SPIRITUAL PROGRESS, ETC.

Gmail agrasen
[Delhindu] Digest Number 1477
Delhindu@yahoogroups.com Wed, Dec 30, 2009 at 4:09 AM
Reply-To: No Reply
To: Delhindu@yahoogroups.com
DelHindu
Messages In This Digest (5 Messages)

1.
Moderate Islam: Ally or Myth? From: EagleSM23

2.
Special Question: Swamiji, I wish to ask about a long-term associate From: Ravishankar Gopal

3.
8th house - a 'look' from Pathi From: venkatachala pathi

4.
FW: our festivals have scientific basis From: shivashankara rao

5.
FW: God concept in vedas. From: shivashankara rao

View All Topics | Create New Topic
Messages

1.
Moderate Islam: Ally or Myth?
Posted by: "EagleSM23" eaglesm23@yahoo.com eaglesm23
Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:49 am (PST)


Moderate Islam: Western Ally or Western Myth?http://www.danielpipes.org/7843/moderate-islam-western-ally-mythby Daniel
Pipes and Wafa Sultan
Can there be a truly moderate Islam compatible with liberal-democratic notions of human rights and democracy? Is "radical Islam" a modern phenomenon or is Islam itself inherently radical? Such were the questions addressed in a recent debate between Dr. Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum, and Dr. Wafa Sultan, a Syrian-born American psychiatrist. James Taranto of the Wall Street Journalmoderated.Mr. Pipes began by emphasizing that he and Ms. Sultan are allies, fighting the same opponents, namely, the Islamists. They agree on the past and present of Islam but disagree about the future. Ms. Sultan argues it cannot change while he believes it can. The idea that Islam cannot change is an essentialist view that ignores how much Islam has changed over history, an aspect that he, as a student of Islamic history for forty years, appreciates. He stressed that many of
the requirements of the Shari'a, or Muslim sacred law, are impractical to implement, resulting in what Mr. Pipes has coined as the "medieval synthesis,"
whereby loopholes are devised to get around impractical tenets, such as the prohibition against usury.
In the 1800s, with the onslaught of Western influence, the medieval synthesis collapsed, replaced by secular, reformist, and fundamentalist strains. The last of these is the totalitarian mentality that Mr. Pipes describes as "Islamism," which transformed the religion into a political movement. And while Islamism dominates today, there are even at this bleak moment signs that Islam itself can change. For example, jurists in Turkey recently ruled that women can pray next to men in mosques, a small but important step for women's rights.
Ms. Sultan began her argument by quoting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who says that there is no "moderate or immoderate
Islam. There is Islam; that is it." She contends that terms like "radical Islam" conceal the true nature of Islam itself—a political ideology. She adds that the aim of Islam is to subdue the entire world under Shari'a. To prove her position, she quoted from the Qur'an; she also argued that the true nature of Islam can be seen in the Sira, or biography, of Muhammad, which, she says, has come to define Islam itself. For instance, Ms. Sultan claims that Muhammad's actions—such as marrying a 9-year-old and taking many women as concubines —means that there can be no equality for women under Shari'a.
During the question and answer session, Mr. Pipes pointed out that those who argue that Islam itself is the problem leave the West with no solutions, adding that, to
truly reform Islam, Western governments must begin to empower genuine moderates. Asked
what policies she would adopt toward the Muslim world, Ms. Sultan asserted that Islam can be reformed, and recommended Western pressure on the Saudi king as the surest way.
Mr. Pipes and Ms. Sultan agreed on some specifics, for instance, that Western governments must not welcome non-violent Islamism and should monitor the hate being taught in Muslim schools in the West. Overall, however, Mr. Pipes, while not denying what Islam has been or is, insists that Islam, like other religions, can and will change, whereas Ms. Sultan was more pessimistic.VIDEO @ http://www.danielpipes.org/7843/moderate-islam-western-ally-myth

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

2.
Special Question: Swamiji, I wish to ask about a long-term associate
Posted by: "Ravishankar Gopal" ravishankar_g@yahoo.com ravishankar_g
Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:51 am (PST)




Radhe Krishna To all,

When talking about Krishna, people with a research mentality are interested in the history, while true devotees of Krishna wish to hear only 'His story'.

---- SRI SRI MURALIDHARA SWAMIJI
---------------------------
Swamiji, I wish to ask about a long-term associate of mine. This person, as I have known him, is an emotionally charged character with frequent mood swings.
He has taken to some spiritual practices since the past few days. He tells me that he has started having some divine visions and also that he has been encountering incidents in his life similar to that of a few Saints.

Are these experiences real? Does a spiritual aspirant really perceive such experiences?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Firstly let us understand that spirituality is not a bed of roses. When we read about the spiritual experiences of great Saints, we should always keep in mind the amount of struggle they have undergone and the rigorous penance they have performed over years together in order to attain such an exalted state. These experiences, by no means, come by in a short span of time.

In general, If one decides to undertake a rigorous spiritual sadhana (practice), one has to perform it as instructed by his Guru with an one-pointed mind with patience and perseverance over many years to see even a small progress. Above all, it requires a strong and equipoised mind. Direct spiritual progress and experiences have been achieved by the strongest of minds. If not, will lead one to a state of mental instability and render him unfit even for worldly life, leave alone spiritual life.

Let us consider the following traits...

1. Often sitting morosely in solitude
2. Nurturing hatred towards life
3. Often having a lingering question of why one was born
4. Having an urge to commit suicide
5. Always worrying about the future
6. Eating too sumptuously or otherwise, starving
7. At one time, speaking audaciously that one would accomplish everything, and at another time, branding oneself as not fit for anything
8. Telling others that he has a premonition of what is going to happen
9. Always talking with self-pity
10. Laughing boisterously without any reason, and at times, being overly silent and dejected
11. Tying together naturally occurring events and incidents and arriving at inferences (usually negative) by reading into them
12. Blaming others for all the shortcomings that one faces
13. Not going to work at all; Abstaining from going to work on the working day just after the week’s holiday; Purposely absenting from work in order to procrastinate that day's tasks to the next day, absenting for a long time and showing the same as a reason to quit work
14. Sleeping during the day and being a night-owl because of sleeping during the day; sleeping on the belly
15. Believing hallucinations as true
16. Imagining and predicting the future incidents
17. Abusing others, physically or verbally; or abusing oneself
18. Behaving normally when it comes to entertainment or enjoyment
19. Being very intelligent or artistic, to the point where it becomes unrealistic
20. Being aggressively passionate about a task or a particular thing of liking
21. Targeting one individual and finding faults with him, or being overly possessive
22. Being foolishly adamant without any reason
23. Spending money lavishly without planning for the future
24. Expecting that others should respect him and expecting recognition.
25. Doing away with anyone who finds fault with him
26. Often being careless at work and quitting work
27. Lamenting that no one understands him
28. Always engaging in talking to someone or the other either in person or through phone
29. Often leaving home
30. Undertaking resolutions from the next day or the forthcoming occasion to behave in a particular manner or follow a particular routine that is not practical and then, pushing it to a later date or forsaking it in a couple of days, or taking that resolution yet again
31. Experiencing an inflammation in the nerves around the brain when emotionally charged
32. Imagining oneself as an incarnation of a God / special creation and assuming others also to be so
33. Trying to attain everything through easy short-cuts
34. Trying to imitate others
35. Bullying the weak and fearing the strong
36. Having a strong feeling of vengeance against others without any particular reason
37. Reading the histories of great saints and drawing a parallel between their experiences and one's own life’s incidents

If you find someone possessing a few or all of these traits, then his/her mental disposition is generally not suited for rigorous spiritual Sadhanas that involve heavy tasking of the mind. Such a person should be advised to stay away from undertaking such Sadhanas and seek professional psychiatric help.

He might perceive a superficial similarity in incidents of his life while reading spiritual books about experiences of great saints. Whereas, in reality, such correlations will only weaken his already fragile mind. So it is best for him to avoid reading such texts.

A light religious life with simple and light spiritual practices with a positive outlook in day-to-day life is advised for such individuals if they wish to lead a happy life.
---------------------------------
Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji in Vijay TV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7LhuRJb2a8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgyqOggmros
-----------------------------------------
Our Namadwaar satsang is bringing out very shortly the diary 2010 for the convenience of the devotees and satsang members from our ashram.

This diary contains useful information's such as important satsang dates and events

It will also contains nice images of our Guru Maharaj, and ashram.

As estimated now this Diary price will be Rs. 250/- approx.

We plan to print only a limited edition.

Interested members can reply to email:publications@namadwaar.org or can call our Chennai office 044-24895875 ( CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU NAMABHIKSHA KENDRA )and order for a copy.

It will enable us to decide on the number before we give the printing order.

To know about His Holiness Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji's publications please visit

FOR CD/DVDS
http://namadwaar.org/publications/cdsdvds.html

FOR BOOKS
http://www.namadwaar.org/publications/books.html

Regards & Chant The Maha mantra:
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Source: http://namadwaar.org/home.php
---------------------------------

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

3.
8th house - a 'look' from Pathi
Posted by: "venkatachala pathi" pathiav@yahoo.com pathiav
Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:57 am (PST)


8th House – a ‘look’ from Pathi

“Guru ji, Eighth House is said to be the house, with connected Planets, which could cause constant miseries to all and it is tabooed as the house of destruction in a Birth Chart. As a learner of Astrology, I am looking at this house and its results to cause ‘suspense’ at all times. Please help me to learn more on this house and its effects.”.
n Jayanthi Rajan, Trichi.

EIGHTH House from Lagna, points to the following for reference:

(i) Mental Distress, Physical Distress and Pain, Calamity, Death – place where to happen, cause, when and nature, Mutilation, Amputation, Defeat, Insult, Sorrow, Punishment given by Authority, Severe difficulties, Fear of enemies, Obstruction for plan/ progress, Arrest, Detention, Ill repute, Criminal, Violent attitude of mind, Boat, Accident, Morbid sexuality and Weapons.
(ii) Marital Bond, Tantra, Occult and Hidden Meaning.
(iii) Ability to manipulate others, Drugs (for good or bad for health), and Drinks.
(iv) Split between friends or Partner, defeat in diplomatic efforts.
(v) Matters relating to wealth (as this house is seventh from the second house), unearned wealth, Acquiring and constructing religious properties, Business matters and investments.
(vi) Financial matters related to death, viz., legacy, insurance, will, gratuity, and inheritance.
(vii) Incurring debts and giving loans.
(viii) Sailing on water bodies including sea, Strange and risky adventures of body and mind, Rough mountainous path/ regions, dense and wild forests, Losing one’s way.
(ix) Vocations – Health inspectors, Hospital and healthcare laborers, Mortuary attendants, Grave yard servants, Ambulance attendants and drivers, Coroners, Slaughter houses and workers, Butchers and traders,.
(x) Disease – Piles, Fistula, Rectum related ailments, Urinary disorder, Facial decease, ailments related to Scrotum, Anus, Excretory organs, Bladder, Left part of chin, Stomach, or left Calf (related to drakken rising), and Several ‘Balrista’.


Let me give you some insight on this Eighth House and related Planets from ‘POORVA PARASARYAM’ – a text compiled from “Paladeepika”; “Sarvatha Chindamani”; “Bruhath Jathaka”; “Krisheeyam”; “Jaimini Suthram”; “Sripati Paddadhi”; “Vakpati”; “Gargi”; “Saraavali”; “Bhadhanarayan”; “Mahendran”;
“Gnana Deepika”; “Prasna Margam” and “Rathina Mala”.

WITH 8TH HOUSE BHAVA, HOW WE CAN DECIDE THE NATAL’S CHARACTER AND HIS/HER ACTIONS:

If any Planet, under the shadow of Sun (either Sun occupies with that Planet or in its’ ‘Drusti’ -7th look- or in LEO – owned by Sun), becomes weak – ‘asthanga’ –in this 8th House, to cause : constant eye trouble, short period of life, discarded by all near and dear in the family.

Born with Sun positioned in 8th House(being any other house other than above), the Natal will have a charming face to attract one and all, desire to cause unnecessary gossip to invite/ create troubles, always depressed, very smart in thinking, with pleasant attire, having stomach problems, and slim in body structure.

Born with waning Moon positioned in 8th House, the Natal will have poor stretch of life, whereas with waxing moon there, will be philanthropist, feeding poor, ready to face adversaries intelligently.

Born with Mars positioned in 8th House, the Natal will be strong in physical build and constitution, short stretch of life span, peculiar unpleasant personality, doing unsocial acts, having mischievous children, and always suffer for many things in life. When that Mars is in 8th House, if he is born with Moon in Gemini – Mithun Rasi- or as Lagna, could prefer simple attire, be wealthy, a leader of a group, proficient in a field of knowledge, popular in society, strong in health with long stretch of life, and be a person to make his family proud of him/her.

Born with Mercury positioned in 8th House, the Natal will be equal to a king, commander of an army/group of followers, be rich with assets, with humility, owner of many dwellings, brave and shrewd leader.

Born with Jupiter positioned in 8th House, the Natal will be defeated by enemies at all times how cleaver he should be, lives long years, serving others, lazy, blaming his/her own tribes and religious believers, admonished by near and same society of people, always tempted to enjoy sex with those below his/her status, and have clandestinely developed relationships. Whereas, if that Jupiter occupies 8th House from Lagna, and that house is its ‘malefic house’ – Capricorn – Makara – and in first 5º, that person will be extraordinarily recognized as an intelligent person in his field as well as in general and live a long life to serve his/her society. This includes those born in Gemini – Mithuna- Lagna also .

Born with Venus positioned in 8th House, the Natal will be enjoying extreme luxury in every walk of life, born rich, leader of a group like a king, and always pleasant all his/her life.

Born with Saturn positioned in 8th House, the Natal will suffer from sickness, some time in life, related to bones, piles, always under stress with sufferings, facing failures in any effort taken at any time, be poor, and inviting unnecessary quarrels always.

Born with Rahu positioned in 8th House, the Natal will make everyone imparted with his prowess and treasure of excellence in knowledge in many things, defects in any one part of body, void of successors – children, always clean in thinking and acts, having skin ailments, loose bowels, workaholic, easy to lose of temper, committing inadvertent errors to become a culprit, delay attitude, and sited to do any work.

Born with Ketu positioned in 8th House, the Natal will be have some defective physical conditions, always striving hard yet poor, a desire to thieve or posses in unethical methods grabbing those belonging to others, and discarded by all.

It should be noted that these are General, and the placement of 8th house, the related Planets casting ‘drushty’ – look – on that house and position of Sun and Moon, and other ‘conditions’ before reaching ‘interpretations’. Also, Desha, Bukti and other related matters are to be studied. Further, ‘Gochara’ – transit – positions of Planets on the day of study or to the related time of assessment become very important in ‘balancing’ the ‘results’.

Conclusion: 8th house is only a ‘pointer’ and the talent in interpretations after proper ‘balancing’ will give the real ‘directions’ for ‘interpretations’.

My next , in continuation of this article, will give the method to access the results with reference to this house for ‘predictions’.

Wish you all a very happy new year 2010 with plenty and prosperity.

Pathi (27th December 2009)


A.V.Pathi,
Astrologer,

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

4.
FW: our festivals have scientific basis
Posted by: "shivashankara rao" shivashankararao@hotmail.com
Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:38 pm (PST)




INDIAN FESTIVALS HAVE RATIONAL BASIS

By K N Shivashankara Rao


Mark twain said, “In India there are 366 festivals in a year!” Most of us do not know why these festivals are celebrated. However every one enjoys the festivals and the extravagant celebrations. It would be interesting to find out their background from a scientific, logical, historical and pouranic points of view.

As Osho says, our life itself should be like a festival. Enjoying comraderi and religiosity, achieving physical wellbeing and mental peace and tranquility is the objective. So, instead of attaching too much of importance to the external aspects, it is better to concentrate on the meaningful activities expected in each festival. For example, Krishnaashtami and Geethajayanti can be celebrated chanting the Gita, Ramanavami with Ramayana Paarayana, Dussera by chanting the Devi Bhagavatha etc.

Those who first introduced these practices knew the correct reasoning behind the celebrations. The next generations performed them correctly even if they had not understood the background. Nowadays, some of these are being conducted without understanding and in an incorrect way. With this background, modern generation who need explanation for every thing may reject the whole thing. It is therefore necessary to understand correctly and then explain them to our juniors. Let us consider some of the practices as examples.

PANCHAGAVYA
Chaandogya Upanishad (1.10) says,
Gavyam sumadhuram kinchiddoshaghnam krimi kushtanuth
Kandoom cha shamayeth pittham samyagdoshodare hitham
(go moothra is a little sweet, it is anti infectant, it cures leprosy)

American business and patent’s office has issued a patent for preparation of drugs useful for cancer patients and some anti infection drugs using the cow’s urine. The drugs and cosmetics institute at Lucknow under C.S.I.R. is the organization which has secured this patent. The Nagpur institute of research on cow science has partnered with this institute.

Before awarding this patent research has been conducted using cow’s urine with TAXOL, a drug useful to treat breast cancer. Ampicillin tetracycline and refompicin have also been used along with gomootra.

HOMAS
Khushvaaha S L, a teacher in Bhopal conducted homas when the poisonous gas, methyl isocyanate was spreading rapidly there. In about 20 minutes, the gas vanished from the vicinity of his house. (See THE HINDU DATED APRIL 7, 1985). An American professor (psychiatrist) Barry Tathner has conducted research on Agnihotra, which is a small homa done everyday. He says agnihotra is known all over the world.

The research conducted on Rudra Swahaakaara Yajna conducted at Nagpur has been reported in detail in BOUDDHIKA SAMPADA- NOVEMBER 1999. This has been followed up at the conference on cows at Ramachandrapura mutt during 2007 April.

The use of brass, copper vessels, turmeric (arisina, Haldi), neem sticks etc., have also been subjected to tests. BEETA AMELOID, a protein causing the incurable ALZEMEIR disease could be controlled by the use of turmeric- Arisina (Haldi) – see THE HINDU DATED April 20, 2005.

Neem leaves and sticks are being used from times immemorial in our Yugadi festival and we take a little neem with jaggery on that day. The patent office in Munich had given a patent to the American Agriculture department along with one W R Grace company. Since some Indians objected to it, the patent was withdrawn in 2000. But on a representation from the company, it was reconsidered and again rejected in 2005.

There are about 1 crore neem trees in the country and it is possible to earn about 1000 crores from these. At present, we are using only a part of these and earning only about 100 crores. (See THE INDIAN EXPRESS 6-6-2007)

We have to understand that if we do not wake up and take care about protecting our ancient cultural practices, we may have to obtain permission from some multi national company even to perform our festivals!
We offer the best and special dishes to God first and partake them as prasada. Thus, we get the best to eat and since we fast till the pooja is over, it helps in improvement of health too.

The procedure followed in each festival has scientific background. For example, during Ramanavami which falls during summer, we offer Kosumbari which cools the body. Lime juice with sugar, butter milk etc., are also distributed. Deepavali which falls after the harvest season is enjoyed with daughters, sons in law and grand children.

Mahashivaratri is considered as Shiva’s marriage day with Girija or his birthday. The day is ideal for spiritual advancement and so, the day and night is spent praying, worshipping. Rudra destroys sorrow and difficulties. He is called AASHUTHOSHA, one who is pleased easily and grants any thing prayed for. Shiva means auspicious. The ash on his body indicates vairagya. No one can destroy ash ! He lives in the burial ground. The serpent on his neck represents time. Since he controls time he is MAHAAKAALA. His vehicle Nandi symbolizes Dharma. Shakti (energy) is his wife. To indicate that he takes care of even those who are rejected by every one else, he shelters Bhoothagana.

He is Nataraja. Births and deaths, all changes taking place with time are controlled by movements, he is engaged in Thaandava nrithya. His third eye indicates movement upwards.
The three lines of Vibhoothi represent Thriguna, Thriloka. If thapathrayas are overcome, realization of the self is possible. The combination of Shiva and Shakti is indicated with the ardha nareeswara concept. Likewise, the shiva-shakti within us should merge and we should realize the atman. This is the purpose behind the shivaratri celebration.

AKSHAYA thritheeya������…. (To be continued)


__________________________________________________________
Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more.
http://windows.microsoft.com/shop
Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

5.
FW: God concept in vedas.
Posted by: "shivashankara rao" shivashankararao@hotmail.com
Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:39 pm (PST)




GOD CONCEPT IN VEDAS.
-:K N Shivashankara Rao,

There are several indications of the single God concept in
the vedas....For instance,

Here are some Quotations from the vedas on the concept of
God:-

1. anEjadEkam manasO javeeyO nainaddEvaa aapnuvan
poorvamarshat. taddhaavatO anatyEti
tishTittasminnapO maatarishvaa dadaati.-YAJURVEDA 40.4.

(That force is ONLY ONE.
That does not move. It is faster
than the mind. No one catch it. .......)

2. vishvatashchakrurata vishvatO mukhO........dEva
Ekaha.. Rigveda-10.18.3.

( The one who occupies all space is ONE ONLY.)

3.Ya Eka ittamushtuhikrshteenaam vicharshaNihi. patirjajnE vrashakratuhu. Rigveda 6.45.16.

(Pray to the ONE AND ONLY god.....)

4.indram mitram varuNamagni maahuraTodivyaha sa susharNO
garutyaan. Ekam sadvipraa bahudaa
vadantyagnim yamam maatarishvaanamaahuhu...
RIGVEDA 1-164-46.

(THAT IS ONE ONLY, but learned persons call it by different
names...)

5. yo dEvaanam naamadhaa Eka Eva tam samprashnam bhuvanaa
yantyanyaa. RIGVEDA 10.82.3.

(THE ONLY ONE assumes different names....)

6. na dviteeyO na trIteeyashchaturTO naapyuchyatE. na panchmO na shashTaha saptamO
naapyuchyatE. naashtamO na navamO
dashamO naapyuchyatE......tamidam nigatam sahaha sa Esha Eka EkavridEka
Eva. ATHARVA VEDA. 13.4.16-18-20.

(THERE IS NO SECOND GOD. No third, no forth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth. THERE IS
ONLY ONE GOD.)

God has been described by various terms -Bhagavan, Dhaata,
Eshvara, Paramaatmaa,ParamEshvara, Vidhaata etc., As you know Hinduism does not depend upon
a single scripture. Depending on the
needs and tastes of His votaries He can appear to them in any form they like to
worship and respond through that form.
He can also incarnate himself.

He can also be the impersonal or absolute Brahman which word
means "infinitely big". It
defies all description. It is the basis
for all existence, consciousness and joy- sat-chit-Ananda (existence-consciousness-
bliss).

It has to be
mentioned that there are references in Shukla Yajurveda which describes in
detail various vedic sacrifices like DarshapoorNamaasa, AshvamEdha, Raajasooya,
Soutraamani, VaajapEya as also some sOmayaagaas. Most of the Gods mentioned in Rigveda are
mentioned here also. It should be
observed that there are references mentioning RUDRA as more important, others
like Ushas lost importance.

It may be observed that although there are references
in different parts of the vedas mentioning the greatness of one or the other
forms of God, the underlining principle is the existence of that one great
force, which is called God which creates, sustains and destroys.

JaabaalOpanishat declares that SHATARUDREEYA is the most
important portion of Yajurveda and those who chant it would achieve MOksha.

( adhyaayam shatarudreeyam yajushaam saaramuttamam,

japEdaamaraNaadrudram sa yaati paramaam gatim.)

rudrahridayOpanishat explains the omnipresence of Rudra-
( "rudra is brahma, sarasvati, vishnu, lakshmi, soorya
etc., rudra is veda....")

One may observe that the shivapuranas proclaim the
importance of vishnu and vishnu puranas do the same with
shiva.
In the mahabharatha, Bheeshma says,

("kO hi shaktO bhavam jnaatum madvidhaha paramEshvaram,

RitE naarayanaat putra shankha chakra
gadaadharaat>)

skaandapuraana says,

("harirdvaabhyaam ravirdvaabhyaam dvaabhyaam chandi
vinaayakow,

dvaabhyaam brahmaa samaakhyaataha shEshENa bhagavaan
bhavaha".)

The Upanishats which describes the greatness of Shiva are
shvEtaashvatara, Kaivalya, jaabaala, garbha, atharvashirassu, atharvashikhaa,
brihajjaabaala, kaalaagnirudra, dakshinaamurthy, sharabha, akshamaalikaa,
rudrahridaya, bhasma jaabaala, rudraaksha jaabaala, panch brahmajaabaali etc.,
-as mentioned in MuktikOpanishat.

The words of Vishnu himself as he told
Daksha prajaapati in srimad bhaagavata is interesting.

(aham brahmaa cha sharvascha jagatah kaaranam param,

aatmEshvara upadrashtaa svayam drigavishEshaNaha.)

Thus you may observe that there is no dispute between shiva
and vishnu as to who is great!! These are the different names
for that great force (shakti). Why fight on that ?

MORE THOUGHTS ON GOD CONCEPT

In one Vedic hymn, Indra with a body clad in golden armour,
being very strong descends to earth, fights and overcomes his enemies to
establish his own domain. Again,
Varuna is also raised to the level of God (Atharva IV 16, 1-5.). Hiranyagarbha is perhaps the highest in
conception with a concrete name (Rig-Veda 121, 1-2.).

The Purusha sookta describes God as, “with infinite heads,
unnumbered eyes, and unnumbered feet and beyond all predicates….” It is clear from this that there is a
total rejection of pantheism. God is
seen as the ultimate energy in and beyond all creation and never identified
with it.

From the concept of God as personal being, Vedic seers
passed on to the final conception of an impersonal, remote Force. TAD EKAM. The naasadeeya hymn explains this concept
beautifully.

Swami Vivekananda exclaims, “It is a grand explanation- one
that has given the theme to all subsequent thought in India and one that will
be the theme of the whole world of religions: EKAM SAT VIPRAH BAHUDHAA
VADANTI…..”

It is true that we have many Gods in appearance only. In reality, we have only one God who is
called by various names.- Indra, Varuna, Hiranyagarbha, Rama, Krishna, Shiva,
Shakti …etc., Whichever of these is
chosen for adoration, that one becomes God himself , in whom every thing exists
including all other gods.

The question as to why there are elementary ideas of God as
well as the most advanced in the hymns requires to be examined. This represents a graduated scale of Vedic
conceptions for varied stages of religious attainment. Some may be beginners; some may even be
seers and sages. Vedas cater to all
according to their own needs. For
some flying is taught, for some others walking has to be taught.

To those who are at a lower stage, polytheism is taught and
for those at a higher stage monotheism is taught. To those who are at the top of the scale a
notion of God so impersonal, devoid of any thing describable in human terms is
given.

Thus there are contrasting spiritual levels of Vedic hymns
and this shows the variety and flexibility.
The central oneness is its remarkable capacity for adaptation.


__________________________________________________________
New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more.
http://windows.microsoft.com/shop
Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)