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SESSION 4: ONE GOD OR MANY GODS?
Journey of Self Discovery (JOSD-Day 4 Notes)
Total Time – 100 mts
SECTION ONE: WHY ARE THEIR SO MANY SCRIPTURES 20MINS
SECTION TWO: ONE GOD OR MANY GODS – IS GOD PERSONAL OR IMPERSONAL 15 MINS
SECTION THREE: WHO IS GOD?
30 MINS
SECTION FOUR: WHO ARE THE DEMIGODS?
30 MINS
SECTION FIVE: CAN ANYONE BECOME GOD?
MINS
5
SECTION ONE: WHY ARE THEIR SO MANY SCRIPTURES 20MINS
Q) Why are there so many Scriptures?
In session two, we have seen how there is a super-intelligent creator who has created this
universe and all life in it. This universe is compared to a machine. Every machine comes along
with an instruction manual. The instruction manual that comes along with the universe are the
scriptures. The natural question that arises is, “If there is one creator (God), and one machine
(the universe), then there should be one manual (the scriptures). Why are there so many
scriptures, so many religions and so many Gods?”
Good news. There is only one God, one religion and one scripture. Then how do we understand
the diversity of Gods, religions and scriptures? We shall discuss the diversity in scriptures and
religion first then about the variety of Gods.
Sanatana Dharma is the original religion that comes down from the dawn of creation of this
universe. What is Sanatana Dharma? Sanatana means eternal and Dharma means duty,
activity or nature. Thus Sanatana Dharma means the eternal duty or the eternal activity or the
eternal nature of the soul. (More about Sanatana Dharma and the eternal nature of the soul will
be discussed in session 5 and 6 of this course). To awaken the eternal spiritual nature of the
soul and realize God is the goal of all religions.
Wouldn’t it be simple and less confusing if there was only one scripture teaching us of one God
and one religion rather than all these varieties of God’s and scriptures? Yes, it would be less
confusing but it would also be less accommodating to have only one level of scripture for
everyone. This is because there are a wide variety of people on the planet.
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To cater to this huge variety of people at different levels, Sanatana Dharma or the details about
the nature of God and the soul are given to the people according to the different times, places
and circumstances. To the spiritually advanced more details are given and to the spiritually
bankrupt only initial instructions are given.
Let us consider the origin or the beginning of the major religions of the world with respect to
2011 AD:
Sikhism: 600 yrs old. Founder: Guru Nanak. Scripture: Guru Grantha Sahib.
Islam: 1300 yrs old. Founder:…
Christianity: 2000 yrs….
Buddhism: 2500 yrs…
Bhagavad Gita: 5000 yrs old
Hinduism: 6000 yrs…
(A REQUEST – CAN SOME DEVOTEE PLEASE INFORM ME AND SO SOME OFFICIAL
RESEARCH TO FILL THE ABOVE TABLE WITH SOME AUTHENTIC AND AUTHORIZED
INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORLD RELIGIONS, FOUNDERS AND SACRED TEXTS AND
DATES FOR EACH ONE OF THEM…)
Each religion claims their monopoly on God. Each religion claims that they have the perfect
knowledge of God and those who have faith in their brand of religion will go to heaven while all
other souls will rot in this world or go to hell! Let us use a little common sense here. If any
religion claims that their version of God is perfect, we can ask them, “Did God exist before the
founder revealed the name of God and the details of his religious rituals?”
To the people with Islamic faith, we can ask, “Was Allah created 1300 years ago by prophet
Mohammed (pbuh)? Did Allah (God) exist before prophet Mohammed (pbuh) revealed the
Islamic faith? How did the souls who appeared on the planet, before prophet Mohammed gave
Islam, go back to Allah? If no one goes to Allah without following the Muslim type of religion,
then is God so cruel or partial that He waited for billions and billions of years since He created
the universe for the first souls to come to Him?”
Similar questions can be asked to the Christians, “Were any souls forgiven for their sins before
Christ since the beginning of creation? If only the Christians go to heaven and all others go to
hell forever then what abut the billions and zillions of unlimited souls in the plants, birds, beasts,
fishes etc? Will they never reach God?”
Many Hindus claim that, “There are crores and crores of God’s and we can worship any one of
them according to our choice and we shall get the same result.” Then what about the western
religions? Well, the answer some broad-minded Hindu may prefer is, “They are also correct in
their own way and they also ultimately achieve the same goal.” But they think that this worship
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of 33 crore God’s is blasphemy against their One God. This is a contradiction, how can both be
true!
(OPTIONAL –
A short note on Hinduism:
Is Hinduism a religion? What is Hinduism? Many modern day Hindus are confused about the
identity of their religious faith. Often we hear the answer, “Hinduism is not a religion. Hinduism
is a way of life!” On further inquiry, “Oh, what is that way of life? What are the rules and
regulations that each Hindu must follow as a part of their religious faith?” We may get more
unclear and confused or even contradictory answers, “You can do what you like. As long as you
are true to yourself and true to God, you need not follow any person or sect or religion and just
do good and be good, then you’re a Hindu!”
But one man’s good could be another man’s bad. So how do we really understand who is a true
Hindu and define what is Hindusim?
The word Hindu is derived from the Sanskrit word Sindhu, the historic local name for the Indus
River in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, part of Pakistan. The word Hindu was
first used by Arab invaders and then went further west by the Arabic term al-Hind referring to
the land of the people who live across river Indus and the Persian term Hindū referring to all
Indians.
By the 13th century, Hindustān emerged as a popular alternative name of India, meaning the
"land of Hindus". Originally this land was called Bharat and the religion Sanatana Dharma.
Originally, the word “Hindu” was a secular (note: not a religion) term, which was used to
describe all inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent (or Hindustan) irrespective of their religious
affiliation. Thus, Hindu or Hinduism was simply a political or social word given by the Arab or
Moghul invaders to the people living on the other side of Sindhu. For example, people living in
Mumbai are called Mumbaikars, those living in Maharashtra or who speak Marathi are called
Maharashtrians, those living in America as Americans etc.
Can a political name, given to set of people, living in a particular tract of land, be called their
religion? Interestingly the word Hindu is not found in any of the scriptures that they claim are
sacred. There is no mention of the word Hindu in the Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana,
Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta Sutra or any other similar sanskrit scripture. Thus the
term Hindu is a modern term, given by foreign Moghul invaders to people living in India. Indian
and Hindu mean the same geographically.
It was only towards the end of the 18th century that the European merchants and colonists
referred collectively to the followers of Indian religions as Hindus. Eventually, it came to define a
precisely religious identity that includes any person of Indian origin who is a follower of the
Vedas.
Thus a Hindu is one who neither practiced Abrahamic western religions (like Judaism,
Christianity and Islam) nor non-Vedic Indian religions, such as Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism,
thereby encompassing a wide range of religious beliefs and practices related to Sanātana
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Dharma. Hinduism is formed of diverse traditions and has no single founder. Among its roots is
the Sanatana Dharma and as such Hinduism is often called the "oldest living religion”. (Source:
Wikipedia)
The conclusion is that Hinduism is a geographical or political word, given by foreigners and it
has very little to do with religion. Therefore, most Hindus are confused about what Hinduism is
or what it stands for. The original religion is called Sanatana Dharma as mentioned in the
original Vedic literatures. Hindu religion today is simply like an external shadow of the true
religion of the soul – Sanatana Dharma.
The term Hinduism was introduced into the English language in the 19th century to denote the
religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions native to India. Thus, Hindu culture according to
modern historians may have originated about 6000 years ago as found in the Harappa
civilization but the spiritual culture of Santana Dharma has existed since the beginning of
creation.
OPTIONAL Q) Why do a large number of modern Hindus neglect the Vedic culture?
The answer to this is the 1000 years of foreign subjugation of the Indian soil. First the Moghul
invaders systematically destroyed hundreds and thousands of temples and spiritual culture of
the land. Next the Imperial British gave a double blow to the Vedic tradition. Firstly the British
rulers funded the Western Indologists (Sanskrit scholars), to translate the Vedas into English in
such a way that they are seen as bunch of meaningless literature without any practical use,
wisdom, meaning or purpose!
Secondly, they introduced the western way of education in schools and colleges. This western
education systematically destroyed the faith of the intelligent Indian people in the Vedas and
also destroyed the Gurukula system, which preserved and propagated the Vedic education.
The result of which is we find that the modern generations of Indians have only some loose
connection or pride in their Vedic roots but a vast majority have hardly ever read even the
Bhagavad Gita, let alone the humungous Vedic literature.)
We can ask similarly, questions to each of the religions that have been created at a point in
time by some founder or a prophet, representative or a son of God. Whose claim to be the
absolute and real religion is true?
The fact is that Sanatana Dharma, the original function, nature and the eternal religion of the
spirit soul. Messengers of God offer the other religions according to time, place and
circumstances for the souls who are trapped in the material bodies. These religions are given
according to the traditions and customs prevalent in human society at that time. So, Sanatana
Dharma is like the university and the other religions are like the private colleges that are
affiliated to the university. The private colleges teach the same subjects prescribed by the
university but they are taught according to the different levels of the students.
Thus, every religion gives the same Sanatana Dharma or eternal religion, in different
degrees according to the different levels of the audiences and cultures, traditions of those
places. Each religion, tradition or faith is a path that can help lead to the ultimate religion of
Sanatana Dharma or the eternal function of the soul.
One may change from one college to another but the subject of education remains the same
and the goal of every college is to raise the students to the highest level of education. Similarly,
one’s faith can change from Hindu to Muslim or to Christian or vice versa but one’s Sanatana
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Dharma or eternal soul religion remains the same. The ultimate goal or education of every
religion is to awaken the soul and realize God.
Sanatana Dharma is the religion of the eternal soul and other religions are given in this
material world to help the souls to rise to the spiritual platform. To allow multiple level entry
points for people at different levels, variety of religions and spiritual schools are given.
Unawareness of this fundamental principle of Sanatana Dharma, which unifies the diverse
religions of the world, has resulted in religious conflicts, confrontations, and wars throughout
history. An example will explain this better:
Eg. Mathematics is one subject but it is taught at different levels for the different grades of
students.
In elementary school Mathematics, a child is taught basic addition and subtraction such as 5 - 2
= 3. But if he is asked, “What is 2 - 5 = ?”, he will say that it is not possible to subtract a bigger
number from a smaller number. When the same child goes to high school, he learns 2 - 5 = -3.
That is also Mathematics. When he goes to college, he learns differential calculus, integral
calculus etc. which is also Mathematics. Although the knowledge he has acquired at each level
comes under the subject of Mathematics, still there is a difference of standard between
elementary school Mathematics and M.Sc. level Mathematics.
Similarly, eternal religion or Sanatana Dharma is one subject, but it is taught to the students
according to their levels of elementary school, high school, postgraduate or even doctorate
levels.
Foolish children fight over, “My school is better than your school or my class is better than your
class!” The important thing is to get the education about the soul and God rather than fight over
the external rituals of who is better and who is worse!
The teacher may be a Ph.D. in Mathematics, but he or she teaches according to the level of
understanding of the student, depending on whether he is in an elementary school, high school
or college. Similarly, the messengers of God come with the absolute message of Sanatana
Dharma to explain the nature of the soul and the nature of God to people in general. However
they give the message only according to the level of the audience for the following reasons
(AAA):
1. A - Ability to understand.
2. A - Avoid rejection.
3. A - Advance step by step.
One may argue, “Wouldn’t be so simple and less confusing if there was only one textbook for
mathematics.” The answer is yes, it be definitely be less confusing if there was only one
textbook for mathematics and it would be less accommodating also! We need different levels of
the same mathematics to be taught to the students at different levels for the same 3 reasons
mentioned above.
What if we teach sines, cosines, derivatives and integration to fifth grade students, what will
happen? Do they have the ability to understand? Due their young age and lack of ability to
understand they may reject the subject. Therefore, to make them advance step by step some
basic concepts are taught at a younger age and then advanced mathematics is taught when
they grow up.
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Similarly, different religions teach different basic concepts, which gradually build up to ultimately
awaken the soul from its slumber and imprisonment in the material world – the essence of
Sanatana Dharma. Each religion teaches different rules and rituals depending on the level of
the audience to help them awaken the soul.
Thus all religions are ultimately meant to gradually elevate the follower to the highest
platform of love of God. This higher principle of the common purpose of all religions – love of
God – resolves the contradictions in the details and rituals amongst them.
Eg. Consider two dictionaries – a small pocket dictionary and a big bulky Chamber’s dictionary.
The Chamber’s dictionary is compared to Sanatana Dharma and the pocket dictionary is
compared to the other religions given at a point in time.
Just as small words like ‘come’, ‘go’, ‘eat’ etc. can be found in both the pocket and the
Chamber’s dictionaries, similarly basic moral instructions like ‘Do not steal’, ‘Love everyone’,
‘Forgive your enemy’, ‘Always do good to others’ may be found in all religious scriptures. Big
words like ‘cataclysm’, ‘corroborate’ will not be found in the pocket dictionary, but can be found
only in the Chamber’s dictionary. Similarly advanced spiritual instructions like ‘Surrender only to
the will of Lord’, ‘Unmotivated, uninterrupted love for God’, ‘Think of God and serve Him twentyfour hours a day’ and ‘Renounce all lust, anger, pride and greed’ and ‘Desire to serve the Lord
birth after birth rejecting even liberation’ can be found only in the most advanced part of the
scriptures.
Therefore authorized religions like Christianity, Islam etc are like pocket dictionaries, which
partially reveal Sanatana Dharma. All religious scriptures have the common principles of
Sanatana Dharma, only the details are different, given according to the level of the audience.
For example,
1. All scriptures recommend the chanting of the holy names of God.
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The Bible states: O Lord, Thou art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Islam teaches the regular chanting of the 99 names of Allah.
The Mahabharata recommends the chanting of the thousand names of Lord Vishnu
(called the Vishnu-sahasra-nama).
The Kali Santaran Upanishad gives the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra which is the Yuga
Dharma for his day and age.
2. All religions teach that love of God is the ultimate perfection.
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The Bible states: Love Thy God with all Thy soul and all Thy might.
The very word ‘Islam’ means ‘complete surrender’ (Koran)
The Bhagavad-gita (18.66) states: sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja
“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender to Me in pure love.”
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All religious scriptures reveal the following common essential principles:
1. There is only one God and He is the supreme object of our love.
2. Service to God is the nature of all living entities.
3. The material world with its pleasure and pains is temporary. We all have to ultimately return
to the kingdom of God.
4. Chanting the Holy Names of God and prayer are the easiest and most powerful ways to
revive our God consciousness.
5. One needs the guidance and the mercy of a bona fide messenger of God to achieve Him.
6. Everyone must follow certain restrictions to purify his or her life. (Eg. Thou shall not kill, thou
shall not steal, Christians are supposed to avoid eating meat on Fridays, Muslims to avoid
eating pigs, gambling and alcohol etc.)
These same principles are given sometimes in a simple and sometimes in an elaborate and
scientific form in every religion. For example,
Eg1. ISLAM – Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) had to flee from Mecca due to threat to his life. He
had to fight many battles throughout his life. The people who he was teaching were also of
Nomadic lifestyles. Therefore, he could give only 2 books – The Holy Quran and the Hadits,
which were compiled from his teachings and instructions after he left this world. (CAN
SOMEONE CONFIRM WHETHER THE QUOTE, “do not have sex with your mother and sister”
in the 16th Sura is authentic)…..
Eg2. CHRISTIANITY – Jesus Christ was allowed to preach only for 3 years before he was
tortured and crucified. Lord Jesus Christ had shown many miracles of bringing the dead to life,
giving eyes to the blind and healing many sick people. Still when Jesus was arrested some of
his 12 apostles (faithful followers) refused to even recognize him. Most of his followers initially
were simple fisher folk.
The Holy Bible was made after his departure from this world from the commandments and
instructions given to his followers. Little wonder therefore that in the Bible, Jesus says: “There is
much that I have to tell you but you cannot bear it now. ” (CONFIRMATION AND EXACT
VERSE OF THIS QUOTE IS REQUIRED) Lord Jesus knew everything about God, but he could
give only a little to the level of audience he preached to.
The scriptures like Bhagavad-gita and the Shrimad Bhagavatam are like the Chamber’s
dictionary which help us to raise the soul to the highest platform of love of God. These are the
scriptures that claim to give us complete knowledge about the soul, about God and the eternal
relationship of the soul with God.
Eg3. BHAGAVAD GITA: Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that, He is giving him complete and perfect
knowledge because Arjuna was a great and surrendered devotee. Bhagavad Gita (4.3),
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sa eväyaà mayä te 'dya
yogaù proktaù purätanaù
bhakto 'si me sakhä ceti
rahasyaà hy etad uttamam
saù—the same; eva—certainly; ayam—this; mayä—by Me; te—unto you; adya—today;
yogaù—the science of yoga; proktaù—spoken; purätanaù—very old; bhaktaù—devotee; asi—
you are; me—My; sakhä—friend; ca—also; iti—therefore; rahasyam—mystery; hi—certainly;
etat—this; uttamam—transcendental.
TRANSLATION:
That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you
because you are My devotee as well as My friend and can therefore understand the
transcendental mystery of this science.
Again in Bhagavad Gita (7.2), Lord Krishna confirms that He is giving the complete and perfect
knowledge about God.J
jïänaà te 'haà sa-vijïänam
idaà vakñyämy açeñataù
yaj jïätvä neha bhüyo 'nyaj
jïätavyam avaçiñyate
jïänam—phenomenal knowledge; te—unto you; aham—I; sa—with; vijïänam—numinous
knowledge; idam—this; vakñyämi—shall explain; açeñataù—in full; yat—which; jïätvä—
knowing; na—not; iha—in this world; bhüyaù—further; anyat—anything more; jïätavyam—
knowable; avaçiñyate—remains.
TRANSLATION:
I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous. This being
known, nothing further shall remain for you to know.
Q) IS BHAGAVAD GITA A HINDU SCRIPTURE? WHY IS IT CONSIDERED SO SPECIAL?
Although Bhagavad Gita is recognized world wide as a Hindu scripture, it actually contains
principles that are universally applicable. Bhagavad Gita in its 700 verses gives the complete
essence of Sanatana Dharma or the eternal religion. Bhagavad Gita gives a clear picture about
the the 5 main themes of (i) Soul, (ii) God, (iii) Material nature (iv) Time, (v) Karma and the
relation between them.
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We have discussed earlier that Hindu religion is a misnomer and a name given by foreign
invaders to the people living in a geographical location on the eastern side of Sindhu river. So it
is safer to say that Bhagavad Gita is a universal scripture of Sanatana Dharma, which is
accepted by people living in India or Hindustan and widely read all over the world.
Now, what is so special about the Gita? The teachers, preachers of founders of the various
religions explain, certain principles of Sanatana Dharma according to the capacity of the
audience. Every scripture gives some idea about soul, God and their relationship with each
other. Bhagavad Gita is special because it is directly spoken by God Himself and explains the
highest conception of the souls relationship with God. This is further elaborated in the Srimad
Bhagavatam.
Q) WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT LEVELS AT WHICH PEOPLE APPROACH GOD?
Anyone, who accepts God as the Supreme Creator, is called a theist. Many people connect to
God in a relationship at different levels of feelings. Depending upon their feelings, they
experience a particular intimacy and realization of the Supreme Lord. There are 4 levels at
which people relate to God:
1) Bhaya (out of fear) :
It is said that fear is the beginning of knowledge and it is the lowest level of motivation for
love.
Such people who are God-fearing experience God as the all powerful chastiser of sinners,
who casts the atheists in the blazing fire of hell for eternal damnation. People who are afraid of
hell, poverty, pain, and death are motivated to worship the Lord out of fear of impending
suffering and punishment for their sins. This understanding of God as a frightening person is a
very basic level of God-realization because it focuses on only one small aspect of God as a
judge who punishes the sinful; but God is much more than that.
2) Asha (for satisfying material aspirations):
At a higher stage, we realize that along with our hard work, we need the Lord’s grace to
achieve success. Thus, people glorify God and pray to Him for success, for material objects
and material happiness. Such people may pray, “O God, hallowed by Thy Name, please give us
our daily bread!” Sometimes such people think of God as a cosmic bellboy whose job is to fulfill
every whim and fancy of their mind and every item on their to-do list!
They exhibit great devotion and profess great faith in God, as long as their desires are
fulfilled. If they face obstacles, reversals in life then they may transfer their love, devotion to any
place where their desires will be fulfilled. They are devotees of their desires more than devotees
of God. Once the material desire is fulfilled then the person is absorbed in the material gifts
more than the Lord. If the material desires are not fulfilled then one again forgets God.
Such a business-like relationship with the Lord based on give and take is also quite
superficial and leads to a God-realization, better only above the fear platform.
Some examples of the mentality of devotees who worship the Supreme with material desires.
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STORY1 : O DEVI, YOU ARE SO GREAT THAT YOU TOOK YOUR SHARE OF 50 LAKHS
OF THE LOTTERY BEFORE ONLY!
STORY2: O DEVI, PLEASE TAKE THESE FLIES INSTEAD OF THE CHICKEN, GOAT OR
A BUFFALO FOR HELPING ME COME FIRST IN MY EXAM.
3) Kartavya buddhi (out of a sense of duty):
Above those who worship the Lord with desire are those who relate to God as the Supreme
Father with feelings of gratitude. They acknowledge the greatness and benevolence of God for
providing all the necessities of life – food, grains, fruits, air, water, sunlight, minerals etc – so
that we may live happily in this world. This type of worship of God out of a sense of duty is
certainly superior to worship out of fear or desire because, on this duty-bound platform, a
person understands God to be a loving father who provides him all that he needs for his
sustenance and protection.
This kind of gratitude for God and counting His unlimted blessings is highly recommended
and is a very good platform for beginning one’s journey on the spiritual path. The is platform is
still limited and one needs to rise higher. This is because on the platform of kartavya buddhi or
duty one still accepts God as one’s order supplier and offers Him gratitude in return.
4) Raga (out of genuine attraction and pure love for the Lord) :
The highest platform of religion is love of God, where one worships God only out of pure love
for Him. Such a devotee does not fear God or consider Him to be an order-supplier. Such a
devotee does not want to take anything from God rather he or she wants to offers everything to
God out in pure love and devotion.
It is immaterial whether one is a Hindu, Muslim or a Christian. The ultimate goal of religion is
to achieve this love of the pure soul for God. This love is an expansion of oneself, an outward
flow of affection, marked by selflessness in action, speech and thought. It seeks no reward or
return; the devotee only desires to satisfy the Supreme will of the Lord. The more one practices
this type of love for God, the more one achieves complete freedom from all bondage and
develops an intimate relationship with God. This love is selfless and pure for it is different from
the love one feels toward someone who satisfies one’s need or greed!
On the previous platforms, the worshiper is interested in God mainly as a facilitator of his
material life, but on this platform, one serves God simply out of love without expecting any
material benefit. It is this pure philosophy of unmotivated love of God that the Shrimad
Bhagavatam (1.2.6) teaches: “The supreme occupation (dharma) for all humanity is that by
which men can attain to loving devotional service to the transcendent Lord. Such devotional
service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.”
This unconditional selfless love of God naturally evokes similar selfless love for every living
entity because every soul is a beloved child of God. The Shrimad Bhagavatam abounds with
examples of such pure devotees of the Lord. For example, Bhakta Prahlad, the exalted devotee
of Lord Narasimhadeva, remained unshaken even in the face of great adversities and desired
the good of his father, the demoniac Hiranyakashipu, though the latter tried to brutally murder
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him in numerous ways. The Bhagavatam also teaches the process by which every one of us
can be elevated to this platform of loving God and having a direct eternal relationship with Him.
Eg. A child can relate to his father in the following 4 ways. The relationship of a naughty child
simply based on fear of the father’s punishment is very meager. The relationship based only on
the father fulfilling the son’s needs and desires. Such a son can easily get swayed to someone
or some other place where his desires are fulfilled in a better way. How long would such a
father keep fulfilling the whims and fancies of the child and what kind of relationship do they
share? Very superficial and need based.
Higher and more satisfactory relationship is that of a son, who out of duty serves his father.
Acknowledging the gifts and kindness of his father, the son is happy to serve Him as it is his
solemn duty as a son. This is a much deeper relationship and the father will be happy to share
His gifts and riches with such a dutiful son.
The deepest and the most enriching relationship is of pure love, where the parent and the child
completely give themselves to each other out of pure love without a single expectation from the
other person. Such love devoid of expectations and exploitation can completely satisfy oneself.
Dim a devotee who gives himself or herself to the Lord in pure love receives the complete favor
and mercy of the Lord. In fact, God completely reveals Himself only to such devotees and He
becomes captured by their love!
Thus all religions are ultimately meant to gradually elevate the follower to the highest
platform of love of God. This higher understanding of the common purpose of all religions –
love of God – resolves the superficial contradictions among them.
SECTION TWO: ONE GOD OR MANY GODS – IS GOD PERSONAL OR IMPERSONAL 15 MINS
Q) ONE GOD OR MANY GODS? – IS GOD PERSONAL OR IMPERSONAL?
The Vedanta-Sutra (1.1.2) Janmady asya yatah describes the Supreme God as the Supreme
source of everything. The Brahma-Samhita, defines God as the Supreme Creator or the cause
of all causes sarva karana-karanam. God, being the Supreme cause of all causes is a
universally accepted definition of God. The question then arises, “Can the Supreme cause of all
causes be one or are there many Supreme causes?” It is common sense to accept that, “There
has to be one Supreme cause. If there are more that one Supreme causes, then which one of
them is Supreme?” Therefore, God has to be one, there cannot be may Gods! There can be
many forms of God but God has to be one, the Supreme One.
not existing as a person; having no personality, object….. LOVE OF GOD, MEANS LOVE
OF A PERSON….
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Q) IS THE SUPREME LORD ULTIMATELY PERSONAL OR IMPERSONAL?
Many people conceive God as some Supreme force or Supreme power who is “up there”
somewhere! Is God simply some sort of Supreme force, energy, and power without any form or
personality? Or does God have a Supreme personality of His own?
If God is the source of everything that we see in this world, then God
Himself should contain the essential attributes of everything, else He would
be lesser than His creation. In this world, there exist both persons and impersonal
forces, so both these aspects should be present in God. If God were not a person, then He
would be incomplete. In other words, the Complete Being would be incomplete, which is totally
illogical. Another simpler way of putting this is: if we as the children of God are persons, how
can our father God not be a person?
Thus God, to be perfect and complete must have both – Personal and impersonal. God must
have both – A form and formless energy. If God is only formless energy, then God is something
‘less’ than His children, who have forms and are persons.
Q) WHICH IS HIGHER - THE FORM OR THE FORMLESS ASPECT OF GOD?
This question has plagued the mind of great thinkers since time immemorial. The form is always
the source of the formless and energy always belongs to an energetic source or a person.
(OPTIONAL –
Someone may argue that, “Our form is only temporary, like in a dream. When the soul awakens
from this dream, it realizes that my material identity and form was temporary and my spiritual
identity is formless!”
Yes, the spiritual identity is materially formless, but is has its own spiritual form. For example,
when a person wakes up from a dream, he or she realizes that the dream bodies or identities
are temporary. Does it mean that they wake up to realize that they are formless? Or does it
mean that they wake up to their real bodies and start performing their real work?
Similarly, when our spirit soul awakens, we shall realize that our material identities are
temporary. When we truly wake up, we will realize that materially we are formless, means we
have ‘no material form’. But we shall wake up to our own real, eternal spiritual form and spiritual
activities, just like a sleeping person wakes up to his real material form and performs his
material activities.
The Supreme Lord also has His own spiritual form which is the shelter for everything in the
material and spiritual world.)
Eg1. The Supreme form of the Lord is compared to the sun and the Supreme formless is
compared to the sunlight.
The sunlight in general is considered a formless and impersonal energy. However, the energy
of the sun comes from the sun, which is its source and which has a form. Similarly, the
Supreme Lord has His spiritual form, which is the source of the impersonal spiritual energy or
spiritual light. (More information about this spiritual light will be discussed in the session 5).
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Eg2. If the sun is very huge and far to imagine then we can simply observe the bulb or tube light
in our vicinity. The bulb light or the tube light that we see is an impersonal and formless entity.
However, the source of such impersonal, formless energy is the bulb or the tube, which is a
specific object with a well-defined form.
Q) IS GOD’S FORM THE SAME AS OUR FORM? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
GOD’S FORM AND OUR FORM?
Although God has a form and we have a form, there is a gulf of difference, like between the
earth and the sky, between His spiritual form and our present material form. His spiritual form is
eternally full of knowledge, bliss and is the source of all the material and spiritual worlds. Our
present material forms are temporary, subject to birth, death and other miseries! The following
story and the example may help to clarify this difference.
STORY: A SADHU, MOTHER, TIGER AND THE ELEPHANT
Once upon a time there was a sadhu, who came to a home to beg alms. He stood outside the
door and requested, “Bhiksham dehi, please give me some alms.” The lady of the house
replied, “Please wait. I’ll just feed my kids and come soon.” Meanwhile the sage heard a
conversation going on in the house. The child was telling the mother, “I want to eat the elephant
and not the tiger!” The mother replied, “My dear child, the elephant is meant for your sister to
eat, you be satisfied with the tiger.” The sage got a little bewildered; he was wondering where
has he come to beg alms?
The sage started to leave the place in fear, thinking he might become the next meal for the
children. As he was leaving the mother comes out to give him charity. She said, “Please accept
this, why are you running away?” The sadhu replied, “I don’t want to take charity from people
who eat wild animals!” The mother protested, “We don’t eat meat; on the contrary we are pure
vegetarians.” The sadhu said, “How can you call yourself a vegetarian when you are
encouraging your children to eat elephants and tigers?” The mother then went into the house
and brought a small candy tiger and small candy elephant.
We can all relate to eating these sorts of candy sweets in our childhood days. These candies
were made from pure solid sugar. All the way around, no matter where you bite it from, it was
sweet everywhere. The Supreme Lord’s form is compared to these sugar elephants and tigers.
Although the form of the sugar dolls is in the shape of the elephant and the tiger, its substance
is totally different from
Eg. HE-MAN AND BARBIE DOLL CHOCOLATES.
Previously there was a famous cartoon character called He-Man. There was also a TV show on
He-man, which was very popular amongst the youth. A chocolate company had a big
advertising campaign where they promoted two kinds toy models, Barbie doll and He-Man. The
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Barbie doll made from rubber outside and inside you will find Cadbury Gems chocolates. Then
there was the He-Men toy made from pure solid chocolate. You could break this chocolate toy
anywhere and you will find it is solid chocolate everywhere. There is chocolate outside and
there is chocolate inside.
The rubber Barbie doll can be compared to our material body and the Cadbury’s gems inside.
Just like the outside part of this doll is made from rubber and inside you find the Cadbury gems
similarly the outside part of our body is made from matter (earth, water, fire, air, and ether etc)
and inside the body we are the spirit soul (sat-cit-ananda, eternal, conscious and blissful). Thus
we are matter outside and spirit inside, just like the Barbie doll is rubber outside and chocolate
inside.
God’s body is compared to the He-man doll, which is made from pure chocolate. Just like this
He-men doll is sweet everywhere, similarly God’s body is Spiritual everywhere, outside and
inside. Thus God is the Supreme Spiritual Person.
(OPTIONAL RV (protesting): But do personality and form not limit God?
SS: No, such a question arises because we superimpose our material conceptions on God. For
argument’s sake, even if we grant that form limits a thing, does divesting it of form make it
unlimited? We are sitting in this room, which has a form and is limited. If its form were
destroyed by say the explosion of a bomb, will the formless debris be limited or unlimited?
RV (thoughtfully): Limited.
SS (assertively): Yes. What causes limitation is not form, but matter. Due to its very nature,
matter is limited, whether it exists with form or without form. When we conceive of God’s form,
we subconsciously project our experiences with matter on the form of God and so think that a
form would limit God. But God is not material; He is entirely spiritual. Spirit has characteristics
different from matter ; that which is spiritual has the potential to be all-pervading, irrespective of
whether it has form or not. So God can have a form that is spiritual and so does not limit Him.
Thus God is simultaneously a person with a form on one hand, and is unlimited and
omnipresent on the other.
RV: This is an innovative explanation that reconciles both sides of the argument…. But even if
we accept that God has a form, why should He have a humanlike form like us? Isn’t this an
example of what you were saying earlier: of our projecting humanlike conceptions on God?
Because we are human beings, so we imagine that God also has a humanlike form.
SS: This idea is technically called as anthropomorphism, ‘anthropos’ refers to ‘humans’ and
‘morphos’ to ‘form’. Though it may initially seem sensible, but if we think deeply, it arises due to
our self-centered thinking, due to our placing ourselves at the center of things. We think that
because we have a humanlike form, we have conceived of God as humanlike. But could the
reverse not be true? What if God originally had a form and our present human form was
modeled according to that original form of God?
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RV (startled): I never thought of that possibility… But as both are potential possibilities, how do
we know which is the reality?)
When we want knowledge about physics, we refer to the authorized textbooks of physics.
Similarly, when we want knowledge about God, should we not refer to the authorized textbooks
about God – the scriptures? The scriptures of the great religions of the world repeatedly refer to
God in a personal, humanlike way. For example,
CHRISTIANITY: The Bible talks about “under His feet” (Exodus 24:10); “inscribed with the
finger of God” (Exodus 31:18); “the hand of the Lord” (Exodus 9:3); “the eyes of the Lord”
(Genesis 38:7); “the ears of the Lord” (Numbers 11:1). Ezekiel (1:26) describes God as having
“the semblance of a human form.” Such phrases permeate the biblical literature. Further, there
is the classic and clear statement in the Bible: “Man is made in the image of God.”
Lord Jesus Christ clearly stated that “I have a father in heaven” and he prayed to Him “Abba” or
the Supreme Father. If we inquire further, “Who is that father? What is His personal name?
Where does He stay? What does He do with His time in Heaven? And if man is made in the
image of God – What is God’s original image?”
Many similar questions are met with a blank face or some mental speculations and word
jugglery. The fact is that Lord Jesus Christ knew all these answers and wanted to tell his
followers but seeing their little qualifications, he said, “There is much that I have to tell you but
you cannot bear it now.”
ISLAM- In the Holy Quran, there are similar references to Allah in a personal way: “the face of
your Lord” (055:027), “under My eye” (020:039), “under our eyes” (052:048) & (054:014), “the
hand of Allah” (048:010), (038:075) & (039:067).
These quotes clearly refer to Allah as a person. It is explained that the prophet (pbuh) only
heard Allah on his way to heaven and he would see Allah on the day of resurrection. The
Islamic tradition clearly states that we are all Allah’s bandas or servitors (some say slaves) and
on the Day of Judgment Allah will judge us for the activities that we have done on earth. Where
will Allah judge us? He will judge us in his darbar or court.
Now if we inquire further, “Where is this court of Allah? Is he alone or are there other courtiers?
The conclusion is that God is the Supreme Person and
1. GOD HAS NO MATERIAL FORM.
2. GOD HAS A FORMLESS SPIRITUAL ENERGY or SPIRITUAL LIGHT.
3. GOD HAS A SPIRITUAL FORM.
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When we understand all the above the aspects of God then we can resolve all the superficial
differences or contradictions about God explained in the various scriptures. If we have
information of only any one or two of the above conclusions about God then we will always find
some contradictions or limitations in our understanding about God’s complete form and
personality.
SECTION THREE: WHO IS GOD?
30 MINS
Q) WHO IS THAT SUPREME PERSON?
By definition, God is the Supreme Being. There is no one equal to or greater than God in
any quality, attribute or characteristic. God has unlimited spiritual qualities and or each of
His qualities, God has a transcendental name. Thus, god is one person called by different
spiritual names
For example, people who speak different languages may call the substance water as neeru,
jalam, thanneer, paanee, water, etc; but the substance they are referring to is the same. The
fiery planet at the center of the solar system is called sun by an Englishman, suraj, surya or
ravi, by a Hindi speaking person, bhaskar or aditya by a Sanskrit speaking person, le soleil by a
Frenchman, Sonne in German, sole in Italian, etc. People using different languages speak
these various names, yet they all refer to the same planet – the sun.
Similarly, the one Supreme God is called by different names in different languages. Is the
Supreme Lord All powerful? Yes surely. Therefore He is called Jehovah, which means
Almighty. Is the Supreme Lord All merciful or All compassionate? Yes surely. Therefore, He is
called Allah, which means All merciful and that no one is greater or equal to Him. is the
Supreme Lord All-blissful? Yes. Thus He is called Rama, meaning the Reservoir of All
Pleasure, and so on by different people according to their cultures, languages, etc. All these
names undoubtedly refer to the same supreme person - God, but each of these names refer
only to a specific quality of God.
Since God has all these divine qualities, He is All-Attractive. In His highest manifestation, God
is the the Supreme All-Attractive Person. In Sanskrit, the word All-Attractive translates as
Krishna. Thus, the same One God who is called as Allah, Jehovah, Abba, Rama, etc in different
languages is Krishna, the Supreme All-Attractive Personality.
Childish or ignorant people fight to prove their religious superiority over others without realizing
that everyone is advancing towards the same Supreme Person, Krishna. They fight over
syntax, grammatical or languages, traditions or Names of God without realizing that others are
also worshipping their same Supreme Lord, in the way He has revealed to them in their culture,
language and tradition. Everyone makes progress till they reach the stage of Sanatana
Dharma, or the pure unmotivated, uninterrupted love of the spirit soul for the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Krishna or His various manifestations.
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The Vedic scriptures give vivid descriptions of God’s form as Krishna - the all attractive. The
Brahma- Samhita offers an enthralling glimpse of the beautiful divine form of the Supreme Lord
as Krishna the All-Attractive. The Brahma-Samhita also describes the spiritual abode of the
Supreme Lord.
cintämaëi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-våkñalakñävåteñu surabhér abhipälayantam
lakñmé-sahasra-çata-sambhrama-sevyamänaà
govindam ädi-puruñaà tam ahaà bhajämi
SYNONYMS
cintämaëi—touchstone; prakara—groups made of; sadmasu—in abodes; kalpa-våkña—of
desire trees; lakña—by millions; ävåteñu—surrounded; surabhéù—surabhi cows;
abhipälayantam—tending; lakñmé—of goddesses of fortune; sahasra—of thousands; çata—by
hundreds; sambhrama—with great respect; sevyamänam—being served; govindam—Govinda;
ädi-puruñam—the original person; tam—Him; aham—I; bhajämi—worship.
TRANSLATION
I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the first progenitor who is tending the cows, yielding all
desire, in abodes built with spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose trees, always
served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of lakñmés or gopés.
veëuà kvaëantam aravinda-daläyatäkñambarhävataàsam asitämbuda-sundaräìgam
kandarpa-koöi-kamanéya-viçeña-çobhaà
govindam ädi-puruñaà tam ahaà bhajämi
SYNONYMS
veëum—the flute; kvaëantam—playing; aravinda-dala—(like) lotus petals; äyata—blooming;
akñam—whose eyes; barha—a peacock's feather; avataàsam—whose ornament on the head;
asita-ambuda—(tinged with the hue of) blue clouds; sundara—beautiful; aìgam—whose figure;
kandarpa—of Cupids; koöi—millions; kamanéya—charming; viçeña—unique; çobham—whose
loveliness; govindam—Govinda; ädi-puruñam—the original person; tam—Him; aham—I;
bhajämi—worship.
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TRANSLATION
I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is adept in playing on His flute, with blooming eyes
like lotus petals with head decked with peacock's feather, with the figure of beauty tinged with
the hue of blue clouds, and His unique loveliness charming millions of Cupids.
aìgäni yasya sakalendriya-våtti-manti
paçyanti pänti kalayanti ciraà jaganti
änanda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya
govindam ädi-puruñaà tam ahaà bhajämi
aìgäni—the limbs; yasya—of whom; sakala-indriya—of all the organs; våtti-manti—possessing
the functions; paçyanti—see; pänti—maintain; kalayanti—manifest; ciram—eternally; jaganti—
the universes; änanda—bliss; cit—truth; maya—full of; sat—substantiality; ujjvala—full of
dazzling splendor; vigrahasya—whose form; govindam—Govinda; ädi-puruñam—the original
person; tam—Him; aham—I; bhajämi—worship.
TRANSLATION
I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, whose transcendental form is full of bliss, truth,
substantiality and is thus full of the most dazzling splendor. Each of the limbs of that
transcendental figure possesses in Himself, the full-fledged functions of all the organs, and
eternally sees, maintains and manifests the infinite universes, both spiritual and mundane.
Q) WHY IS GOD DESCRIBED TO HAVE A HUMAN-LIKE FORM? CAN GOD NOT EXIST IN
ANY OTHER FORM?
God exists and appears in unlimited varieties of forms in His various incarnations. Although
some of those forms may resemble forms we see in this material world, those forms of God are
made up of spiritual nature. The highest of all those spiritual forms is the human-like form of the
Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. It is ignorance at best or sheer arrogance at worst, to think that God
has a spiritual form that resembles us.
The fact is that man is made in the image of God’s form. Thus humans resemble God, rather
than God resembling the humans. Srimad Bhagavatam, 11th canto explains how the Supreme
Lord created the species of human beings out of His causeless mercy so that the spirit souls
could get a form, which provided them the opportunity to get out of the cycle of birth and death
in the material world. Thus, the best use of the human body is to use it to surrender and serve
the Supreme Lord.
Q) WHY DO THE SCRIPTURES ACCEPT KRISHNA TO BE THE SUPREME LORD?
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Jesus is the proclaimed son of God, Mohammed (pbuh) is His prophet, Moses is His
messenger, Guru Nanak is a great spiritual teacher and leader, Buddha came to teach
meditation and renunciation, Mahavira Jain is a liberated or a perfected soul and there are
many saints and sages in every religion that teach us about God. Still the question begs itself,
“Who then is that Supreme Person or that Supreme God?”
Many religions present partial aspects of that Supreme God as being all merciful (Allah) and
being the Supreme Father (Jehovah) etc. The Vedas reveal much greater details of the
Supreme Person as the All attractive spiritual form of Krishna. All the great teachers know this
fact about the Supreme Person but they reveal only according to the need of the audience at
that time to advance to a higher step.
Thus, Jesus is the Holy son of Krishna, Mohammed is His prophet, Moses is Krishna’s
messenger and Guru Nanak is a great teacher and leader send by Krishna and all great saints
and sages teach the same principles of Sanatana Dharma according to their time, place and
circumstances. He is accepted as the Supreme God because Krishna exactly fits the 2
definitions of God:
1. General definition: SPICE – Supreme Proprietor and Independent Controller and Enjoyer.
2. Specific personal definition: Bhagavan - All Attractive, because he is full of six opulences (All
Wealth, Beauty Fame, Strength, Knowledge, Renunciation).
We shall see how the scriptures present Krishna as the Supreme Lord to fulfill both the above
criteria.
1. General definition.
In session 2: Does God exist? we saw SPICE – The Supreme Proprietor and Independent
Controller and Enjoyer as specific the criteria for the definition of God.
In two verses of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is shown to fulfill the above definition as the (i)
Supreme and (ii) Proprietor and Independent Controller, Enjoyer.
A) In Bhagavad Gita (10.8), Krishna is shown as the Supreme amongst everything that exists in
the material and spiritual worlds.
ahaà sarvasya prabhavo
mattaù sarvaà pravartate
iti matvä bhajante mäà
budhä bhäva-samanvitäù
aham—I; sarvasya—of all; prabhavaù—the source of generation; mattaù—from Me; sarvam—
everything; pravartate—emanates; iti—thus; matvä—knowing; bhajante—become devoted;
mäm—unto Me; budhäù—the learned; bhäva-samanvitäù—with great attention.
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TRANSLATION
I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise
who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
B) The Brahma Samhita also confirms the same truth that Krishna is the Supreme Cause of all
Cause and there is no one or no cause above Him.
éçvaraù paramaù kåñëaù
sac-cid-änanda-vigrahaù
anädir ädir govindaù
sarva-käraëa-käraëam
éçvaraù—the controller; paramaù—supreme; kåñëaù—Lord Kåñëa; sat—comprising eternal
existence; cit—absolute knowledge; änanda—and absolute bliss; vigrahaù—whose form;
anädiù—without
beginning;
ädiù—the
origin;
govindaù—Lord
Govinda;
sarva-käraëa-
käraëam—the cause of all causes.
TRANSLATION
Kåñëa who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual
body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes.
C) Another verse from Bhagavad Gita (5.29), shows how Krishna is the Proprietor and
Independent Controller and Enjoyer.
bhoktäraà yajïa-tapasäà
sarva-loka-maheçvaram
suhådaà sarva-bhütänäà
jïätvä mäà çäntim åcchati
bhoktäram—the beneficiary; yajïa—of sacrifices; tapasäm—and penances and austerities;
sarva-loka—of all planets and the demigods thereof; mahä-éçvaram—the Supreme Lord; suhådam—the benefactor; sarva—of all; bhütänäm—the living entities; jïätvä—thus knowing;
mäm—Me (Lord Kåñëa); çäntim—relief from material pangs; åcchati—one achieves.
TRANSLATION
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A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices
and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and wellwisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.
The above 3 verses clearly conclude that Krishna perfectly fulfills the general definition of God.
Since God is the Supreme Person, there is specific description to define the Supreme Lord’s
personality. There are many powerful and exceptionally qualified persons, both in this world, in
the heavens and even beyond. Only God and His personal expansions can be accepted as the
Supreme Person based on this specific personal definition.
2. Specific personal definition: BHAGAVAN – One who possesses all opulences.
The word bhaga means opulences and van means one who possesses. Thus Bhagavan means
one who possesses all opulences in full. For example, one with great strength is called balavan.
Bala means strength and van means one who possesses it. Someone with great knowledge or
wisdom is called Vidvan. Vidya means knowledge and van is one who possesses it. Someone
with great wealth is called wealth is called dhanavan. Dhana is wealth and van again is a
possessor. Similarly, someone who possesses all the opulences in full is by definition called
Bhagavan.
This verse from the Viñëu Puräëa (6.5.47) gives the personal definition of Bhagavan:
aiçvaryasya samagrasya
véryasya yaçasaù çriyaù
jïäna-vairägyayoç caiva
saëëäà bhaga itiìgana
(Viñëu Puräëa 6.5.47)
Bhagavän, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is thus defined by Paräçara Muni as one who
is full in six opulences—who has full strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty, and
renunciation.
There are many persons who are very rich, very powerful, very beautiful, very famous, very
learned, and very much detached, but no one can claim that he possesses all riches, all
strength etc. entirely except God. Also, even if someone possesses any one of these qualities
in full, still one is disqualified, since for being Bhagavan, one needs to have all these six
qualities in full. (For example, Lord Siva is absolutely renounced. Although he is full in
The presence of one or more of these opulences in a person even in a minute quantity makes
him attractive in the eyes of others. As God possesses all these wonderful qualities in full, He is
naturally the most attractive person, the all-attractive person. The equivalent Sanskrit word for
‘all attractive’ is ‘Krishna’. Hence Krishna is the name, which gives the most complete
description of God.
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(OPTIONAL Specifically, Bhagavan or the Supreme Person must have the following 6 opulences in full: All
Wealth, Beauty Fame, Strength, Knowledge and Renunciation. Such a person who possesses
all these opulences in full becomes All Attractive. Thus, God is all attractive or Krishna. We
shall briefly discuss how Krishna possesses all these opulences and therefore is all attractive.
1. RICHES: Bhagavän, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the proprietor of all riches.
There are many rich men in the world, but no one can claim that he possesses all the wealth.
Nor can anyone claim that no one is richer than he. All riches and wealth is represented by
Lakshmi devi or the goddess of fortune. Most people are mad to get a slight favour from Her to
amass a fortune. However, hundreds and thousands of such Lakshmis are eager to worship the
lotus feet of the Supreme Lord (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.29). Lakshmi is always eager to be
associated with the Supreme Lord. Therefore, the Lord is addressed as Lakshmi Narayan or
Sita Rama or Radha Krishna.
Having riches adds to a persons attractive features. We experience in this material world that if
a man is very rich, he is attractive. In America, for instance, Mr. Rockefeller and Mr. Ford and
now Mr. Warren Buffet or Mr. Bill Gates etc are very attractive because of their riches. They are
attractive even though they do not possess all the wealth of the world. How much more
attractive, then, is God, who is the possessor of all riches.
STORY: MR. HENRY FORD, WAS A SCHOOL DROP OUT AND SOMEONE CAME TO
TEASE HIM ABOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE. HE COULD BUY EVERY TYPE OF KNOWLEDGE.
IS HE NOT INTELLIGENT!
2. STRENGTH: Anyone who exceptionally strong becomes attractive to those who appreciate
power. Thousands and millions of people idolize sport stars and go to watch matches in boxing,
rugby, football which requires a lot of physical strength for the sport. If a little bit of strength or
power can be so attractive, how much more attractive must be the Supreme Lord who is the
reservoir of all power.
Every power in the material and spiritual worlds is at the beck and call of the Supreme Lord,
Krishna. It is not that Krishna has to work hard and struggle to maintain all the universes and all
the galaxies, stars and planets in them. Lord Krishna maintains them effortlessly with the help
of His unlimited energies.
Weight-lifters spend their entire lives practicing and, when finally, after years of endeavor, they
manage to lift a large weight for a few moments and they are deemed as heroic stars. But what
is their strength compared to the strength of Krishna? Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on
the nail of the little finger of His left hand when He was just 7 years old. The Govardhan
Mountain is still existing today in Vrindavan with a circumference of around 22 kms. 5000 years
ago it was much larger in size. But Krishna easily lifted it – not just for a few moments, but for
seven continuous days and nights thus effortlessly protecting all the residents of Vrindavan
from the heavy rainfall caused by Indra! Such is the extraordinary strength of Krishna.
(OPTIONAL Krishna has unlimited strength at all times. It is not the Krishna has to perform some physical
exercises to gain some strength! His strength always present even as a baby right from the
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moment of His appearance in this world. When Kåñëa was only three months old, the Pütanä
demon attempted to kill Him by feeding Him poison, but instead Krishna finished her be
removing her poison and he life air. That is God. God is God from the beginning. He does not
become God by some meditation or mystic power.
Once when Srila Prabhupada asked his disciple artist Jadurani to draw a picture of Krishna as
Govardhanadhari, she portrayed Krishna as a youth with big biceps. Srila Prabhupada told her
that Krishna does not need to have such muscles to lift Govardhan; His body is spiritual and
has unlimited power. He lifted the huge Govardhan hill as easily as an elephant would lift a
mushroom. If the Supreme Lord can effortlessly hold unlimited planets and universes simply by
His energies, what is the wonder for Him to lift a tiny mountain for a few days?!
3. FAME:
In this world, people are very much attracted to the rich and the famous. Who can be more
famous than God? Even the atheists who are busy trying to prove that God doesn’t exist, can’t
stop talking about Him! Unlimited people are attracted to pray to Him in the various religions of
the world. also unlimited living entities in the unlimited planets and universes glorify the
greatness of God. How much famous and attractive God should be!
4. BEAUTY:
Beauty is another opulence is possessed unlimitedly by Krishna. In Bhagavad Gita (10.41),
Krishna explains that everything beautiful that we see in nature, people or objects is simply a
tiny spark of His personal splendor. People are madly intoxicated and attached to the things
they find beautiful. If such a tiny spark of Krishna’s beauty can so strongly attract and addict the
mind then how much more attractive will be the Supreme Personality of Krishna. How beautiful
Krishna must be—He who has created all beauty.
5. KNOWLEDGE:
A person is attractive not only because of his beauty, but also because of his knowledge. A
scientist or philosopher may be attractive because of his knowledge, but what knowledge is
more sublime than that given by Kåñëa in the Bhagavad-gétä? There is no comparison in the
world to such knowledge.
Generally people have to do much research and study to gain knowledge. Lord Krishna spoke
the Bhagavad Gita directly from His transcendental mouth. It is not that Krishna had to refer to
some notes or consult his research papers to present the Bhagavad Gita. Because Krishna is
God, He spoke this divine masterpiece, which is studied and respected by all kinds of scholars,
scientists and philosophers all around the world.
STORY : EINSTEIN TO THE HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS: WHAT IF OUR CHILD HAS YOUR
BRAINS AND MY BEAUTY… MORAL: BOTH KNOWLEDGE AND BEAUTY ARE
ATTRACTIVE FEATURES.
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6. RENUNCIATION:
When someone possesses any of the above opulences, he naturally becomes very attached
and proud of them. But inspite of possessing all the opulences, Krishna is not in the least
attached to or proud of them. Thus He is also the possessor of the supreme opulence of
renunciation. Everything in this material world is working under Krishna’s direction, but Kåiñhëa
is not present here. A big factory may continue to work, although the owner may not be present.
Similarly, Kåñëa's potencies are managing everything here. Thus Kåñëa Himself is aloof from
the material world.
In the battle of Kurukshetra, Krishna chose to become Arjuna’s chariot driver. The post of driver
is a very menial service. The driver has to always take orders from the master and has to
sometimes wait in the hot noonday sun, for the master to complete his work and come back. In
the noisy battlefield it is difficult for the driver to hear the instructions of the master. Therefore,
Arjuna would have to kick on the right side for Krishna to move right and he had to kick on the
left side for Krishna to move left.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna took a humble position of chariot driver and
made His devotee and friend Arjuna as the hero of the battle of Kurukshetra. This is an
example of the extreme renunciation of Krishna.
God has many Names to represent each of His unlimited activities, but because He possesses
so many opulences, and because with these opulences He attracts everyone, He is called
Kåñëa. The Vedic literature asserts that God has many names, but "Krishna" the All Attractive
is the principal name.
Q) IS KRISHNA A HINDU GOD?
God is God for everyone. Yes, Krishna is God of the Hindus and also for the Muslims,
Christians, Sikhs, Jews and everyone else! In fact Krishna is the root and source of the entire
material and spiritual worlds. Just because Krishna appeared in India does it make Him an
Indian God? Just because some people called the Hindus worship Him, does He become a
Hindu God?
Eg. On the planet earth, the sun rises in the east and is seen first from Japan. Therefore, Japan
is also called the land of the rising sun. Just because the sun rises first in Japan, can we call it
the Japanese sun? No! the sun is the sun for everyone. If the sun comes over India and then
shines over Pakistan next, can we patent it as the Indian sun or the Pakistani sun? that would
be absurd in the highest degree!
Similarly, God is God, the Supreme Controller. He has monopoly over everyone and not vice
versa. It is interesting to note: Amongst the Hindus, how many people actually know or
understand that Krishna is the Supreme? Most Hindus accept Krishna as a historical
personality or a great king or an incarnation. Very few among them understand Krishna’s real
position.
Krishna means all attractive and is the chief name and quality of the Supreme Lord. God
means, He should be all attractive. If God is attractive only to the group of people called Hindus,
Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jews etc then how tiny is that God? Rather the Supreme God has
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the power and grace to attract everyone. Just like the sun spreads its shine everywhere,
similarly, God offers His mercy everywhere. Does the sun discriminate, “This is the house of
rich man or a pious man, so I will give my mercy here and this man is a thief so I will reject
shining on his house?” No, the sun is impartial and all encompassing in the distribution of its
sunshine. Similarly, God is impartial in distributing His affection and attracts everyone to attain
His personal love and mercy.
In conclusion, from one narrow window of vision, the Supreme Lord Krishna can be called a
Hindu God and He is more, just like the sun comes over India and it gives sunshine to the entire
solar system also. Also God is impartial in distributing His mercy, just like the sun. Anyone and
everyone can approach the Supreme Lord Krishna.
Q) HOW CAN KRISHNA BE GOD, IF HE WAS ALSO BORN LIKE AN ORDINARY HUMAN
BEING IN FLESH AND BLOOD IN THE PRISON HOUSE OF THE GREAT DEMON KING
KAMSA?
The history of Krishna’s appearance and activities is revealed in Srimad Bhagavatam chiefly
and in many other puranas and scriptures. It is explained that Krishna appeared as the eight
child of Devaki and Vasudeva, when they were imprisoned by the envious and demoniac king
Kamsa. However, Krishna does not take birth like an ordinary human child who comes out
helpless and crying from the womb of his mother, covered by amniotic fluid.
When Krishna was born, He first appeared in His gigantic fourhanded divine form of Lord
Narayan, fully decorated with spiritual jewels and His spiritual signs of a conch, club, lotus
flower and sudarshan disc in each of His transcendental hands. Then out of affection for the
Lord, in divine love, mother Devaki requested Krishna to become a small child so that she could
deal with Him as her own baby. It is described that when Krishna descended from the spiritual
world, He first appeared in the heart of Vaudeva. From Vasudeva’s heart, Krishna entered the
heart of Devaki. From there he entered into her womb and finally appeared out directly in the
form of the great Lord Narayana.
Krishna’s birth is like the appearance and disappearance of the sun. Can we say that the sun is
born in the morning from the eastern horizon and the sun dies at the western horizon each
evening? No! the sun is always there in the sky. Depending on our position the sun appears to
our vision and disappears and the reappears after some time. Similarly, the Supreme Lord
appears in this world through His devotees. Here Devaki is compared to the eastern horizon
from where the sun appears.
Ultimately, Krishna’s mother and father are also spirit souls who are His devotees. Since these
devotees want to love God as their child, therefore, to fulfill the desire of His loving devotees,
Krishna accepts them as a mother and father when He appears in this material world.
Right from His birth, Krishna performed divine activities, which proved that He was God.
Once, Lord Balarama complained to Krishna’s foster mother Yashoda that Krishna had eaten
dirt. When mother Yashoda looked into Krishna’s mouth she saw the entire expanse of the
material universe inside. (She also saw the galaxies and the solar system and then the earth
planet, where she saw that mother Yashoda is looking into Krishna’s mouth). She was
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thoroughly bewildered by this sight and started praying to Krishna and the Supreme Lord
Narayana.
When Krishna saw that His mother was very perturbed, he simply closed His mouth and looked
at her sweetly with a divine smile. Absorbed in the nectar of His smile and her motherly
affection for Him, mother Yashoda again started dealing with Krishna as her darling child. This
kind of spontaneous affection is more pleasing to Krishna than a pompous show of devotion or
great exhibition of knowledge and word jugglery.
Again in the Bhagavad Gita we find that Krishna opened up the universal form to show Arjuna.
In the universal form, Krishna opened up to show the entire universe with all the planets and the
residents including Lord Brahma, the Vishnu’s, Lord Siva and all the heavenly beings were
present within the universal form.
This is the ultimate acid test for anyone who claims to be God. They must be able to perform
some extraordinarily spiritual activities like Krishna showed by lifting the Govardhana mountain
as a child. God should also be able to exhibit the universal form.
(OPTIONAL –
Once a mystic yogi who was posing as a guru was being worshipped as God or Krishna, by his
disciples. One person challenged this guru, “If you are God or Krishna as your disciples claim,
then can you show us your universal form, like Krishna showed to Arjuna in the Bhagavad
Gita?” The guru replied, “First someone has to become a qualified disciple like Arjuna, then I
shall be able to reveal my universal form to them!”
The person replied, “In the Bhagavad Gita it was Krishna who have the qualification and the
divine eyes to Arjuna to see the universal form, it was not due to any special qualification of
Arjuna.” He added, “What kind of God are you, that you have failed to even make one qualified
disciple!”)
The conclusion is that Krishna always remains the Supreme Personality of Godhead whether
He is in the spiritual world or when He comes into this material world. Although Krishna takes
birth in this world and acts like a human being, He is not ‘just’ an ordinary or an extraordinary
human being. His body is not made up of material blood; bones, muscles, fat etc. His body is
totally spiritual and the source of everything that exists as He showed in the universal form to
mother Yashoda and Arjuna. His birth and activities are also divine and only a totally spiritual
platform. There cannot be a tinge of material contamination in Krishna.
Q) IF KRISHNA IS THAT ONE GOD THEN WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS? HOW DO WE
UNDERSTAND THE OTHER GODS IN RELATIONSHIP WITH KRISHNA?
Krishna or God is never alone. Krishna exists with His spiritual energies, expansions, devotees
and paraphernalia, just like a king is always seen with his royal entourage, servants, army and
opulences or the sun includes sunlight, sun disc and powerful fire on the sun planet. The four
eternal, unique personalities or truths that eternally exist with the Supreme Lord Krishna are:
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1. Supreme Lord or the Vishnu tattva:
Vishnu tattva means the eternal incarnations, forms and expansions of the Supreme Lord Sri
Krishna. Examples of Vishnu tattva incarnations are Lord Rama, Lord Nrsimha, Lord Vamana,
Lord Narayana, Lord Vishnu etc. All of Them are different forms of the same Supreme Lord. All
references to the Supreme found in different scriptures like Allah (the All Merciful Lord), or
Jehovah (the Supreme Father), Supreme Creator, Supreme Maintainer etc refer to Supreme
Lord and are in the category of Vishnu tattva. Thus Krishna, Vishnu, Allah are the all the same
one Supreme Lord, called by different names.
2. Spirit soul or the Jiva tattva:
All the unlimited, individual spirit souls belong to the category of Jiva tattvas. Just like the sun
and the sunshine are both made up of fire, similarly, the Supreme Lord and the spirit soul are of
the same spiritual nature. The Supreme Lord and the spirit soul are sat-cit-ananda (eternal,
conscious and blissful). The difference between the Supreme Lord and the spirit soul is in size.
The Supreme Lord is infinite and the spirit soul is tiny or infinitesimal like sun is huge compared
to the tiny particle of sunshine
All the living entities and species (from the amoeba and the ants to the great gods in the
heavens up to Lord Brahma) in the material world that have material bodies are spirit souls or
jiva tattva. They are called conditioned souls. Many souls achieve liberation form the material
world and achieve mukti in the spiritual sky. More advanced than the liberated souls are those
spirit souls in the spiritual world who live in the association of the Supreme Lord, free from any
material conditioning. The Supreme Lord is above all the conditioned and liberated souls.
3. Shiva tattva or the Shambhu tattva:
This eternal principle of Shiva tattva or the Shambhu tattva is unique and special. Lord Shiva is
neither the Supreme Lord nor a living entity like the Jiva souls. His position is in between. He is
neither infinite like the Supreme Lord nor is he infinitesimal or tiny like the living entities.
Eg. The example given in the Brahma Samhita is of milk and yoghurt. When milk is touched by
something sour then it turns into yoghurt. Here the milk is compared to the one Supreme Lord,
the sour element is compared to the material energy and the Yoghurt is compared to Lord Siva.
Just like milk turn into yoghurt when it is touched by something sour, similarly, the one Supreme
Lord in touch with the material energy assumes the form of Lord Shiva.
Thus, Lord Shiva is as good as the Supreme Lord, except for the fact Lord Shiva comes in
contact with the material energy whereas the Supreme Lord always remains transcendental or
untouched by the material energy. The same fact is mentioned in various scriptures including
the Brahma Samhita (5.45)
kñéraà yathä dadhi vikära-viçeña-yogät
saïjäyate na hi tataù påthag asti hetoù
yaù çambhutäm api tathä samupaiti käryäd
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govindam ädi-puruñaà tam ahaà bhajämi
kñéram—milk; yathä—as; dadhi—yogurt; vikära-viçeña—of a special transformation; yogät—by
the application; saïjäyate—is transformed into; na—not; hi—indeed; tataù—from the milk;
påthak—separated; asti—is; hetoù—which is the cause; yaù—who; çambhutäm—the nature of
Lord Çiva; api—also; tathä—thus; samupaiti—accepts; käryät—for the matter of some
particular business; govindam—Govinda; ädi-puruñam—the original person; tam—Him;
aham—I; bhajämi—worship.
TRANSLATION:
Just as milk is transformed into curd by the action of acids, but yet the effect curd is neither
same as, nor different from, its cause, viz., milk, so I adore the primeval Lord Govinda of whom
the state of Çambhu is a transformation for the performance of the work of destruction.
The conclusion is that Lord Shiva is much greater than all the living entities and he is almost
like the Supreme Lord Vishnu just like yoghurt is also a milk product. At the same time there are
two differences between the Supreme Lord and Lord Shiva, just like yogurt, although
transformed milk, does not act exactly like milk. Lord Shiva is in touch with the material energy
as its master whereas Lord Vishnu is totally above the material energy. Also Lord Shiva cannot
give liberation to the conditioned souls from the material world. That is the exclusive power of
the Supreme Lord.
4. Supreme goddesses or the Shakti tattva:
This eternal principle of Shakti tattva is personal energy of the Supreme Lord. Just like every
powerful person has his own power or energy, similarly, the Supreme Lord is called Shaktiman
and His own personal spiritual energy is called His Shakti. They appear as His feminine
counterpart or His divine consorts. The Supreme Lord is always worshipped along with His
divine energy or the Shakti tattva. For example, we always worship, Laxmi Narayan or Sita
Rama or Radha Krishna.
Thus, Radharani, Sitadevi, Lakshmi and all the consorts of the Supreme Lord are a part of
Shakti tattva. They are also called the goddesses of fortune. Just as Lord Vishnu transforms
into Lord Shiva, Lakshmi also incarnates as Durga or Parvati. Therefore, Durga is also a part of
the Shakti tattva. All other consorts of the great personalities in the universe are jiva tattva living
entities with a material body.
Q) IS KRISHNA AN INCARNATION OF VISHNU OR IS VISHNU AN INCARNATION OF
KRISHNA?
In India Krishna is famous as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Most people consider Lord Vishnu
as the Supreme Lord and Krishna as one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu. The fact is that
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Krishna and Vishnu are the same person – in two different moods performing two different
activities. Krishna is God at home and Vishnu is the same God at work. Some people fail to see
this connection as they have very little or only some vague information about the spiritual world
or the home of God!
Just like there is a material world with material planets and a material sky – all made up of the 8
material elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space, Mind, Intelligence and False ego), there is
also a spiritual world with spiritual planets and a spiritual sky made up of the spiritual elements
(sat-cit-ananda) which are eternal, conscious and full of bliss, ecstacy. That spiritual sky and
those spiritual planets are the eternal homes of the Supreme Lord. (More about the spiritual
world and spiritual sky will be discussed in the next session.
(OPTIONAL The Bhagavad Gita (8.20), confirms this fact,
paras tasmät tu bhävo 'nyo
'vyakto 'vyaktät sanätanaù
yaù sa sarveñu bhüteñu
naçyatsu na vinaçyati
paraù—transcendental; tasmät—to that; tu—but; bhävaù—nature; anyaù—another; avyaktaù—
unmanifest; avyaktät—to the unmanifest; sanätanaù—eternal; yaù saù—that which; sarveñu—
all; bhüteñu—manifestation; naçyatsu—being annihilated; na—never; vinaçyati—is annihilated.
TRANSLATION:
Yet there is another unmanifest nature, which is eternal and is transcendental to this manifested
and unmanifested matter. It is supreme and is never annihilated. When all in this world is
annihilated, that part remains as it is.
The various incarnations of Lord Sri Krishna in the spiritual world and the material world are
explained as follows:
Lord Balarama is the first manifested incarnation of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. Lord Balarama then
expands into four incarnations of Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha (VSPA). The
incarnations of Lord Ram, Laxman, Bharat, Shatrughana respectively are the same as the original four or
quadruple incarnations. Various other incarnations of the Supreme Lord come from these original four
incarnations.
From Sankarshana, the incarnation of Lord Narayana is manifested. From Lord Narayana comes the
second quadruple incarnation of Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha (VSPA). From the
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second Sankarshana incarnation come the Vishnu incarnations in the material world. All the above
incarnations exist in the spiritual world.
From the second Sankarshana expansion comes the incarnation of Maha Vishnu, who is also called
Karanodakashayi Vishnu. He lies down in the karana or the causal ocean in a spiritual state of yoga-nidra
or divine sleep. When Maha Vishnu breathes out, unlimited universes come out from the pores of His
body. From each pore of His gigantic body one universe comes out. Each universe is in the shape of a
gigantic egg.
Maha Vishnu enters into each and every universe as the incarnation of Gardbhodakasayi Vishnu. Garbha
means womb. This incarnation is called Gardbhodakasayi Vishnu since a lotus flower is created from His
navel, on which Brahma is born. Brahma is the first created living entity in the material world. Brahma
creates all the 14 planetary systems as the chief engineer of the universe. Each planetary system is created
from the 8 material elements and can contain hundreds and millions of planets and stars.
Gardbhodakasayi Vishnu enters as Ksirodakasayi Vishnu into every atom of the material creation and
into the hear of every living entity to maintain it. Thus, Ksirodakasayi Vishnu is the Supersoul of the
universe. Lord Brahma creates the universe, Lord Vishnu (specifically Ksirodakasayi Vishnu) maintains
it and finally Lord Shiva destroys the universe at the end of the creation.
This creation, maintenance and destruction happens during one breath of Maha Vishnu. When Maha
Vishnu inhales all the universes are destroyed and are withdrawn into the pores of the divine gigantic
body of Maha Vishnu till the next creation.
Generally when people refer to Vishnu, they are referring to the Supersoul or Ksirodakasayi Vishnu.
Whenever the incarnations come from the spiritual world they come through the agency of Ksirodakasayi
Vishnu. Therefore, it seems that the incarnations are coming from Vishnu, but the fact is that they have
an eternal residence in the spiritual world.
Eg. When the Prime Minister of the India goes to America or Britain, he may go by and Indian Air Force
(IAF) or an Air India flight. When the he lands in the US or London, he comes out of the airplane
and receives a grand welcome. Just because the Prime Minister comes out of the Indian Air Force or the
Air India plane, does it mean that the plane created the Prime Minister? No. the Prime Minister already
existed before. He simply appears through the official Indian plane. Similarly, the incarnations eternally
exist in the spiritual world and appear in the material world through the agency of Vishnu. After the
pastimes in the material world are over, the incarnations return back to the spiritual world.
In conclusion, both Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu and Vishnu is an incarnation of Krishna is
correct. Krishna appears in this world as an incarnation through Vishnu and Vishnu is also an incarnation
of an incarnation of Krishna. Krishna and Vishnu are the same person. Krishna is God at home and
Vishnu is the same God at work.
(OPTIONAL –
A small note about the incarnations of the Supreme Lord Krishna:
It is wrong to think that one incarnation appears from the other at some point in time. This idea
is based on the material calculation of “creation” – at a point in time. This also implies that there
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will be destruction of the created entities or the incarnations. This is a wrong understanding.
These incarnations are completely spiritual in nature without any material connections or
contaminations in Them.
The Supreme Lord is unlimited and omnipotent, means He has unlimited power. Since the Lord
has unlimited power, He can manifest unlimited incarnations without diminishing His own
power. That is the meaning of the word unlimited. Unless the Lord can unlimitedly expand, what
is the meaning of having unlimited power? Thus, the potential and power to expand into of all
these unlimited expansions exist in the Supreme Lord. There is no question of creating the
various forms and incarnations. These unlimited incarnations exist with the Supreme Lord
eternally and are manifested by the Supreme Lord according to His sweet will.
Brahma-saàhitä (5.46) states that the expansions of the Supreme Lord are compared to the
expansions of a lamp. A burning lamp can light innumerable other lamps, and although they will
not be inferior, still the lamp from which the others are lit must be considered the original.
Similarly, the Supreme Personality of Godhead expands Himself in the plenary forms of the
viñëu-tattva, and although they are equally powerful, the original powerful Personality of
Godhead is considered the source. This is a mundane example to show how innumerable
expansions can be manifested without the source diminishing in any way, shape or form.
Each incarnation has the same power and potency of the Supreme Lord, still the incarnation
exhibits power, only depending upon the need of that particular incarnation. Eg. Even in the
material world a person at work and the same person at home, exhibits different power and
qualities. At work a person may exhibit his power of intelligence or control and at home the
same person may exhibit his power of loving exchanges and relationships. Similarly, the
Supreme Lord Krishna exhibits His power of intimate love and affection with His devotees at
home in the spiritual world. The same Supreme Lord Krishna exhibits His power of creating,
maintaining and destroying the universes when He incarnates as Lord Vishnu, who is the same
God at work.)
Q) WHY DO MOST PEOPLE THINK THAT VISHNU IS GOD AND KRISHNA IS ONLY AN
INCARNATION OF VISHNU OR NARAYANA?
It is perfectly correct to accept any one of the incarnations like Vishnu, Narayana, Rama or
Krishna to be the Supreme God, because they are ultimately the same Supreme Person in
different forms. The Supreme expands into these unlimited forms to reciprocate loving
exchanges with His unlimited devotees. Whatever form a devotee is inspired to worship, one
should accept with one’s heart and soul.
Many people find it easier to conceive of the majestic Lord Narayana or Lord Vishnu as the
Supreme Lord. Since Lord Krishna appears as a simple cowherd boy performing His pastimes
or lilas with His devotees, it is difficult for some people to appreciate it. Generally people who
approach God with the emotions of fear, desire and duty perceive God to be the most powerful
and the Supreme Father. Of course one can also love the Lord as the Supreme Father or a
great king, emperor of the spiritual worlds.
Lord Krishna reciprocates with those devotees who develop very advanced love for God and
have a desire to intimately relate with Him as a friend, parent or lover in His sweet pastimes,
both in the material and spiritual worlds. It is natural that the vast majority of people will be more
attracted to the power, majesty and the grandeur or the Supreme Lord. Therefore, they are
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attracted to the Lord Narayana or Lord Vishnu who appear as the Supreme Lord’s of Vaikuntha
or the spiritual worlds.
(NOTE: We can keep the slide of brahma vimohana lila with Krishna expanding into millions of
vishnus for this point.)
(SHOULD WE COMBINE THE ABOVE AND BELOW QUESTIONS?)
Q) WHY DO THE VEDAS MENTION LORD NARAYANA OR LORD VISHNU AS THE
SUPREME LORD MORE OFTEN THAN KRISHNA?
This is because Lord Vishnu is the form of the Supreme Lord who is the Supreme Controller of
all the material worlds.
The Vedas are like the instruction manual for this universal machine. The Vedas are meant to
guide people how to utilize this universe perfectly, to be happy here and ultimately achieve
liberation and go back to the spiritual world. The Vedas are the perfect guide book which can
reveal our relationship with the Supreme Father or Supreme Lord. Lord Krishna is God at home
and Lord Vishnu is the same God at work to manage the affairs of the material world.
Since the people in this material world are more connected to Lord Vishnu directly than to Lord
Krishna, who resides in the spiritual world, the Vedas naturally refer to Lord Vishnu more often
as the Vedas deal with the people in this world.
Eg. People working in multi-million or multi-billion dollar company are more aware of the senior
managers or even the CEO of the company. However, the workers may have very little
information about the owner of the company or his whereabouts.
If the senior managers or the CEO brings the owner to the firm or the company, most workers
will relate to and recognize the managers more than the owner. They deal with the managers
and see them regularly, whereas the owner rarely comes to the company and deals with it only
indirectly. Here Lord Vishnu is compared to the senior manager or the CEO, Lord Krishna is
compared to the owner, the company is compared to the material world and the workers are
compared to all the living beings in this world.
Generally the Vedas describe the incarnations of Lord Vishnu who come to this material world,
for its maintenance, whenever there are disturbances. Therefore, Lord Vishnu is famous as the
manager of the material world and Lord Narayana as the great and most powerful Supreme
Lord or the spiritual worlds. However, only in very special and confidential scriptures like the
Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam that describes the activities of the Supreme source of
all incarnations, Sri Krishna.
SECTION FOUR: WHO ARE THE DEMIGODS?
30 MINS
Q) LORD KRISHNA, LORD VISHNU AND LORD NARAYANA ARE FORMS OF THE
SUPREME LORD. WHO ARE THE 33 CRORE DEVATAS?
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The Vedic literature describe 33 crore devatas as spirit souls who are empowered by the
Supreme Lord Krishna to manage of the different departments of the material universe.
The Vedas describe 33 crore devatas beginning with Indra, Chandra, Surya, Vayu, Agni etc
who are responsible for managing various departments of the universe. For example, a big
company needs a sales head, finance head, marketing head, purchase head, country head,
R&D head, support head, accounts head etc. Above all of them is the CEO of the company.
In this analogy, the different administrative heads are compared to the devatas and the CEO is
compared to Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna. Just like these heads of are in-charge of the various
departments, similarly, the various devatas are in-charge of managing this universe. Of course
they are not independent, they work under the direction of the Supreme Lord.
We have already discussed in session 2, that the universe is a created machine with a definite
purpose and plan behind it. Being a creation, the universe definitely has a creator and the local
administration is handed over to the devatas. If we carefully observe the universe, we will find
that it is a systematic, organized universal government rather than a disorganized bunch of
atoms and molecules strewn in space.
Q) DO DEVATAS REALLY EXIST OR NATURE WORK AUTOMATICALLY?
Yes devatas surely exist to manage the affairs of the universal administration.
Scientists admit that nature is working in wonderful ways, but claim that nature works
automatically, governed by some laws or just by chance. Saying that nature is acting
automatically is a sophisticated way of saying “We don’t know who is in control.” Automatic
does not mean absence of a controller but the absence of the knowledge of the controller.
When we say a machine works automatically, what it means that is that the machine doesn’t
require direct control of the operator. It means the machine works with a remote control
mechanism. But still there is an operator who activates the machine and monitors it’s working.
Eg. If you want to have fun with a child, then you might get an automatic toy. While staying
out of view of the child, you may release the toy and it comes moving into the view of the child.
Seeing the toy moving “automatically” the child becomes astounded and thinks that the toy is
working by itself. But a wise person, who is in knowledge, will never be misled into the same
conclusion as the inexperienced child. You and me know that even if the toy appears to be
moving by itself, it is still programmed by a person and operated by some remote controller.
In this analogy, the toy is compared to material nature, the remote operator to the devatas
and the child to the inexperienced people who think automatic means – no controller! Just like
toy is not acting completely on it own, similarly, the magnificent phenomena in nature are not
occurring by themselves, as less informed people, like that little child, may imagine. All natural
phenomena are working under the expert control of the devatas.
The following examples may help us to see how every automatic mechanism is remote
controlled rather than happening by chance:
Eg. Suppose a child approaches a door in an airport and the door suddenly opens. The child
may conclude, “The door has opened automatically!” But the fact is that an engineer has
designed the door-opening mechanism to be controlled with the help of photocells. However all
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this is beyond the understanding ability of the child and therefore he arrives at his childish
conclusion, that the door is working completely without any control.
Eg. In luxury bathrooms, there are taps in the basins where as soon you put your hand under
the tap, the water comes from it even without your turning or pressing any knobs. To the
ignorant, it may appear that this is happening automatically, but an intelligent person knows that
an engineer has installed that mechanism.
Eg. We find escalators in shopping malls or at airport etc. Adults and children alike use such
escalators to climb or descend from one floor to another. Someone may find it exotic that we
simply have to stand in one place and the escalators automatically take us from one floor to
another. However, informed people know that there is an intelligent person who has designed
the escalator and is operating it through a remote control mechanism.
(OPTIONAL –
STORY : FATHER TO SON: CALL YOUR MOTHER, AFTER SEEING AN OLD WOMAN
ENTERING A LIFT AND A YOUNGER ONE COMING OUT….!)
Eg. Man-made satellites are regularly sent into the sky for communication or defense purposes
by many countries advanced in this technology. The general people are impressed to see these
artificial satellites working automatically in the sky. However, there are hundreds of scientists
who are constantly monitoring and controlling the artificial satellite. It is by the advanced
technology, perfect and precise mechanisms and remote control that the scientists are able to
send artificial satellites into space.
How much more advanced technology, precision and remote control will be required to
create and monitor all the millions and billions or real satellites orbiting in space, within the
universe? A civilization of ants that have a social system of their own and are simply busy
collecting sugar crystals may hardly realize that there is another civilization of human beings,
much more powerful than theirs, with their own social systems and defense structures.
Similarly, human beings busy in their tiny lifestyles and intelligence fail to understand that there
are higher beings which govern the universal affairs and have a social system of their own.
Eg. Even if we want to simulate rainfall on a microscopic level in our laboratory, we need
expert intelligence. Then when rainfall occurs on a macroscopic level in nature, does it not
require any expert intelligence? Therefore the logical conclusion is that there are intelligent
beings controlling every phenomenon in nature, just like there are persons controlling every
department in a country. Just because we cannot see the minister immediately, that does not
mean he does not exist! It only means that we are tiny and insignificant.
The fact that there is water in our taps means there are a water minister and ministry to
oversee the system of distribution of water from the oceans and rivers to the taps in our homes.
Similarly, nature works as well orchestrated systematic mechanism under definite laws. Then
under whose control is nature working?
If the universe can be compared to a universal government, then Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu is
the Prime Minister and all the devatas are the different ministers in the administrative structure
of the universe. People familiar with the Vedic tradition or the Sanatana Dharma, will be able to
guess the names of these devatas who are controllers of the different universal departments.
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Who is the construction and housing minister of the universe? Lord Brahma – the original
engineer.
Who is the water minister of the universe? Varuna – the ocean god.
Who is the water distribution minister of the universe? Indra
Who is electricity and health the minister of the universe? Surya deva – the sun god.
Who is the energy and power minister of the universe? Agni deva – the fire god.
Who is the wind and air minister of the universe? Vayu deva – the wind god.
Who is the home minister of the universe? Durga Devi – the protecting goddess.
Who is the defense minister of the universe? Kartikeya – the commander in chief.
Who is the education minister of the universe? Sarawati Devi – Goddess of learning.
Who is the human resources minister of the universe? Yamaraj – Placement officer or god.
Who is the complaint minister of the universe? Ganesha – in charge of destroying obstacles.
Who is the finance minister of the universe? Kubera – the god of wealth.
Who is the mental health minister of the universe? Chandra – the moon god. (The word lunatic
comes from the word lunar or the moon. It is a documented fact that the positions of the moon
have a direct effect on people’s minds, especially on full moon and no moon days. The moon is
also responsible for the tides in the oceans and the various tastes of the fruits and vegetables).
(Note: Lakshmi devi – all legal wealth, white money or opulences to be used for oneself along
with the service of the Lord comes by the blessings of Lakshmi devi. However, illegal wealth,
black money or opulences used for personal sense gratification only comes by the blessings of
Durga Devi. This type of wealth can give little real happiness and possibly land one into
trouble).
In this way there are 33 crore demigod heads who are responsible for each and every activity
that is happening in the universe. They have hundreds of millions of subordinates and servants
to help in managing their various departments. All the demigods are empowered by the
Supreme Lord Krishna or Vishnu to perform their activities of universal management.
Q) WHY DO WE CALL THE DEVATAS AS DEMIGODS? ARE THEY AS GOOD AS GOD? IS
IT INSULTING TO CALL THEM LIKE THAT?
Devatas are called demigods because they are especially endowed with godly powers to
manage the affairs of the universe.
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It is important to understand the position of the devatas. Each devata is in the category of jiva
tattva or infinitesimal spirit souls. That means the devata is a tiny spirit soul within, with the
covering of a material body. Of course they are endowed with a very powerful material body
with exceptionally advanced intelligence to manage universal affairs. They are much more
powerful beings than the humans on earth.
Although the devatas are very powerful living entities, they are still different from the Supreme
Lord. The Supreme Lord has a purely spiritual body which is eternally transcendental to
material nature and has unlimited power. The Supreme Lord offers a part of His unlimited
power with these devatas for a specific purpose. They are deputies or assistants of the
Supreme Lord and help in the organization and management of the material universe.
Therefore, the devatas are called assistant gods or demigods.
Sanatana Dharma or modern day Hinduism is a monotheistic religion – means it accepts that
there is One God. It is a misconception that the followers of the Vedas or the modern day Hindu
religion are pantheistic, or believers of many gods. According to the Vedas there is only one
God and He has many assistants who assist Him in managing the material universe. They are
the 33 crore demigods.
Is calling someone an assistant or a deputy an insult? Even in the mundane governments there
are hierarchies with designations like deputy inspector, assistant manager, assistant
commissioner of police, deputy chief minister or even deputy Prime Minister. Are these posts an
insult or have they been created to facilitate the administrative structure of the government.
Similarly, these post of the different assistants or deputies of the Supreme Lord are created to
facilitate universal administration. Although on a spiritual platform they like any other ordinary
living entity – 1/10,000th tip of the hair, materially they are greatly empowered, almost with godly
powers. Although the devatas are also in the repeated cycle of birth and death, they have a very long
lifespan covering thousands and lakhs years. Therefore, they have been given the respectable title
of demigods.
SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD AND
THE DEMIGODS. (NAWAB)
Sr.No.
KRISHNA
DEMIGODS
1
33 CRORE HEAD OF
DEPARTMENTS.
1.
Numbers
2.
Appointed Post or position Eternally the Supreme Lord
Temporary post, changed at death.
3.
Where do they live,
Residence?
Material world. Heavenly planets.
4.
Activity or Nature of work? To love and to serve (Spiritual
Enjoyment).
Material administrative work.
5.
Body type.
Temporary.
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Spiritual world.
Eternal.
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Q) DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORSHIP OF GOD & DEMIGODS? (MOB)
Sr.No.
1
Motives
Loving service.
Material desire.
2
Offers - How they take care?
Gives what you need.
Gives what you want.
3
Blessings or Benedictions
Eternal.
Temporary.
Q) WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WORSHIP ALL THE DEMIGODS?
Since the demigods are in charge of universal administration, a grateful person will naturally want to
offer thanksgiving and worship to the demigods. We need to offer our respects and worship to the
demigods for the natural gifts they offer, without which human existence would become miserable or
impossible.
Even if a genuine and sincere heart would like to offer the demigods their deserved honor and respect, is
it truly possible or practical to do it? The number of demigod heads totals to about 33 crore. How can we
worship even if we put in 24 hours daily in worshipping them? Do we know the proper procedure of
worshipping each and every demigod? Do we even know all their names or respective designations?
(Classroom tip – the teacher can ask the students names of demigods, their designations and the proper
modes of worship. many students may repeat the names mentioned above with their designations, but
how to worship them? that may be difficult to answer. The teacher can bring to the notice of the students
even for admissions in schools, colleges or for passports etc are rejected if the proper procedure is not
followed.
Can we meet an ordinary minister of government without a proper application and procedure? What to
speak of meeting the chief minister or the Prime Minister of the country without proper application and
procedures? Then how can one expect to please the demigods without the correct procedures? Sometimes
people concoct their own ideas of bringing some diety of a demigod or some form of god and play all the
local bollywood or Hollywood for their (or the deity’s) entertainment and think that they have
worshipped the Lord properly!)
The scriptures recommend a way by one can worship all the demigods together in one shot. The Srimad
Bhagavatam (4.31.4), explains that the if the material world can be compared to a tree, then the root of
the tree is compared to the Supreme Lord and the different parts of the tree like the leaves, branches,
twigs, fruits and flowers are compared to the various demigods. Although the other parts of the tree are
directly perceivable and accessible, an intelligent person still offers the water to the root of the tree.
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Once the root is nourished and satisfied, then the nourishment is offered to every part of the tree and
entire tree is nourished and satisfied. One need not nourish or water each part of the tree separately.
Watering the root is the correct procedure for watering each and every part. Similarly, by worshipping the
Supreme Lord, each and every demigod, who is a part of the universal tree is automatically and fully
worshipped.
In fact, separate or independent worship of the demigods is discouraged in the scriptures. If one desires to
worship the demigod then one can do it along with the worship of the Supreme Lord.
Q) HOW DO THE DEVOTEES OF THE SUPREME LORD DEAL WITH THE DEMIGODS?
The demigods are very powerful beings personally appointed by the Supreme Lord for managing the
different departments of the universe. Therefore, they are to be honored with great respect as the material
representatives of the Supreme Lord. Just because the scripture explains that the worship of the Supreme
Lord includes the worship of the demigods (like watering the root includes watering the tree), that does
not mean that one can disrespect the demigods. Disrespecting the demigods is offensive and can be
tantamount to disrespecting the Supreme Lord, as the demigods are His deputed agents.
Then what is the correct way to deal with the demigods? We shall understand that with the help of an
analogy.
Eg. Let’s suppose that the police commissioner comes to your house for breakfast along with some of his
constables and guards. What is the best way to welcome them to your home? We respect the
commissioner as the most important or the chief guest. One may respect him with a garland and offer him
a special seat of honor. We also offer respect to the constables according to their seniority and offer them
seats near the chief commissioner of police. Some constables may even prefer to wait outside as a mark
of respect to their superiors.
There are two extreme behaviors, both of which are disrespectful:
1. To glorify the police commissioner and to neglect, disrespect or blaspheme the assistants and
constables.
Do you think the commissioner will be happy to be glorified when his assistants are disrespected?
2. To catch any one constable you like and give him the chief seat of honor, garlands and glories while
neglecting, disrespecting or even blaspheming the police commissioner!
Do you think the constables will be comfortable when the commissioner is sidelined and they are given
more prominence and honored as the chief guests?
The correct thing is to give the right amount of respect to the commissioner and his followers.
In the above analogy, the police commissioner is compared to the Supreme Lord, his assistants and
constables are compared to the demigods. When the Supreme Lord comes along with His assistants and
followers, then the highest position of respect and worship is meant for Him. However, if we blaspheme
or belittle His followers then it is an offense to the Supreme Lord.
At the same time, if we catch any demigod, thinking him to be the Supreme Lord of everything and
worship him like that, is very embarrassing for the demigod and is considered offensive to the Supreme
Lord.
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(OPTIONAL NOTE: To avoid such ‘material worship’ of the Supreme Lord, the Islamic, Christian, Sikh
and other traditions and scriptures discourage the followers to worship the forms of the Supreme Lord.
Beginners in spiritual life or foolish people find it difficult to distinguish between the spiritual form of the
Supreme Lord and the material forms of the demigods. They think that any diety, material or spiritual is
the same. Therefore, a childish philosophy of ‘You can worship anyone you like. They are all the same.
You choose anyone you like and you will get the same result!’
This is like saying that all the railway tickets look the same. One can take any ticket and go anywhere
they like! Yes, the paper and the kind of printing on the railway tickets definitely look the same from a
distance. On a closer observation one can clearly see that each ticket has a different seat number and
possibly even a different destination!
Similarly, childish people who are beginners in spiritual life may claim that material and spiritual
worship is all the same. The fact is that worship is meant for the Supreme Lord alone and the demigods
should also be respected along with the Supreme Lord, just like a Prime Minister is respected along with
his other ministers, assistants and attendants).
(OPTIONAL Q1) WHY DO THE SCRIPTURES ALSO RECOMMEND THE WORSHIP OF THE DEMIGODS
RATHER THAN SIMPLY INFORMING EVERYONE TO WORSHIP KRISHNA DIRECTLY?
The scriptures always guide everyone the direct or indirect worship of the Supreme Lord Vishnu
or Krishna. “even if the scriptures are talking about demigod worship it is only to help us rise to
the level of worshiping krishna directly.” The eternal nature of the soul is to love and serve God.
The real thing or substance in worship is to develop unmotivated and uninterrupted devotional
service to Sri Krishna. Only such loving service to the Supreme Lord can completely satisfy the
soul and is the highest principle of religion.
(OPTIONAL –
Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.6) confirms this:
sa vai puàsäà paro dharmo
ahaituky apratihatä
yato bhaktir adhokñaje
yayätmä suprasédati
saù—that; vai—certainly; puàsäm—for mankind; paraù—sublime; dharmaù—occupation;
yataù—by
which;
bhaktiù—devotional
service;
adhokñaje—unto
the
Transcendence;
ahaituké—causeless; apratihatä—unbroken; yayä—by which; ätmä—the self; suprasédati—
completely satisfied.
TRANSLATION
The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving
devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated
and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self).
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This supreme love of God is the nectar for each and every soul is hankering in the material
world. This pure love of God is the sweet elixir that can satisfy each and every desire of the soul
for love and affection eternally. However, for a diseased person this sweet medicine tastes
bitter just like sugarcane juice tastes bitter for a person suffering from a liver disease or
jaundice. The cure is to continue taking this medicine till one’s disease is destroyed and one’s
taste is fully reawakened.
For one who is too much affected by the disease of material attachments and expectations,
surrender to the Supreme Lord and spiritual life is like a bitter medicine. For example, the
medicine for Malaria is quinine. Since it is very bitter, children are given this medicine with a
sugar coating or with some honey. Since children like the sugar coating, they are eager to take
the medicine also.
Once the medicine is inside, it starts acting and cures the patient of the disease. The sugar
coating may be harmful for the patient but the parent or the doctor may still give it if that’s the
only way the child will take the medicine. In this analogy, the medicine is compared to the
worship of the Supreme Lord and the sugar coating to the material desire fulfilled by the
demigods.
For those who have too many material desires and expectations to fulfill, the scriptures
recommend the sugar coating of demigod worship. But at the beginning and end of every
demigod worship the chanting of the Holy Names of Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna is compulsory.
Thus, along with the sugar coating, the real medicine of the Holy Names of the Supreme Lord
also goes in. Anyone who regularly chants and hears the Holy Names of the Supreme Lord,
especially the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra in Kali Yuga will surely achieve perfection and the
supreme destination.
For example, every arti of Lord Ganesha starts with the chanting of mantras stated in the
Garuòa Puräëa,
apavitraù pavitro vä
sarvävasthäà gato 'pi vä
yaù smaret puëòarékäkñaà
sa bähyäbhyantare çuciù
"Whether one is pure or contaminated, and regardless of one's external situation, simply by
remembering the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead one can internally and externally cleanse
one's existence."
Srila Prabhupada in the Srimad Bhagavatam (9.8.22), comments:
To keep ourselves externally clean we should bathe three times daily, and for internal
cleanliness we must cleanse the heart by chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra. The members of
the Kåñëa consciousness movement must always follow this principle (bähyäbhyantaraù çuciù).
Then it will one day be possible to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face.
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Each arti of Lord Ganesha also ends with the verse (11.2.36) from the Srimad Bhagavatam:
käyena väcä manasendriyair vä
buddhyätmanä vänusåta-svabhävät
karoti yad yat sakalaà parasmai
näräyaëäyeti samarpayet tat
käyena—with the body; väcä—speech; manasä—mind; indriyaiù—senses; vä—or; buddhyä—
with the intelligence; ätmanä—the purified consciousness; vä—or; anusåta—followed;
svabhävät—according to one's conditioned nature; karoti—one does; yat yat—whatever;
sakalam—all; parasmai—to the Supreme; näräyaëäya iti—thinking, "This is for Näräyaëa";
samarpayet—he should offer; tat—that.
TRANSLATION:
In accordance with the particular nature one has acquired in conditioned life, whatever one
does with body, words, mind, senses, intelligence or purified consciousness one should offer to
the Supreme, thinking, "This is for the pleasure of Lord Näräyaëa." End with kayena vaca..
nrayana yeti samarpaymi
And finally there is the repeated chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra from the
Kalisantaran Upanishad:
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.
In this way, the worship of every demigod introduces the worshipper to the divine worship of the
Supreme Lord Krishna or Vishnu indirectly. When one advances to a higher level and taste the
divine nectar directly then one takes to the direct worship of Lord Krishna or Vishnu and
respects the demigods as His assistants.
Q2) WILL BE UNCHASTE TO THE PARTICULAR DEMIGOD OR GODDESS THAT I’M
WORSHIPPING IF I TAKE TO WORSHIPPING KRISHNA?
We would be perfectly chaste to the demigod or goddess if we take to the worship of Krishna. In
fact, if there is some sincerity, gratitude and genuineness in our worship then the demigod will
facilitate our coming to Krishna.
Eg. Devotees of Hanumanji or maruti, go to him every Saturday. If you go and ask for material
things, then he will reciprocate with you in a material way. If there is some sincerity and
gratitude in the worship then Hanumanji will offer to us his heartfelt treasure. What is the thing
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that Hanumanji keeps closest to his heart? What is greatest treasure of his life? Once
Hanumanji even opened his heart to show that only his supremely worshipful Lord Sri Sita
Rama reside there.
If you have pleased the person you are worshipping then he will give what is in his heart. If you
say, “My dear Hanumanji, I’m a fool. I don’t know what is good for me. You please give me what
is best for me.” Then he gives you what he values the most and introduces you to what
demigods find most valuable – their own worshipable Lord Sri Krishna or Sri Rama or Sri
Vishnu.
There is a verse in the Ramayana that states,
yatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam
tatra tatra krta mastakanjalim
bhaspa vari paripurna locanam
marutim namantanka raksasantakam
Wherever the glories of Lord Raghunatha is chanted, in all those places, with folded hands
touching his head and with his eyes filled with tears of gratitude and love, maruti or Hanumanji
comes there and stands.
Thus, people are eager to go and meet maruti or Hanumanji but his heart is where the chanting
and glorification of His worshipable Lord Rama is taking place. If one is participating in the
chanting and dancing in the kirtan or glorification of Lord Rama then you don’t have to go
searching for Hanumanji, rather he comes where you are in the kirtan and rather than simply
standing on the altar he jumps down into the kirtan and dances with the devotees in great joy.
The conclusion is that one is most chaste if one worships the Supreme Lord. This is also the
goal of every demigod and they want to facilitate the same for their sincere devotees.
Eg. Another example is Lord Ganesha. Vyasa deva is author of the Vedas, Mahabharata and
Lord Ganesha is his scribe or stenographer. Lord Ganesha made a request that Vyasa deva
should speak the scripture continuously. Vyasa deva agreed to this request and he also made a
condition in return. Vyasa deva requested Lord Ganesha to only write after understanding he
has understood each and every verse of the scripture completely. Lord Ganesha happily
agreed.
The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna clearly
declares that all the demigods get their powers from Krishna and the goal of all demigod
worship is to ultimately come to Him directly. Lord Ganesha has clearly understood these
statements and written them with his own hands. Thus, the devotees of Lord Ganesha who go
him with pure motive of service and gratitude are offered his treasured gift – loving devotional
service to the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna.
When one comes to Krishna consciousness one’s relationship with the demigod or the person
who brings us to the lotus feet of Krishna becomes very strong. Earlier the relationship between
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the demigod and the devotee was like a business deal – a give and take relationship. Now there
is deep gratitude both in the heart of the person who introduces us and in the heart of the
devotee who comes to Krishna consciousness.
(OPTIONAL –
When we come to Krishna consciousness we also get a deeper and better understanding of
ourselves, the material world around us, the demigods in charge of it and our own religious
systems. In Krishna consciousness we clearly understand how the Supreme Lord Krishna has a
spiritual form and is the source of the Vishnu tattva. We can clearly understand the Lakshmi
devi and all the Shakti tattva spiritual consorts of the Supreme Lord. We also clearly understand
how there are innumerable jiva tattva spirit soul, some of whom are empowered as the
demigods to run the administration of the universe.
Once we know the truth clearly then we can also know the missing links in the Thus, we can
clearly know who Lord Jesus is referring to as his father in heaven. Lord Jesus is referring is
Lord Krishna, the personal name of everyone’s Supreme Father. We can clearly understand
who is Allah and how the Supreme Lord manifests Himself according to time, place and
circumstances to elevate the people to the highest level of spiritual consciousness.
One also clearly understand that there have been many saints and sages who are living
entities, or jiva souls who have lived lives of very high moral and spiritual character to set an
example for the ordinary people to follow. And throughout history there have been great souls
who have perfected their lives in devotional service to the Supreme Lord and become liberated
from the material entanglement of the cycle of birth and death.
All these personalities are great and respectable. And above them all is the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna who is eternally the fountainhead of all love and
compassion).
Q3) WHAT ABOUT MY MATERIAL DESIRES? CAN I WORSHIP KRISHNA IF I HAVE
MATERIAL DESIRES?
All types of people, who are full of material desire or those who have no material desire and
everyone in between, are encouraged to approach the Supreme Lord. The Srimad Bhagavatam
(2.3.10) also confirms this fact:
akämaù sarva-kämo vä
mokña-käma udära-dhéù
tévreëa bhakti-yogena
yajeta puruñaà param
akämaù—one who has transcended all material desires; sarva-kämaù—one who has the sum
total of material desires; vä—either; mokña-kämaù—one who desires liberation; udära-dhéù—
with broader intelligence; tévreëa—with great force; bhakti-yogena—by devotional service to
the Lord; yajeta—should worship; puruñam—the Lord; param—the supreme whole.
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TRANSLATION:
A person who has broader intelligence, whether he be full of all material desire, without any
material desire, or desiring liberation, must by all means worship the supreme whole, the
Personality of Godhead.
Even the desires fulfilled by the demigods and the boons given by them are ultimately given by
Krishna to them. the demigods are only distributing agents. Krishna is the owner and our
Supreme Father who sends these gifts to us. One who understands this becomes completely
peaceful and happy in devotional service.
In Bhagavad Gita (7.21), Lord Krishna confirms this:
yo yo yäà yäà tanuà bhaktaù
çraddhayärcitum icchati
tasya tasyäcaläà çraddhäà täm eva vidadhämy aham
yaù yaù—whoever; yäm yäm—whichever; tanum—form of a demigod; bhaktaù—devotee;
çraddhayä—with faith; arcitum—to worship; icchati—desires; tasya tasya—to him; acaläm—
steady; çraddhäm—faith; täm—that; eva—surely; vidadhämi—give; aham—I.
TRANSLATION:
I am in everyone's heart as the Supersoul. As soon as one desires to worship some demigod, I
make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to that particular deity.
Bhagavad Gita (7.22),
sa tayä çraddhayä yuktas tasyärädhanam éhate
labhate ca tataù kämän
mayaiva vihitän hi tän
saù—he; tayä—with that; çraddhayä—inspiration; yuktaù—endowed; tasya—of that demigod;
ärädhanam—for the worship; éhate—he aspires; labhate—obtains; ca—and; tataù—from that;
kämän—his desires; mayä—by Me; eva—alone; vihitän—arranged; hi—certainly; tän—those.
TRANSLATION:
Endowed with such a faith, he endeavors to worship a particular demigod and obtains his
desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone.
If the boons are coming from Krishna only then what is the difference if one goes to Krishna or
goes to the demigods? Yes, there is no difference if one goes to Krishna or the demigods if one
clearly understands that it is the mercy and the gift of the Supreme Lord. It makes no difference
if one collects the goods from the manufacturing company or from the retail outlets; one is
getting the same product.
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(There are many examples of even great devotees like Arjuna going to Lord Shiva for the
pashupata astra and the gopis praying to goddess katyayini to bless them with Krishna as their
husband).
However, if one thinks that the demigod is independent and is giving his own boons then one
simply gets a temporary and material result. It is like paying a bribe to the immediate perosn for
getting your work done temporarily and illegally. One name of Sri Krishna is Varadaraja, means
He is the best of the benediction givers. Krishna gives His blessings and boons in such a way
that the person will never have to beg or spread his arms in front of anyone again!
In Bhagavad Gita (7.23), Krishna explains:
antavat tu phalaà teñäà
tad bhavaty alpa-medhasäm
devän deva-yajo yänti
mad-bhaktä yänti mäm api
anta-vat—perishable; tu—but; phalam—fruit; teñäm—their; tat—that; bhavati—becomes;
alpa—medhasäm—of those of small intelligence; devän—to the demigods; deva-yajaù—the
worshipers of the demigods; yänti—go; mat—My; bhaktäù—devotees; yänti—go; mäm—to Me;
api—also.
TRANSLATION
Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary.
Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately
reach My supreme planet.
What is the use of the gift 10kg crown to one who is drowning in an ocean? It simply helps the
person to sink faster and deeper into the ocean. Similarly, people of smaller intelligence are
satisfied simply by the material benefits given by the demigods. These temporary gifts simply
help people to drown faster into the material cycle of birth and death. The same gifts can be of
great value when one rescued and is brought to the ground. Similarly, when the Supreme Lord
offers material benedictions, along with them He also offers the devotees spiritual benedictions,
which purify the heart, and awakens the inherent spiritual qualities of the spirit soul.
(OPTIONAL - There are many examples in the scripture to show how anyone who got material
benedictions from the Supreme Lord also achieved the highest perfection of life. The most
sterling amongst them is the example of Dhruva Maharaj.
As a 5 year old child, Dhruva was chastised by his step mother and not allowed to sit on the lap
of his father. Little Dhruva was so angry that he decided to get a kingdom greater than his great
grand father Brahma. Narada muni, seeing the valiant determination, gave him spiritual
initiation into the chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord and told him to perform penances and
devotional service to the Supreme Lord.
Within six months little Dhruva perfected his life and achieved the darshan of the Supreme
Lord. When he saw the most splendrous and spectacular darshan of the Supreme Lord, he felt
remorseful that he had come asking for a few pieces of broken glass and he got a priceless
jewel in his hand. The Supreme Lord Krishna blessed him with the kingdom of Dhruvaloka or
pole star, which is greater than even the abode of Lord Brahma and ultimately Dhruva went
back home, back to the spiritual world at the end of his life).
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STORY: O KING! I ONLY WISH YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
Once upon a time there was a king who had a baby son after waiting for many years, in spite of
his best efforts and prayers. The king was so overjoyed that he announced in the kingdom, “I
am extremely happy with the news of my son’s birth. I shall celebrate this event by giving
profuse charity tomorrow. Anyone and everyone are welcome. Whatever desires you have, will
be fulfilled tomorrow.”
True to his promise the king opened up his private treasury and started giving profuse wealth in
charity. Land, wealth, gifts, gold, houses and whatever else the people desired, the king was
happy to offer it to them. While looking over the line of people who had come to collect charity,
the king saw an interesting phenomenon. He saw an elderly gentleman at the end of the line,
allowing all the people joining in to go before him. Thus, the elderly man effectively always
remained last in the line.
After all the people had taken their charity, it was finally the turn of the last person in the line.
The king told him, “My dear gentleman, I have noticed you throughout the day. You preferred to
remain last in the line, giving everybody else a chance to go before you and ask for charity. I
am very pleased by your actions. Please ask me whatever your heart desires and I will fulfill it.”
The elderly gentleman said, “O King, are you sure that you will fulfill the desire of my heart?”
The king reconfirmed his pleasure; “I am truly pleased with you and want to make you happy in
all respects. Please ask what you desire with fear. It shall be fulfilled.” The gentleman said, “O
king! I only desire your friendship and wish that you come to my house to dine with me once a
month.” The king was surprised at this simple and heartfelt request.
He said, “I surely fulfill this desire of yours. Please ask for something more. I would like to give it
to you as I’m so pleased with you today!” The elderly gentleman declined to ask for anything
further and it was fixed that the king would come to have dinner with him, at his house, next
month.
As the date for the dinner appointment approached, the ministers decided to inspect the place
where this elderly man lived. When they reached there they saw the place was a small shack
which would even make a beggar proud! The ministers started discussing, “How can our king
come to such lowly place for dinner. It is an insult to the honor of our great king. We must do
something about it.”
Soon hundreds of people were put into action and royal road was laid and huge mansion was
constructed in the place where the elderly man’s shack once stood. The house was filled with
the most exquisite furniture, fit to be enjoyed by kings. Month after month the king started
visiting the house of this man according to his promise.
The king started thinking, “Every month I’m going to meet this elderly person, people may doubt
my intentions. I must have some concrete reason for meeting him. If I get my sister married to
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his son, we shall become relatives. Then I can come to his house as my right!” Soon the king
made arrangements for his sister to be married to the old man’s son.
The elderly gentleman had asked for only one boon, “I wish that the king comes to my place.”
And he achieved everything, a royal road, a palatial mansion, best furniture and ultimately the
king’s sister as his daughter-in-law. Similarly, if we simply invite the Supreme Lord in our life, all
our desires will ultimately be fulfilled. Therefore, everyone with all kinds of desires is invited to
surrender to the Supreme Lord Krishna and worship Him with all their hearts. Our lives can
become purified and we can achieve the ultimate destination.
SECTION FIVE: CAN ANYONE BECOME GOD?
MINS
5
Q) WHO CAN BECOME GOD? CAN ANYONE BECOME GOD?
God is eternally God. He is not appointed as God by anyone neither does he become God by
some process like meditation. God is eternally the Supreme Controller. Since the jiva soul is
infinitesimal or tiny in size, how can he ever become the Supreme God? When the soul is
purified from material contamination then the soul attains its spiritual nature. Thus the soul
becomes godly or like God in quality.
Thus in quality the soul and the Supreme Lord are the same – spiritual.
However, in quantity they are different - soul remains tiny in comparison to the infinite Supreme
Lord.
Eg. A drop of water and an entire ocean of water….
Eg. Man can create a city and put, satellites in the sky, God creates universes and puts planets
and galaxies in the sky.
This philosophy that we can become God comes from the misconception that the supreme is
some light or some formless supreme soul from where all the different incarnations and
prophets or messiahs come. When they complete their lifespan then they join that supreme soul
or the supreme light. This idea is due to ignorance about the spiritual body of the Supreme
Lord.
To say that the Supreme Lord is simply some light and He has no hand, no legs, no feelings or
no form is a great offense and is indirectly saying that He does exist. Of course the Supreme
Lord has no material hand, and no material legs and no material feelings, but He has His
spiritual hands, legs and is full of transcendental emotions in relationships with His eternal
devotees.
Story: parrot does not speak, hear or breathe!
Thus God is not a dead, senseless or emotion less object. God is the Supreme Person who is
the Supreme independent Proprietor, Controller and Enjoyer. We are dependent on the Lord in
our control and enjoyment. Therefore, we are not controllers of enjoyers but co-operators, being
dependent on Him. If we co-operate with the Lord and serve Him, then we also become fulfilled.
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Eg. parts of the body, co-operate with the body.
Eg. if we co-operate with the root of the tree, the entire tree is nourished.
The more we cleanse our consciousness, the more we can perceive the Lord and co-operate
with Him. The most recommended fastest way to purify our life in the day and age is to chant
the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra. This is recommended in the Kalisantaran Upanishad.
ROUGH NOTES:
Q) Is God personal or Impersonal? Is God a person or is He just some energy or light?
The God is both, simultaneously a person and impersonal light and energy!
Eg: Sun and Sunlight. Just as the Sun has a form, and the Sunlight is the impersonal, formless
energy that pervades the Solar System, similarly God has a personal form and through His
impersonal energies He pervades everything.
Q>Which is higher, the personal or the impersonal?
Just as the Sun is the source of the light, similarly the personal form of God is the source and
higher than the impersonal form of the Lord.
Q>Who is that Supreme Person?
That Supreme Person is Krsna. Krsna(All attractive). He is all attractive, because he is full of six
opulences(All Wealth, Beauty Fame, Strength, Knowledge, Renunciation). Other religions also
partially know His aspects of being all merciful(Allah) and being the Supreme Father(Jehova).
Just like the Sun is known in different languages as Surya, Sooraj, Sun, Seoul, Ravi Bhaskar.
Every machine comes along with a manual, which gives the details about the machine and how
to use it. Similarly when the universe was created, the Vedas were given as the manual which
gives the details of the universe and teaches us how to use this machine (universe) to the best
benefit out of it. The Vedas also teach us how to get the ultimate benefit out of this machine by
getting out of it and achieving liberation.
Slide: Sanatana Dharma – Supermarket of all religions
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Sanatana Dharma – Super University of all religions.
Let us now try to understand the seeming differences in the various religious scriptures. For
example, consider what different religions say about meat eating. In every religion there are
restrictions against meat eating. In Islam, all animals may be eaten after ritual sacrifice except
the pig and the dog. The Roman Catholics used to take meat every day except Friday. Today
because people are unwilling to follow even this minimal restriction, it no longer exists. In
Shrimad Bhagavatam, on the other hand, it is clearly stated that meat eating is a pillar of sinful
life and that true spiritual life cannot begin until we show mercy towards all the children of God.
Human beings can be divided into two classes – devotees and demons. The demons do not
know the laws of God and they do not want to know the laws of God. They thrive in sinful
activities by deliberately disobeying God by disregarding His proprietorship of everything.
Sometimes they concoct something about the unfathomable God with the few grams of brain
substance and mislead the general populace from the path of His instructions. A devotee, on
the other hand, accepts the authority of God and follows His instructions according to the
authorized scriptures like Bhagavad gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. Therefore, for a seeker of
truth, the first step is to accept the authority of God. Then he can understand the different types
of worshiping God, namely, fear, desire, duty and love.
WE STUDY THE DIVERSITY O THE DEMIGODS FOR THE SAKE OF SERVICE AND
RESPECT. IF WE DO IT FOR ARROGANCE OR DISRESPECT THEN WE HAVE MISSED
THE POINT.
Ram bada ki shyam bada
Isme se kaun bada… sab ek hi hai…
Well fulfills all desries….
(OPTIONAL Q) WHY IS THE SPIRITUAL FORM OF THE LORD NOT REVEALED TO THE PEOPLE IN
THE OTHER RELIGIONS? IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO EASY?
It’s like saying that the nuclear secrets or the nuclear bombs of the country should be given to
every individual so that they can protect themselves in adverse situations from the enemy! This
may be an extreme example but meaning or the implication is the same. Highly sensitive
information given in the hands of the unqualified can do more harm than good.
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People who are too much materially attached and beginners in spiritual life are given little
information from which they can grow further on the spiritual path. Since such beginners have
sufficient information and attachment to this world, the knowledge of God is given in relationship
to matter and this world so that they can relate to it.
Therefore, such scriptures describe God in terms of definition by negation. They explain how
God does not have a material form, color, taste or smell. He cannot be described or reached by
anything material. God cannot interact with the material world in any way, shape or form. In
fact, connecting anything material to the Lord is considered blasphemy. Such people are given
more moral disciplines (with deadly consequences like burning in hell if you break the rules and
sin!) to follow rather than deeper information and truths regarding God’s spiritual nature. His
benevolence and mercy is generally glorified.
Eg. For patients with a stomachs disorders more attention is given to a simple diet, medicines
and a disciplined regimen and care in a hospital rather than feeding them with delicacies like
rasagullas, gulabjamus, ice creams, cakes etc. In fact these goodies are dangerous for such
patients, as they may become further sick as they do not have the power to digest and
assimilate the nutrients from these items.
Similarly, people who are spiritually ill, are fed with a diet full of all kinds of restrictions – no
sweets, no fried foods, no pastries, no outside food, no junk, no wheat flour etc. Sometimes
people have such bad digestive ailments that they say, “Even the thought of these foods give
them gas in the stomach and dizziness in their brains!”
Thus such people are kept away from these varieties and given simple, basic diet. Once their
disease is eradicated and their appetite restored then they can relish all varieties of delicacies.
Similarly, when such people make progress on the spiritual path then they can appreciate that
God has spiritual forms, qualities, names and pastimes. Initially they have to make a beginning
by understanding that God has no material form and no material qualities or material pastimes.
This is because every time we speak about a form or some qualities then they can only think in
terms of material forms and material qualities, which are temporary in nature.
Only when they make some advancement in morality, spiritual life and spiritual culture, then
they can understand more about the spiritual nature of God and His divine activities. Otherwise
they may get a wrong understanding of God which can lead to further confusion, superstition
and fighting like amongst the followers of the pagan religions. Each one would create their own
form of God and claim it to be Supreme. Others would create their own forms and fight for
supremacy!
To avoid such unlimited confusions, such people were denied entry into the spiritual forms and
pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna and given a step by step process to
progress up to the highest platform.)
---- to consider independent is offense, and
--- if all equal, atheist soon…
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--- deride is also offense…slapping the constable is slapping the government. To glorify him as
the supreme is also chaplusi.. flattery or over glorigy… respect them for what they are.
The power comes from the lord… the lord is the supplier and they are the agents….
Vedic thing sees god and his representatives everywhere… bhudevi.. opposite is not to see god
anywhere…
Vedic tradition is monotheistic, not pantheistic….
Who is that God?
Now why did we consider only Hindu gods? What about Allah or Jehovah or gods of other
religions?
If we look back at the history of various religions of the world, Islam started about 1300 years
ago, Christianity about 2000 years ago, and Buddhism about 2500 years ago. The Bhagavadgita, on the other hand, was spoken about 5000 years ago. Within Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna
informs Arjuna that he had already spoken the Bhagavad-gita to Vivaswan, presiding deity of
the sun planet at least 120,400,000 years ago and in human society it has been present for
over two million years [BG 4.1]. The Vedas are the oldest body of wisdom coming from the
dawn of creation through word of mouth, written down about 5000 years ago by Krishna
Dvaipayana Vyas for the benefit of people in the age of Kaliyuga. Sanatana dharma being the
oldest religion, it encompasses wisdom to suit the nature and the inclination of people who
range from morally degraded to the spiritually exalted. Sanatana dharma does not refer to any
sectarian process of religion. It is the eternal function of the eternal living entities in relationship
with the eternal Supreme Lord.
In the Bible, Jesus calls himself the son and representative of God. In the Koran, Mohammed
calls himself a prophet or a messenger of God. The question therefore begs itself: who is God?
Only God Himself knows this answer completely, and therefore we should hear from Him. In the
Bhagavad-gita, which is the summum bonum of all Vedic literatures, Lord Krishna declares
Himself to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and He specifically asserts His supremacy
over the well-known gods or demigods of the Vedic pantheon.
Unfortunately, many people think of Lord Shri Krishna as an ordinary person, while some admit
that He was an extraordinary person with great mystic powers! But actually according to
Bhagavad-gita and other scriptures, Lord Krishna is neither an ordinary person nor an
extraordinary person. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, the
supreme proprietor, the supreme enjoyer, the one whom no one can ever equal or surpass in
any aspect.
THE VARIOUS RELIGIOUS SCRIPTURES ARE NOT WRONG THEY ARE INCOMPLETE.
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IF HINDUISM IS A SHADOW Sanatana Dharma IS THE REAL PERSON
Session 4 one gods many gods
Why are there so many Scriptures?
Which is the best way to gain knowledge?
We have studied the best way to gain knowledge is not through direct sense perception
(pratyaksa pramana) or through imagination and hypothesis (anumana pramana). The best way
to gain knowledge in any field is to accept the words of the authority (sabda pramana).
Eg. How to make a rasagulla? What is the best way to gain this knowledge? Through directly
experimenting, through imagination of the recipe or through learning it from an authority? The
first two processes can lead one to very different or dangerous results. The only safe path of
success is to learn it from an authority and then practice it to achieve the result.
The best way to gain knowledge about God is to learn it from the authority of the Vedas. The
Vedas are like a manual. Every machine comes along with a manual, which gives the details
about the machine and how to use it. Similarly when the universe was created, the Vedas were
given as the manual which gives the details of the universe and teaches us how to use this
machine (universe) to the best benefit out of it. The Vedas also teach us how to get the ultimate
benefit out of this machine by getting out of it and achieving liberation.
How can we accept the Vedas to be the manual?
To accept or reject a manual one must study it, apply it and see whether it works or it doesn’t
work. To reject a manual without studying it or applying it would be non-scientific or just biased
blind faith. Many people without studying the Vedas claim that they are bogus! Based on what
scientific evidence or experiment do they make such a claim?
In fact every person who has studied the Vedas claims that they are perfect. The Vedas
knowledge presents a unique challenge to prove their authenticity (that they are true). The
Vedas claim that if we can find even a single bit of information given in the Vedas to be wrong
or contradictory with another information given in the Vedas then one can discard the whole
body of knowledge! That means each and every word of the Veda is true. This is the proof that
the Vedas are the Absolute truth and the manual for the universe. Anyone can study them and
prove this claim to be wrong and we can reject the Vedas entirely. Till then we may accept them
as they are – the authority to teach us about the science of God.
Each machine has one manual. So this universe should also have one manual. Then why are
there so many scriptures? Why are there so many religions? Wouldn’t it be good of there was
only one religion.
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Most of the wars fought on the planet are due to religion. Some people think, “Religion is
the cause of most of the wars on the planet. So it would be better if religion was
abolished totally. Why should we have religion at all?”
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