Raguraman

Hare Krishna, AchArya Madhva, Ramanuja, RaghavendraSwamy were aparoxa Jnanis. They all confirmed that Lord Krsihna is GOD HIMSELF. Vivekananda is no Aporoxa Jnani. He is an intellectual. That is all.

Hare Krishna, The whole article is based on the fallacy and assumption that Lord Krishna is a human. No AchArya(except may be advaitis) have even said that Lord Krishna is human. The claim that Adi Shankara wrote Gita is nonsense. Adi Shankara himself did notg make such a claim.

Neglect Affects Sanskrit Academy http://www.deccan.com/City/CityNews.asp HYDERBAD, INDIA, April 14, 2004: The Sanskrit Academy and Research Institute continues to be neglected even after the Rashtriya Sanskrit Samsthan, a wing of the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, took over its management. The institute, which is one of its kind in south India, has not received any grants for the past four years. With no financial support from either the State government, Osmania University or the HRD Ministry, the officials have rented the first floor of the premises to eke out the maintenance costs. The first floor of the institute was meant for the Telugu Academy. In 2000, the institute received a grant of US$11,000, but from then the institute has been struggling to keep itself afloat due to the lack of funds. The HRD Ministry took over the maintenance of the institute in the same year by bringing it under the Rashtriya Sanskrit Samasthan. In spite of this, the condition of the institute has been deteriorating. The arrears of the staff working in the institute have been pending for 15 years. The total number of staff including the director of the institute is just six. Presently, the institute has managed to publish as many as 62 publications which have been recognised by the HRD Ministry. "This is the only Sanskrit research institute in South India. We are just about managing to do skeletal work. The lack of funds has broken the back of the institute," an official from the institute said.

Hare Krishna, Strange, I thought I was the only person seeing point objects glowing in space. I have seen golden, bright blue or plasma blue as JN Dasjee described and white point objects flying all around me whenever I finish my meditation. Also I have seen flow of black-grey point objects flowing like a very dense river around me whenever I get sick or going to get reaaly sick.

The text is called Tolkappiyam. The text is a Tamil grammar book written supposedly around 500 B.C. and the oldest surviving Tamil text. It is very advanced in nature and is supposed to have been written from several other older tamil texts which do not exist anymore. It is also assumed by Tamil researchers that Tamil literature and culture is atleast 1000 to 2000 years older than this text called Tolkappiyam. Having said this, archaeology shows that they have found cities, mentioned in other later Tamil texts, off the coast of Tamil Nadu drowned as mentioned in those older texts. The city is poompugar which is supposed to be about 7000 years old. TolKappiyam: It begins with a description of Tamil Land and its borders. If you know to read and understand Tamil http://www.infitt.org/pmadurai/mp100a.html The very first line of the Tamil text Tolkappiyam starts like this. Vada Vengadam Then Kumari Aaedai Tamil Kurum Nal Ulagathu..... Word for word: Vada = North Vengadam = The land of Venkateshwara = Tirupati Then = South Kumari = Kanyakumari Aaedai = Inbetween these Kurum = Spoken Nal = Good Ulagathu = World or Land(more appropriate) Approximate translation: The good land where Tamil is spoken is inbetween Tirupati in North and Kanyakumari in the South .....

Hare Krishna, From the following site I found domething interesting in Rig Veda. I just want to verify if this is related to the hebrew version of God's name viz. Yahvey. ----------- http://www.sulekha.com/expressions/column.asp?cid=305897 More importantly, Yahvah, the name of the God in the Judaic tradition, occurs as an epithet for Agni in the Rigveda a total of 21 times (yahva in RV 10.110; yahvah in RV 3.1, 3.5, 4.5, 4.7, 4.58, 5.1, 7.6, 7.8, 9.75, 10.11; yahvam in RV 1.36; 3.3; 4.5; 5.16; 8.13; 10.92; yahvasya in RV 3.2 and 3.28). Indus ideas on writing may thus have, through the agency of the powerful Mitanni kingdom of Syria, been influential in the various Semitic traditions of the second and first millennia BC. ------------ http://aa2411s.aa.tufs.ac.jp/~tjun/sktdic/ Meaning of Sanskrit word yahva. meanings of "yahva" [1] a.{a-stem} 1.great; 2.active meanings of "yahva" [2] m.{a-stem} 1.an employer of priests for sacrifices meanings of "yahva" [3] f.du.{a-stem} 1.an epithet of heaven and earth; 2.of night of day; 3.of morning and evening

Hare Krishna, I read this story on astrology section of Kumudam, one of the Tamil magazines. This was published by a devotee of Lord(A.M. Rajagopalan). I enjoyed reading it so much. If anybody can read Tamil, he can go and refer it directly. You have to register first. http://www.kumudam.com/jothidam/mainpage.php I will try to translate the article. Pandharpur: This is a uncomparable place that gives great joy(paramanandam) to the devotees of God. It is situated in the banks of river Chandrabaga(also called river Bhima). Lord Kannan manifests HIMSELF here to bless his devotees. He is known by the Panduranga in this place. The Lord who is called by the names Vittala and Vithoba, always wishes in HIS HEART to serve HIS devotees like a slave. The scripture called "Bhaktha Vijayam" describes and praises the playful LILAS of this Lord, our GOD. In these great sacred writings you can find answers to questions like What Lord expects from us ? Who is a true Bhaktha of Lord ? In the eyes of the Lord who is considered great and other similar questions. The following incident took place around 500 years ago. Vidyananda Bhosle lived in Pandharpur. He was highly educated. He read and had knowledge(intellectual) of all scriptures. He had all good things in him(character etc.) except humbleness. He had too much ego that no one can parallel him in education and intellect, but at the same time he had Bhakti for LORD of Pandharpur. He always got up early morning daily and took bath at Chandrabhaga river, did his daily Karmas, and then went to temple. Only after having dharshana of the Lord, will he do his other activities. He even had EGO for the bhakthi he had for Lord. In that same city there lived on the river banks a poor man afflicted with leprosy. He lived in a hut. Like Bhosle this poor man had great love for Lord Panduranga. He also took bath daily in the river, fall flat on the ground in the direction(sashtanga namaskaram) of temple and pray to the Lord in the temple. His face was disfigured because of his leprosy disease. He had one wish and desire, to somehow visit the Lord in the temple, but because of his disease the temple authorities did not allow him inside. He recognized that his life was coming to an end because of his disease and he was afraid whether he could see the DIVINE beauty of the Lord of the temple. His desire to see the Lord now turned into mad determination. AshAda Ekadasi: The spiritual benefits of fasting during Ekadasi of eaach month is matchless. The most vicious sins are destroyed by fasting on these days. Even Lord observes fasting on these days. So it is described in old writings(Puranas, I think). Indras and other Gods too observe this fast. So is it even necessary to tell the glory of Ekadasi. Each Ekadasi has something special and associated benefits. Of all Ekadasis the Ekadasi which appears during Kartikai(AshAda EkAdasi) and Vaikunta Ekadasi are very special indeed. In this the AshAda Ekdasi produces very great spiritual benefits. Fasting on this day, getting up early next day(Dvadasi) and sipping Tulasi teertha before sunrise for breaking the fast produces the result of 10 million Asvamedha sacrifices. Puranas, Bhakti Vijayam and Pandharpur Mahatmya explains that even Lord Panduranga HIMSELF observes fasting and dines the next day with everyone who follows this. "I do not shun impoverished, underpriviledged and disease afflicted" On that particular year AshAda Ekadasi came. As usual the poor man afflicted with leprosy had a bath in the river and tried to enter into the temple after crossing the river. At the same time Vidyananda Bhosle, surrounded by his friends, was coming out of the temple after having dharshan of the Lord. Bhosle saw the poor devotee, with contempt, entering the temple. Bhosle sent his friends and forced the poor devotee out of the temple. The poor devotee was very dejected that he could not see Panduranga. He cried all through the night. The sun rose. This day was AshAda Dvadasi. Giving food to anyone on this day before breaking your fast is equivalent to feeding Lord Panduranga HIMSELF(Even today this is followed in Pandharpur). Vidyananda Bhosle, after doing his morning duties, was searching for a person to invite. Even after searching for a long time he did not get anybody. Some said that they already had food or some other reason. With sadness Bhosle returned to his home after breaking his fast. On his way Bhosle saw, under a tree, the leprosy afflicted poor man eating along with a guest. With anger and contempt for the poor man, Bhosle thought to himself even he got a guest invited. Bhosle wanted to see who the guest is and so he took a good look this time. He was surprised and could not believe his eyes. He closed and opened his eyes again. He stood there breathless like a statue. The guest was Lord Panduranga HIMSELF having food with the poor man. The Lord who eats all the Universe and creates it, the Lord who could not be reached by Indras, the Lord who is beyond the comprehension of the sapta rishis, the Lord who is the master, owner and controller of all 14 worlds, that KANNAN, was dining with a leprosy infected, poor man under a tree as his guest and that too on AshAda Dvadasi. Bhosle was wondering as described above and thinking why my Ranga rejected me who is higher in terms of education knowledge, bhakthi etc. when compared to that poor man. "How is this leprosy infected poor man superior to me" wondered Bhosle and got very angry at Lord HIMSELF. In his deep sleep, Bhosle had a dream where Lord Panduranga appeared and said "Bhosle, all your knowledge, intellect and bhakti became useless because of your EGO(AHAMKAR). Whatever you did, it was filled with your EGO. The poor man who did not possess your Acharam, knowledge and intellect had the humble, pure Bhakti that I was looking for in a devotee. Therefore, I went to this poor man as his ATIHTI(guest) on AshAda Dvadasi becoming a slave to his pure Bhakti. I see only one thing on a devotee and that is pure Bhakti. To such a devotee I am a slave. I am slave to his Bhakti. I am a slave to his simplicity. I am a slave to his Humble quality." After this that Lord Panduranga, Vittala disappeared. From that day Vidyananda Bhosle left his Ahamkar for good. GOD does not dwell in rituals only. Where there is internal Bhakti, even if it is in a hut of a poor man without a roof, HE, the LORD, goes in search of such a devotee. Therefore develop internal Bhakti(love) for GOD. HE will stay with you always, and never leave you morning, afternoon or night. Always yours, A.M. Rajagopalan. HARIHI OM Om Om Om Kayena vacha manase indriyair va Buddhiy atmanava prakriter svabhavat Karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai Narayanayeti samarpayami Sriman Narayanayeti samarpayami nAham kartA hariH kartA tatpUjA karmachaakhilam.h| taThaapi matkR^itaa pUja tatprasaadhEna naanyaThaa| tadbhakti tadphalam.h mahyam.h tatprasaadaat.h punaH punaH | karmanyaasO harAvevam.h vishNOsthR^iptikaraH sadhA || "I am not the doer, shri Hari is the doer, all the actions that I do are His worship. Even then, the worship I do is through His grace and not otherwise. That devotion and the fruits of the actions that come to me are due to His recurring grace" If one always practices to do actions with a dedicated spirit to Hari, in this way, it pleases Vishnu. Hari Om Tat Sat Paramatmane Namah Brahmane Namah Satchidananda, Satchidananda Harihi Om

Hare Krishna, Speculation. In ancient world, the VEDIC religion was followed from Iran to India. Zorastrianism is influenced by Vedic religion. No wonder Hittites are an offshoot of these peoples. The word ARYAN is a western terminology derived from Sanskrit word ARYA. This word does not refer to a race. ARYA simply means NOBLE. Anyone following Vedas were called so. So did Iranians of that day. So to my knowledge Sanskrit was a language followed from India to Anatolia.

Hare Krishna, 1. Do not read about Hinduism from muslim sites. http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Park/6443/Hindu/concept.html 2. Do not teach Hinduism to us. 3. Do not impose Islam on us. 4. We know better than you muslims what our Vedas teach. 5. Lord Visnu is the supreme Brahm of Hinduism. There are many authentic verses from Rig-Veda(Read Viswakarma Sukta). 6. Lord Krishna(Supreme God'd avatar= Descent)in Gita clearly declares that HE is GOD. 7. Do not cut and paste from muslim websites. You do not even have the courtesy to mention this website from where you copied. http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Park/6443/Hindu/concept.html 8. You do not know what Sveteshvatara Upanishad says. 9. I now know you have no idea what Vedas teach. 10. We Hindus do believe that GOD can show himself to Humans and Gods. I do not care whether muslims agree or not with what Vedas say.

Hare Krishna, http://www.geocities.com/advaitavedant/brihadaranyaka.htm III-vii-1: Then Uddalaka, the son of Aruna, asked him. ‘Yajnavalkya’, said, ‘in Madra we lived in the house of Patanchala Kapya (descendant of Kapi), studying the scriptures on sacrifices. His wife was possessed by a Gandharva. We asked him who he was. He said, "Kabandha, the son of Atharvan". He said to Patanchala Kapya and those who studied the scriptures on sacrifices, "Hapya, do you know that Sutra by which this life, the next life and all beings are held together ?" Patanchala Kapya said, "I do not know it, sir". The Gandharva said to him and the students, "Kapya, do you know that Internal Ruler who controls this and the next life and all beings from within ?" Patanchala Kapya said, "I do not know Him, sir". The Gandharva said to him and the students, "He who knows that Sutra and that Internal Ruler as above indeed knows Brahman, knows the worlds, knows the gods, knows the Vedas, knows beings, knows the self, and knows everything". He explained it all to them. I know it. If you, Yajnavalkya, do not know that Sutra and that Internal Ruler, and still take away the cows that belong only to the knowers of Brahman, your head shall fall off’. ‘I know, O Gautama, that Sutra and that Internal Ruler’. ‘Any one can say, "I know, I know". Tell us what you know.’ III-vii-2: He said, ‘Vayu, O Gautama, is that Sutra. Through this Sutra or Vayu this and the next life and all beings are held together. Therefore, O Gautama, when a man dies, they say that his limbs have been loosened, for they are held together, O Gautama, by the Sutra or Vayu.’ ‘Quite so, Yajnavalkya. Now describe the Internal Ruler.’ III-vii-3: He who inhabits the earth, but is within it, whom the earth does not know, whose body is the earth, and who controls the earth from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-4: He who inhabits water, but is within it, whom water does not know, whose body is water, and who controls water from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-5: He who inhabits fire, but is within it, whom fire does not know, whose body is fire, and who controls fire from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-6: He who inhabits the sky, but is within it, whom the sky does not know, whose body is the sky, and who controls the sky from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-7: He who inhabits air, but is within it, whom air does not know, whose body is air, and who controls air from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-8: He who inhabits heaven, but is within it, whom heaven does not know, whose body is heaven, and who controls heaven from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-9: He who inhabits the sun, but is within it, whom the sun does not know, whose body is the sun, and who controls the sun from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-10: He who inhabits the quarters, but is within it, whom the quarters does not know, whose body is the quarters, and who controls the quarters from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-11: He who inhabits the moon and stars, but is within it, whom the moon and stars does not know, whose body is the moon and stars, and who controls the moon and stars from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-12: He who inhabits the ether, but is within it, whom the ether does not know, whose body is the ether, and who controls the ether from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-13: He who inhabits darkness, but is within it, whom darkness does not know, whose body is darkness, and who controls darkness from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-14: He who inhabits light, but is within it, whom light does not know, whose body is light, and who controls light from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. This much with reference to the gods. Now with reference to the beings. III-vii-15: He who inhabits all beings, but is within it, whom no being knows, whose body is all beings, and who controls all beings from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. This much with reference to the beings. Now with reference to the body. III-vii-16: He who inhabits the nose, but is within it, whom the nose does not know, whose body is the nose, and who controls the nose from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-17: He who inhabits the organ of speech, but is within it, whom the organ of speech does not know, whose body is the organ of speech, and who controls the organ of speech from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-18: He who inhabits the eye, but is within it, whom the eye does not know, whose body is the eye, and who controls the eye from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-19: He who inhabits the ear, but is within it, whom the ear does not know, whose body is the ear, and who controls the ear from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-20: He who inhabits the mind (Manas), but is within it, whom the mind does not know, whose body is the mind, and who controls the mind from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-21: He who inhabits the skin, but is within it, whom the skin does not know, whose body is the skin, and who controls the skin from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-22: He who inhabits the intellect, but is within it, whom the intellect does not know, whose body is the intellect, and who controls the intellect from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. III-vii-23: He who inhabits the organ of generation, but is within it, whom the organ of generation does not know, whose body is the organ of generation, and who controls the organ of generation from within, is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. He is never seen, but is the Witness; He is never heard, but is the Hearer; He is never thought, but is the Thinker; He is never known, but is the Knower. There is no other witness but Him, no other hearer but Him, no other thinker but Him, no other knower but Him. He is the Internal Ruler, your own immortal self. Everything else but Him is mortal.’ Thereupon Uddalaka, the son of Aruna, kept silent. <font color="blue">This is a great way of meditation that brings you so much Joy and Bliss.</font color>

Hare Krishna, We have a similar word like Assamad. In sanskrit it is SAT, which is also "absolute existence". This word is used only in connection with Bhagavan(Lord Visnu). I always like to quote this from Isavasya Upanishad. http://www.dvaita.org/sources/shruti/translation.html The Rsi of this Upanisad is Svayambhuva Manu. The Lord Hari (Visnu), known as Yajña for being the Lord of all sacrifices, is the Devata. Om Isavasyamidam sarvam yatkiñca jagatyam jagat | tena tyaktena bhuñjitha ma grdhah kasyasvid dhanam 1 This entire universe is pervaded by the Lord Hari, for the reason that it is dependent upon primordial nature, which in its turn is also pervaded by Him. He alone is thus independent. For this reason, enjoy whatever is given to you by Him, and do not seek wealth from any other source (since Hari alone is independent, do not worship others such as kings in hopes of wealth). This is indeed a beautiful verse(s). "No vision can grasp him" = "None can know him fully". Indeed this what we are taught in upanishads. Lord Visnu moves swifter than wind, light, mind etc. WHOM the wind, mind etc. cannot comprehend. What identical teachings we have. We should let both of our peoples know this similarity. From the Isavasya Upanishad again. anejadekam manaso javiyo nainaddeva apnuvanpurvamarsat | taddhavato'nyanatyeti tisthattasminnapo matarisva dadhati 4 (The Supreme is) completely free of fear, for being the primary Being; He is swifter than the mind, and cannot be fully comprehended (even) by the deities (headed by Brahma), while He knows all by His own nature, from beginningless time; though unchanging, staying as-is, He effortlessly overtakes all, no matter how they may run; to that Lord, Mukhya Prana dedicates all the actions performed by all creatures. tadejati tannaijati taddure tadvantike | tadantarasya sarvasya tadu sarvasya bahyatah 5 He causes all to tremble or quake in fear of Him, but He Himself fears none (for being independent); He is very far off (He exists even at infinite distances), and He is also very close by (because He is omnipresent); He is within everyone and everything, and also outside everyone and everything (His presence is all-pervasive). "But His grasp is over All vision: He is Above all comprehension, Yet is acquainted with all things." Again this is great. Upanishads teach that all things move, talk, breathe etc. because of Lord Visnu. The uniqueness of the word Allah is really UNIQUE. But you did not give the meaning of this word. Please translate it literally. There is again a verse like this in Rig-Veda. Viswakarma Sukta of book 10 in Rig Veda says that all the names of Gods(Devas) truly belongs to HIM(Lord Visnu). HE is the one who bestows names(means name and form) to all these Devas.

Hare Krishna, This is so beautiful and similar to what Upanishads. It is sad that the meaning of the words are hidden in English. I would suggest every muslim site to start with the muslim concept of God. It will surely attract hell lot of a people. I still have to read and digest fully what is written here.

Hare Krishna, I once had a discussion with a muslim on this. He basically said that we muslims do not say that GOD is personal or impersonal. We believe that GOD is the power behind everything(sounds similar to Upanishads). Let the muslims give all the descriptions of God from Quran. This may be a better discussion than one on politics.

Hare Krishna, Dear guest, Did you read the post given above. Tamil(so called Dravidian) literature itself claims that AIT is nonsense. Besides Aryans were supposed to have come into India at 1500 B.C., while Tamil cities were found through archaeology to be as old as 5000 B.C. Tamil texts claim their country to be between Kanyakumari and Tirupati which is present day Tamil Nadu for your information. Just copying and pasting without understanding what is written there is irrational. Start with the proof given above and tell me how AIT is true. To me the above evidence is enough proof to consider AIT a false theory. Case closed.

Hare Krishna, Thankyou for the post. I also wentthrough certain Buddhist sites. There also explanation was pretty good on dependent origination. One example which I liked is the flame of a candle, its wick and wax. This is indeed very interesting. Pali Vinnana = Consciousness = May be Sanskrit Vijnana Sanskrit meaning of Vijnana: http://www.sanskrit.org/Sanskrit/sanskritterms.htm vijnana–derived from the prefix vi added to the noun jnana. The prefix vi added to a noun tends to diminish or invert the meaning of a word. If jnana is spiritual knowledge, vijnana is practical or profane knowledge. Sometimes vijnana and jnana are used together in the sense of knowledge and wisdom. Just clarifying one that in Buddhism Consciousness = Vinnana = Sanskrit Vijnana in Hinduism or Vedic religion Consciousness = CHIT = Jnana = Wisdom = Awareness = Right knowledge. This is how Hindus use the word consciousness.

Hare Krishna, Since somebody asked questions on forms of GOD, I thought it will be appropriate to start a discussion of Panacaratra and Vaikhaansa Agamas. I have no knowledge of this. Could anybody elaborate on this ? Since some semitic people have problems(or IGNORANT BLIND HATRED) with IDOL worship may be this will help both Hindus and others to explain the logic behind our rituals.

Hare Krishna, Ego or Ahamkar is different from consciousness or chit. Consciousness is the pure awareness and knowledge that one exists. In Hinduism Aham(Self) or Atma or Brahman or Lord Krishna are all Identical. Jiva(different from Atma, body or mind, intellect) is the eternal or deathless element within us. Jiva is a finite and localized center of consciousness, the one who knows or the one knowing. In Hinduism, CHIT is awareness or knowledge. Now after clarifying this, Atma is even more aubtler than Jiva. While Jivas are many, Atma or Brahman is absolutely one. Atma or AHAM(Self) never undergoes any kind of suffering or birth or death. It is unborn, eternal, immutable, omnipresent. Just clarifying concepts of Hinduism. Now for example, if I know the difference between a potter, wheel and clay and me, it does not mean I am selfish. It simply means that this is the truth. Similarly having awareness that I am different from body, mind, intellect etc. and that I am an eternal deathless Jiva, it does not mean I am Self-centered. It is a FACT. As for the knowledge of SELF, it is completely different. SELF is otherwise GOD. Upanishads tell that SELF reveals HIMSELF to one whom HE chooses. This is what is called the knowledge of SELF. This knowledge is revealed by the grace of SELF(GOD). No amount of human endeavour can give this knowledge. Only Bhakti or Love for GOD is capable of obtaining this grace. So to me what appears is that Buddhists did not even get the idea what Hinduism teaches.

Hare Krishna, Good to hear from you J.N.Dasjee. I do not even know sanskrit, so I depend on translations given by others. So I will try to defend my position here. First thing. Valmiki or Prahlad are no fallen souls. Ofcourse everyone is under Samsara. In that way everyone is fallen including all the Gods, perhaps except Mahalakshmi. I am just clarifying that they cannot be associated with asuric beings even when they are born among asuras. tAnahaM dvishhataH krUrAn.h saMsAreshhu narAdhamAn.h | xipAmi ajasraM ashubhAn.h AsurIshhveva yonishhu || 19 || word for word(by Srila Prabhupada) tan--those; aham--I; dvisatah--envious; kruran--mischievous; samsaresu--into the ocean of material existence; nara-adhaman--the lowest of mankind; ksipami--put; ajasram--innumerable; asubhan--inauspicious; asurisu--demoniac; eva--certainly; yonisu--in the wombs. ajasram - forever or always is the correct meaning(from dictionary) eva- certainly or only I hurl those envious, lowest of mankind(condemned men), into samsara and certainly into inauspicious and demonic wombs forever(always). AsurIM yonimApannA mUDhA janmani-janmani | mAmaprApyaiva kaunteya tato yAntyadhamAM gatim.h || 20 || word for word(by Srila Prabhupada) asurim--demoniac; yonim--species; apannah--gaining; mudhah--the foolish; janmani janmani--in birth after birth; mam--unto Me; aprapya--without achieving; eva--certainly; kaunteya--O son of Kunti; tatah--thereafter; yanti--goes; adhamam--condemned; gatim--destination. The foolish gaining demonic species birth after birth, certainly failing to reach ME, thereafter go to condemned destination. I think if you see logically what Lord Krishna says, in verse 19 HE is talking about throwing ASURIC beings into demonic wombs again and again and always so. In verse 20 HE says, failing to REACH HIM, because of being born in such demonic species again and again these creatures thereafter reaches a condemned desitination(eternal hell). Here it is implied that being born in demonic species is a journey and reaching a place thereafter(after those demonic biths) is eternal hell(adhamAm gatim). So eternal hell is a TRUTH according to GITA. Let us see the following verse to see how Lord Krishna uses the word gatim. TEXT 22 etair vimuktah kaunteya tamo-dvarais tribhir narah acaraty atmanah sreyas tato yati param gatim SYNONYMS etaih--by these; vimuktah--being liberated; kaunteya--O son of Kunti; tamah-dvaraih--the gates of ignorance; tribhih--three kinds of; narah--a person; acarati--performs; atmanah--self; sreyah--benediction; tatah--thereafter; yati--goes; param--supreme; gatim--destination. TRANSLATION The man who has escaped these three gates of hell, O son of Kunti, performs acts conducive to self-realization and thus gradually attains the supreme destination. "tato yati param gatim" in this verse(22) and "tato yAntyadhamAM gatim.h" in verse 20. It is clear that one talks about eternal conditions in both the verses. Just one thought that one should not doubt what Sri Madhvacharya(He attains the position of Lord Brahma) or Sri Raghavendraswamy who serves Vayu Deva have said. There is none in this or any other world (except Lord Visnu, Lakshmi or Brahma)who knows more than Vayu Deva. Atleast this is what I believe.

Hare Krishna, Refreshing to hear about new way of thinking in Buddhism. I am sure now this thought(language constraints) of deathless element is very similar to Brahman concept of Adi Shankara. I am not sure I understand it fully, but I will try to explore into dependent origination idea. As for time, is it not an abstract idea of mind used to observe naturally occuring phenomenon like motion of matter and transformation of matter. So deathless element is something like eternal element, only for eternal objects time is irrelevant. I understand Buddha was talking about subjective experiences and so were you, but there is always objective explanation as well for everything. Does Buddhism consider matter and objects as reality(in that they exist as separate entities) or as just illusion ?

Hare Krishna, I would appreciate input from any Buddhist. ------------ Given below is just a short description of my undrestanding of Upanishads and Gita and I have given this to show you how my mind works so that you may explain properly Buddhist concepts. According to Upanishads something apart from material body, mind, intelligence and thoughts exist which is called Jiva(Soul) and apart from this Atma(As in GOD) exists. Jiva is a localized centre of consciousness, unborn and immutable implies eternal. Atma(as I understand is GOD) is immutable(eternal) and omnipresent. Matter is also etrenal but changes forms and structure. Atma is the entity that is independent(in every way) and all other entities move, breathe, think, etc. because of this entity called Atma. Even the mere existence of other entities(except Atma) depends on Atma. So says the Upanishads. ----------- Buddhism(as I understand): Please correct me if my understanding is wrong. Going beyond the language and words. Buddhism says that there is one eternal entity that is beyond existence(as that which can identify itself separately from other entities or entities we experience in this universe) and non-existence(as being annihilated). Buddha is in this state and HE can appear simultaneously in two or more places if necessity exists(may be disseminate knowledge again). ----------- Questions: 1. What is the difference between ATma concept and Buddhist concept of eternal entity(associated with Nirvana)? If you do not understand Atma concept fully I will be willing to elaborate it to you. 2. What is bound by desires in us human beings and what is born again and again according to Buddhism ? 3. What happens when we sleep where there is no consciousness or sense I'ness or any 'ness? How is Nirvana different from this state ? 4. How is the state of matter different from Nirvana(except the property of transformation of matter) ? 5. Consciousness(Chit) as I understand is pure awareness which is the foundation of mind and intelligence which in turn is the foundation of all feelings. So Chit can be a pointer to something that possesses it. Is there any concept like this in Buddhism ? Now feelings, thoughts etc. are understood to be phenomenon, according to Buddhism where does it rise from ? If it is said that it arises from Brain which is merely matter then I am not convinced how a dead matter, its' property itslef being unconsciousness can bring consciousness and thoughts ? 6. What happens to unenlightened beings when they die, with regard to psychic body(thoughts, feelings etc) ? Do they recognize themselves as separate entities ? I may have many more questions. Thankyou for ypour response already. As per my personal experience I am not able to get beyond the state of awareness or the state of witnessing my own thoughts. I would be iterested in Buddhist practises of meditation as well.

Hare Krishna, abrAmaM bhangarahitham ajaDam vimalam sadhA | Ananda tIrtha mathulam bhaje thApathrayApaham || The always undeluded, unobstructed, free of sloth, and free of filth; that Ananda Tîrtha, the incomparable, I salute, who is the remover of all misery. Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 16 http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/gita.htm Clinging to egoism, power, arrogance, lust, and anger; these malicious people hate Me (who dwells) in their own body and others' bodies. (16.18) I hurl these haters, cruel, sinful, and mean people of the world, into the wombs of demons again and again. (16.19) <font color="green">O Arjuna, entering the wombs of demons birth after birth, the deluded ones sink to the lowest hell</font color> <font color="blue">without ever attaining Me.</font color> . (16.20) Lust, anger, and greed are the three gates of hell leading to the downfall (or bondage) of Jeeva. Therefore, one must (learn to) give up these three. (16.21) One who is liberated from these three gates of hell, O Arjuna, does what is best, and attains the supreme goal. (16.22) One who acts under the influence of their desires, disobeying scriptural injunctions, neither attains perfection nor happiness nor the supreme goal. (16.23) Therefore, let the scripture be your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. You should perform your duty following the scriptural injunction. (16.24)

Hare Krishna, I repeat this sloka so that I may remember my loving Lord always. I came across this in dvaita site by the grace of Acharya Madhva. nAham kartA hariH kartA tatpUjA karmachaakhilam.h| taThaapi matkR^itaa pUja tatprasaadhEna naanyaThaa| tadbhakti tadphalam.h mahyam.h tatprasaadaat.h punaH punaH | karmanyaasO harAvevam.h vishNOsthR^iptikaraH sadhA || "I am not the doer, shri Hari is the doer, all the actions that I do are His worship. Even then, the worship I do is through His grace and not otherwise. That devotion and the fruits of the actions that come to me are due to His recurring grace" If one always practices to do actions with a dedicated spirit to Hari, in this way, it pleases Vishnu.

Hare Krishna, If Bush has a Nazi connection then tell me how this asministration has a pro-Israeli stance or atleast not an anti-Israeli stance. I agree to one point that some people here seem to have anti-semitic feelings. Among the the semitic people only Jews in India were tolerant and respected Vedic religion. Muslims and christians(except Syrian christians) acted in barbaric ways. Even Jains attacked Hindus in history. So all nonsense about Jewish conspiracy comes from cathlic and other christian and islamic teachings.

Hare Krishna, I have still some doubt in this. I understand and am geatly impressed by Acharya Madhva's explanation. Indeed after reading glasenopp's book, visnutattvavinirnaya etc. I take his explanation of vedic philosophy correct. But advaitic interpretation is a new phenomenon. So what seems to be more correct interpretation in this context is perhaps Shwetaketo did not know the existence of concept of Brahman. What about "atma tattvam asi". Is it grammatically correct ?

Hare Krishna, I just have a question on this verse. I do not have the complete sanskrit verse with me now. After Svetaketu is taught this by his father in Chandogya Upanishad(Chapter 7), his father continues and says the verse "atmatattvam asi". I do not have knowledge of sanskrit grammar. But various explanations are given by Adi Sankara, Acarya Ramanuja and Acharya Madhva. Advaita interpretation is widely known. Acharya Ramanuja says the words "Tat" and "Tvam" refers to same entity ie Brahman. Acharya Madhva splits the compund word as "atma atat tvam asi". But none of it seems very convincing to me. Since Svetaketu's father was teaching him the "concept of Brahman", it seems more logical to end like "atma tattvam asi"= "this is concept of atma or Brahman". Perhaps somebody could explain this part of verse with grammar.