Pranam
Q3 Answer is incorrect; all Vedas are equally important as any other
scriptures teaching the dharma of this and the other world. Muralidharan is
a lecturer and from what he says , sift and seek the lessons. Having
followers is not that important because even Nithyananda has. But his
answer is erroneous. Atharva Veda occupies a unique position among the
four Vedas. "The other three Vedas deal with matters of the other world,
the gods, nature, and the supernatural, while Atharva Veda is more
worldly". It seeks to solve the problems of this world and its common
people. It deals with a topic like leading a long and healthy life, to
avoid sorrow, to ward off illness, to vanquish or win over the enemy, etc.
Atharva Veda presents a detailed description of the lifestyle of a very
early stage of human society, which has just entered the agricultural
stage. The importance of animal wealth, cows, oxen, horses is much more.
New kingdoms are being established. Men want to live happy healthy lives
for up to one hundred years. Pandit Bhagwat Sharma Upadhyay, in Hindi
Vishwakosh, says, “The stress in Atharva Veda is not so much on the use of
Karma Kanda or the rituals, as on doing right or wrong, high or low, do-s
and don’ts, popular beliefs, and tendencies of life. From this point of
view, the importance of Atharva Veda is much more, for the historian, than
of the other three Vedas. The first references to Puranas, history, gathas,
etc. are found here. This Veda also points to many such traditions which
are not only older than Rig Veda but really go back to very very old
times”. WAY of LIFE is the crux of the Vedas. And these mantras were there
only in one Vedam which were divided by the use into four as divisions of
SAKAs learning had to be adopted to retain the correctness of the verses by
memory. The wonder part of the Vedam is that for so many millennia since
the origin, the verses remain unchanged without ANY PRINTED DOCUMENT. It's
meaningful.
Q4 Again Muralidharan?. Smrithi and Sruthi being interpreted differently
from the truth.
1 Veda (वेद).— The root 'Vid' in Sanskrit means 'to know'. The books
composed of the knowledge of the Āryans, collected and compiled were called
the Vedas. { some idiot was thinking that tatriya is not Veda but only Rig
Yajur sama Atharva}. Whatever is providing the knowledge is Vedam and hence
that word is used to many scriptures ,including the christianity. Hence if
some unintelligent were to say that Tirukkural is not MARAI @ Vedam, or B
G is not or some upanishads are not, then the “very-learnt” wiil be
questionable. What will Brahmin sastrigal say Vedic -suktam (in some
upanishads also) or simply some verses with the headlines?. Thus words
have meaning in depth. Veda consists of four parts:
1) Mantras (or Samhitas): poetic compositions and hymns of supplication and
incantation addressed to the deities, the symbolic representations of the
Supreme Lord.
2) Brahmanas deal with rules and regulations for proper performance of
religious rites, rituals and ceremonies.
3) Aranyakas (as forest books) provide the symbolic and spiritual basis for
the Brãhmanas.
4) Upanishads reveal the knowledge about Brahman and are known as
*Vedãnta,* meaning
"end of the Vedas." They are the concluding portions of the Vedas.
Whereas the Upanishads represent the essence of the Vedas, the Bhagavad
Gita, the most popular scripture of Hindus, contains the essence of the
Upanishads. The Vedas reflect the dawn of spiritual insight, the Upanishads
and the Bhagavad Gita contain the full splendor of a spiritual vision.
2 Veda is the highest authority in Hindu knowledge system and the
authority of all other scriptures are based on the authority of the Veda.
Vedas are four - Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. Rigveda contains prayers to
Gods (Riks are the mantras). Yajurveda has methods to use Riks for
sacrifices (Yajus-Yajna). Sama Veda introduces musical notes. Atharva Veda
gives ways to make life successful, and contains methods to fulfill what
can be called material aspirations.
वेद । यः । वीनाम् । पदम् । अन्तरिक्षेण । पतताम् । वेद । नावः । समुद्रियः ॥
veda | yaḥ | vīnām | padam | antarikṣeṇa | patatām | veda | nāvaḥ |
samudriyaḥ. He, who knows the path of the birds flying through the air; he,
abiding in the ocean, knows (also) the course of ships.” (RV 1 25 7). वेद ।
मासः । धृतव्रतः । द्वादश । प्रजावतः । वेद । यः । उपजायते ॥
veda | māsaḥ | dhṛta-vrataḥ | dvādaśa | prajāvataḥ | veda | yaḥ |
upa-jāyate “He, who accepting the rites (dedicated to him) knows the
twelve months and their productions and that which is supplementarily
engendered.” (RV 1 25 8). वेद । वातस्य । वर्तनिम् । उरोः । ऋष्वस्य ।
बृहतः । वेद । ये । अधिआसते ॥ (RV 1 25 9) veda | vātasya | vartanim | uroḥ |
ṛṣvasya | bṛhataḥ | veda | ye | adhi-āsate “He, who knows the path of the
vast, the graceful, and the excellent wind, and who knows those who reside
above.”
3 SAMHITA: The continuous hymnical text of the Veda as formed out of
the Padas or individual words by proper phonetic changes according to
different Śākhās or schools; पदप्रकृतिः संहिता (*padaprakṛtiḥ
saṃhitā*) Nir. (In
gram.) Combination or junction of letters according to the rules of Saṃdhi
or euphony; परः संनिकर्षः संहिता (*paraḥ saṃnikarṣaḥ saṃhitā*) P.I.4.19;
वर्णानामतिशयितः संनिधिः संहितासंज्ञः स्यात् (*varṇānāmatiśayitaḥ saṃnidhiḥ
saṃhitāsaṃjñaḥ syāt*) Sk.; or वर्णानामेकप्राणयोगः संहिता
(*varṇānāmekaprāṇayogaḥ
saṃhitā*). Many samhitas are there.
4 The Srutis are:
Vedas (Rig, Sãma, Yajur & Atharva); Include religion, philosophy, art,
medicine, science, technology, language, music, etc.
Bhagavad Gîtã; A spiritual discourse between Lord Krishna and warrior
Arjuna; summary of the Upanishads.
1a) Śruti (श्रुति).—The Vedas: interpreted in two ways in the Dvāpara;1
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shruti#ref1_1> the same, Ṛg, Yajus,
and Sāma in every manvantara though in different redactions; here are four
stotras— Dravyastotram, Guṇastotram, Karmastotram, and Abhijanastotram;
above all these is Brahmastotram; mantras were originally five fold;2
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shruti#ref1_2> having learnt the
Śrauta from their predecessors the seven sages repeated the same.3
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shruti#ref1_3>
- 1) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shruti#text1_1> Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa
II. 31. 6, 72; 32, 35; IV. 6. 64; Matsya-purāṇa 52. 12; 144. 7; Vāyu-purāṇa
34. 95; 39. 11; 41. 90; 55. 7; 61. 75; 76. 3; 100. 33; 101. 9, 22, 57.
- 2) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shruti#text1_2> Matsya-purāṇa
145. 58-63.
- 3) <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shruti#text1_3> Vāyu-purāṇa
3. 8; 32. 44; 59. 31.
4.2 Śruti (श्रुति).—lit. hearing; sound.cf. श्रुतौ च रूपग्रहणम् (*śrutau
ca rūpagrahaṇam*) M. Bh. on P. I. 2.64; perception, as a proof contrasted
with inference; cf. ननु च श्रुतिकृतोपि भेदोस्ति (*nanu ca śrutikṛtopi
bhedosti*) M. Bh. on P. VII. 1.72 Vart. 1; cf. also M. Bh. on P. VIII.
2.25; cf also तस्मादुच्चश्रुतीनि (*tasmāduccaśrutīni*) R. T. 61.Hearing;
चन्द्रस्य ग्रहणमिति श्रुतेः (*candrasya grahaṇamiti śruteḥ*) Mu.1.7; R.1.27.
A Vedic or sacred text; इति श्रुतेः (*iti śruteḥ*) or इति श्रुतिः (*iti
śrutiḥ*) 'so says a sacred text'.
4.3 Śruti.—Authoritative word; the word is sometimes used in connection
with the utterances of the Sutrakaras viz. the Sutra. Śruti (श्रुति) refers
to “Vedic revelation”.—Śaṅkara, being a foremost proponent of Advaita
Vedānta, considers the non-dual Brahman as the ultimate ‘object’ of
knowledge, and its realization as the final end of Vedic revelation (*śruti*
).
4.4 Pre-eminent in śruti literature are the four Vedas:
- Rig-Veda (hymns recited by the hotar)
- Yajur-Veda (hymns recited by the adhvaryu)
- Sama-Veda (hymns recited by the udgatr)
- Atharva-Veda (a collection of ancient spells and charms, brahma)
4.5 पञ्चानामपि कोशानां निषेधे युक्तितः श्रुतेः ।
तन्निषेधावधि साक्षी बोधरूपोऽवशिष्यते ॥ २१0 ॥(Viveka chudamani verse 210)
pañcānāmapi kośānāṃ niṣedhe yuktitaḥ śruteḥ |
tanniṣedhāvadhi sākṣī bodharūpo'vaśiṣyate || 210 ||
210. When all the five sheaths have been eliminated by the reasoning on
Shruti passages, what remains as the culminating point of the process, is
the Witness, the Knowledge Absolute – the Ātman.
[*Sruti passages*—those that describe the Atman negatively, by the *Neti
neti* (not this, not this,) method.] When all the sruti words are removed
what existed is only the brahmam. ]
5 SMRITHI: Smṛti (स्मृति) refers to:—The word smṛti means ‘that which
is remembered.’ It refers to the body of Vedic literature that is
remembered, in contradistinction to Śruti, or that which is directly heard
by or revealed to the ṛṣis. Smṛti includes the six Vedāṅgas, the
dharma-śāstras such as Manusaṃhitā, the Purāṇas and the Itihāsas such as
Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata. (*cf*. Glossary page from Śrī
Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/brihad-bhagavatamrita-commentary>).
6 Meaning of the Term smṛti (yagnavalkya smrithi): Etymologically,
the Sanskrit <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sanskrit#hinduism> word
*smṛti* has been derived from the root *smṛ*, meaning ‘to remember’ with
affix *ktin <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ktin#hinduism>*. Here the
term *smṛti* is in contradiction to the word *śruti
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shruti#hinduism>*. The word *śruti* is
derived from the root *śru*, ‘to hear’, meaning, what is heard or have been
revealed, refers to the Vedas
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vedas#hinduism> (śrutistu vedo
vijñeyḥ/ Manusmṛti
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/manusmriti#hinduism>,2.10) Thus,
*Smṛti* signifies remembered tradition or knowledge, derived from memory,
in opposition to the *Śruti*, which is the knowledge, acquired through
revelation. The word *smṛti* is used to denote two meanings. In its wider
sense, *Smṛti* means all ancient non-Vedic works, which are written from
one’s memory. Hence, *Smṛti* includes the Vedāṅgas
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vedanga#dharmashastra>, the *Mahābhārata
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mahabharata#hinduism>*, the *Rāmāyaṇa
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ramayana#hinduism>*, the Dharmaśāstras
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dharmashastra#dharmashastra>, the
Purāṇas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/purana#dharmashastra>,
the *Arthaśāstra
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/arthashastra#dharmashastra>*, etc
(Kane, P.V., *History of Dharmaśāstra*, Volume1, Part 1, page299).
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/essay/yajnavalkya-smriti-vyavaharadhyaya-study/d/doc628159.html#note-e-170144>
In
its narrower sense, the meaning of *Smṛti* is limited to a kind of work,
dealing with *dharma
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dharma#dharmashastra>* and therefore
the Smṛtis <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/smriti#dharmashastra> are
called the Dharmaśāstras. (dharmaśāstraṃ
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dharmashastra#dharmashastra> tu vai
smṛtiḥ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/smriti#dharmashastra>/
Manusmṛti,2.10) The *Dharmaśāstra
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dharmashastra#dharmashastra>* is a
general term applied to two species of its kind viz. the Dharmasūtras
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dharmasutra#hinduism> and the
Smṛtis. The Dharmaśāstras are the treatises written for regulating the
rights and liabilities of the king, and members of the society, to meet the
requirement of a changing society. Among them, those written in *sūtra
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sutra#hinduism>* form are known as
the *Dharmasūtra
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dharmasutra#hinduism>* and those,
which are in the form of ślokas
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sloka#hinduism> (verses) are known as
the Smṛtis. Hence, the term *dharmaśāstra* is much wider than the term
*dharmasūtra*. The word *dharmaśāstra* is applied often to the Smṛtis in
opposition to the Dharmaūtras. The Dharmasūtras and the Smṛtis deal with
same subject-matters, but the Smṛtis are more extensive works and treat
rules of a juridical nature in more details. However, the Smṛtis do not
neglect the observances and practices of religion or ritual also. They
contain matters mixed of religion, cosmogony, law, ritual and moral.
Scholars have distinguished the Smṛtis from the Dharmasūtras depending upon
certain points of differences. (The Law Codes
of Āpastamba
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/apastamba#hinduism>, Gautama
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/gautama#hinduism>, Baudhāyana
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/baudhayana#hinduism> and Vasiṣṭha
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vasishtha#hinduism>, p.xvii).The
differences between the *Dharmasūtra* and the *Smṛti* are laid down in the
following ways – (Banerji, S. C., *Dharmasūtras-A Study in Their Origin and
Development*, page2)(i) The Dharmasūtras are primarily written in the
*sūtra* style, i.e. aphoristic language and in some of them verses are
interspersed. On the other hand
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hand#hinduism>, the Smṛtis are
composed in verses only.(ii) The use of archaic forms is more distinct in
the Dharmasūtras than that of the Smṛtis.(iii) The authors of the
Dharmasūtras do not attribute any divine origin whereas, origin of the
Smṛtis such as of Manu <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/manu#hinduism>
, Yājñavalkya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yajnavalkya#hinduism>,
etc., are attributed to gods like Brahmā
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahma#dharmashastra>.(iv) The
Dharmasūtras do not arrange the topics in an orderly manner, but the Smṛtis
deal with their contents in order and under distinct heads.(v) The
Dharmasūtras form part of the Kalpasūtras
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kalpasutra#hinduism> or are closely
connected with the Gṛhyasūtras
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/grihyasutra#hinduism>. The Smṛtis do
not show any such resemblance.(vi) Unlike the Smṛtis, the Dharmasūtras are
affiliated to certain Vedic schools where they were studied. This tradition
is absent in the Smṛtis.
KR IRS 11422
On Sun, 10 Apr 2022 at 14:27, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <
[email protected]> wrote:
> QUES ANSW DIVINE 04-2022-08
>
> Dear friends,
>
> These are information compiled as QA by me in 1998’s-2014’s and stored in
> my computer. They are posted by *very learnt members*.
>
> *BEING COMPILATION THERE MAY BE ERRORS.*
>
> Sincerely,
>
> *R. Gopalakrishnan, 78, dated 10-04-2022*
>
> Q1 Where do we have Uttara guruvayurappan temple?
>
> A1 Sri Uttra Guruvayoorappan temple is one of the famous temples in
> Ramnagar,Nanganallur
> Chennai 600061.
>
> The temple built in 1975 by Sri Guruvayoorappan Asthiga Samajam
> Nanganallur is a replica in miniature to the original Shrine at
> Guruvayoor Kerala.
>
> The temple has slight differences and was built on the basis of
> Ashtamangala Prashnam the usula practice in Kerala. This shrine has Lord
> Guruvayoorappan as the presiding deity and the others include Godess
> Bhagavathi Vinayakar Sri Shashtha Prasanna Venkeswar Sankrishnar Nava
> -griham and Vilvamangal in front of Guruvayoorappan in Namaskara
> Mandapam. Second Kumbabishekam was performed in 1987 the third was
> performed in the year 2000 and the fourth during April/May 2012.
>
> All the festivals in the temple are very similar to Guruvayoor temple and
> all prarthanas can be done here like Thulabaram, Annaprasanam Vennaikappu
> etc Chithri Festival Gokulashtami Guruvayoor Ekadesi Onam Navarathri
> Deepavali MakaraJothi are celebrated in a grand manner.
>
> It is a membership temple and all are done by members for the member
> devotees.
> Whatever is prayed here it is fulfilled and devotees come to visit this
> temple from far and wide.
>
> Q2 What is Guru Purnima? In which month it is celebrated?
>
> A2 On every full moon in July is the "Full Moon of the Guru" or Guru
> Purnima, an ancient tradition on the eastern calendar. It is a radiant time
> when all the celestial teachers, light beings, ascended masters, angels and
> illumined ones open channels into the earth plane and act as conduits to
> deliver increased levels of energy and light into the world. It represents
> spiritual renewal of the planet.
>
> Q3 Why is the Atharvana Veda not accorded as much importance as the other
> three Vedas?
>
> A3 Anwer by Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
>
> The important purpose of the Samhita portion of the Vedas is the
> performance of Yagnas. The three Vedas Rig, Yajur and Sama Vedas
> themselves cover the performance of Yagna completely.
>
> Atharvana Veda does not have any unique mantra to aid the Yagnas (it
> does not have any mantra which is not in other Vedas). Hence
> importance is given only to these three Vedas.
>
> Q4 Why does Lord Vishnu call the Sama Veda the best of all the Vedas?
>
> A4 Anwer by Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
>
> Sama veda is the Stuthi portion of Vedas. It sings the praises of devas. This
> could be the reason that it is liked by the Lord.
>
> Q5 Do women have right to realize the Self?
>
> A5 Anwer by Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:
>
> Why not? Starting from the Upanishads (Maitreyi in Brihadaranyaka
> Upanishad) down to the recent past, there have been so many women who
> have realized the Self, Andal, Meera, Andavan Pitchai, Janaki Mata, Avudaikka
> Amma, Anandamayee, Saradha Devi to mention a few.
>
> Q6 Where do we have a Brahma temple near Trichy?
>
> A 6 Brahma is an idol in Uthamar Koil also known as Bikshandarkoil, off
> Tiruchy Salem Road, near to what is known as toll gate after one crosses
> Kollidam or coleroon river
>
> Q7 Where do Aditya Hridayam appear in the Ramayana?
>
> A7 Aditya Hrudayam appears in the Yuddha Kanda of Srimad Ramayana by sage
> Valmiki. Sage Agastya initiates Sri Rama into this Mantra extolling Surya
> (the Kula Devata of Sri Rama). Sri Rama recites this and goes to kill
> Ravana, by Brahmastra. S.C. Iyer 30 Sept 2011
>
> Q8 Where do we have reference to Radha Rani role with Krishna in detail if
> not told in Srimad Bhagavatham?
>
> A8 In Bhagavatham there is no special mention about Radha and it says
> Krishna had been spending his time mostly with one gopi, dear to him
>
> There is a mention and full story given in Brahma Vaivartha Puraanam, Tenth
> Skando, where Krishna (in the form of Madhava) exists with his consort
> Radhika in Golokam. Radhika, had to come to the world due to a curse by a
> Bhaktha and Krishna told her to go to Brindavan and wait for him to arrive.
>
>
> Thus, Radhika took birth first and was rearing up Krishna, when he was a
> child. Thus, the nearness of Krishna with Radhika increased.
>
> Finally in the Radha Madhava Kalyanam Choornikai, it is clearly said that
> Nandagopa while taking Krishna (6 years about) to cattle field there
> came thunder and rain and Nandagopa was searching for some one to fetch
> Krishna home.
>
> At that time Radha was coming and Nandagopa gave the child Krishna to
> Radha to take home safely. She was carrying him (rather hugging him)
> and walking when Krishna thought that it is the time to make Radha
> remember about her poorvaashramam and brought before her the scene of
> Golokam and its surroundings.
>
> Radhika, suddenly got a glipse of her poorvashrama life and ran to hug
> Krishna (with both hands wide open) appearing before her in his original
> Goloka form, when the child on her hip disappeared.
>
> Krishna called Brahma and arranged for the proper marriage ritual and
> took radha again unto himself. This is the story in the choornika in
> the Radhakalyana padhathi.
>
> This is also stated in Jayadev a Ashtapathi in a nutsell in one sloka
> Meghair
> Medhuram Ambaram Vanabhuva: ShyaamaThamaaladumaihi ....etc.)
>
> Thus only in Jayadeva Ashtapathi and Kalyana Choornikai there is mention
> about Radha Krishna Sallaapam.
>
> Q9 Do Radha was older than Krishna?
>
> A9 Yes. Radha came first in the world and was rearing up Krishna
> as a child. That means she is older than Krishna by about 3 years, as
> per the record.
>
> Q10 What is the interesting legend behind navarathri?
>
> A10 According to legend, Durga sat on the tip of a needle for nine days,
> doing a severe penance to destroy the evil Asura Mahisha.
>
> On the first three days, she meditated as Herself, the next three days as
> Mahalakshmi and the last three days as Sarasvati. This signifies
> progression from tamsik, to rajasik to satvik and eventually obtaining
> liberation.
>
> The tenth day during Sharada Navaratri is called vijayadashami to signify
> the victory on the day of dashami.
>
> Q11 Which books are read during Navarathri?
>
> A11 It is, however, a long tradition that one reads the devi-bhagavatam or
> the devi mahatmyam (Durga saptasati, 700 verses on Durga) during this
> period.
>
> Devi bhagavatam notes that Rama meditated and fasted for nine days after
> Sita was kidnapped by Ravana. There are numerous such incidents on how
> people's wishes were granted.
>
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