Pranam How many versions of adi shankara exist and how their viability is understood? KR IRS 231021
On Sat, 23 Oct 2021 at 07:58, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > > > *QUES ANSW DIVINE 27* > > > *Dear friends, * > > *These are information posted by members compiled as QA by me in > 1998’s-2000’s and stored in my computer. At this date I have no information > of the members posted. * > > *Being compilation there may be errors* > * Posted by R Gopala krishnan,78 ,on 23-10-2021* > > *Q1 What is the one common ideal with all religions?* > > *A1 All religions have one common ideal, worship of the Lord, and all of > them proclaim that there is but one God. * > > *This one God accepts your devotion irrespective of the manner of your > worship, whether it is according to this or that religion. * > > *So there is no need to abandon the religion of your birth and embrace > another. * > > *The temple, the church, the mosque, the vihara may be different from one > another. The idol or the symbol in them may not also be the same and the > rites performed in them may be different. * > > *But the Paramatman who wants to grace the worshipper, whatever be his > faith, is the same.* > > *Q2 Do Hinduisam advocate conversion?* > > *A2 All religions that practise conversion employ a certain ritual. For > instance, there is baptism in Christianity. * > > *Hinduism has more ritual than any other religion, yet its canonical texts > do not contain any rite for conversion. * > > *No better proof is needed for the fact that we have at no time either > encouraged conversion or practised it. * > > *Q3 How do the rise and fall of any religion occur?* > > *A3 When we listen to the story of the Buddha, when we see again and again > his images that seem to exude the milk of human kindness, compassion and > tranquility spring in our own hearts and we feel respectful towards him. * > > *People must have been attracted to him thus during his time. * > > *However, in later times, there was a moral decline in the Buddhist > monastic establishments will be seen from MattaVilasam > <http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part1/referp1.htm#FALL> written by > Mahendra Pallava. * > > *This work shows how Buddhism came to be on the decline and demonstrates > that the rise or fall of a religion is dependent on the quality and > character of its spokesmen.* > > *Q4 Do conversion among people take place by accepting the principles of > that religion?* > > *A4 Sorry the answer is a big NO. Christianity extended its influence > during times of famine. It is also said that Islam was propagated with the > sword, that masses of people were forced to join it by force of arms. * > > *Here again there is proof of the fact that that the common people do not > adopt a religion for the sake of any principle or out of any interest in > its philosophical system. There is one matter to consider. The padres > [Christian missionaries] converted mainly people living in the ceris [that > is people on the outskirts of a village or town]. Their usual procedure was > to tell these poor folk that they were kept suppressed in the religion of > their birth and offer them inducements in the form of free education and > medical treatment and the promise of a better status.* > > *During the time of the Buddha many adherents of the Vedic religion > embraced his system. In later centuries many Hindus became converts to > Christianity or Islam. * > > *Jainas have become Vaisnavas with the name of "Pustimargins". * > > *During the time of Sri Ramanuja a number of people went over to the > Visistadvaita (qualified non-dualism) fold. * > > *Similarly, Sri Madhva's school of Dvaita or dualism also gained many > adherents.* > > *When Adi Sankara held sway, non-Vedic religions like Buddhism and Jainism > suffered a decline * > > *The fact is that the vast majority of the followers of any faith know > precious little about the beliefs or doctrines on which it is founded.* > > *I believe that the growth or expansion of a religion is in no way related > to its doctrines. * > > *The common people do not worry about questions of philosophy . On the > other hand, a religion will decline and decay if its spokesmen, however > eloquent they are in expounding its concepts, are found to be guilty of > lapses in character and conduct* > > *Q5 Do Hinduism was a Universal Religion?* > > *A5 In the dim past what we call Hinduism today was prevalent all over > the world. * > > > *Archaeological studies reveal the existence of relics of our Vedic > religion in many countries. For instance, excavations have brought up the > text of a treaty between Rameses II and the Hittites dating back to the > 14th century B. C. * > > > *In this, the Vedic gods Mitra and Varuna are mentioned as witnesses to > the pact. There is a connection between the name of Ramesses and that of > our Rama. * > > *In Mexico a festival is celebrated at the same time as our Navaratri; it > is called "Rama-Sita". * > > *Wherever the earth is dug up images of Ganapati are discovered here > <http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part2/referp2.htm#DISCOVERED%20HERE>* > > * In Peru, during the time of the holy equinox [vernal? ] worship was > conducted in the sun temple* > > *There is book containing photographs of the aborigines of Australia > dancing in the nude (The Native Tribes of Central Australia, by Spencer > Killan, pages 128 & 129). A close look at the pictures, captioned "Siva > Dance", shows that the dancers have a third eye > <http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part2/referp2.htm#FOREHEAD> drawn on > the forehead. * > > *Now something occurs to me in this context, something that you may find > amusing. You know that the Sagaras > <http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part2/referp2.htm#SAGARAS>went on > digging the earth down to the nether world in search of their sacrificial > horse.* > > * An ocean came into being in this way and it was called sagara after the > king Sagara. The Sagaras, at last found the horse near the hermitage of > Kapila Maharsi.* > > *Another idea occurs to me about Sagara and sahara. Geologists believe > that ages ago the Sahara desert was an ocean. It seems to me that Sahara is > derived from sagara. * > > *Indians went to these lands, destroyed the old native civilizations there > and imposed Hindu culture in their place. Alternatively, they claim, > Indians thrust their culture into the native ways of life in such a way > that it became totally absorbed in them. * > > *The fact, however, is that evidence is to be found in many countries of > their Vedic connection dating back to 4, 000 years or more. That is, with > the down of civilisation itself, aspects of the Vedic dharama existed in > these lands. It was only subsequently that the inhabitants of these regions > came to have a religion of their own. * > > *Greece had an ancient religion and had big temples where various deities > were worshipped. * > > *The Hellenic religion had Vedic elements in it. The same was the case > with the Semitic religions of the pre- Christian era in the region > associated with Jesus. The aborigines of Mexico had a religion of their > own. They shared the Vedic view of the divine in the forces of nature and > worshipped them as deities. There was a good deal of ritual in all such > religions. * > > *Now none of these religions, including that of Greece, survives. The > Greek civilization had once attained to the heights of glory. Now > Christianity flourishes in Greece. Buddhism has spread in Central Asia and > in East Asia up to Japan. * > > *According to anthropologists, religions in their original form exist only > in areas like the forests of Africa. But even these ancient faiths contain > Vedic elements. * > > *You must be familiar with the story of Adam and Eve which belongs to the > Hebrew tradition. It occurs in the Genesis of the Old Testament and speaks > of the tree of knowledge and God's commandment that its fruit shall not be > eaten.* > > * Adam at first did not eat it but Eve did. After that Adam too ate the > forbidden fruit. Here an Upanisadic concept has taken the form of a > biblical story. But because of the change in the time and place the > original idea has become distorted-or even obliterated. * > > *It is well known that the Budhha attained enlightenment under the bodhi > tree* > > *. But the pipal (pippala) was known as the bodhi tree even before his > time.* > > *Q6 Everybody knows about Puri jagannatha temple. What is the speciality > of dressing Gods in the temple?* > > *A6 Sri Jagannath Krishna, His brother Sri Balabhadra Deva and His sister > Sri Subhadra are worshipped in Puri in the famous Vishnu temple. * > > *Depending on the Vedic Date (Tithi), the deities adorn different Vesha. * > > > *The word 'Vesha' means form and can be loosely translated as outfit or > costume. * > > *The dais on which the three deities are seated is called the Ratnavedi > Simhasana. Ratna refers to the gems and precious stones as well as 108 > conches of various auspicious markings which are embedded on the dais.* > > * The three deities are dressed in different outfits for different > occasions starting with the Mangala Arati (the first prayer offered in the > Brahma Muhurta or early hours at about 4.00 AM). The last prayer is the > Ratri Pahuda.* > > *Reg the Ganapati Vesha or Hati Vesha -On the full moon day of the month > of Jyestha, after the bathing ceremony is over, the Deities are dressed in > elephant costumes. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are made to look like > Ganapati (Ganesh, the son of Shiva and Parvati). * > > > *Reg the vamana vesha- On the 12th day of the bright fortnight Bhadra, > Lord Jagannath is dressed like the dwarf brahmin Vamana, who defeated the > demon Bali. Vamana Deva is one of the das avatars, the ten incarnations of > Lord Vishnu. * > > *Reg the Ghodalagi Vesha -During the period from the 6th day of the bright > fortnight of Margasira to the 5th day of the bright fortnight of Magha > (Basanta Panchami) the Deities wear winter clothes. * > > *Q7 What is the importance of kanchi?* > > *A7 Kanchi is one of the seven Mokshapuris -sacred cities by living in > which or by death therein man gets emancipation from birth and death. * > > *Five important sacred places of Siva worship in South India are > collectively called "Panchabhuta- Kshetras". Of these five, Kanchi is the > Prithvi-kshetra. * > > *Q8 Do Kanchi kamakoti petam has established any university?* > > *A8 yes. Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham has established a Deemed University - > Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Viswa Mahavidyalaya at Kancheepuram with > an International Library. Various disciplines are taught at colleges > affiliated to the University. * > > *Q9 Which are the most important temples in kancheepuram?* > > *A9 Kancheepuram is a city of temples: Some of the most important temples > in Kancheepuram are for Sri Kamakshi Ambal, Sri Ekambaranatha, Sri > Varadaraja, Sri Kailasanathar, Sri Vaikunta Perumal, Ulakalantha Perumal, > etc* > > ****Sri Adi Sankara, after his various tours through most parts of India, > settled down at Kanchi to spend His evening years. * > > *He caused to remodel the city and reconstruct the three principal temples > -Sri Kamakshi, Sri Ekamranatha and Sri Varadaraja. At Kanchi he established > a Math for himself and founded a line of successors after him on the > Peetha.* > > *My note- *** There are different versions on settemnt of Aadi Sankara* > > *Q10 Is there any version that Sankaracharya was a partial incarnation?* > > *A10 Yes. In the Bhagavad Geeta, Lord Krishna has told Arjuna that, > whenever there arises danger to Dharma, He (Krishna) will incarnate in this > world to eradicate adharma and re-establish Dharma. * > > *In consonance with His words, the Lord has made partial incarnations > during the course of the present Kali Age. * > > *And such an incarnation is the partial incarnation of Siva as Sankara > Bhagavatpada, which happened some twenty-five centuries ago, on the prayer > of celestials to Lord Siva to redeem Bharata-desa from the clutches of > non-Vedic and heretic sects. * > > *Months after Sivaguru and Aryambal had returned to Kaladi, a male child > was born to Aryambal, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the > Vaisaka month of the cyclic year Nandana (509 B.C.).* > > *Q11 Everybody knows about kanakadhara sthothram recited by sankaracharya. > What is the story about it?* > > *A11 Having had his upanayanam at the age of five, Sankara was sent to a > local patasala for studying the Veda. One forenoon, during his rounds for > collecting biksha (alms), * > > *Sankara happened to stop in front of a poor man's house and uttered the > usual word of request for biksha -"Bhavati bikkshamdehi". * > > *The lady of the house came out and saw the lustrous little brahmachari. > She went in and searched for something for offering to the boy. But there > was nothing in the house to offer. * > > *She picked up a dry amla fruit and dropped it in Sankara's bowl. The boy > looked at the woman and noticed the lines of poverty and sorrow writ large > on her face. * > > *He began singing the praise of Sri Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, in > fine Sanskrit verses. And lo! Mahalakshmi stood above the house. Sankara > requested the Goddess to provide the means for the livelihood of the > inmates of that house. * > > *The Devi caused a shower of gold amalakas on that house. The eighteen > verses of Sankara's prayer to Lakshmi go by the name "Kanakadhara Stotram".* > > *Q12 Everybody knows the story of Sankaracharya caught by the crocodile > in the river and affirming Sanyasa from the day got released by the > crocodile. Question- Being sanyasin why did he performed the last rites of > his mother?* > > *A 12 Aryamba his mother asked Sankara to come home. Sankara told her > that from that day, the wide world was his home and whoever offered him > alms was his mother. Aryamba asked him as to who would perform her funeral > rites if she died in his absence. Sankara consoled his sobbing mother > saying that he would be by her side whenever she chose to think of him and > that he would perform the due rites on her death. * > > *Q13 What is the story of sage Vyasa blessing Sankaracharya?* > > *A13 Taking leave of his preceptor, Sankara left the Narmada bank and in > course of time reached Kasi, also known as Varanasi, situated on the bank > of the sacred Ganga, as desired by his preceptor. Sankara's stay at Kasi > was for about four years.* > > *One day, when Sankara was seated at the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanaasi, > Sage Vyasa came here, disguised as an old Brahmin. * > > *He saw a young ascetic sitting amidst numerous disciples and looking like > Siva with his attendants Vyasa asked the disciples who the boy ascetic was. > They replied "Oh! Old man! This is Sankara* > > *Then Vyasa got near the group of disciples and sat before Sankara. * > > *A long and heated debate ensued between the two on the purport of some of > Vyasa's Brahmasutras. At a particular stage, Sankara learnt from a hint of > his disciple, Padmapada, that the old man was Sage Vyasa in disguise and > bowed before him. * > > *Immensely satisfied with Sankara's exposition of the Brahmasturas, Vyasa > blessed Sankara and departed along with Brahma who had gone over there to > grant an extension of life to Sankara.* > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/382115201.303333.1634956107565%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/382115201.303333.1634956107565%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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