What do Hare Krishna devotees believe about Christ?

[Guest guest]

What do Hare Krishna devotees believe about Christ? Do they believe in Jesus at all? What is Christ's connection to Krishna, if any?

[Guest guest]

Since Christ isn't mentioned in Vedic scriptures, you will find that Hare Krsna's formulate their views based their own social and religious backgrounds and that those views are quite varied.

 

Krsna is God - the source of everything and everyone, so obviously Christ is related to Krsna.

 

Some of the more interesting and thought provoking writings on Christ in relation to Krsna (in my opinion anyway) have been provided by Bhakti Ananda Goswami, a disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami's who is also a very devout Catholic. In his writings he has equated Christ with Lord Balarama. This is obviously in consideration of his being called the second person in the triune God as well as being specifically called as the saviour of mankind. His understanding is unique amongst Hare Krsna devotees because he has understood both traditions from within the paradigms of their own theology and seems to have reconciled them in such a way as to keep intact the unique divinity associated with Christ in the Christian tradition.

 

Most other interpretations of Christ and who he is as presented by Hare Krsna devotees equate him with a good servant and call him a Guru. In other words, most of the time the Hare Krsna's equate him with a perfected jiva and don't see him as a divine incarnation (vishnu tattva). Most Christians find this type of idea to be offensive.

 

Why are you interested in this topic?

 

Your servant,

Audarya-lila dasa

[theist 1]

This was copied from another thread.This was written by Srila Prabhupada. I see no need to speculate if Jesus Christ was Lord Balarama or not.Srila Prabhupada made it clear he was jiva-tattva and not Vishnu-tattva.Prabupada also stated that Lord Jesus Christ came straight from the spiritual world and was perfect before his birth. He is an empowered incarnation of Krsna.

 

"We have great respect for Lord Jesus Christ. We accept him as powerful incarnation of Krishna, as much as we accept Lord Buddha." -SP letter to Syamasundhara 1969

 

There are many such quotes.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hari Bol Dear Theist!,

 

Yes, Srila Prabhupada said quite a few things regarding Christ and Christianity and so have other gaudiya acharyas such as Sridhara Maharaja. The reason I pointed out Bhakti Ananda Goswami's 'thesis is that it takes Christ's ontological position according to the Christian tradition into consideration when finding a proper place for him within the Gaudiya tradition. I am not a christian and am not really very interested in this subject too much, except for the fact that my wife is a devout Catholic.

 

While Srila Prabhupada said many things about Christ it has been my experience that most Christians don't agree with the assessment that Christ is 'one among many'. The theology of Christianity places Christ in a unique position not only in terms of his incarnation, but in terms of his eternal position within the kingdom of God.

 

For instance, Christian doctrine states that he is 'seated at the right hand of the father', that 'originally the word was with God and was God and became incarnate', and that Christ is both fully man and fully God. Christian doctrine makes a very clear distinction between Christ and humanity - it in no way attributes the divinity of Christ to 'created beings'.

 

My only point being, really, that to say that Christ is a perfected jiva based on Gaudiya theology and interpreting Christianity from a Guadiya perspective goes against the teachings of the church in regard to who Christ is and what his ontological position is. The church sees Christ as 'fully God'.

 

Your servant,

Audarya-lila dasa

[theist 1]

Hare Krsna Audarya-lila,

 

I have found that the Christians are very confused on these points and subsequently inconsistent. Christ says "I and my Father are one" then he say "The Father is greater than I".

 

This is what Lord Caitanya taught. Oneness and simultaneous difference. But you are right they won't hear it from us because we insist on everyone having that same nature ultimately. They get suspious that we are trying to bring Christ down in some way. Actually we are just trying to bring others up.

 

I don't understand where this idea of Lord Balarama comes from unless he means Christ is simultanously a representative of Balarama as well as His incarnation. Again one and different. Could you speak more to that?

 

Haribol

[Guest guest]

depends on what church you are speaking of,

many christian sects see jesus as an enlightened

human and nothing more.

 

the catholic derived sects of christianity are in fact the newer ones, their theology winning the war for

dominance due to constantine's desire to

make christians subservient to the church/state.

 

the older more gnostic christian sects were not

teaching jesus as diety.

 

[theist 1]

I also am interested in the reasons behind guestji's interest. Sorry I kinda interuppted there.

[Guest guest]

 

oh and one more thing, these ancient christian

gnostics did not believe that jesus was special,

they believed that who ever was one of them,

was special, and enlightened.

Their philosophy is found in the dead sea scrolls,

and gives us the state of mind of those people.

 

Very much an us versus them mentality, they saw themselves

as enlightened, and others as "dead", "lepers",

"sick" etc, when those non cult members

became involved with the cult they were called

" risen from the dead", "healed", etc.

[theist 1]

it is rare to find someone that has risen beyond their false designations and operate from the platform of equal vision.

 

"us vs. them" "the others"etc. Easy to see the differences I've found.

[Guest guest]

This is a very long post (writing of Bhakti Ananda Goswami) which addresses the question of the identity of Balarama as the servitor Godhead and equates him with the same person in the Christian tradition who is known as Jesus.

 

THE GLORIES OF SRI NITYANANDA BALARAMA AS THE SECOND PERSON OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD

 

HARE KRISHNA ! SRI SRI GURU AND GAURANGA KI JAYA !

 

NITYANANADA TRAYODASI OFFERING...THE GAUDIYA VAISHNAVA THEOLOGY OF SRI NITAI-BALARAMA AS THE SECOND PERSON OF THE GODHEAD, THE ORIGIN OF INCARNATION, THE ORIGINAL SPIRITUAL MASTER, THE SAVIOR OF ALL WORLDS ...AND THE SECOND PERSON OF THE CATHOLIC GODHEAD

 

1)THE THEOLOGICAL REVELATION OF LORD BALARAMA-SANKARSHANA

 

"Let me offer my obeisances to Lord Nityananda. the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose opulence is wonderful and unlimited. By His will, even a fool can understand His identity.Sri Caitanya-caritamrta", Adi-Lila Chapter 5, Text 1

 

The following quotations are from "SRI CAITANYA-CARITAMRTA" by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami, translated into English, with elaborate purports given by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Page numbers, when given, are from the Bhaktivedanta Books One Volume Edition. The same chapters and text numbers can be found in the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) Multi Volume Edition of the "SRI CAITANYA-CARITAMRTA".

 

My comments are in UPPER CASE and brackets .

 

Introduction to Adi-Lila Chapter 5, The Glories of Lord Nityananda Balarama

 

before Text One

 

"The Personality of Godhead known as Sri Balarama in Krsnaloka is the original Sankarsana (attracting Deity), and from this Sankarsana expands another Sankarsana , called Maha-Sankarsana, who resides in one of the Vaikuntha planets. By His internal potency, Maha Sankarsana maintains the transcendental existence of all the planets in the spiritual sky, where all the living beings are eternally liberated souls. "

 

THE HOLY NAME OF SANKARSHANA IS A COMPOUND OF SAM ( SMA IN EGYPTIAN, SYN OR SYM IN GREEK AND COM IN LATIN) AND KARSHANA. KARSHANA IS A VARIANT FORM OF THE NAME KRISHNA, WHICH IS WHY SRILA PRABHUPADA CALLS HIM THE ORIGINAL "attracting Deity". KRISHNA / KARSHANA IS THE CHARISMA OR ALL-ATTRACTING LOVEABLE AND LOVING GOD OF ALL SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL WORLDS. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT KRISHNA AND BALARAMA ARE TWO PERSONS OF THE SAME GODHEAD. SRI BALADEVA IS SAM-KARSHANA. HE IS THE 'ALSO KRISHNA'. HE IS 'AND' KRISHNA, 'WITH' KRISHNA AND IS KRISHNA TOO. SRI KRISHNA AND SAM-KARSHANA ARE BOTH THE SAME GOD. THEY ARE NOT TWO GODS, BUT ARE TWO CO-ETERNAL PERSONS OF THE SAME GODHEAD, EQUAL IN DIVINITY AND BEAUTY, OPULENCE, OMNISCIENCE, OMNIPRESENCE AND OMNIPOTENCE IN EVERY WAY. THEY ARE BOTH THE SAME EKA / ECHAD GOD, BUT ONE IS THE LORD WHO IS SERVED AND THE OTHER IS THE SERVITOR LORD. ONE (SRI KRISHNA) IS THE ORIGIN AND THE OTHER (SANKARSANA) IS HIS SECOND PERSON.

 

"On those planets, the second quadruple manifestation is present."

 

THE CHATUR-VYUHA HAS PARALLELS IN PURE LAND BUDDHISM, EGYPTIAN, JEWISH AND GREEK EMATIONAL MYSTICISM.

 

"In the Causal Ocean is Maha-Visnu, the original purusa expansion from Sankarsana. This Maha-Visnu places His glance over the material energy, and by a reflection of His transcendental body He amalgamates Himself within the material elements. "

 

THIS CLANCE IN SOME TRADITIONS IS ASSOCIATED WITH SADA SHIVA AS SHAMBHU AND THE FATHER OF THE ENTIRE COSMIC MANIFESTATION. HE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPIRITUAL IMPREGNATION OF SOULS INTO MATTER, AND IS THE LORD AND LOVER OF DURGA, THE MATERIAL NATURE AND MOTHER OF ALL UNIVERSES.

 

"Maha-Visnu again enters the universe as the reservoir of all living entities, Garbhodakasayi Visnu. From Garbhodaksayi Visnu expands Ksirodakasayi Visnu, the Supersoul of every living entity."

 

THESE ARE "VISNOS TU TRINI RUPANI" THE THREE FORMS OF VISHNU. ONE WHO REALIZES THESE THREE FORMS OF VISHNU ACHEIVES MOKSHA, LIBERATION.

 

THESE THREE FORMS OF VISHNU ARE NOT ANALOGOUS TO THE PROTO CATHOLIC TRINITY, IN WHICH BOTH MAHA VISHNU AND GARBHODAKASAYI VISHNU ARE INCLUDED (AS IN PURE LAND BUDDHISM'S TRI KAYA) WITH THE INTERMEDIATE FORMS OF THE SECOND PERSON OF THE GODHEAD. THE ACTUAL VAISHNAVA-CATHOLIC TRINITARIAN PARALLEL IS 1. IN THE PROTO CATHOLIC THEOLOGY THE FIRST PERSON IS BHAGAVAN SRI KRISHNA, HARI (HEBREW ELI, EGYPTIAN HERU). 2. THE SECOND PERSON IS BALU-YAHU (BALADEVA OR VASUDEVA) WHO INCLUDES THE 'MAHA VISHNU' FORM OF THE LORD. HE RESTS ON THE PRIMORDIAL MAYIM OR WATERS OF CHAOS , OR THE CAUSAL OCEAN (SPIRIT OF GOD ON THE HEBREW 'MAYIM' WATERS OF GENESIS). IN EGYPT AND AT DELPHI, HELIOS PHANES (BRAHMA) WAS WORSHIPED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE 'AXIS MUNDI' OMPHALOS OR NAVEL OF THE UNIVERSE. THIS CLEARLY IDENTIFIES A CONNECTION BETWEEN DELPHIC HELIOS AND GARBHODAKASAYI VISHNU. IN ADDITION, THE GREEK WORD DELPHA AND SANSKRIT WORD GARBHA ARE COGNATE. THUS BOTH THE MAHA AND GARBHA FORMS OF VISHNU WERE INCLUDED IN THE WESTERN AND BUDDHIST INTERMEDIATE OR MEDIATING SECOND PERSONS OF THE TRINITY (FROM BALADEVA). 3. THE THIRD ALL-PERVASIVE FORM OF THE LORD IN THE PROTO CATHOLIC TRADITION IS THE HOLY SPIRIT OR PARAMATMA. THUS ELI-YAHU WAS WORSHIPED AS ATMAN / ATUM IN NORTH EGYPT, ATEN IN SOUTH EGYPT AND AS ADON-YAHU AMOUNG THE SEMITIES. IN GREECE, HIS ALL-PERVASIVE FORM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DOCTRINES OF ATOMOS (THE INDIVIDUAL , NOT AN INDIVISABLE IMPERSONAL THING), ONTOS (BEING) AND AUTOS, THE SELF.

 

"Garbhodakasayi Visnu also has His own Vaikuntha planet in every universe, where He lives as the Supersoul or supreme controller of the universe."

 

AS THE PARAMATMA OR HOLY SPIRIT RESIDES IN THE HEART OF ALL FORMS / CREATURES, GARBHODAKASAYI VISHNU IS THE LORD RESIDING WITHIN THE HEART OF EVERY UNIVERSAL BODY / COSMIC MANIFESTATION.

 

"Garbhodakasayi Visnu reclines in the midst of the watery portion of the universe and generates the first living creature of the universe, Brahma."

 

IN PROTO CATHOLIC HELIOPOLITAN MONOTHEISM THIS IS THE HELIOS PHANES OR THEOPHANY FORM OF HELIOS KOUROS (HORUS), OR OF HIS ALTER-FORM, BALU-YAHU, DIONYSOS OR ASAR (OSIRIS). HE APPEARS WITH FOUR ARMS AND HEADS, SEATED ON THE COSMIC LOTUS ARISING FROM NHRYN (NARAYANA OR NILUS) AT THE BEGINNING OF THE UNIVERSE. IN MEMPHITE HELIOPOLITAN THEOLOGY HE SPEAKS CREATION INTO EXISTANCE.

 

"The imaginary universal form is a partial manifestation of Garbhodakasayi Visnu."

 

SRILA PRABHUPADA PREFERED TO STRESS THE IDEA THAT THE VISHVARUPA OR VISHVARATA UNIVERSAL FORM OF PURUSHA WAS 'IMAGINARY'. THIS EMPHASIS IN OUR LINEAGE IS RELATED TO TWO THEOLOGICAL CONTROVERSIES. THE FIRST IS THE ISSUE OF WHETHER THE LORD AS PURUSHA AVATARA ASSUMES A 'MATERIAL' BODY IN 'BECOMING' THE COSMIC MANIFESTATION. THIS PROBLEM IS AT THE CRUX (LITERALLY) OF MANY CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN THE MAYAVADI IMPERSONALISTS AND THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS OF VAISHNAVA AND SHAIVITE THOUGHT. IN THE WEST THIS SAME ISSUE IS AT THE CORE OF THE GNOSTIC REJECTION OF THE DOCTRINE OF REAL INCARNATION, THE WORSHIP OF GOD THROUGH ICONS, AND IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT / EUCHARIST. MAYAVADI HINDU, MUSLIM, GNOSTIC AND PROTESTANT ICONOCLASM AND REJECTION OF THE DOCTRINES OF SRI MURTI AND GOD'S 'REAL PRESENCE' IN THE EUCHARIST / PRASADAM ARE RELATED TO THIS CENTRAL QUESTION OF THE PURUSHA AVATARA. IF THE UNIVERSE IS UNREAL / ILLUSORY OR EVIL, THEN HOW CAN THE PURUSHA HAVE A UNIVERSAL FORM ? THE SECOND CONTROVERSY IS ABOUT HOW THE INTERPRETATION OF THE VISHVARUPA OR PURUSHA RESULTS IN THE VEDIC SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM. BECAUSE THE RAJARSHIC AND TAMASIC INTERPRETATIONS OF PURUSHA AVATARA RESULTED IN ANIMAL AND HUMAN SACRIFICE, THE SATTVIC LINEAGES OF VAISHNAVISM PREFERED TO STRESS THE ESOTERIC SPIRITUAL, SUBTLE, OR 'IMAGINARY' FORM OF THE COSMIC PURUSHA RATHER THAN THE ACTUAL 'INCARNATION' UNDERSTANDING OF HIS MACRO-COSMIC BODY. THUS THE MACRO-COSMIC MAN / PURUSHA FORM OF GOD WAS OFFERABLE IN SACRIFICE (SEE PURUSHA SUKTA IN THE RIG VEDA) IN PLANT FORM RATHER THAN IN BLOODY ANIMAL OR HUMAN SACRIFICES. SO, TO AVOID MAYAVADI AND OTHER HERESIES, AND BECAUSE OF THE SATTVIC ASCETIC AHIMSA FORMS OF SACRIFICE IN OUR LINEAGE, THE UNIVERSAL FORM OF THE LORD AS AN ACTUAL INCARNATION IS DE-EMPHASIZED.

 

"In the Svetadvipas within every universe is a Sesa form of Godhead who serves Visnu by assuming the form of His umbrella, slippers, couch, pillows, garments, residence, sacred thread, throne and so on."

 

LORD BALADEVA AS KRISHNA'S EFFLUGENCE, NAME, FORMS FOR PASTIMES AND PARAPHENALIA IS A VERY IMPORTANT DOCTRINE. HIS ASANAS, VAHANAS, ASTRAS, CROWNS AND OTHER 'SYMBOLIC' ATTRIBUTES CAN BE IDENTIFIED IN JUDAISM, EGYPTIAN AND GREEK HELIOPOLITAN PROTO CATHOLIC MONOTHEISM. MANY OF THESE HAVE CONTINUED INTO CATHOLICISM. I HAVE STUDIED THESE IN DEPTH, FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND GAVE AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES OF LECTURES ON THIS SUBJECT IN 2000.

 

TEXT 4

 

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is the fountainhead of all incarnations. Lord Baladeva is His second body"

 

Purport

 

"Lord Sri Krsna, the absolute Personality of Godhead, is the primeval Lord, the original form of Godhead, and His first expansion is Sri Balarama."

 

THIS IS THE CATHOLIC CREED DOCTRINE OF THE MONO GENOUS (ONLY, SOLE, ALONE GENERATED 'ONLY BEGOTTEN') AND HOMO OUSIOS (SAME ONE-IN-BEING) SECOND PERSON OF THE GODHEAD.

 

TEXT 5

 

"They are both one and the same identity. They differ only in form. He is the first bodily expansion of Krsna, and He assists in Lord Krsna's transcendental pastimes."

 

IN EGYPT THE DIFFERENT 'BODIES' OR FORMS OF THE LORD HERI (HERU) OR ASAR (OSIRIS, HEBREW YAHU) WERE CALLED KAS. IN PURE LAND BUDDHISM THESE ARE CALLED KAYAS. THE P. L. BUDDHIST TRINITY IS CALLED THE TRI KAYA, OR THREE BODIES OF THE BUDDHA. THIS IS THE NORTHERN BUDDHIST USE OF THE SANSKRIT TERM KAYA.

 

Purport

 

"Balarama is a svamsa expansion of the Lord, and therefore there is no difference in potency between Krsna and Balarama."

 

IN THE CATHOLIC CREED THE SECOND PERSON (PURUSHA) IS GOD FROM GOD, ONLY BEGOTTEN, ONE IN BEING WITH THE FIRST, AND THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS BOTH SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL ARE MADE.

 

TEXT 10 Purport

 

"Sri Balarama is the servitor Godhead who serves Lord Krsna in all affairs of existence and knowledge."

 

CHRIST IS THE SERVITOR LORD. THE FIRST PERSON / FATHER IS GOD WHO IS WORSHIPED BY THE SECOND AND THIRD PERSONS.

 

TEXT 18 Purport [ Regarding the original and highest Paradise of Gokula, the Catholic BUCOLIC Paradise, BOKOLION OF HELIOS and GOKURA of HARIH AMITHA BUDDHA THE ADI PURUSHA in Pure Land Buddhism are related to the Vaishnava revelations of the transcendental and Earthly GOKULA and GOLOKA.]

 

(Page I48)

 

"That transcendental abode exists by the energy of Sri Baladeva, who is the original whole of Sesa, or Ananta. The tantras also confirm this description by stating that the abode of Sri Anantadeva, the plenary portion of Baladeva, is called the kingdom of God."

 

TEXT 41 PURPORT [For more important discussion of Lord Balarama as jiva, see especially numbered points 1 and 2 page 170 regarding refutation of Adi Sankaracarya's teaching that Sri Baladeva as jiva is the ordinary living entity.]

 

(Page 165)

 

"Sankarsana, the second expansion, is Vasudeva's personal expansion for pastimes, and since He is the reservoir of all living entities, He is sometimes called jiva."

 

 

THE THEOLOGICAL CONTROVERSY REGARDING SRI BALADEVA AS JIVA TATTVA IS NOT ONLY BETWEEN THE SHANKARITES, SHAIVITES AND VAISHNAVAS, BUT IS ALSO FOUND BETWEEN THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS OR LINEAGES OF VAISHNAVISM AS WELL.

 

TEXT 41 PURPORT

(Pages 174-5)

 

" In the spiritual sky there is a spiritual creative energy technically called suddha-sattva, which is a pure spiritual energy that sustains all the Vaikuntha planets with the full opulences of knowledge, wealth, prowess etc. All these actions of suddha-sattva display the potencies of Maha-Sankarshana, who is the ultimate reservoir of all individual living entities who are suffering in the material world. When the cosmic creation is annihilated, the living entities, who are indestructible by nature, rest in the body of Maha Sankarsana. Sankarsana is sometimes therefore called the total jiva."

 

TEXT 42

(below on Page 175)

 

" There the personal feature of Balarama called Maha-Sankarshana is the shelter of the spiritual energy. He is the primary cause, the cause of all causes."

 

TEXT 45

 

" There is one marginal potency, known as the jiva. Maha-Sankarsana is the shelter of all jivas."

 

TEXT 46

 

" Sankarsana is the original shelter of the purusha, from whom this world is created and in whom it is dissolved."

 

TEXT 73

(Below Page 183)

 

" A part of a part of a whole is called a 'kala'. Sri Balarama is the counter-form of Lord Govinda."

 

TEXT 74

 

" Balarama's own expansion is called Maha-Sankarsana, and His fragment, the purusa, is counted as a kala, or a part of a plenary portion."

 

(Below Page 184)

 

TEXT 75

 

" I say that this kala is Maha-Vishnu. He is the Maha-purusa, who is the source of the other purusas and who is all pervading."

 

TEXT 81

(Below Page 185)

 

" That fragment of the Maha-purusha who appears for the purpose of creation, maintenance and annihilation is called an incarnation."

 

TEXT 82

 

" That Maha-purusa is identical with the Personality of Godhead. He is the original incarnation, the seed of all others, and the shelter of everything."

 

TEXT 83

 

" The purusa is the primary incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."...

 

Purport

 

" The two categories of avataras are empowered devotees and tad-ekatma-rupa (the Lord Himself). An example of tad-ekatma-rupa is Sesa, ..."

 

THE WORSHIP OF BAAL YAHU AS SHESHA THE SERAPHIC EGYPTIAN COBRA AS THE SYMBOL OR HIEROGLYPHIC 'DETERMINATIVE', COVERING, THRONE, COUCH, MOUNT, VEHICLE OR 'PROTECTOR' OF ELI / HERU IS VERY IMPORTANT IN RELATED HELIOPOLITAN EGYPTIAN AND JEWISH MYSTICISM AND ICONOGRAPHY.

 

TEXT 204 Purport

 

"In another verse Narottama dasa Thakura has stated that without the causeless mercy of Nityananda Prabhu, one cannot enter into the affairs of Radha and Krishna."

 

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE MERCY OF SRI CHAITANYA WITHOUT FIRST GETTING THE MERCY OF SRI NITYANANDA RAMA. THE THEOLOGY OF THIS IS IDENTICAL TO THE TRINITARIAN PROTO CATHOLIC AND CATHOLIC THEOLOGY THAT ONE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE MYSTERIES OF KOUROS AND KORE WITHOUT BEING INITIATED INTO THEM BY THEIR HIEROPHANT DIONYSOS. JESUS CHRIST AS THE ORIGINAL SPIRITUAL MASTER AND 'HIGH PRIEST' IS THE SOLE MASTER AND INITIATOR INTO THE BRIDAL MYSTICISM OF ELI-YAHU AND SHEKINAH !

 

TEXTS 100 & 101 [Regarding Sri Garbhodakasayi Visnu]

 

"He lay there with Ananta as His bed. Lord Ananta is a divine serpant having thousands of heads, thousands of faces, thousands of eyes and thousands of hands and feet. He is the seed of all incarnations and is the cause of the material world.

 

[purport quotes the Vedas on Purusha]

 

"The Visnu form called Ananta-sayana has thousands of hands and legs and thousands of eyes, and He is the active generator of all incarnations within the material world."

 

THIS DESCRIPTION IS RELATED TO THAT OF THE SERAPHIC NACHASH FORM OF THE LORD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, AND HAS NUMEROUS CONNECTIONS TO THE EGYPTIAN HELIOPOLITAN ICONOGRAPHY OF HERI-ASAR AS THE WINGED COBRA, THE PLANET HOLDING SESHA (OCEANOS) AND SERPENT (SERAPH / SARPA) OF INFINITY (ANANTA). THE

HEBREW AND EGYPTIAN SESHA, NACHASH AND SERAPH ARE ANANTA-BALARAM'S NAMES AND FORMS AS SESHA, NAGA AND SARPA IN SANSKRIT. THEOLOGICALLY JESUS IS IDENTIFIED WITH THE PROTO-CHRIST SERAPHIC NACHASH SERPENT AND SERPENT STAFF OF EXODUS. THE HEALING AND SAVING SERPENT STAFF OF THE PROTO CHRIST IS THE NAGAKAL OF BALARAMA AS CHARAKA IN THE EAST, AND THE SERPENT STAFF OR CADUCEUS OF ASCLEPIUS THE GREAT PHYSICIAN IN THE PROTO CATHOLIC TRADITION.

 

TEXT 102

 

" From His Navel grew a lotus flower, which became the birthplace of Lord Brahma."

 

TEXT 103

 

"Within the stem of that lotus were the fourteen worlds. thus the Supreme Lord, as Brahma, created the entire creation."

 

BRAHMA MANIFESTS FROM NARAYANA. IN EGYPT NARAYANA IS NHRYN OR MZRYM, THE DEITY OFTHE DESCENDING HEAVENLY RIVER NILE (NHAR IN HEBREW). IN JUDEA AND MESOPOTAMIA YAH / EA'S SACRED-WATERS FORM WAS NAHARAIM AND AT ROME HE WAS MARIMUS AND 'FATHER TIBER'. PHANES WAS HIS OWN LOTUS-BORN FORM. THE 'JEWEL IN THE LOTUS' OR 'SUN IN LOTUS' ICON SOMETIMES INVOKED HIS FORM AS KOUROS ON RHODES, AND SOMETIMES HIS FORM AS PHANES ON THE PRIMORDIAL LOTUS BEFORE CREATION.

 

TEXT 104

 

"And as Lord Visnu, He maintains the entire world. Lord Visnu, being beyond all material attributes, has no touch with the material qualities."

 

ALTHOUGH NOT EFFECTED BY THE MATERIAL MODE OF GOODNESS / SATTVA, VISHNU NEVER THE LESS PRESIDES OVER IT AND IS WORSHIPED BY THOSE IN THE MODE OF GOODNESS.

 

TEXT 104 Purport

 

"In the Vamana Purana it is said that the same Visnu expands Himself as Brahma and Siva to direct the different qualities."

 

THIS IS REFERENCE TO THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRI GUNA FORMS OF BRAHMA, VISHNU AND SHIVA. IN DEVOLVED 'HINDUISM' BRAHMA AND SHIVA HAVE BEEN VARIOUSLY DEMOTED TO MERE COSMIC GODS LIKE VISHNU HAS, OR EXALTED IN COMPETITION TO VISHNU, AS SEPARATE AND EQUAL OR IN THE CASE OF SHIVA, EVEN A RIVAL OR SUPERIOR 'SUPREME' GOD. ORIGINALLY IN THE ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN PROTO CATHOLIC COMPLEX, BRAHMA AND SIVA WERE CONSIDERED FORMS OF HERI-ASU / ELI-YAHU, AND BRAHMAISM AND SHAIVISM WERE NOT SEPARATED RELIGIONS. SHAIVISM, AS SEPARATED YAHU-BAAL / DIONYSOS WORSHIP, SPLIT FROM THE SATTVIC TRADITION OF ELI-YAHU / HELIOS / HERI-ASU AND DEVELOPED ON A SEPARATED TRACK AFTER THE GREAT EGYPTIAN REGIONAL TRAUMA OF THE HYKSOS PERIOD. DURING THAT TIME TAMASIC BAAL-YAHU WORSHIPERS CORRUPTLY IDENTIFIED SETU-RAAH (KETU-RAHU, SATAN) THE ARCH FIEND AND ENEMY OF HARI AND THE DEVAS WITH BAAL-DIONYSOS. THIS HISTORICAL RISE OF THE CULT OF THE ANTI-BAAL OR ANTI-CHRIST LED ULTIMATELY TO THE NAME BAAL BEING DROPPED FROM COMMON USE AS A NAME OF YAHU, AND TO DEVELOPEMENT OF THE SEPARATED LEFT-HAND TANTRIC TAMASIC TRADITIONS OF SIVA, KALI (SEKMET IN EGYPT) AND MARUGAN WORSHIP. SOME OF THE WRATHFUL FORMS OF THE LORD AND SHAKTI, WITH THEIR CORRUPTIONS AND THE TAMASIC FORMS OF THEIR WORSHIP, WERE ISOLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL TRADITION AS A SEPARATE RELIGION. THUS SOME MODERN SHAIVITE AND MARUGAN SCHOLARS OF THE TAMASIC TRADITIONS HAVE WRITTEN OF CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BAAL OR DIONYSOS AND SHIVA OR MARUGAN.

 

TEXT 105

 

"Assuming the form of Rudra, He destroys the creation. Thus creation, maintainence and dissolution are created by His will."

 

AGAIN NOTE THAT LIKE BRAHMA, RUDRA OR SIVA IS A FORM ASSUMED BY GOD. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL PROTO CATHOLIC TEACHING. HIS FORM AS TIME / KALAH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LION-HEADED FORM OF VISHNU AS NARA HARI. THIS IS THE WRATHFUL FORM OF GOD IN THE BIBLE BOOK OF EXODUS, YAHU TSABAOTH. TO THE ZERVANITES, ZOROASTRIANS AND MITHRAICS, HE WAS ZERVAN. THE THE JEWS HE WAS YAHU TSBAOTH THE LION OF JUDAH. TO THE EGYPTIANS HE WAS AMEN-RA IN THE NORTH, AMUN-RA IN THE SOUTH AND APADEMAK IN KUSH AND ETHIOPIA. AMONG THE GREEKS HE WAS ZEUS-AMEN-KRONUS AND AMONG THE ROMANS HE WAS JUPITER-AMEN-SATURNUS.

 

AMONG THE NAMES OF NARA HARI ARE NAMES OF SHIVA, INCLUDING SHIVA, RAUDRA, KALAH AND BAIRAV. AMONG THE NAMES OF SHIVA ARE NAMES OF VISHNU. BOTH VAISHNAVA AND SHAIVITE TRADITIONS IDENTIFY SHIVA AND ANANTADEVA WITH BALADEVA ! ACCORDING TO PURE LAND BUDDHIST TRADITION, MAHADEVA SHIVA IS A FORM OF LOKESVARA (VISHNU). BALADEVA AS SANKARSHANA IS THE SOURCE OF SHIVA. VISHNU ASSUMES THE FORM OF SHIVA TO DRINK THE HALA HALA SINS OF THE WORLD (BUDDHIST NILAKANTHA LOKESVARA), TO CATCH THE GANGA IN HIS ASCETIC'S HAIRLOCKS AND TO STEP INTO THE GANGA AND TAKE AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD. LORD BALADEVA APPEARS AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY MATERIAL UNIVERSE AS THE MACRO-COSMIC PURUSHA YUPA DHVAJA, WHO IS SELF-SACRIFICED (ON THE YUPA CROSS !) FOR THE CREATION, MAINTAINENCE AND REDEMPTION OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE.

 

THUS WITHIN THE ORIGINAL TRADITION, BOTH VAISHNAVISM AND SHAIVISM WERE UNITED AND THIS TRUTH HAS BEEN PRESERVED IN THE TRADITION OF BALARAMA IN PROTO CATHOLIC AND CATHOLIC AND IN PURE LAND BUDDHIST TRADITIONS. JESUS CHRIST AS THE SECOND PERSON OF THE TRINITY STEPPED INTO TIME AS PURUSHA YUPA DHVAJA AND TOOK THE WATER OF LIFE OF THE HEAVENLY 'DESCENDER' ON HIS ASCETIC'S LOCKS. HE STEPPED INTO THE JORDAN TAKING THE SINS OF ALL THE BAPTISED. ON THE CROSS / YUPA HE DRANK THE SINS OF THE WORLD ON A SPRIG OF TULASI LEAVES, AND AS THE ORIGINAL SPIRITUAL MASTER, WAS SACRIFICED AS THE COSMIC PURUSHA (YUPA DHVAJA) FOR THE SINS OF THE ENTIRE COSMIC MANIFESTATION. HIS BACK WAS TORN LIKE KURMA AVATARA'S, AND HIS CHEST WAS PIERCED BY THE VEL OF SKANDA. HE WAS CALLED THE KING OF KINGS "BASILEOS OF THE BASILEOS", VASUDEVA OF THE VASUDEVAS ! LIKE KRISHNA HIS FOOT WAS PIERCED BY A NAIL FORGED FROM THE CURSE OF HIS PEOPLE THE YADUS / THE YAHDEOS. ABOVE HIM WAS THE SIGN 'ISOUS NAZARENUS REX IOUDEORUM', JESUS NAZAREAN REGENT OF THE YA-DEOS, WHICH IS YASHAS NARAYANA RAJA [OF THE] YADAVAS. HE WAS SAID TO BE RETURNING AT THE END OF THE AGE AS BASILEOS ON HIS WHITE HORSE (KALKI AVATARA). HOW MUCH MORE OBVIOUS DOES GOD HAVE TO MAKE IT FOR US ? AS THE GREAT PHYSICIAN ASCLEPIUS-CHARAKA HE WAS THE SERAPHIC SAVIOR IN THE WILDERNESS OF EXODUS (ANANTA SESHA NAGA) . AS BAAL THE ALTER-FORM OF ELI HE WAS BALARAMA THE ALTER-FORM OF HARI. THE ALL-PERVASIVE FORM OF THE LORD IN EVERY HEART WAS HE OWN 'HOLY SPIRIT' ! VAISHNAVISM, CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY, PURE LAND BUDDHISM AND SATTVIC THEISTIC SHAIVISM ARE NOT FOUR DIFFERENT SALVIFIC DEVOTIONAL TRADITIONS WITH FOUR DIFFERENT COMPETING SAVIOR-GODS INVENTED BY DIFFERENT RACES OR CULTURES. THEY ARE FOUR DIFFERENT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS OF THE SAME TRADITION WITH ONE TRINITARIAN GODHEAD, AND ONE SAVIOR, LORD BALADEVA WORSHIPED IN A VARIETY OF VISHNU ( BAAL-YAHU, LOKESVARA) AND SHIVA FORMS. THEY ARE FOUR FORMS OF WORSHIP OF THE FIRST PERSON OF THE GODHEAD, THROUGH, WITH, IN, AND BY THE SAME SECOND PERSON. THEY ARE FOUR TRADITIONS WHICH ARE ALL INSPIRED BY THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT.

 

SO WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF SRI SRI GAURA-NITAIS NON SECTARIAN SANKIRTAN MOVEMENT ? IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE MERCY OF SRI SRI RADHA-KRISHNA WITHOUT FIRST GETTING THE MERCY OF LORD BALARAMA. ONLY THROUGH HIS MERCY CAN SINFUL BEINGS FROM THE 'FALLEN WORLD' TRANSCEND IT, AND ENTER INTO THE MYSTERIES OF SRI SRI RADHA-KRISHNA'S DIVINE LOVE. LORD BALADEVA IS THE ARCHA / VERITAS ICON FORM OF THE LORD. HE IS KRISHNA'S PRASADAM, AND YES, HE IS SRI KRISHNA'S NAME ! SRI KRISHNA'S NAME IS AS INFINITE AS HE HIMSELF. HE IS THE ORIGINAL PERSON (PURUSHA) WHOSE PERSONALITY IS INFINITE. JUST AS HIS UNLIMITED FORM MAY APPEAR AS MANY FORMS, HIS UNLIMITED NAME MAY APPEAR AS MANY NAMES, AND THERE ARE 'NO HARD AND FAST RULES' FOR INVOKING THEM ! BUT WE CANNOT INVOKE OUR GOD THROUGH ANY OF HIS NAMES WITHOUT CALLING ON OUR ONE SAVIOR, BECAUSE HE HIMSELF IS THE ONE LOGOS, THE SINGULAR, INFINITE VERY NAME OF GOD. THUS WE INVOKE OUR ONE SAVIOR WHENEVER WE CALL ON GOD THROUGH HIS HOLY NAME. HE IS NOT CONFUSED, HE KNOWS WHO WE ARE CALLING. FOR WHICHEVER FORM OF HIS NAME WE UTTER, THINK OR EVEN INTEND IN THE VERY MOST DEPTH OF OUR BEING, THE LORD IMMANENT, MEDIATING AND TRANSCENDENT HEARS AND KNOWS OUR DESIRE FOR HIM PERFECTLY. SO SRILA PRABHUPADA HAS SAID THAT WE CAN CALL ON CHRIST OR KRISHNA, BALARAMA OR RAMACANDRA. GOD WILL NOT BE CONFUSED ! SHIVA, RAUDRA, KALAH, AND THE 1000 NAMES OF VISHNU, AND SO MANY OTHERS ARE NAMES OF THE SUPREME LORD.

PRAY ! PRAY ! PRAY ! IT IS THE ONLY WAY !

 

THERE IS BUT ONE SERVITOR LORD AND SAVIOR-REVELATOR OF GODHEAD, AND THE MISSIONARIES ARE RIGHT WHEN THEY SAY THAT 'NONE COME TO THE FATHER BUT BY HIM' ! HOWEVER, REGRETTABLY THEY DO NOT THEMSELVES KNOW HISTORICALLY OR THEOLOGICALLY WHO HE IS AND THUS THEY OFFER HIM AS AN ALTERNATIVE SAVIOR TO HIMSELF ! NOT RECOGNIZING THEIR OWN LORD AS PRESENTED BY THE CHRISTIANS, THE 'HINDUS' REJECT HIM DUE TO THE CHRISTIANS' OFFENCES. IN THIS WAY HINDU EXCLUSIVISTS AND CHRISTIAN EXCLUSIVISTS MUTUALLY JUDGE EACHOTHER OUT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, WHILE TRYING TO SAVE EACHOTHERS' SOULS !

HOW TRAGIC.

 

WE MUST NOT CREATE IMPEDIMENTS WHEN LORD BALADEVA HAS BROKEN OPEN THE STOREHOUSE OF LOVE OF RADHA-KRISHNA AND IS DISTRIBUTING ITS CONTENTS FREELY ! WE MUST BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS OF SECTARIAN PRIDE AND PREJUDICE TO DISCOVER OUR SOLE, ALONE, ONLY SAVIOR. HIS SELF-REVELATION CANNOT BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD AS LONG AS WE ARE REJECTING SOME OF HIS SAINTS, SOME OF HIS SCRIPTURES, SOME OF HIS NAMES, AND SOME OF HIS MERCY. WE MUST ACCEPT THE WHOLE OF HIS REVELATION, AND STOP FIGHTING OVER SOME OF HIS DETAILS.

 

TEXT 132 Purport

 

"If someone calls Lord Ramacandra by the vibration Hare Rama, or if he understands Ramacandra, he is quite right. Similarly, if one says that Hare Rama means Sri Balarama, he is also right. Those who are aware of the Visnu-tattva do not fight over such details."

 

MAY LORD NITYANANDA BALARAMA BLESS US TO REALIZE HIS SAVING GRACE TODAY !

 

ASPIRING TO SERVE THE MERCIFUL SERVANTS OF LORD BALA-YASHAS-NITYANANDA RAMA,

 

BHAKTI ANANDA GOSWAMI HAS COMPILED THESE FEW VERSES IN GLORIFICATION OF LORD BALARAMA ...

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, the Second Person of the Godhead,

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, Zaos (Jiva) the reservoir of all living beings,

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, shelter of the spiritual energy, and Lord of Shekinah (Shakti),

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, Bal-Dionysos, counter-form of Helios Kouros,

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, upon the cosmic mayim waters,

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, Whose Name is too, and, also and non-different from KRISHNA,

 

To Sam-KARSHANA Christ , Whose Name reveals the 'Father's',

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, source of all Incarnation,

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, Whose Atman / Atum Spirit is all-pervading,

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, Whose Incarnations appear for the purpose of creation, maintenance and annihilation,

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, Who is identical with the Personality of Godhead,

 

To Balu-Yahu Christ, the seed of incarnation and the shelter of everything,

 

To that Balu-Yahu Christ, Who is the primary Incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, The Second co-eternal Person of the Trinity, and Who as Polieus (Purusa Yupa Dhvaja) is the Seraphic Shesha Nachash (Sarpa Sesa Naga) Creator, Sustainer and Savior of all worlds ...

 

To that Balu-Yahu Christ, Who is Vishnu Yashas or Yasho Narayana, Whose Yupa-Cross bore the sign...

 

"IOUSOS NAZARENUS REX IOUDEORUM"

"JESUS NAZAREAN REGENT OF THE YADEOS "

"YASHAS NARAYANA RAJA OF THE YADAVAS"

 

TO THAT SAVIOR LORD WHO WILL COME AGAIN AT THE END OF THE AGE / YUGA, i, His servant's servant's insignificant aspiring servant offer this little glorification on the Appearance Day of SRI NITYANANDA BALARAMA .

 

SOME OF THE GLORIES OF SRI NITYANANDA BALARAMA EXCERPTED FROM "SRI CHAITANYA BHAGAVAT" BY SRILA VRNDAVANA DASA

 

Adi Lila Chapter One

 

I worship their Lordships Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu, whose long arms extend down to their knees, whose beautiful complexions are the radiant yellow of molten gold and whose elongated eyes are like red lotuses. They are the topmost of the brahmanas, the guardians of religious principles for this age, the munificent benefactors of all living entities, and the most compassionate incarnations of Godhead. They initiated the congregational chanting of the names of Lord Krsna.

 

*********

 

I worship the two brothers, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu, who are the embodiment of magnanimity. By Their inconceivable potency They are the transcendental, eternal supreme controllers of all. Now They have descended to the material world.

 

*********

 

In the beginning I offer my humble obeisances to the feet of the loving, confidential devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya. I then offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna Caitanya. He incarnated in Navadvipa, and He is known as Visvambhara.

 

That same Supreme Personality of Godhead has declared in the Vedas and Bhagavat, "Worship of My devotees is superior to worship of Me." Lord Krishna said to Uddhava, "O Uddhava, serving My devotees is many times better than worshiping Me." (SB 11:19:21). Therefore, I offer my worshipful prayers unto the devotees of the Lord before I begin to write this book. By this act may my present endeavor be successful.

 

I offer my respectful obeisances to my worshipable Lord and spiritual master, Sri Nityananda Raya, by whose mercy the transcendental pastimes of Lord Sri Caitanya become spontaneously manifest. With a thousand tongues we should incessantly glorify the Supreme Lord Balarama, because His thousand mouths as Ananta Sesa constantly glorify Lord Krishna. Just as priceless gems are kept in secure custody, so also the invaluable jewel of knowledge about Krsna's pastimes is kept safely in the mouth of Anantadeva. Therefore the tongue which initially glorifies Balarama will automatically be qualified to vibrate the transcendental pastime of Sri Caitanya.

 

The Supreme Lord Haladhara holds His thousand hoods like snakes. He is a gigantic figure and the source of all inspiration. As Nityananda He is fully transcendental and eternally existent, intoxicated by the nectar of Sri Caitanya. Whoever sings or hears about Nityananda's supramundane character is offered the supreme shelter of Lord Caitanya.

 

Mahesa and his consort Parvatidevi take great pleasure in eulogizing the object of their love - Sankarsana, Nityananda Prabhu. In the midst of a million fresh young maidens, the pure devotee, Sri Siva, and his consort pour out nectarean devotional hymns to Lord Sankarsana.

 

All this is revealed in the Fifth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. Balarama is worshiped by the entire Vaisnava world with songs of praise. Balarama danced with His gopis in Vrndavana, and their rasa dance is the pinnacle of sublimity. The Puranas describe that Balarama performed His rasa dance during the two months of spring, Madhava and Madhu. The Srimad Bhagavatam verses narrating this subject were spoken by Sukadeva Gosvami to Maharaja Pariksit.

 

Balarama spent the moonlit nights of the months of Vaisaka and Caitra with the cowherd damsels in the supramundane abode of Vrndavana. The place was set aglow with the rays of the moon. The lotus and kadamba flowers bloomed freely under the influence of the moon's rays, and a soft breeze circulated their scent. In the groves on the bank of the Jamuna, Balarama danced with the gopis, increasing their conjugal mood. The Supreme Lord Balarama, like a exquisite gem decorated by the cluster of gopis, performed His pleasurable pastimes. He behaved like Indra's elephant Airavata - the controller of many she-elephants. The Gandharvas observed the rasa dance and offered their prayers.

 

The sound of kettle drums rose from the heavens, the demigods joyously showered flowers upon Them, and the Gandharvas and sages worshiped the Supreme Lord Balarama with verses praising His activities. The sages unequivocally denounce association with women, yet they sung hymns in praise of Balarama's rasa dance with His cowherd damsels. The demigods attended Balarama's rasa dance to shower flower petals. They knew that there was no difference between Lord Krsna and Lord Balarama, Haladhara. The transcendental qualities of Balarama are obscure in the four Vedas, but the Puranas describe them boldly.

 

What power do I have to describe them? Out of ignorance, some people disregard the Puranas and reject Balarama's rasa dance as inauthentic.

 

The two brothers, Lord Krsna and Balarama, performed the rasa dance with the gopis in the same place in Vrndavana. On the radiant full moon night of holi, at the end of sivaratri vrata, Lord Krsna and Lord Balarama, accompanied by Their cowherd boy friends, enjoyed Themselves in the midst of the beautiful maidens of Vrndavana. They were both pleasingly decorated with the finest jewelry, sandalwood pulp, wildflower garlands and exquisite clothes. The fortunate gopis sang sweetly, their hearts enraptured by love for Krishna and Balarama.

 

Evening had not set in; the moon and the stars appeared. The fragrance of Arabian jasmine intoxicated the bumblebees, and a light breeze carried the aromas of white lilies and lotus flowers. Considering that very moment to be appropriate, Krsna and Balarama began Their pleasurable dalliances. They sang together for the pleasure of all living entities, Their voices rising and falling melodiously.

 

If a person, after reading Srimad Bhagavatam, is not affectionately inclined towards Lord Balarama, then he is rejected by the Supreme Lord Vishnu and His devotees. In the words of Srimad Bhagavatam, a non-believer is a yavana (a barbarian). He is destined to suffer in hell, birth after birth.

 

There are others who, like eunuchs, make emotional gesticulations, challenging, "Which scripture describes the rasa dance of Balarama?" Who is so sinful that even after reading the scriptures, he can not accept the truth, but misinterprets the real meaning and gives his own distorted understanding?

 

Lord Balarama is the abode of Lord Caitanya's deep affection. Offense at Balarama's lotus feet destroys all possibilities for salvation. In His incarnation as Laksmana the younger brother of Lord Ramacandra, Balarama enacted the role of the Lord's servitor. Yet in His manifestation as the Supreme Lord, Balarama serves Himself in every respect - as a friend and a brother, by fanning Him, putting Him to sleep, glorifying Him with Vedic invocations and expanding Himself as His house, umbrella, attire, jewelry and seat. "O Lord ! Your direct, partial expansion, Ananta Sesa, is the source of all the various ingredients for Your service in the transcendental realm of Vaikuntha. Ananta Sesa is famous because He is manifest as Your residence, bed, throne, shoes, clothes, jewelry, etc. When shall I see you with Laksmidevi seated on the throne of Ananta Sesa?

 

Ananta Sesa's partial expansion is the mighty Sri Garuda whose satisfaction is derived from acting as the Lord's carrier in every pastime. Ananta's devotees include Brahma, Siva, the four Kumaras, Srila Vyasadeva, Sukadeva Gosvami, Narada Muni and others. His glorious qualities are unlimited and are not fully understood by anyone. He is the original personality, the greatest mystic, the Supreme Lord, and the greatest devotee of the Vaisnavas.

 

Thus far you have heard about the wonderful services performed by Ananta Sesa; now hear about His great opulence. He is enthroned in the lower planetary system of patala as his own source and repose. He is worshiped by all as His thousand mouths continually taste the full nectar of love of Godhead. In the court of Brahma, Narada Muni plays on his vina, and with well-composed verses he sings the wonderful glories of Ananta. Is it humanly possible to know the supramundane nature of Anantadeva?

 

Just by His glance, He sets in motion the three modes of material nature which are the cause of this world's creation, maintenance, and annihilation. Although He is one, He supports the entire variegated material cosmic manifestation Himself (within the pores of His person). He is beginningless and eternal.

 

Other then Lord Sankarsana, who can offer shelter to persons devoid of all material aspirations? He is the support on which the material world manifests and acts. That Supreme Lord, the cause of all causes, has appeared in His sublime spiritual form. He is the most powerful; in comparison, the power of a lion is insignificant. He performs pure transcendental pastimes to capture the hearts of His dear devotees, and He destroys countless sins by manifesting His transcendental form. What more is there to say than this? One becomes purified by hearing or calling out the name of Lord Anantadeva, either respectfully or accidentally. Even a degraded person is purified when he tauntingly utters the name of Sri Ananta.

 

Anantadeva's mighty potency is beyond measure. That Supreme Lord carries on just one of His thousand heads the entire universe with all its living entities, mountains, and rivers, and that universe appears to be only a minute, atomic speck. Even if a person acquires a thousand tongues, how can he describe the power of the omnipotent Supreme Lord? Anantadeva is His own shelter and source, filled with unlimited power and strength. While residing in the lower planetary system of rasatala, He holds this gigantic cosmic manifestation with ease born of detachment. This material world's creation, maintenance, and annihilation, as well as the three modes of material nature, are activated by His glance. Who can fathom Anantadeva's non-dual, transcendental, eternal and unborn existence?

 

Out of mercy toward the living entities the Lord manifests His supramundane spiritual form while He performs His variegated pastimes. All living entities reside within that transcendental form. The mighty Lord Nrsimhadeva represents but a wave in the ocean of the Lord's unlimited pastimes which satisfy the hearts of His devotees. Anantadeva's unlimited names, when heard or chanted by anyone in any manner, immediately sever the noose of innumerable births and deaths. Thus the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord always appreciated those who glorify Him. Ananta Sesa is the supreme destination of the entire universe; His holy name is the only means for the living entities's redemption. The Lord holds on His head the unlimited material nature - along with its mountains and oceans - simply for its protection and maintenance. The entire universe is a speck on one of His thousand hoods, and because of His unlimited strength, He does not feel the burden.

 

Lord Anantadeva, the original Supreme Personality and maintainer of the entire cosmic manifestation, incessantly sings in glorification of Lord Krsna. He continuously describes every aspect of the Lord's divine attributes. Lord Krsna is eternal and His attributes are unending, therefore He can never be fully described or glorified. But Ananta is also eternal and His ability to glorify the Lord is unending. In Their divine relationship, neither is ever victorious. Even today Ananta Sesa's thousand mouths continuously sing the glories of the Supreme Lord Krsna Caitanya. How wonderfully Lord Krsna and Lord Balarama compete with each other! Brahma, Siva, other demigods and the perfected sages look on, feeling great exhilaration. The eulogies of Anantadeva pursue the ever-expanding, elusive shores of Lord Krsna's ocean of qualities.

 

O Narada, I Brahma, and your elders, Sanaka and other sages cannot even fathom the extent of this material nature, what to speak of knowing the Supreme Lord's spiritual potencies. Anantadeva, the origin of all demigods, is unable to exhaustively glorify the Supreme Lord's transcendental opulence and potencies with His thousand mouths. Therefore how is it possible for ordinary mortals to understand these divine potencies? Anantadeva is Himself the master of unlimited attributes, and He resides in rasatala simply to support the vast material creation.

 

In the court of Brahma, Narada Muni plays His vina and sings about these very same transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord. Brahma and others are stunned in ecstasy upon hearing about the supramundane qualities of the Supreme Lord, and Narada Muni is worshiped by all because he sings about those qualities. I have also been moved to write a few phrases in praise of the unlimited potencies of Lord Nityananda, Anantadeva, so I humbly request all of you to develop a loving devotional mood toward the Lord. Those who desire to cross over the dangerous ocean of material existence, yet drown in the ocean of devotional ecstasy, may take shelter of Lord Nityananda.

 

I pray to the merciful Vaisnava devotees of the Lord to fulfill my hearts yearning, that I may serve my Lord Balarama birth after birth. Just as dvija, vipra, and brahma are different names for the same person, similarly Nityananda, Ananta and Balarama are different names for the same Supreme Personality. My Lord Nityananda Prabhu appeared within my heart and instructed me to narrate the transcendental qualities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in this book.

 

The pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are revealed by Nityananda's mercy only, because His personal expansion, Ananta Sesa, is the storehouse of information about Lord Caitanya and Lord Krsna's pastimes. Although Sri Ananta Sesa is the embodiment of Krsna kirtana, I have been able to offer only a humble prayer in His honor.

 

*********

 

Thereafter comes the description of Lord Caitanya's manifestation as Balarama when Nityananda gave Him His plough and club. The wonderful redemption of the two reprobates Jagai and Madhai - who were later to become quite famous - is told in detail.

 

Mother Saci's vision of Sri Caitanya in a blackish complexion and Sri Nityananda in a whitish complexion is also discussed.

 

*********

Oh Lord Caitanya, please bless me so that I may receive the transcendental service of Nityananda's lotus feet. He is the Lord of the entire universe. I have narrated in brief the contents of this book at the very outset. All of you please hear with undivided attention the pastimes of Sri Krsna Caitanya.

 

Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda are my life and soul.

 

I, Vrndavana dasa, offer my humble song at Their lotus feet.

 

MAY SRI NITYANANDA RAMA, WHO REVEALS LORD BALADEVA AS THE SAVIOR OF ALL WORLDS, MAY HE BE OUR CONSTANT MEDITATION. MAY LORD NITYANANDA BALARAM WHO IS THE PROTECTOR OF ALL DEVOTEES, PROTECT US, AND MAY LORD NITAI-BALARAMA AS ANANTA SESA WHO CARRIES ALL THE WORLDS AND UNIVERSES, CARRY ALL THAT WE CANNOT BEAR. HE ALONE, THE ORIGINAL SPIRITUAL MASTER HAS TAKEN AWAY THE SINS OF ALL WORLDS. HE ALONE GRANTS SALVATION FROM THE SAHA WORLDS OF BIRTH, DEATH, DISEASE AND OLD AGE. HE ALONE GRANTS ENTRANCE INTO THE VAIKUNTHAS AND GOLOKA VRINDAVAN. HE ALONE CAN ADMIT US INTO THE MYSTERIES OF SRI SRI RADHA AND GOVINDA. MAY HE, LORD SANKARSHANA, THE ORIGINAL ATTRACTING DEITY, MAY HE DRAW US ALL THROUGH HIS INFINITE MERCY AND LOVE, BACK TO HOME, BACK TO GODHEAD !

 

AMEN AUM AND HARE KRISHNA ! SRI SRI GURU AND GAURANGA KI JAYA ! LORD NITYANANDA-RAMA KI JAYA !

--

 

[Guest guest]

 

 

I was just reading The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell and he had some interesting thoughts on Christianity.

 

"As for the problem of imitating Jesus as a human model, or meditating on him as a god, the history of the Christian attitude may be roughly summarized as follows: (1) a period of literally following the master, Jesus, by renouncing the world as he did (Primitive Christianity); (2) a period of meditating on Christ Crucified as the divinity within the heart, meanwhile leading one's life in the world as a servant of this god (Early and Medieval Christianity); (3) a rejection of most of the instruments supporting meditation, meanwhile, however, continuing to lead one's life in the world as the servant or vehicle of the god whom one ceases to visualize (Protestant Christianity); (4) an attempt to interpret Jesus as a model human being, but without excepting his ascetic path (Liberal Christianity)"

[Guest guest]

xians ask such question.

 

my understading is that hindu saints and sadhus

understand jesus better than xians do.

 

because prabhupada had to preach in . world mostly,

some times he has spoken much favorably about jesus than he should have truthfully.

 

but still he has argued against many beliefs of ..

 

e.g.

 

- xians think animals do not have soul.

- jesus was the only son of god

(impying that we all are bastards or sons of satan.)

- no afterlife n ..

- there is a satan personality competing with god.

 

prabhudada has argued strongy against such beliefs and

given real vedic view on these.

still at one point he has said, "jesus is our guru.

he said thou shall not kill. therefore we are vegetarians."

 

basically the vedic scriptues do not mention jesus by name,

but the characteristics of such a personality is described.

and many such personalities have come and will come over time.

 

for the hindus or (HK's)

there is nothing new about jesus.

 

 

[Guest guest]

 

 

 

 

I tend to think of Satan as an agent of God used to test the faith of men. If people easily give into the temptations of temporary pleasures they miss the opportunity to become an associate of God at least until a future lifetime. This view is far superior to the Christian view in my opinion because it establishes the complete authority of God. Even evil itself is controlled by God and thus God has no competitor.

[gHari 0]

Our own Mahaksa das has made a persuasive argument that Lord Jesus (Yoshua) is actually our own Lord Brahma.

[Priitaa 0]

Here's my two cents about what devotees believe regarding Christ and Krishna:

 

http://www.geocities.com/priitaa/christ_and_krishna

This has info on Jesus as a vegetarian, The "Lost Years," correct Biblical translations, chant Christ or Krishna - either is beneficial, etc.

 

Next, I recently started a second one due to finding out some interesting facts that Jesus worshipped Lord Jagannatha and attended Ratha Yatra, etc., all to be found in the Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ. Not into debates here, take what you like, leave what you dont. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

http://www.geocities.com/priitaa108/christ_and_krishna_pt2.htm

 

YS,

Prtha dd

[Priitaa 0]

because prabhupada had to preach in . world mostly,

some times he has spoken much favorably about jesus than he should have truthfully.

 

 

I recently discussed with my godsister whether or not Prabhupada spoke so highly of Jesus and so often because many of us were Christians before we joined, (as is the world), to which she pointed out that Jesus was satktyavesa avatara. Add to that, the Bhagavatam will go on for the next 10,000 yaers and Prabhupada would not put in there something that may fizzle out in time just to please our sentimental attachments. No, Jesus is in there because he is deserving of it.

 

Well, this made sense to me. Jesus worshipped Lord Jagannatha and was a Vaisnava. IMHO we tend to think of the Christains & their religion when we speak of Jesus, but really we should remember and point out that Jesus was an especially empowered soul, a devotee of Lord Jagannatha/Krishna -- A satktyavesa avatara Vaisnava.

 

YS,

Prtha dd

[theist 1]

site Pritha dd. I spent a long time there and will be back.

 

Hare Krsna

[Priitaa 0]

Thanks Thiest. Hope you enjoy it. Part of my purpose is of course, to show Christians that its not disloyal to Jesus if they chant Hare Krishna. The other point I wish to accomplish is that we as devotees, when we learn more about Christs varigated activities, we can start to think of him as a Vaisnava more than a we now do.

 

Tho admittedly, IMHO anyway, the biggest reason we think of Christ in relationship to "the church" is due to our upbringing coupled with the Wests large propagation of him in this way. Once the info the vatican, etc., has been hiding about him comes to light, it will be obvious he was a devotee of Krishna, and will be easier for devotees to view him in that way too.

 

YS,

Prtha dd

[theist 1]

Yes I agree Prtha. Jesus is OUR Lord, in as much as we follow the Vaisnava path.

 

Those impression are very strong. Does our mind become confused when trying to envision Christ and Mahaprabhua in the same kirtan? Or Christ and Prabhupada taking prasada together and engaging in hari katha? If so, why? You already stated it. The conditioning from the present Christian church.

 

I am also struck by the similarities in the lives of Lord Jesus Christ and Haridas Thakur. Srila Prabhupada often spoke of them in the same sentence as the perfect examples of tolerance. But beyond that even there exist some interesting parallels.

[Guest guest]

this is an interesting discussion, I think that jesus was the living light of a truly awakened being as was buddha and krisna its a matter of interpitation and attention you can divide them or seperate them yet in wisdom we know that wholeness is essential

sincerely light mind

[Guest guest]

Haribol Theist,

 

I think you bring up some thought-provoking questions we should maybe all run through our head. Anyway, yes, most everyone has been trained that the Christains own Jesus - but sometimes I think we are just as much, if not more, deserving of a connection. At least we follow the ten commandments. (Thou shalt not kill.)

 

Tho the fact that Jesus worshipped Lord Jagannatha changes the category they have put him in. Over time it is becoming more obvious that he at least worshipped in this temple (Puri). The Christians do not like that. They want to hide it. But there are too many people 'out there' now that know facts contrary to fundamental Christians personal belief system. And yet, I dont mean to rock their world, but I can't hide a Vaisnava under a stone either, in order to keep them happy. He deserves to be 'properly' glorified!

 

Interesting how you mention Haridas Thakura and Jesus. I have also noticed Prabhupada put them together in the same sentence more than once. Am wondering what parallells you were thinking about.

 

YS,

Prtha dd

 

 

[theist 1]

Haribol Prtha dd,

 

There are a few parallels that I have heard that I find interesting. Some will question the sources.

 

Haridas Thakura is said to be an incarnation of Brahma. in the first chapter from the book of John Lord Jesus Christ is described as the secondary creator "...all the worlds were created by him and through him..." visarga, Brahma's positon exactly as the secondary creator.

 

Both had celebrated accounts of attempted temptations while in solitary mediation.

 

Both brought before the magistrate. Both accepted the decision in silence with no protest.

 

Lord Jesus Christ was beaten in the marketplace before being crucified. That "death" he accepted willingly. Haridas was flogged in 22 marketplaces before he appeared to die.

 

Both showed mercy to those who were trying to kill them. Lord Jesus Christ prayed "Father forgive them they know not what they do". Haridas made his body appear lifeless so the men trying to kill him would not be killed for their failure to do so.

 

Both returned from the "dead" in the same body.

 

If one accepts the Aquarian Gospel account Jesus was forced to leave Jagannatha temple due to the envious priests. Haridas was not allowed in due to the materialistic vision of the priests.

 

Interesting to me. I'm not trying to force anything. Others have said Christ is an incarnation of Brahmaji. I wouldn't know for sure myself. We do know they are both fit for adoration and worship.

 

From a Bg lecture by Srila Prabhupada New York Sept. 16 1966

 

When one attains perfection in Krsna consciousness, he does not want anything more. Everything is complete. And the symptom will be seen that he's not disturbed even in the severest point of miserable condition.

 

You'll be surprised to know that Haridäsa Thäkura... We always glorify him after our kértana, Haridäsa Thäkura ki jaya. This Haridäsa Thäkura, how he was undisturbed. There are many instances. Lord Jesus Christ, he was also undisturbed when he was being crucified. So similarly, this Haridäsa Thäkura, he happened to be a Muhammadan and he joined this Hare Krsna movement. So the Muhammadan magistrate called him,Oh, you are born in such a nice family and you are chanting Hare Krsna? Hindu? You are chanting Hare Krsna, Hindu's name? Then what is your explanation? So Haridäsa Thäkura was... He could understand that he is now in dangerous position. So he replied, Sir, many Hindus also have become Muhammadan. So if some Muhammadan becomes Hindu, what is the harm?Oh, you are arguing? Means he was to be punished. Give the dog a bad name and hang it.

 

So he was ordered that this man should be caned. And in, at that time Navadvipa had twenty-two marketplaces. So in each marketplace he should be taken and in the public he should be flogged. So that he was done. And the idea was that by flogging he would die. The magistrate's idea was like that. But fortunately Haridäsa Thäkura did not die, neither he cried even. He was as good as silent. So these persons who were flogging, they fell on his feet. Sir, the idea was that you would die. But now I see that you do not die. So now our punishment is awaiting. He will think that we have not flogged you sufficiently. Then Haridäsa Thäkura said, What you want? No, we want that you should die. Then he made himself into samädhi and the flogger took him to the magistrate, Here is the condition. The magistrate thought, He's now dead. So told him, Throw him in the water. Don't put him in the graveyard. He has become Hindu. So yasmin sthito guruëäpi na vicälyate. So he was so disturbed, but he was steady. So it is such a thing. He was chanting. The others were flogging him, and he was chanting Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Räma Hare Räma Räma Räma Hare Hare.

 

So spiritual asset is like that. Of course, that is the highest perfectional stage, Haridäsa Thäkura or Lord Jesus Christ. And there are many instances. But that is the idea, that one who is spiritually advanced, he's not disturbed by any material miserable condition. Therefore Lord Krsna says that a person who is spiritually advanced, for him there is no misery even in this world and what to speak of the other world? Pärtha na eva iha. Iha means in this world. Nämutra. Amutra means next life. Vinäças tasya vidyate. Na vinäça. Vinäça means annihilation. So he has no annihilation. What is annihilation? We have understood from Bhagavad-gétä in the Second Chapter that soul is never annihilated. Indestructible.

 

 

 

 

[Priitaa 0]

Thank you Thiest,

 

.....for the reply and showing the parallels which you see.

 

I do see them as well.

 

Tho I would be in agreement that there is insufficient evidence of Jesus as Haridas Thakura, Lord Brahma, or even Lord Balaram. But that does not matter to me, as it is simultaneously a possibility.

 

IMHO what is currently important is that the same "qualifications" are manifesting. The purity. The behavior and activities of highly advanced souls. This is what is showing and what attracts so many.

 

That they are never disturbed under these most heart-wrenching circumstances? That is incredible.

 

Because I am doing research for my Christ and Krishna web page I recently read a detailed report to prove DNA, scienctific info, etc., regarding each and every specific wound on the Shroud in comparrision to the description in Bible. I could not read thru it all! It was too disturbing to hear what they did to Christ.

 

I can't begin imagine what it must be like for these great souls to go thru, those who descend to save us, as they each go thru something. Srila Prabhupada put up with so much from us unqualified Westerners who constantly looked for loopholes. I only pray I can get out of this material world and am thankful to the various satktyavesa avatar's and incarnations of Vishnu that bothered to come here and try to save us.

 

Thank you for your interesting post.

 

YS,

Prtha dd

[Frodo 0]

 

Dear devotees,

 

Christ is no other than another name of Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu!

 

Christ/Chaitanya (God) reveals Himself through his pure devotees as Jesus is. Jesus is not Christ or Krishna; therefore Jesus is not Vishnu-tattva but Jiva-tattva.

 

This is the simple answer to all spculations about Jesus vs. Christ/Krishna.

 

Lord Gauranga's healing force to help others can be channeled by all his pure instruments of God as Jesus always is. Lord Gauranga's healing force is equal to his name and is also known as the Christ energy!

 

I hope to have given you a new way of thinking about Jesus, The Son of God, and Christ, the Father (Krishna).

 

Sincerely,

Frodo

[Guest guest]

Prtha dd,

 

Yes I agree that it doesn't matter so much if they are the same person or not. In one sense they are. I remember seeing something on some scientists snipping a bit of the shroud to test it but that was long ago and I haven't up to see the results.

 

Frodo, yes Srila Prabhupada has told us that Christ is jiva-tattva. But not so Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Others may wish to speak more about the nature of Mahaprabhu.