Jahnava Nitai Das

Gayatri Devi is the personification of a vedic meter. She is born from the face of Brahma. She assumes three different forms, one for each of the three sandhyas (morning, noon, and evening). Her original form is that of noon, and that form lives for the entire life of Brahma. The other two forms are manifested for one day of brahma (1,000 divya yugas). Again when there is a need, they are remanifested in the next day of Brahma. There is a book by the name Gayatri Purana which is not directly authored by Vyasa. It is a compilation of every story about Gayatri Devi found in the Puranas. Gayatri is actually a meter, and not a particular mantra. There are hundreds of mantras that fit into the Gayatri meter. For example there is Surya Gayatri, Ganesha Gayatri, Nandi Gayatri, etc. For every deva there is a corresponding mantra composed according to the meter Gayatri. If you have a more particular question about Gayatri, please ask it.

I will post an answer within one or two days. Sorry for the delay, but we are very busy at present.

Different schools of philosophy may utilize these words in various ways, so sometimes it may be confusing as not everyone agrees on the same definitions. Generally when the lord empowers a soul with a great oppulence indirectly it is known as "vibhuti". The Bhagavad gita lists many examples of vibhutis, and concludes by saying any extraordinary power one witnesses is a vibhuti of the Lord. When the Lord empowers an individual directly to carry out his order it is called as "avesha" or "sakti-avesha" (empowered incarnation). Examples of this are Buddha, Sesha, Parasurama, etc. The Lord's personal expansions are generally called as "amsa" or "kala", though sometimes amsa is subdivided into two categories - sva-amsa (personal expansions) and vibbhina-amsa (seperated expansions). The Personal expansions refer to the Vishnu-tattva category, or God Himself, whereas the seperated expansions refer to the innumerable living entities.

Very briefly the Shivalinga represents the cosmic masculine principle of material creation and Durga represents the cosmic feminine principle. The joing of the two leads to the manifestation of the material world. When Maha Vishnu glances at the material nature, the glance takes the form of a halo of light known as Shambu. This is one form of Lord Shiva before the creation. Within this halo of light are the unlimited living entities. When the masculine principle and feminine principle unite, the creation begins.

I will write something and post it in a couple days. My phone isn't working properly now, so I am not able to access internet frequently.

Dear Melvin, Could you tell us a little bit about Visayan culture and language? I am not familiar with what it is.

Dear Shvu, One question you should ask yourself is if you have a proper concept of what mukti is? The definition is given in the scriptures and the Vedic dictionaries (nirukti). You may not accept the definition of the scriptures or of the Vedic dictionaries, but that is tuff, because this is the use of language. If the word mukti is used, it has a definition. Otherwise say it in Chinese, Spanish or English, to convey your own concept. Be original. Mukti is defined as follows: muktir hitvanyatha rupam sva-rupena vyavasthitih "To give up one's false external identification (material forms), and to be re-established in one's own constitutional spiritual form." Mukti simply means to be who you actually are.

I will try to post it here in a couple days.

I will try to post it here in a couple days.

Today we have added Agni Purana and Chanakya Niti Shastra in the Library section.

Today we have added Agni Purana and Chanakya Niti Shastra in the Library section.

I do not know how much you are familiar with Reiki healing, but basically it strengthens one's immune system and resistance, increasing your bodies ability to fight disease and sickness. Since its aim is at one's resistence (on the subtle platform), it does not matter what the particular diseased condition is. Reiki energy can be sent by experienced Reiki practitioners called "channels". The Reiki channel, by practice of Reiki meditation and sadhana, is able to direct this universal life force energy to willing recipients. The receiver of Reiki energy does not need to know the science behind the process, you simply must be willing and open to receiving the energy. If you want, our Reiki masters here will give you distant healing with Reiki energy. It is a service they do to anyone who requests it, completely free of charge.

> The question as to whether Vishnu is greater or Shiva is greater is to me > a childish problem.The vaishnavites will always speak for Vishnu and > shaivites for Shiva and each have their corresponding shastras to prove > their points of view. It is not really a question as to who is greater, it is simply what does the scripture establish as Para Brahman (the Absolute Truth). Sentiments are meaningless in this, as they are influenced by our conditioned and faulty senses and emotions. The Vedanta-sutras tell us: sastra yonitvat. Through the scriptures we can know the Para Brahman. The forms of God are not imagined forms created by man, they are eternal forms revealed to us through the sabda-brahma, divine sound. If the forms are imagined, then we can keep President Clinton's picture on our altar and do mantra sadhana: om clinton namah om clinton namah. But one will have no spiritual revelation or upliftment by such a man made process. If all forms are the same, then one should worship Clinton and prove to us the effect is the same. But the scriptures support no such conclusions. > But what practical difference does it make.I believe that it is the inner > state of spirituality that is more important than the particular form of > divinity which one is choosing. Krishna explains this in the Gita very clearly. Whether or not one wishes to accept Krishna's statements or not is up to each individual, but great saints and scholars such as Sankara have glorified this ancient text as the top most of Vedic literature (see Gita Mahatmya by Adi Sankara). In the Gita Krishna says: yanti deva-vrata devan pitrin yanti pitri-vratah bhutani yanti bhutejya yanti mad-yajino 'pi mam "Those who worship the Devas go to the abode of the Devas. Those who worship the ancestors (Pitrus) go to the abode of the ancestors [Pitru-loka]. Those who worship ghosts and spirits will go to the abode of the ghosts. And those who worship Me will come to Me." Krishna never says all the paths lead to the same goal. He clearly says, "If you worship these people, you go to them. If you worship those people you go to them. But if you worship me you come to Me." Krishna describes His abode: yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama "Those who reach My supreme abode never return to this material world." And he described the abode of the Devas: te tam bhuktva svarga-lokam visalam ksine punye martya-lokam visanti "When they have thus enjoyed vast heavenly sense pleasure and the results of thier pious activities are exhausted, they return to this mortal planet again." Again, Krishna does not say the destinations are the same. He clearly says those who come to Me do not return to this material world, but those who go to the Deva loka again return to martya-loka, the abode of birth and death. Of course it may be popular and broad minded to say all paths lead to the same goal, but Krishna never said that. He uses the word avidhi-purvakam to describe indirect processes. Everyone must indirectly worship Krishna, because He is the source of everything. Even a greedy man must appreciate and be attracted to Krishna, because his goal, money, is an expansion of the Lord's energies. He is actually appreciating God's energies, thus indirectly he is appreciating God. But it is avidhi-purvakam. This is why God is referred to as Krishna (All Atractive). Whatever there is that we are attracted by (wealth, fame, strength, knowledge, beauty, or renunciation) is nothing but a minor aspect of God's energies. J.N.Das,

> First of all, the puranas gave many > instances of Vishnu accepting Shiva > as Vishnu's superior and again of Shiva > accepting Vishnu as his superior. With all respect, this seems to be more your sentimental conclusions than the actual statements of our scriptures. There is no instance where Vishnu accepts Lord Shiva as His superior. In the Gita Krishna directly says: mattah parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya mayi sarvam idam protam sutre mani-gana iva "There is no Truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread." Furthermore He makes it even clearer when He says: ne me viduh sura-ganah prabhavam na maharshayah aham adir hi devanam maharshinam ca sarvasah "Neither the hosts of Devas nor the great sages know My origin or opulences, for, in every respect, I am the source of the Devas and sages." Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are very dear to each other. Vishnu always keeps Lord Shiva in His heart and Lord Shiva is always carrying Vishnu within His heart. It is only us foolish followers who fight amongst ourselves. Lord Vishnu performs many pastimes with Lord Shiva, not because He wants to prove that one is superior over the other, but because He is so intimately related to Lord Shiva. They are so dear to each other, that is why Vishnu performs lilas with Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu does not need to prove He is the supreme Brahman, because it is established in all of the scriptures: om tad vishno paramam padam sada pasyanti surayah The supreme destination is Vishnu, and the Devas (suras) are eternally looking to that destination. >...Vishnu performed extreme penance to >propiated Shiva when he could not >slay the demons that were tormenting the >good. Shiva appeared before him and >gave him the 'Sudarsana' chakra, which >Vishnu used to slay the demons with >and which he bears in his hand... Vishnu is the omnipotent Godhead. Your statement that He could not slay the demons is childish. Sri Ramachandra Bhagavan killed 14,000 Rakshasas in Janasthan with a blade of grass! His Guru became bewildered and asked what about the astras I have taught you? Sri Rama replied I have no need for your weapons. I am omnipotent and omnipresent. It is due to the presence of Vishnu as the Paramatma that this universe is existing. That is why He is known as the maintainer. If the Paramtma were to leave the heart of the demon, the demon would instantly be imobile. In order to glorify His devotees, sometimes God assumes the dependent role and allows His devotees to protect Him. This is not due to His inability to protect Himself, but it is due to His love for His devotees. The Sudarshana Chakra is eternally existing with Narayana in the Vaikuntha loka. You cannot seperate one from the other: chakra rupi svayam hari. When Lord Hari descends to the material abode, His associates and paraphernalia also descend and take incarnation. Just like Narayana's eternal consort, Lakshmi. She appears from the churning of the ocean of milk by the Devas, yet she is eternally residing with Narayana in Vaikuntha-loka. It should be noted in this regard that in the Bhagavat Purana while describing the appearance of Lakshmi from the ocean of milk, it first describes Narayana as being with Sri Lakshmi prior to her appearance. This is because they are eternally together. For His lila Lakshmi "appears" from the ocean of milk, and in the same way Lord Shiva "gives" Sudarsana to Vishnu. It is like the appearance of the Sun on the horizon. Intelligent people know the Sun is not coming out of the ocean, it is eternally in orbit. For more details on this you may read "Analysis of the Appearance of Lakshmi": http://www.indiadivine.com/art7.htm > Vishnu is said to have worshipped Shiva > with a 'sahasranama' (prostrations > said to one thousand different names of a > diety). For each name, Vishnu is > said to have offered a lotus... Lord Vishnu is always glorifying His devotees, just as His devotees are always glorifying Him. Even higher than this is the actions of baby Krishna, who carries His fathers shoes on His head. Who can imagine that God is carrying the shoes of His devotee on His head. These lilas even bewilder the great sages of Naimisaranya. > In the Ramavatara, Rama worshipped Siva in > the form of a linga before > leaving for Lanka. This linga is > worshipped as the famous 'Jyotirlinga' at > Rameswaram, in southern Tamil Nadu. In the Rama Avatara, Sri Ramachandra Bhagavan was setting the perfect example of dharma. According to the smritis, it is the duty of a King to perform the worship of Shiva before crossing water. It is for this reason Rama undertook this worship. > The great Madhvacharya, the founder > of 'dvaita', broke away form the > fold of 'advaita' not solely because he > believed Vishnu to be superior... Madhva's primary teaching is "vishnu paratamam", Vishnu is Supreme. In order for Vishnu to be Supreme, He must be eternally independent (sva-tantra), and everyone else must be eternally dependent (para-tantra). His opposition to the advaita teachings was because he soley believed Vishnu was not superior, but supreme. > Vishnu is represented as being of dark > disposition, lying down on a > snake. Darkness, lying down and snake are > marks of the tamoguna. This is absolutely wrong. Vishnu's "lying down" is referred to as yoga-nidra in the sanskrit texts. Please don't equate it with the tamas (ignorance) of sleep. Vishnu's "snake" is an avatara from the Vaikunthaloka. It is Vishnu's own expansion. It's nature is sat-cit-ananda. At least this is the version of the scriptures. > While Shiva > is white, smeared with ashes, sitting > upright, and is steeped in penance, > all of which show the highest 'satvaguna'. > The Bhagavad Gita may be > reffered to for confirmation. Lord Shiva is accepted as the guna-avatara in control of the tamoguna by all schools of Vedic philosophy. It is a universally accepted fact established in all of the scriptures. Likewise Brahma is the guna-avatara for rajas, and Vishnu for Sattva guna. Just because Shiva is the controller of Tamas does not mean he himself is under its influence. He is a liberated soul, not bound by the influence of the modes of nature. Shiva's role in universal management is destruction, and that is carried out by utilizing tamoguna. In the same manner Brahma utilizes rajas for creation, and Vishnu utilizes sattva guna for maintenance. Creation, maintenance, and destruction are the three functions of the gunas. J.N.Das

> I have heard that there will be a Rama, in every Tretha Yuga, > with the same events and incidents in Life. Is this true? The incarnations of the Lord are categorical and cyclical. They appear in particular periods for particular purposes. This is why Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita "sambhavami yuge yuge", in each yuga the Lord comes. There are generally 24 categories of incarnations that appear in every day of Brahma (1,000 divya yugas). Some of these incarnations appear in every yuga, some others are very special incarnations that appear only once in the day of Brahma. The Rama incarnation occurs in every Treta Yuga. The lila is basically the same in every Treta Yuga with minor differences (yuga-bheda). This is one reason why the descriptions of the same story will differ in various Puranas. One Purana will be describing an incarnation that took place in one yuga, while another Purana will be describing the same incarnation that took place in another yuga. In the Rama lila, Jambavan plays a very special role. He is a son of Brahma, and he is existing in the same body from the beginning of the universe until the end. He takes part in every Rama incarnation in the same body. Thus he knows ahead of time exactly what will happen. He knows Ravana will kidnap Sita, Hanuman will burn Lanka, and the Vanara army will fight with Ravana. Everything he has done many, many times. But he pretends not to know to keep the mood fit for the pastimes. In other yugas there are also similar recuring incarnations. The Buddha avatara appears in most Kali yugas to bewilder the atheists. In the Srimad Bhagavatam there are two different Buddha incarnations described. Some incarnations, like the Varaha incarnation are more rare. In Srimad Bhagavatam we have reference to two Varaha incarnations, one in the Padma Kalpa (first day in the life of Brahma), and one in the present Kalpa. In one incarnation Varaha is white, in another He is red color. In one of the incarnations he came for lifting the earthly planet out of the universal waters, in the other incarnation he came for fighting with Hiranyaksha. These incarnations took place with a huge interval of time between them (aproximately 155 trillion years), yet the Srimad Bhagavatam described them as one incarnation. This is because they were of the same category. > Does this mean that all the Tretha Yugas are exactly identical ? > Also the Kaliyugas ? The various yugas are basically the same, just as the seasons are the same each year. The histories will differ from age to age, but the overall qualities of nature will remain the same. J.N.Das

If JK is Buddha, and since Buddha is established as an incarnation of Vishnu in the Puranas, then you are concluding that JK was an avatar of Vishnu? I don't feel like wasting time to comment on this.

If JK is Buddha, and since Buddha is established as an incarnation of Vishnu in the Puranas, then you are concluding that JK was an avatar of Vishnu? I don't feel like wasting time to comment on this.

The details of the original name of the location are mentioned in the lecture, but I have used the word Tirupati here because it is the modern name of the location on most maps of India and people will understand it better.

If there is no process for purification, if there is no need for lectures, books, and the such, if the consciousness is so pure, and everything is perfect, and there should be no guru or teacher: Why is he speaking? He is taking the position of a teacher, while saying there should be no teachers.

If there is no process for purification, if there is no need for lectures, books, and the such, if the consciousness is so pure, and everything is perfect, and there should be no guru or teacher: Why is he speaking? He is taking the position of a teacher, while saying there should be no teachers.

I have just put up a real audio lecture on the history of Sri Venkateshwara from the Puranas. If anyone is interested in this, go to the audio page. This is part one of two.

Liberated souls are not influenced by material circumstances. Srila Prabhupada was constantly seeing Krishna within his heart, thus he was not broken hearted by not going on an external parikrama. It was Srila Prabhupada who finally decided not to go on Parikrama, taking the desires of his disciples into consideration. "This incident irreversibly broke his heart and he was never the same again." This statement is not correct. I am curious how you know he was never the same again?

"You acknowledge that you had approached a person regarding the same "distortions"; and inquired." This question was asked to Sri Vidyabhushana regarding the teachings of Jayatirtha. It had nothing to do with Raghavendra, as he never mentions this concept in his writings. Four interesting points you make: "I am not in the Ragavendra Line..." "I assumed..." "I do not keep any of his books or teachings..." "I am not willing to send out for any..." In other words you don't have a clue, yet you are offering to provide more information on request? You have never read any of the writings of Raghavendra, yet you make many very rash statements about his teachings. This is absolute blind fanaticism. "BUT I am most eager for your reference in this matter, which I may then follow up." This is funny. You make baseless allegations that Raghavendra teaches this, that, and the other one, and then you request _me_ for references! All this while not having read any of his writings. I think it is your job to provide references for the speculations you have made. Let us see what you claimed: 1) His teachings were that if the Jiva was one of the Tama Guna Jivas, that it would eternally remain in Tama Guna. Where is the reference please? 2) That precludes all the means of Nama Saranam, and Prapanna. Raghavendra stressed the chanting of nama sankirtana, particularly the Hare Krishna maha mantra, and complete surrender to Krishna. 3) He is considered a blasphemer by many formal Vaishnava sects... Please provide a quote from an acharya of one of the four vaishnava sampradayas that consider him to be a blashphemer. Please don't quote some Mr. Iyengar from Madras. 4) and like many others has a twisted array of dualism to confuse about anyone into not surrendering.... How twisted and confused are you? Just out of curiosity I am asking. Anyway, I will post some of the teachings of Raghavendra when I get time for those who are interested in Vaishnava philosophy.

From another list: > The reason I asked about Quran/bible is : They preach > intolerance. How can we equate that to Hinduism. Saying > all human beings are equal is one thing, and saying > hindus are same as others is another. Hinduism is THE > most tolerant religion and let us not mislead people. In the seventeenth shapter of Bhagavad Gita Krishna explains the divisions of faith in human society. He says that due to contamination of the three modes of nature, people's faiths are of different levels or qualities. Some people are heavily influenced by the lower modes of nature, tamas and rajas (ignorance and passion), and as such their faith is a reflection of this. Influence by ignorance and passion will result in an intolerant and blind system of beliefs. I am not identifying any particular religion in this regard, this is simply a system explained in Bhagavad Gita. It can equally refer to a hindu. If a Hindu is influenced by the lower modes of nature, they will also be intolerant, violent, and blind in their beliefs. Such is the case of some people who perpetrate crimes on others in the name of God. Killing Christian missionaries, burning churches, etc., are clear examples of Hindus influenced by tamas and rajas. Likewise in every religion there will be people of this nature. The difference with Hinduism is the very system of the religion is designed for people less influenced by these lower modes, and there is an occasional exception to this. Whereas in some other religions, the religious system is designed for those within the lower modes, and they have an occasional exception of someone influenced by sattva guna (goodness). That is why these religions are referred to as mleccha-dharma in our sanskrit texts. J.N.Das

Actually I am not that interested, as I already have tranalations to Caitanya Caritamrita by my spiritual master Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. I was asking out of curiosity, not out of desire to "realize what calibre of authority it establishes".