Guest guest Posted October 15, 2001 Report Share Posted October 15, 2001 >I also think it doesn't matter if a work is classical or not; what matters is, does this work contribute to a better understanding of ourselves. If it does, it has merit! Kling Kling, you've invoked my Guru in the 9th at 9 degrees... For those who are not as entrenched in understanding and having past long commitments to classical Hinduism like Robert and I...I can say this to educate why total Hindus would mention this point with so much regard. Or in other words, to us it matters like crazy, like a real lot, let me tell you simply why. Hinduism is BASED on NOT changing anything. All strict Hindus know this. So we are always checking to see if something is invented, or if it's in the original revelations. Sampradaya is also for this purpose. While you can learn from books and use that knowledge as you like, the idea of Guru, and being so careful to ALWAYS know and follow the wish of your Guru, is that HE SHOULD HAVE already done that too, so this is the human side of the checks and balance system. You can lie to yourself, and you don't have to answer to anger from a book, but your Guru has EVERY right in Hinduism to lay your ego to waste, even in front of the other disciples, who are trained to not think less of you for it, in fact, such heavy coming down on one from the Guru is called "mercy". I cannot stress it enough, that whether something is in the original revelations or not is VERY Important to real Hindus. In the West, it's about "whether it works". But you see, "works" is a subject to relativity, as in, "what's good for the goose may not be for the gander", or "hey man, whatever floats your boat", or, "if it feels good, do it", or, "it works for me"....etc etc. These are very un-Hindu statements. Quick statement of my personal Sampradaya: I'm speaking about classical Vedic Vaisnavism, as in, Mahabharat, Bhagavat Purana, the Krishna-Vishnu-Parashara-Vyas-Pandavas school of Hinduism, not Shakti/Devi/Shankara styles, but they too mostly share this exactly anyway, but my bias is always the Krishna-Vishnu-Parashara-Vyas-Pandavas-Caitanya-Gaudiya Math-ISKCON lineage...so anyway... In this classical Hinduism, mental speculation, invention, creativity, are NOT AT ALL wanted, allowed, respected, when it comes to learning/studying/teaching anything around classical Vidya, such as Brahma-Vidya (spiritual knowledge) or any of the Vedas or Vedangas such as Ayurveda, Jyotish, etc. In these classical knowledge areas, only submission and humility are wanted from the students. That's why there's an excessive emphasis on Guru, and pleasing Guru. Not because of cult reasons, but for reasons of respect for not changing that which God revealed. That is why classical Hindus do not respect self appointed upstart Gurus who have their own "new" way. This is why "Osho" had such a hard time with classical Hindus, but not to single Him out, He may have been a great Man, I'm just using it as an example because I know He did have some trouble there. So anyway... Since this is a list that respects Classical Orthodox Hinduism, ala the Vaisnava tradition as in Mahabharat, Bhagavatam, Gita, etc., so here the idea of proving classical sources is highly important. But true, that which "works" has it's own merits, for sure, in astrology, but for those of us devoted as we are, even if it seems to "really work", if it's not classical, we'll have our doubts, and disinterest, and subtle reasons all our own which in our minds "un-does" the "it really works" conclusion of others. For example, many people think Western Astrology "works". Fine, maybe it does. But to me, it's working only on the level of relative ego. That is not a "help" to the Jiva. So though it may serve in the realm of relative identity (this is my understanding), it does not serve the Jivas long term interests, because it does not respect and relate to the revelation from God, which is in the real interest of the Jiva to surrender to. So ultimately, there is no marriage between Orthodox religious people and pragmatists focused in this life. Anyway, this is not an attempt to rabble rouse at all, but I love to explain the reason for the humility, submissiveness, and classical orientation of strict Hindus. It's a big part of our Hindu game. Hoping I've done this justice and done so in a tone of peace, because believe me, peace, ultimate peace, for all of us, is my aim and intention, but unfortunately I have the Sun and 6th lord in the 2nd, so sometimes I speak in such a way as to sound offensive to others and too fiery. I apologize for that. I'm really a peace loving guy. So, love and peace! -- Das Goravani 2852 Willamette St # 353 Eugene OR USA 97405 or Fax: 541-343-0344 "Goravani Jyotish" Vedic/Hindu Astrology Software Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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