Vedas and Adi Sankara - Part 1 By Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji.

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Radhe Krishna To all,

 

 

“Bhagavan says, “Whenever people are harassed by the wicked and whenever

Dharma is challenged I take avatãr for the destruction of the asuras (‘dushta

nigraha’) and protection of the good (‘sishta paripalana’).†The term

‘asura vada’ refers generally to the destruction of wicked humans and

‘sishta paripalana’ refers to the protection of those who lead dharmic life;

however, in reality ‘dushta nigraha’ means destruction of wicked thoughts

and ‘sishta paripalana’ means protecting sattvic thoughts. Similarly, when

adharma takes hold (atheism spreads, people are deeply worldly) Bhagavan takes

avatar.

 

Srimad Bhagvatam says Bhagavan takes Avatar to destroy the wicked as in the case

of Kamsa, Narakasura to lessen the burden of the Earth (‘bhoo bhar’). But

Bhagavan’s true incarnation (‘pratyaksha avatara’) is to protect sattvic

thoughts, which is the way to uphold Dharma. ‘Dushta chintana’ means wicked

thoughts. And this refers to all thoughts that are against spritiual

(‘Bhagavat’) matters. The Avatar of Bhagavan is, therefore, towards

upholding dharma, quelling of such wicked thoughts and appreciate and encourage

spiritual thoughts (‘sattvic chintana’) and shield the Sadhus.

 

Bhagavan, while declaring that Kali Yuga will be a treacherous Yuga has said

that nobody will follow the ‘Varnashrama’ dharma. Will the ‘Varna’ exist

in Kali Yuga? But for the ‘varna’ of green, red, etc. (‘Varna’ carries

the dual meaning of colour as well) no other ‘varna’ will exist! How will

this Varnashrama dharma be in Kali Yuga?

 

The one who has to serve will occupy the throne and rule the kingdom (‘Rajya

paripalana’). What will the state of the Brahmins be? None of them will take

to the study of the Vedas, discourse on the epics (‘Itihasa/Puranas’); if,

however, they do take to these it will be only with the aim of earning their

livelihood. Bhagavata ‘parayana’ (rendering of Srimad Bhagavatam) will also

be only towards earning food and clothing. The Vysyas, too, will no more be

interested in their dharma of trade or the protection of cows. Those who have to

carry on ‘preda samskara’ will not adhere to their dharma. Thus, no one will

adhere to his dharma but carry on his living as per his whims and fancies. These

are all the Kali ‘dosha’ (fault).

 

Neelakanta Dikshitar, a great worshipper of Goddess Meenakshi, has written a

Text named ‘Kali vidambanam’. It is quite witty. He writes, “Do not worry

about earning your livelihood. In Kali Yuga it is easy to earn your livelihood

as a magician! So take up this profession! Do not worry if you lack knowledge of

a mantra. Once the board is put up someone will approach you for a solution to

his problems. Advise him that certain puja has to be performed and the cost of

the puja. He would surely empty his pocket to you. Do not worry over the

outcome. It may accidentally be solved!

You can then claim, “It is because of the Puja performed by me that your

problems have been solved.†Well! What happens if it does not? Advise him that

another puja has to be performed!†The Dikshitar adds that in this Kali Yuga

those who are ignorant of the name of the 27 stars will earn their livelihood as

an astrologer. This will be the state of Kali.

 

In this Kali Yuga Bhagavan’s avatar will come about only much later. It has

been said, “Kalki Jagatpathih!†It is now almost 4500 years since the birth

of Kali. Bhagavan left for Vaikunta at the start of this Kali Yuga. Innumerable

Mahatmas have been coming down to the earth since the departure of Bhagavãn,

upto this day. This cannot be refuted. We refer to all the Mahatmas as

‘Avatara Purushas’ (Incarnation of God). This is as a result of our respect

and devotion to them. Most of the Mahatmas, whose darshan we have been blessed

with, are only ‘Yoga brashtas’ (one whose earlier life time had ended even

before the completion of his yoga sadhanas).

 

‘Yoga brashta’ does not mean that they are not Mahatmas. They are no doubt

‘Jivan Muktas’. They have undoubtedly reached the highest state. In their

past births they would have performed deep spiritual practices but their life

would have ended even before the completion of their sadhana. For this reason

they have been born again, picked up their sadhana from where it was left off,

completed it and attained the highest state in this ‘janma’. Innumerable

such Mahãns are to be found.

 

Now, if we take up ‘Avatara Purusha’ what is the sign (‘lakshana’) of

such an Avatar’? In their case no spiritual practice is essential in this

world. If they are found to practice any kind of sadhana it is only meant for

the world. No sadhana is required to be done by them for their own sake. If such

a necessity existed for them then they cannot be called an ‘Avatara

Purusha’. Even in their childhood they are attracted by Bhagavãn and are

immersed in Bhagavat experience.

 

From their life history one cannot find that they had led a worldly life

initially and later turned to spiritual life. Even their childhood activities

will be totally different (‘loka vilakshana’) from normal worldly behaviour.

All their activities since the time of their birth till their last day on this

earth will be only the work of an Incarnation. Moreover, the work performed by

them will be of such high magnitude that it cannot be carried out by anyone

else. Such work of theirs will be above the reach of a mere human. It will be

far above human standard (‘amanushya’).

 

The work executed by them will come to stay in the world for centuries. The

whole society will benefit from their work. A big transformation will take place

after their time. Adi Sankara is a classic example of this. It is only such a

one who is an ‘Avatara Purusha’ and not the one who was born, lived and

carried on some work that benefited say, a thousand or a lakh of people and quit

the world; and that none today remembers him. Though Adi Sankara lived some

thousands of years back, the world still speaks of Him. If the world still reads

His Texts, accepts the philosophy established by Him and still holds Him in

reverence, it is not due to His individual capability. Was there any media in

those days to spread His teachings or messages? In those days there were not

even books such as found today to propagate His doctrines. Then the reason for

all His work and philosophy being alive till date is Bhagavan’s Will. His

birth and work have been due to

the Lord’s Will.

 

!!! Will Continue !!!

 

Regards

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

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