Srila Prabhupada on Christmas

By Vipramukhya Swami

A research of the Vedabase reveals that Srila Prabhupada said four things about Christmas, and in honor of the holiday season, we thought we’d like to share that with our CHAKRA readers.

In a nutshell, here are the four things:

1) He compared Christmas to Janmastami in India.

2) He said it was a natural tendency of people to celebrate God Consciousness.

3) He liked that so many of his books could be sold during the Christmas season.

4) He didn’t like that so many turkeys were killed even though Jesus said, “Thou shalt not kill.”

Here are some quotes from the Vedabase to act as references to the above:

1) Even today, in India, at the end of August the people are accustomed to celebrating Krsna's birthday, regardless of sect, just as in the Western world Jesus Christ's birthday is celebrated at Christmas. Krsna's birthday is called Janmastami, and in this verse Krsna uses the word janma in referring to "My birth." Because there is birth, there are some activities. (On the Way to Krsna, Chapter 2)

Now, the Krsna Janmastami is just approaching on the 8th, September, the birthday of Krsna we observe in India, and probably we may also make a program for observing the birthday ceremony here. So you'll find that just like in your country in Christmas day you all observe the birthday of Lord Christ, similarly, Krsna, the birthday of Krsna, will be observed in India, cent percent people. (Lecture, August 24, 1966, NY)

2) Now these Christmas holidays you have begun in your country. Throughout the whole month of December you'll observe nice festivals, festivities. Why? Where it began? God consciousness. Lord Christ he came to give you God consciousness, and in his relationship these festivities are going on. It may be degraded in another form. The beginning is God consciousness, but we have lost it. So people cannot be happy without reviving God consciousness. (Lecture, Los Angles, December 2, 1968)

3) The report is that within the three days of Christmas holidays, we have sold one lakh worth of books within three days. So our books are being very much welcome in the Western countries, especially the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. (Lecture, Bombay, January 12, 1973)

4) Prabhupada: First thing is why they shall kill at all? In America, oh, they have got sufficient food. So much rice, so much wheat, so much oats, fruits, grains and butter and ghee. So why they shall kill? What is the reason?

Umapati: Uncontrollable tongue.

Prabhupada: Yes. Now what is that bird who is killed in Christmas?

Devotees: Turkey.

Prabhupada: Turkey, you see. Now, Christmas, God's Christmas, Jesus Christ. He said, "Thou shalt not kill." But his birthday is observed by killing, killing, killing, killing, killing. (Morning Walk Conversation, May 15, 1973)