examine the way He was killed, we find that like the sacrifice of God Brahma as described in Purusha Sukta everything said about the sacrificial animal in the Rig Veda, was clearly fulfilled in this incarnation in the following manner.

1. It must be a goat without blemish – Jesus was the sinless God-man. 1 Peter 1:19-20 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
2. The “balusu” bush must be placed round its head – A crown of thorns was placed on the head of Jesus. Mark 15: 16-17 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.
3. Acts 2:22-23 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. It must be bound to a sacrificial post – Jesus was crucified on the cross. Acts 2:23 ”….. to the cross…”
4. Nails must be driven into its four legs till they bleed – Jesus was nailed hands and feet to the cross. Acts 2:23 ”... nailing him …”
5. The cloth covering the goat should be divided among the four priests – Those who nailed Jesus to the cross, divided His garments among themselves. Matthew 27: 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
6. None of its bones must be broken – Not one of His bones was broken. John 19:36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"
7. The goat should be given a drink of Soma juice – Matthew 27:48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
8. After it has been slain, it must be restored to life again Acts 2:24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
9. Its flesh should be eaten – When Jesus was celebrating the Passover with his disciples, before his death we see in Matthew 26:26-29 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." Thus Jesus has told his followers to remember His death on the cross by symbolically partaking with bread and wine. For this purpose He instituted a Sacrament. This sacrament continues to be observed to this day by the Christians.

Purusha Sukta says, “Nanyah Pantha Ayanayavidyate” – Except through God Brahma who offered Himself, as even a thousand works cannot attain sacrifice heaven. So Sayanulu has declared in the Bhashyam.

Therefore, it is clearly evident that except in Jesus Christ, there is no salvation for all mankind. Snippets of the truth may have floated all around the world, but the final truth rests in the Bible.

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Work Cited

• “Sacrifice” by the Late Adhyaksha Anubhavananda Kesava Raya Sarma Mandapak which was later translated from the Telegu by H. Kaveribhai
• “From Darkness into the Glorious Light” written by Global Evangelical Missionary Society
• The BIBLE – NIV version