Jahnava Nitai Das

The varnashrama system is designed for purification. It analyses our situation within the modes of nature and allows us to engage those natural tendencies in the service of God, thereby purifying us of our contaminations. Those who are situated beyond the modes of nature have no duty to follow, yet Krishna says even they continue to follow such prescribed duties to set perfect examples for the common men to follow. One may think it is adding another layer of false material designation. To be honest, what are any of our activities in the world? Working in the university, watching the worldcup on TV, eating bagels and cream cheese... its all adding layers of material identification. We don't mind keeping those, as they are pleasing to us in some way or another. But varnashrama, or regulation, is not very pleasing to us at first - as are most activities meant for purification.

Vaivasvata Manu from the Puranic Encyclopedia: (7) Vaivasvata. (a) General. He was born from Surya. It is this Manu who rules the world today. All living beings that we see today were born from him. Vaivasvata Manu is Satyavrata Manu who escaped from the last deluge. To save him Visnu took up the incarnation of Matsya (fish). Vaivasvata Manu was also the first of the Kings of the Surya vain: a (Solar Dynasty) who ruled over Ayodhya. (b) Other details. (i) In Devi Bhagavata,. Saptama Skandha, we see that the sons of Vaivasvata namely Iksvaku, Nabhaga, Dhrsta, Saryati, Narisyanta, Pramsu, Nrga, Dista, Karusa and Prsadhra were also called Manus. (ii) This Manu worshipped Devi and received her blessing and attained Heaven after a long reign. (Devi Bhagavata, 10th Skandha). (iii) Vaivasvata Manu had another name, “Sraddhadeva." The Devas of this Manvantaram are Adityas, Vasus and Rudras. The name of the Indra of .this period is Purandara. The Saptarsis are, Vasistha, Kasyapa, Atri, Jamadagni, Gautama, Visvamitra and Bharadvaja. The nine Dharmikas (virtuous ones), Iksvaku, Nrga, Dhrsta, Saryati, Narisyanta, Nabhaga, Arista, Karusa and Prsadhra are the sons of Vaivasvata Manu. (Visnu Purana, Part 8, Chapter 1). (iv) Ten sons were born to this Manu who were Vena, Dhrsnu, Narisyanta, Nabhaga, Iksvaku, Karusa, Saryati, Ila, Prsadhra, and Nabhagarista. (M.B. Adi Parva, Chapter 75, Verse 15) . (v) Mahavisnu incarnated as Matsya for the sake of Vaivasvata Manu. (M.B. Vana Parva, Chapter 187) . (vi) He received Yogavidya from Surya and Iksvaku received it later from him. (M.B. Bhisma Parva, Chapter 122, Verse 38). (vii) At the beginning of Treta-yuga, Surya taught "Satvata Dharma" to Manu and Manu taught it to lksvaku for the protection of all creatures. (M.B. Santi Parva, Chapter 348, Verse 51) . (viii) The sage Gautama taught Sivasahasranama to Vaivasvata Manu. (M.B. Anusasana Parva, Chapter 17, Verse 177) .

Even one's relation with a brahmana was respected in ancient times. We can see how Ashvatthama had his life spared simply for being the son of a brahmana - despite him having killed the children of the Pandavas. Of course there are many other reasons as well, but certainly one of them was his relation to a true brahmana.

I think all books, regardless of whether they are interpolated or not, need to be preserved for reference - and they should be made accessible as much as possible.

I think all books, regardless of whether they are interpolated or not, need to be preserved for reference - and they should be made accessible as much as possible.

In South Indian temples ghee rice is a distinct offering to the deity from plain rice, and both are required.

But they are not Gaudiya Vaishnavas. The point is more about practicing what you preach.

Manu is a special incarnation of Lord Vishnu known as a manvantara avatara. For details, see the section on manvantara avataras here: http://www.indiadivine.com/avatara-incarnations2.htm There are two types of manvantara avataras, namely the incarnations that occur during the Manu's reign, and the incarnation of the Manu himself. Both are known by the same classification. [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 06-21-2002).]

Manu is a special incarnation of Lord Vishnu known as a manvantara avatara. For details, see the section on manvantara avataras here: http://www.indiadivine.com/avatara-incarnations2.htm There are two types of manvantara avataras, namely the incarnations that occur during the Manu's reign, and the incarnation of the Manu himself. Both are known by the same classification. [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 06-21-2002).]

That is just your speculation. There is no mention that Manu's dharma shastra was lost. The dharma-shastras were being followed even in the time of Yudhishthira, but not by all. The teachings of Manu that were lost (as referenced in the Gita) were the teachings of yoga, the process of linking with the Supreme Lord.

That is just your speculation. There is no mention that Manu's dharma shastra was lost. The dharma-shastras were being followed even in the time of Yudhishthira, but not by all. The teachings of Manu that were lost (as referenced in the Gita) were the teachings of yoga, the process of linking with the Supreme Lord.

Manu and his teachings are glorified throughout the scriptures, both in the Vedas, the Puranas and in the writings of the Acharyas. Yajur Veda 2.2.10: 'Too much splendour is produced', they say, 'he is liable to become a leper'; he should insert the verses of Manu's; whatever Manu said is medicine." The Bhagavatam states: manvantarani sat-dharmah "True religious principles are the injunctions of Manu." See also Sama Veda 1.1.5.10 Sama Veda 1.2.4.10 [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 06-21-2002).]

Manu and his teachings are glorified throughout the scriptures, both in the Vedas, the Puranas and in the writings of the Acharyas. Yajur Veda 2.2.10: 'Too much splendour is produced', they say, 'he is liable to become a leper'; he should insert the verses of Manu's; whatever Manu said is medicine." The Bhagavatam states: manvantarani sat-dharmah "True religious principles are the injunctions of Manu." See also Sama Veda 1.1.5.10 Sama Veda 1.2.4.10 [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 06-21-2002).]

What about the sanskrit text repository. I forget the address, but someone here must have it. (jaguar.something or other)

Just as we have punishments for those who impersonate doctors, lawyers, or police officers (i.e. practicing such occupations without the necessary training and qualification), so in the Vedic times there was punishment for unqualified people hearing and reciting the Vedas which was the duty of a qualified (i.e. trained) brahmana.

There is a distinction between the pancharatrika and vaidika systems of "brahmincal initiations", i.e. upanayanam, etc. In the pancharatra, emphasis is placed on the power of the Lord to lift anyone to the platform of purified consciousness, whereas in vaikhanasa-agamas, birth is one of the beneficial aspects of purity. It does not make one a brahmana, but it is conducive to this and is thus given importance. The 10 samskaras are purificatory ceremonies which elevate one's consciousness. They begin from pre-birth. Thus they are relevant in forming one's occupational activity, though not all in all. [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 06-19-2002).]

As far as I know they worship the pictures of the Lord, which are authorized deity representations of Krishna as per the shastra. [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 06-19-2002).]

Perhaps it was just a typo on you part, but generally we use the words heavenly planets (svarga-loka) to refer to these higher material planetary systems, and we reserve the words spiritual planets for the eternal realms of Vaikuntha. Again, you were probably just typing fast and inadvertantly wrote this, but in case any other reader is confused I thought I would state this.

Queen Elizabeth II visits Hindu temple in Britain By the Associated Press June 6, 2002 LONDON (AP)--Queen Elizabeth II visited a Hindu temple Thursday, taking off her shoes and chatting to worshippers during the stop, part of her effort to recognize all of Britain's religions during her Golden Jubilee year. Celebrations of her 50 years on the throne during a four-day national holiday that ended Tuesday were a big success, with a million people coming to London for a pop concert at Buckingham Palace and again to watch the Queen ride through the city in an ornate golden coach. She is touring Britain and the Commonwealth of its former colonies throughout the year, and plans to visit a synagogue, mosque and Sikh temple in the next few weeks. She removed her shoes to enter the Highgatehill Murugan Temple in north London and put on a garland of yellow marigolds and purple chrysanthemums. Four Hindu priests blessed the monarch and her husband, Prince Philip, wishing them peace and long life. The gaffe-prone Philip, who has been chided in the past for his comments about ethnic minorities, asked one priest whether he was a member of a violent separatist group. ``He asked us which part of Sri Lanka we were from, and we said we were from the north and east and were Tamils,'' said the priest, who declined to give his name. ``He asked, `Are you Tigers?''' referring to the Sri Lankan rebel group which is on Britain's list of banned terrorist organizations. ``I said, `No, we're priests. We're not associated with violence,''' he said. ``It was just friendly, just a joke. We were not offended.'' The queen has visited Hindu temples in India, but Thursday's visit was her first to a Hindu temple in Britain. ``It's made people feel valued, and we are honored she chose to come here,'' said Suganya Naveenan, a member of the temple.

If anyone has posted a message on the old server and it hasn't been transfered here, you can go there and copy it to post here. Use the following link: http://64.119.172.217/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi

The funny thing is Chanakya's words are scripture, or at least word for word quotations from it. Not just the Manu samhita, but a number of scriptural texts have nearly identical verses as Chanakya's writings - for example Brihaspati-niti Sara.

Well, not an ISKCON devotee. He shows signs of devotion to both Shiva and Vishnu in some of his writings. Perhaps he belonged to the panchopasana school (worship of five divinities). Manu on the other hand is a vaishnava pure devotee, one of the Mahajanas whom we follow (Manu Samhita is written by Svayambhuva Manu). It really isn't all that important of a subject, as devotees receive spiritual knowledge directly from Krishna and do not depend on their material faculties.

We should keep in mind that Lord Shiva and his expansions, such as the Rudras, etc., are in many ways different. Thus an activity performed by one of his lower level expansions is not a disqualification on his part.

The divine personalities behind these qualities are female.

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