Archeology and the Vaishnava Tradition: The Pre-Christian Roots of Krishna Worship (An Old and Rare Book)

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We live in an age when light from the East shines with increasing brightness on the West. It may seem strange, in such circumstances, that something as firmly established as the pre-Christian antiquity of Krishna worship should be disputed. But this is apparently the case where knowledge and understanding are limited. Whether or not resistance to the facts is connected with, for instance, the resurgence of fundamentalist Christianity in countries like the United States, or with similar reactions against the new philosophies now circulating, is difficult to determine precisely.

But the resistance is not new, as Steven Rosen documents in the course of this useful book. Writing from within a western Vaishnava point of view, he offers both an apologia for the precedence of Krishna worship over that of Christ and a compilation of archaeological and textual data that summarizes the earliest recorded history of Vasudeva Krishna. Although much of this historical information is available elsewhere in widely scattered form, it has not to my knowledge been brought together in so comprehensive and care- fully researched a manner at it is here. Information on the recent excavations at Dwarka in particular is a new addition to the scholarly storehouse.

The keystone for this research is Megasthenes, the third century B.C.E. Ionian whose chronicle of India is preserved in the narratives of Diodorus, Strabo, Aelian, and Arrian. The collected translations by John McCrindle are available in McCrindle's Ancient India, edited by Ramchandra Jain (New Delhi: Today & Tomorrow Printers & Publishers, 1972). Sent by Seleucus I to the court of the first Mauryan emperor, Chandragupta, Megasthenes assembled a great deal of reli- able information about India. His account of an endogamous and craft-exclusive social hierarchy is probably inaccurate, but shows the institutionalization of class divisions that was already occurring in Mauryan times.

Those with a spiritual bent are not swayed by archeological conclusions. Having identified with the eternal soul, true spiritual seekers have little need to confirm their beliefs by poking and categorizing bones. For such exalted souls, the archeological method is seen to have severe limitations. Consequently, this work is not meant for these people. Unless, of course, these spiritual benefactors mercifully attempt to enlighten those who still enjoy a rigorous archeological debate or those who are still given to the art of mundane wrangling. In such cases this book may have some value.

Archeology experts themselves, however, tend to doubt the veracity of their own science. According to William Fixx, author of The Bone Peddlers: Selling Evolution, there is a virtual "catalogue of fiascos" in the world of archeology. Fixx attributes these errors not only to the "sincere-but-wrong." His well-documented book reveals that many archeologists and re- searchers are more interested in publicity, funding, and reputation than in truth. To protect their pet theories and speculations, says Fixx, researchers have deliberately ignored or dismissed evidence that de- tracts from their claims. Archeologists are people. And people are motivated.

But even beyond motivation, there are limits to what can be done with the archeological method.