Bhagavata Purana (A Set of Two Volumes) by Ramesh Menon [Book]

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Bhagavata Purana (A Set of Two Volumes) by Ramesh Menon [Book] Bhagavata Purana (A Set of Two Volumes) by Ramesh Menon book Ebook Bhagavata Purana (A Set of Two Volumes) currently available for review only, if you need complete ebook Bhagavata Purana (A Set of Two Volumes) please fill out registration form to access in our databases Download here >> Paperback:::: 1449 pages+++Publisher:::: Rupa & Co. (January 1, 2011)+++Language:::: English+++ISBN-10:::: 9788129116611+++ISBN- 13:::: 978-8129116611+++ASIN:::: 8129116618+++Product Dimensions::::7.5 x 3.5 x 11.2 inches++++++ ISBN10 9788129116611 ISBN13 978-8129116 Download here >> Description: Even after he has composed the awesome Mahabharata, the Maharishi Vyasa finds no peace. Narada Muni says to him, Ordinary men will be delighted by your work, but what about the Sages of heaven and earth? You have described the human life, its strife and its ends, but you have not yet described the Lord himself. You must turn your great gift to that task; only then will you find peace. Veda Vyasa composes the Bhagavata Purana, in eighteen thousand slokas and twelve kandas. He teaches it to his illumined son Suka, who narrates the Secret Purana to Yudhishtira s heir, King Parikshit, on the banks of the Ganga. The Bhagavata Purana is a living embodiment of the Lord Narayana and claims to bestow moksha merely by being heard. Just before Krishna, the Avatara, leaves the world, Uddhava says to him, leave us a tangible form, Lord, in which we can find you, touch you, and be near you. Krishna enters the Bhagavata Purana with all of his being. This book is a full literary rendering of the Bhagavata Purana, bringing all the wonder, wisdom and grace of the Book of God to the modern reader. I was active in ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness) from 1977-79. I haven’t practiced the religion since I left, but I still find myself to be interested in its philosophy and scriptures, for what that’s worth.I first encountered ISKCON writings in my college library, starting with Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead and continuing with the Bhagavad Gita and other books. Their most impressive book, at least in size, was Srila Prabhupada’s translation of Srimad Bhagavatam. It took up several shelves and each volume contained both translated verses and elaborate (and to my young mind, repetitive) commentary. I found myself reading the verses and skipping most of the commentary, and found myself wishing for a translation that lacked that commentary and included the R rated details that I felt certain Srila Prabhupada was leaving out.If Ramesh Menon’s translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam (AKA Bhagavata Purana) had been available back then it would have seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. I would have read it and probably never would have visited the Evanston Hare Krishna temple or done any of the foolish things described in my own memoir of those days. It may seem strange to say it, since those days did not end happily for me, but that would have been a shame.The problem with this book is that it is not a simple, literal translation, but it is marketed as such. It bears the same relationship to the actual Bhagavata Purana as a Cecil B DeMille movie does to the Bible. DeMille’s movies are a sexed up version of their source material, and the more intelligent members of the movie going public understand that. If a sincere spiritual seeker took them as anything else, there are plenty of Bibles around where he can read the original story.Menon’s book, on the other hand, pretends to be a literal translation, to the point where important passages are shown as untranslated Sanskrit before the translation. If he had just done that, I wouldn’t complain. The problem is, he adds stories he made up himself to the text, embellishes passages having anything to do with sex, and adds sex where it doesn’t exist in the original. He also does what I must conclude are mistranslations. For example, he refers to the BP as “the secret Purana”. Srila Prabhupada told us it was “the spotless Purana”, in other words without flaw. That translation makes a great deal more sense than Menon’s.Another thing Menon does is refer to the cowherds Krishna grew up with as Gypsies. This is not accurate, even based on Menons own translation. Krishna’s father Nanda is described as constantly giving away thousands of cows to the Brahmans, and not just cows but decorated cows, with horns plated with gold or silver. He must have had more money than Joel Osteen. He was no gypsy.Where Menon adds sexual incidents is of course in the stories of the love of the gopis. In the original text (from Prabhupada’s translations and others) there is no mention of Krishna and the gopis actually having sexual intercourse. The BP is not shy about people having sex. There are many incidents in the BP as well as in the Mahabharata where something happens specifically because someone was having sex, and the text tells you as much. It isn’t described in any detail, but you are told without doubt that it happened. For example, in an early section of the book two great demons are born because a woman couldn’t wait a half hour to have sex.My point is, Krishna’s loving exploits with the gopis are not described as including actual shagging. You’d never know that from reading Menon’s “translation”.While I was not impressed with Srila Prabhupada’s extensive commentary back in 1977, I have since come around. The commentary is important and necessary. Someone might disagree with it, but at least it represents an actual tradition in Hinduism and isn’t something made up by the translater.The BP expounds a philosophy with all of its stories, and Menon’s translation is so vague in places that you don’t get a clear idea of what that philosophy is. You can’t determine whether the BP says that the ultimate truth is personal or impersonal, or whether Krishna is the original form of God or merely an avatar of Vishnu.I will not judge whether the philosophy of the BP is true or not. Having said that, books in general and scriptures especially deserve to be translated without distorting the intent of the original author, and this book in my opinion does not do that. Bhagavata Purana (A Set of Two Volumes) in pdf books Bhagavata Purana (A Set of Two Volumes) Some traveled from St. Get with it Tiffany King. With Fate Conspire is a Kirkus Reviews Best of 2011 Science Fiction Fantasy title. Recommende for fans of the Card series. Randy seems to be more open in this one Volues) you get to learn what happened to him. All things Onion are great. 584.10.47474799 Yes, and its called Stormdancer, the first book in the Lotus War series by Jay Kristoff, an award-winning, Australian author. I get angry because the series has such possibilities. This book should be read in concert with watching Mr. The little excursions into possible plots bothered me at first as they did the other 2 reviewers, but eSt didn't take me long to see what Mr. Overall, it was a fascinating tale that added to the history of the Silent Service in WWII. I am using the Web Supplement at (http:www. Or, if nothing else, for some modern factoids that would tie into biblical lessons. (A Volumes) Set of Purana Bhagavata Two Two Set Bhagavata (A Purana Volumes) of Two Bhagavata Purana (A Set Volumes) of Volumes) Bhagavata Set Two (A Purana of 9788129116611 978-8129116 As a retired Librarian I can tell you there is not a child out there who wouldn't purana it. The author manages to convey the tension Two underlies life in Israel not only in his suspenseful action sequences, but also through his characters' reactions to the events as they unfold. So it got a little boring at times. Ryan" while talking about "Pet Cemetary" with some Bhagavata of your own) deliberately attempted to deceive Vilumes) into thinking his show was real when it was not. In concert with this book, and the others, I Volumes) use two apps for my Iphone (though they can be found on Android platform as well) and that is the Get Running App for a Couch to 5K plan and the Map Bjagavata Run Volumes) lets me record the Bhagavata I take and get information on my stats while doing so. The work of Nora Roberts is well represented in this wonderful Two Bay 2-in-1 Bundle. Come on, Wanda, do something cool. Was too immature for me. Because of him, I was captured by my loathed enemy: The vampires. It discusses how joint operations, involving the application of Volumes) instruments of national power, support host nation efforts to build capability and capacity to free and protect Bhagavata society from subversion, lawlessness, and insurgency. This book takes you ever deeper into Two development which is great. We all want to be this good, to stay up in the middle of the night (as I know she did) and write Volumes) life with a clear sense of self and Two, present and past, cosmos and chaos. Every year has a colour and number and each of us has a personal Life Path Set and number depending where we are in the Bhagqvata. Thank you Nicholas Bella to find this gem of a voice to bring your characters to life and thank you Arthur Byrd for giving Noel, Theoden and all of Noel's brothers a Volunes) outside of my head.
Recommended publications
  • Developing Sustainable Digital Libraries: Socio-Technical Perspectives
    Developing Sustainable Digital Libraries: Socio-Technical Perspectives Tariq Ashraf University of Delhi, India Jaideep Sharma Indira Gandhi National Open University, India Puja Anand Gulati University of Delhi, India INFORMATION SCIENCE REFERENCE +HUVKH\1HZ<RUN Director of Editorial Content: Kristin Klinger Director of Book Publications: Julia Mosemann Acquisitions Editor: Lindsay Johnson Development Editor: Elizabeth Arder Typesetter: Gregory Snader Quality control: Jamie Snavely Cover Design: Lisa Tosheff Printed at: Yurchak Printing Inc. Published in the United States of America by Information Science Reference (an imprint of IGI Global) 701 E. Chocolate Avenue Hershey PA 17033 Tel: 717-533-8845 Fax: 717-533-8661 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.igi-global.com/reference Copyright © 2010 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without written permission from the publisher. 3URGXFWRUFRPSDQ\QDPHVXVHGLQWKLVVHWDUHIRULGHQWL¿FDWLRQSXUSRVHVRQO\,QFOXVLRQRIWKHQDPHVRIWKHSURGXFWVRU companies does not indicate a claim of ownership by IGI Global of the trademark or registered trademark. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Developing sustainable digital libraries : socio-technical perspectives / Tariq Ashraf, Jaideep Sharma and Puja Anand Gulati, editors. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: "This book provides tools to complement an organization's burgeoning information treasuries, exploring new frontiers by looking at social and economic aspects of digital libraries and their sustainability"-- Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-1-61520-767-1 ESBN 978-1-61520-768-8 1. Digital libraries. 2. Library materials--Digitization. 3. Digital preservation. 4. Digital divide.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhagavata Purana
    Bhagavata Purana The Bh āgavata Pur āṇa (Devanagari : भागवतपुराण ; also Śrīmad Bh āgavata Mah ā Pur āṇa, Śrīmad Bh āgavatam or Bh āgavata ) is one of Hinduism 's eighteen great Puranas (Mahapuranas , great histories).[1][2] Composed in Sanskrit and available in almost all Indian languages,[3] it promotes bhakti (devotion) to Krishna [4][5][6] integrating themes from the Advaita (monism) philosophy of Adi Shankara .[5][7][8] The Bhagavata Purana , like other puranas, discusses a wide range of topics including cosmology, genealogy, geography, mythology, legend, music, dance, yoga and culture.[5][9] As it begins, the forces of evil have won a war between the benevolent devas (deities) and evil asuras (demons) and now rule the universe. Truth re-emerges as Krishna, (called " Hari " and " Vasudeva " in the text) – first makes peace with the demons, understands them and then creatively defeats them, bringing back hope, justice, freedom and good – a cyclic theme that appears in many legends.[10] The Bhagavata Purana is a revered text in Vaishnavism , a Hindu tradition that reveres Vishnu.[11] The text presents a form of religion ( dharma ) that competes with that of the Vedas , wherein bhakti ultimately leads to self-knowledge, liberation ( moksha ) and bliss.[12] However the Bhagavata Purana asserts that the inner nature and outer form of Krishna is identical to the Vedas and that this is what rescues the world from the forces of evil.[13] An oft-quoted verse is used by some Krishna sects to assert that the text itself is Krishna in literary
    [Show full text]
  • Krishna 840:357:01 Spring 2014 Tues, Periods 2-3 (10:55Pm-1:55Pm) Heldrich Science Building Room 204 Instructor: Edwin Bryant
    Krishna 840:357:01 Spring 2014 Tues, periods 2-3 (10:55pm-1:55pm) Heldrich Science Building Room 204 Instructor: Edwin Bryant. Tel: x 23289. E-mail: <[email protected]>. Office Hours: Tue 1.45 - 2.45 PM. Loree 108, Douglass Campus. Course Description and Objectives: An encounter with the Krishna tradition as expressed in the classical Sanskrit text, the Bhagavata Purana. The course will primarily consist of an in depth reading of the first 10 books of this Purana. Secondary readings will give students some sense of the varied contexts within which the text is experienced in Krishna bhakti. Course Prerequisites: None. Course Requirement: Class attendance and participation, 10% of the final grade (10 or more absences constitutes a Fail grade); 3 quizzes (20% of the final grade each); a final paper, due the last day of class (30% of the final grade. Please note: there are no make-ups for missed exams except in the case of an absence caused by an unexpected emergency and evidenced by a doctor's or dean's note. In the event of such a documented emergency, the instructor must be informed of the impending absence immediately (i.e. on the day of the quiz), and the make-up must be taken on the day after the quiz. There are no exceptions to these conditions. Required Reading: (available at the Book Store): Bryant, Edwin Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of God London: Penguin Classics, 2003 Gupta and Valpey, eds. The Bhagavata Purana New York: Columbia university Press, 2013. st Tue Jan 21 Focus: General introduction to the course.
    [Show full text]
  • Srimad-Bhagavatam – Canto Five” by His Divine Grace A.C
    “Srimad-Bhagavatam – Canto Five” by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Summary: Srimad-Bhagavatam is compared to the ripened fruit of Vedic knowledge. Also known as the Bhagavata Purana, this multi-volume work elaborates on the pastimes of Lord Krishna and His devotees, and includes detailed descriptions of, among other phenomena, the process of creation and annihilation of the universe. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada considered the translation of the Bhagavatam his life’s work. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: This is an evaluation copy of the printed version of this book, and is NOT FOR RESALE. This evaluation copy is intended for personal non-commercial use only, under the “fair use” guidelines established by international copyright laws. You may use this electronic file to evaluate the printed version of this book, for your own private use, or for short excerpts used in academic works, research, student papers, presentations, and the like. You can distribute this evaluation copy to others over the Internet, so long as you keep this copyright information intact. You may not reproduce more than ten percent (10%) of this book in any media without the express written permission from the copyright holders. Reference any excerpts in the following way: “Excerpted from “Srimad-Bhagavatam” by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, courtesy of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, www.Krishna.com.” This book and electronic file is Copyright 1975-2003 Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, 3764 Watseka Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034, USA. All rights reserved. For any questions, comments, correspondence, or to evaluate dozens of other books in this collection, visit the website of the publishers, www.Krishna.com.
    [Show full text]
  • Srimad-Bhagavatam – Canto Ten” by His Divine Grace A.C
    “Srimad-Bhagavatam – Canto Ten” by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Summary: Srimad-Bhagavatam is compared to the ripened fruit of Vedic knowledge. Also known as the Bhagavata Purana, this multi-volume work elaborates on the pastimes of Lord Krishna and His devotees, and includes detailed descriptions of, among other phenomena, the process of creation and annihilation of the universe. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada considered the translation of the Bhagavatam his life’s work. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: This is an evaluation copy of the printed version of this book, and is NOT FOR RESALE. This evaluation copy is intended for personal non- commercial use only, under the “fair use” guidelines established by international copyright laws. You may use this electronic file to evaluate the printed version of this book, for your own private use, or for short excerpts used in academic works, research, student papers, presentations, and the like. You can distribute this evaluation copy to others over the Internet, so long as you keep this copyright information intact. You may not reproduce more than ten percent (10%) of this book in any media without the express written permission from the copyright holders. Reference any excerpts in the following way: “Excerpted from “Srimad-Bhagavatam” by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, courtesy of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, www.Krishna.com.” This book and electronic file is Copyright 1977-2003 Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, 3764 Watseka Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034, USA. All rights reserved. For any questions, comments, correspondence, or to evaluate dozens of other books in this collection, visit the website of the publishers, www.Krishna.com.
    [Show full text]
  • Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja
    SRILA BHAKTISIDDHANTA SARASVATI GOSWAMI MAHARAJA INTRODUCTION FOR THE BOOK ON BHAKTISIDDHANTA Sarasvati THAKURA During the late '70's and '80's, preaching duties in Bengal now and then broughtme in contact with direct disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and also with disciples of his disciples. From them I heard stories and teachings of Sarasvati Thakura. Hearing little bits here and there, my heart filled with wonder, and also pride on being connected with such a powerful transcendental personality. My eagerness to hear more increased. From my very beginning days in Krsna consciousness I--and surely all others in ISKCON also--was attracted by the personality of Saraswati Thakura. I would often look up at the big painting of him on the wall of our Bury Place (London) temple. It was as if his serious gaze came down directly from Goloka Vrindavana. He was known as "singha-guru"--a spiritual master as fearsome to non-devotees as a lion. Who would not be impressed on hearing of his austerity, learning, strictness, and above all his unflinching devotion to the lotus feet of Sri-Sri Gaura-Nitai and Sri-Sri Radha-Krsna, and his uncompromising, determined preaching of Their glories? Our own glorious spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada, was another transcendental "superman." Srila Prabhupada was utterly surrendered at the lotus feet of his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and always considered himself a humble servant of his spiritual master. Those of unbiased mind understand both to be empowered acaryas, saktyavesa-avataras. By his unbreakable bond of devotion to Srila Saraswati Thakura, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has, by initiating us, linked us also eternally to his spiritual master.
    [Show full text]
  • Realization of Lord Jagannath
    Orissa Review July - 2010 Realization of Lord Jagannath Ramesh Chandra Dash Lord Jagannath is the master of the universe. He for fine characteristics of the Vedanta such as is Lord Purushottam as described in many universality, impersonality, rationality, catholicity Puranas such as the Bhagavata Purana, Bhabisya and optimism. He is the reminiscient of all religious Purana, Vaman Purana, Vishnu Purana and so on. activities undertaken by great asceties and seers Lord Purushottam first established himself in of the country. People bear Him in mind during Odisha - "Odre tu Purushottamam." In no other all stages of life namely childhood, householder, part of the country the supreme Lord is wandering mystic and renunciation and mental worshipped as Purushottam or Jagannath. status like consciousness, unconsciousness and Lord Jagannath - Purushottam exercises trance. His Car-festival is equally enjoyed by child deep influence in social and religious lines and old, poor and rich, people of all places, races, of Odisha. For His religions, castes, colours and antiquity, age-old rituals, status. traditions, festivals, The unmanifested legends etc. has been the (Nirguna) supreme soul was prime adorable deity of the only available when and where country as a whole. For His there was nothing besides utter strange visage and fibre darkness. He desired to be catholicity Car-Festival and manifested and reign the total splendid fame made him most universe as Lord Purushottam. visited and favourable amid He completed the process people of the whole world. of creation within a twinkle His edifice, Mahaprasad of eye in ten stages. These and participation of innumerable people in His stages are named as creation of Mahatattwa.
    [Show full text]
  • Vaishnava Tantra As Outlined in the Bhagavata Krishna Kshetra Swami
    Shukadeva Narrating Bhagavata Vaishnava Tantra As Outlined in the Bhagavata Krishna Kshetra Swami f you ask a vaishnava whether she or he generally an integral feature of Vaishnava cul- PAINTING: practises tantra, the answer is likely to be: ture and practice. This is particularly the case ‘No, absolutely not. I practise bhakti!’ In- in the area of formal or ritual, practices, which Y I ANN / deed, it is safe to say that most Vaishnavas con- Vaishnavas often identify asarchana —the con- N sider devotion, bhakti, to Vishnu, Narayana, stellation of activities centred on the worship of A or Krishna to be the defining feature of Vaish- Vishnu as embodied in a physical form, graphic TIONAL navism. What may be less known even within representation, or feature of physical nature. M current Vaishnava circles is that tantra—or as- Here I want to sketch some features of Vaishnava USEUM, pects of what can be identified as tantra—is tantra, particularly as these are found in one of N the most important sacred texts for Vaishnavas, EW Krishna Kshetra Swami is the dean of studies, D Bhaktivedanta College, Belgium and a research namely, the Bhagavata. I hasten to add—and ELHI fellow at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, this is one reason mainstream Vaishnavas may Oxford, uk. reject the idea that they practise tantra—that 178 PB January 2016 Vaishnava Tantra As Outlined in the Bhagavata 189 the Vaishnavism I describe here firmly rejects the initiation from a qualified guru or acharya con- sorts of transgressive practices associated with veys divine grace to the sadhaka, practitioner, some forms of tantra, sometimes referred to as facilitating devotional, reciprocal exchange that ‘left-handed’ tantra, or thevama-marga .
    [Show full text]
  • References to the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra
    References to the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra (Collected by Madhavananda Das) 1. References from the followers of Sri Caitanya.................2 2. References predating Sri Caitanya...................................9 3. An excerpt from Nama-tattva Vijnana...........................15 4. Commentaries on the meaning of the maha-mantra.....18 REFERENCES FROM THE FOLLOWERS OF SRI CAITANYA Dhyanacandra Gosvami describes the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in his Gaura Govindarcana-smarana-paddhati (132-136) in the following words, drawing from the Sanat-kumara Samhita: asyaiva kRSNa-candrasya mantrAH santi trayo ’malAH | siddhAH kRSNasya sat-prema-bhakti-siddhi-karA matAH ||131|| tatrAdau mantroddhAro yathA sanat-kumAra-saMhitAyAm-- hare-kRSNau dvir AvRttau kRSNa tAdRk tathA hare | hare rAma tathA rAma tathA tAdRg ghare manuH ||132|| hare kRSNa hare kRSNa kRSNa kRSNa hare hare | hare rAma hare rAma rAma rAma hare hare ||133|| “There are three Krishna-mantras that are very pure and powerful; they are famous for bestowing prema-bhakti on their chanters. A reference for the first mantra is from the Sanat-kumara-samhita: ‘The words Hare Krishna are repeated twice, and then Krishna and Hare are both separately twice repeated. In the same way, Hare Rama, Rama and Hare are twice repeated.’ 1 The mantra is thus: ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’” asya dhyAnaM yathA tatraiva-- dhyAyed vRndAvane ramye gopa-gobhir alaGkRte | kadamba-pAdapa-cchAye yamunA-jala-zItale || 134 || rAdhayA sahitaM kRSNaM vaMzI-vAdana-tat-param | tribhaGga-lalitaM devaM bhaktAnugraha-kArakam || 135 || vizeSato dazArNo ’yaM japa-mAtreNa siddhi-daH | paJcAGgAny asya mantrasya vijJeyAni manISibhiH || 136 || “The meditation which accompanies this maha-mantra is also found in the Sanat-kumara Samhita: Sri Krishna is sporting in the cooling waters of the Yamuna, or in the shade of a kadamba tree in the beautiful Vrindåvana forest.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhagavad Gita
    BHAGAVAD GITA The Global Dharma for the Third Millennium Chapter Ten Translations and commentaries compiled by Parama Karuna Devi Copyright © 2012 Parama Karuna Devi All rights reserved. Title ID: 4173075 ISBN-13: 978-1482548501 ISBN-10: 148254850X published by Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center phone: +91 94373 00906 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.jagannathavallabha.com © 2011 PAVAN Correspondence address: PAVAN House Siddha Mahavira patana, Puri 752002 Orissa Chapter 10: Vibhuti yoga The Yoga of powers The word vibhuti contains many meanings, such as "powers", "opulences", "glories", "magic". Every living being has some of such "magic powers" - a special ability, or strength, or beauty - but not everyone has the same powers, or a power to an absolute degree. Among the materially embodied beings, such powers are always conditioned by circumstances and exhausted when they are used. Through the correct practice of yoga, a sadhaka can develop special vibhutis up to the level of siddhi ("perfection"), usually listed as being able to become extremely small (anima siddhi), extremely large (mahima siddhi), extremely light (laghima siddhi), reconfiguring the patterns of material atoms (vasitva siddhi), materializing things by attracting atoms from other places (prapti siddhi), controlling the minds of others (isitva siddhi), assuming any shape or form (kamavasayita siddhi), and manifesting all kinds of wonders (prakamya siddhi). Another of such powers consists in entering and controlling the body of another, living or dead (parakaya pravesa). Also, the knowledge of genuine yoga enables the serious sadhaka to control the material elements (such as fire, water, air etc), control the weather (call or dispel storms and lightning, bring or withhold rain, etc), travel in different dimensions and planets without any vehicle, call the dead back into their old body (usually temporarily), and so on.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhagavata Precepts Book.Indb
    THE BHAGAVATA ITS PHILOSOPHY, ITS ETHICS, AND ITS THEOLOGY & LIFE AND PRECEPTS OF SRI CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU By Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura THE BHAGAVATA ITS PHILOSOPHY, ITS ETHICS, AND ITS THEOLOGY & LIFE AND PRECEPTS OF SRI CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU By Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura THE BHAGAVATA ITS PHILOSOPHY, ITS ETHICS, AND ITS THEOLOGY By Sri Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode “O Ye, who are deeply merged in the knowledge of the love of God and also in deep thought about it, constantly drink, even after your emancipation, the most tasteful juice of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, come on earth through Sri Sukadeva Gosvami’s mouth carrying the liquid nectar out of the fallen and, as such, very ripe fruit of the Vedic tree which supplies all with their desired objects.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1/1/3) THE BHAGAVATA ITS PHILOSOPHY, ITS ETHICS, AND ITS THEOLOGY We love to read a book which we never read before. We are anxious to gather whatever information is contained in it and with such acquirement our curiosity stops. This mode of study prevails amongst a great number of readers, who are great men in their own estimation as well as in the estimation of those, who are of their own stamp. In fact, most readers are mere repositories of facts and statements made by other people. But this is not study. The student is to read the facts with a view to create, and not with the object of fruitless retention. Students like satellites should reflect whatever light they receive from authors and not imprison the facts and thoughts just as the Magistrates imprison the convicts in the jail! Thought is progressive.
    [Show full text]
  • Doctrine of Avatar and Vyuha
    Doctrine of Avatar and Vyuha. Dr.J.D.Basakara Doss Introduction : The dual phenomena of divinity and humanity form the corner stone of the doctrine of Avatar. ‘An infinite transcendent reality much greater than anything we can think or say that we can consider the possibility that God is literally such as to be able, without ceasing to be God, to make himself known in human form’. Though the Sanskrit term ‘avatar’ does not convey this in full sense, scholars evince Keen interest to draw analogical line with the doctrine of incarnation. The prefix ‘ava’ means ‘down’ and the verb ‘tar’ means the ‘process of coming down’ and the literal meaning of incarnation is ‘to be made flesh’ or ‘enfleshment’. It is argued that unlike the Christological conception of incarnation, the avatar conception of Hindu legends and mythological propositions have outgrown the theological dogmatics. Strictly speaking, ‘divyam jawra’ (Gita) is the basis of avatar’ and the doctrine if avatar is the humanization of the Supreme God and not the divinization of man elevated to the plane of Supreme deity, Radhakrishnan also emphasizes that ‘An Avatar is a descent of God into man, and not an ascent of man into God”1. But he seems to dilute the concept of descent when he writes that, “The human being is as food as an avatar provided he crosses the maya of the world and transcends his imperfection”2. The tendency to over divinization and over deification of a human being downgrades the real dogmatic aspects of avatarin. However, it is historically true that deification of the extraordinary human beings was the outcome of Vyuha concept with special reference to Vrsni heroes of the family of Vasudeva.
    [Show full text]