How to witness to a Hindu?

Written by Hem Sagar (David) Rasaily

Hindus are very good people in heart (but some are very orthodox). My personal studies from 14 years of ministry to the Hindus are the following:

a) They regard Jesus as one of the Hindu gods.
b) Some believe he was one of the incarnations of Lord Krishna.
c) Some believe that he was one of the foreign gods or god of Christians.
d) Some people go to Church find the solution for their problems.
e) They have the faith that Jesus heals and does miracles.
f) Many have great honor for Him but could not accept Him as Lord openly due to fear of the society and many more…

These things are good but more than that we need to show them Jesus as his / her personal Savior and Lord. Hindu scriptures speak much about Jesus, Savior, Moksha (Salvation). Many are innocent because they do not know those scriptures concerning him. And those who know they hide them and hold the Salvation of God. The Christians of India and also many ministries and Churches worldwide have a great responsibility to spread the Gospel and good results are being seen.

Hindus never deny Jesus. They have at least a little respect for Him in India because the work of Christ was founded in India since 52 AD by apostle Thomas. I found door-to-door evangelism is very effective than the mass preaching. More than the preaching, personal testimony plays an important role. Somebody has rightly said, “Actions speak louder than words.” People are observing us and trying to find fault in us. If we want to witness to a Hindu, first we must make our life-style right with God. They always respect a religious person.

We must have sound knowledge of the Bible and also in Hindu scriptures. If we prove Jesus from their scriptures then they cannot deny the TRUTH. I have researched and found it is very easy to work among the Hindus if we know their scriptures. There are a lot of similarities between Hinduism and Christianity. I have laid down some of the Hindu scriptures below with it’s meaning providing a reply from the Bible where ever applicable for the Christian witnesses who want to work among the Hindus and witness as a child of God and also to Hindu friends who want to receive Salvation:

The Supreme Leader who is the cause and governor of all creation who protects and saves sinful mankind, He Himself appeared upon the earth wrapped in a body that is Holy and without sin. (Rig Veda 10.125)

Comment: A thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ the Rig Veda predicted so clearly who was supposed to appear as the Supreme Leader, Governor, Savior who was Holy and without sin.

After creating the sky, waters, and the earth, the supreme spirit of the Lord almighty thought “I created the worlds. Now to provide for and to save these worlds I have to create a savior.” Thinking thus He gave birth to a man from himself. (Ithareya Upanishad 1.1.3)

Comment: Thus a Savior is promised.

In Bharath Khand of Bhavishya Puranas it clearly mentions about the name of Jesus Christ:
Yeesh moorti parapta nitya shuddha shivakari: Yeesha masih itticha mam nama prathishtatham

Meaning: The revelation of God who is eternal, Holy, Compassionate and giver of Salvation; who dwells within our heart is manifested. His name is Yeesha (Jesus) Masih (Christ).

Balwaan raja gaurang shweta vastrakam Yeesh putra, Kumari garbha sambhavam, and Satya Varatha Paraayanam

Meaning: Sovereign king in a holy person robed in white Son of God one who is born of a virgin one who is the sustainer of the path of truth).

There are many Terms used in the Vedas so clearly about the Savior:

Prajapathirdevebhyam Athmanam Yagnam Kruthva Prayaschittaha.

Meaning: God offered Himself as the sacrifice for atonement of sins of the world.

Yagnovy Bhuvanasya Nabhi.

Meaning: Sacrifice is the most important backbone of the world.

Sarvapapa Pariharo Rakthaprokshanamavasyam. Thadraktham Paramathmeva Punyadana Baliyagam.

Meaning: Blood sprinkling is necessary for cleansing of sins. This blood is the result of God Himself offering His own blood through a sacrifice.

Prajapathiryagnaha.

Meaning: God Himself was the sacrifice.

Nakarmana Manushtanairna Danasthapasavya Kaivalyam Labhathe Marthyah.

Meaning: Cleansing of sins is not possible by baths, pilgrimages, giving dana or by following dharma.

Yagnovaa Avathi Thasya Chaya Kriyathe.

Meaning: Sacrifices being practiced are the shadow of the Supreme Sacrifice.

Death and Suffering about Jesus Christ:

Rig Veda 10.90.7, 15: “The sacrificial victim is to be crowned with a crown made of thorny vines”

Yajur Veda 31: “Before death, He should be given a drink of Somarasa”(an intoxicating herbal juice)

Sama Veda, part 2 (Thandiya Maha Brahmanam): “God is the ruler of people. He will offer His body as a sacrifice, for His people; for the remission of their sins.”

Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 3.9.28: “His hands and legs are to be bound to a yoopa (a wooden pole) causing blood shed”

Ithareya Brahmanam 2.6: “None of His bones be broken”

Maha Brahmanam 4.15: “If you want to be delivered from the sin, which you commit through eyes, mouth, ears and mind, bloodshed is necessary. Without shedding the blood, there is no remission for sin. That must be the blood of the Holy one. God is our creator. He is our King. When we were perishing, He came to save us by offering even his own body on our behalf.”

Ithareya Brahmanam: “After death, His clothes are to be divided among the officers”

For the above Sacrifice as a Savior no gods qualifies in Hinduism. Vishnu, second aspect of god in Tri-Murti (Hindu Trinity) is famous for his 9 avatars (incarnations). His incarnations are as fish, tortoise, boar, Narasimha (man-lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parshurama (Rama with axe), Rama (Sri Rama Chandra who was the king of Avodhya, Krishna Balarama or maybe Buddha.

But no one appeared in Hinduism who died with the following major qualifications: Death on Yoopa (Cross) and hands and legs bound causing bloodshed; Crowned with a crown made of thorny vines; Drank Somarasa (Vinegar) during his death; Cloth was divided among the officers.

Dear students now please read the following Bible scriptures, which will clear all doubts and know that the God of salvation inspired the authors of Hindu scriptures to write down for the people who follow the faith of Hinduism:

Mark 15:17 And they dressed Him up in purple, and after weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on Him.”

Matthew 26:26 And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

Mark 15:36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink….

Matthew 27:35 And when they has crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots;

John 19:33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already, they did not break His legs.

What a mystery? This is not a coincidence. God had a plan to save the sinners (not only Christians) but all the people of all religions.

The sages of ancient India realized the need of Salvation in their lives so they cried to God and uttered these words in prayer:
Asathoma Sadgamaya; Thamasoma Jyotirgamaya; Mruthyorma Anmruthamgamaya

Meaning: Take us from untruth into the truth; take us from darkness into the light; take us from land of death into the land of life.

Why this prayer? They could not qualify for salvation by doing their rituals. But Jesus answered for these entire three questions: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” John 14:6

Let us compare three similarities between Christianity and Hinduism once again:

1. Virgin Birth:
Atharva Veda 13-3-4 Koumaro loko ajanishta' putrah nwarvhethan wai uttaravoth
Translation - A son will be born to a virgin in this world, take ye hold that (son) is what is superior (than everyone) ' born in a cattle shed ' Rig Veda 355 –1

Reference Luke 2:11 For to you is born today, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord

Bhavishya Mahapurana Book 3. Chapter in 34th verse
Ko bhavaanithi tham praaha Sobhovaachamudaanwitha:
Eshaputhram cha maam idhi Kumaareegarbha samahavam Aham easa Maseeha nama
Translation - (King Saka asked) "May I know who you are?
"That man replied happily "I am the son of God born to a virgin. My name is Easa messiah"

Reference- Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive in her womb, and will bear a son. And they will cann His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, God with us.

2. Two Births:
Asmaakam thu visishtaye Thaanni bodha dwijothama Bhagavat Gita 1:7
Translation - A perfect Brahmin (who has found God ) is twice born. nobody can become a brahmin without being born a second time.

Bible Reference: John chapter 3:5 Jesus answered and said to him, truly, truly, I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

3. Sacrifice
(Rigveda X:90:7,15; Bruhadaranyakopanishad III:9:28; Ithareya Brahmanam 2:6):
Translation: The sacrificial victim is to be crowned with a crown made of thorny vines His hands and legs are to be bound to a yoopa causing bloodshed

None of His bones must be broken (Yajurveda XXXI)
Before death he should be given a drink of somarasa (Ithareya Brahmanam)

Bible Reference: Matthew 27:29 And plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand

Rigveda X : 90:16 goes like this: Thamevam Vidwanamrutha iha bhavathy Nanya pandha ayanaya vidya
Translation - Those who meditate and attain this man believe in heart and chant with their lips get liberated in this world itself and there is no other way of salvation.

Bible Reference : But what does it say? "The word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart"; that is, the word of faith which we proclaim; - Romans 10:8

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