Question: It is said that Buddha is one of the incarnations of Lord Krishna. If this is so, how is it that Buddha has proposed a totally different path for salvation rather than Bhakti Marga?
Answer by Romapada Swami: The purpose of the incarnation of Buddha is described in Srimad Bhagavatam. During the time of Buddha, people in general were atheistic, and were misusing the Vedas for promoting violence and indulging in unrestricted killing of animals and meat-eating. In order to curb these malpractices and out of compassion for the innocent animals, Lord Buddha advised the people to reject the Vedas and taught sub-religious principles such as morality and non-violence which are the preliminary steps for spiritual realization. Thus he bewildered the faithless atheists to place their faith on Him. (Cf. Bhag 1.3.24).
