[Prev][Next][Index]
Re: God and Demigods-is Ganesha demigod?
-
To: alt-hindu@cis.ohio-state.edu
-
Subject: Re: God and Demigods-is Ganesha demigod?
-
From: susarla@great-gray.owlnet.rice.edu (H. Krishna Susarla)
-
Date: 20 Dec 1994 04:09:40 GMT
-
Distribution: world
-
From news@larry.rice.edu Tue Dec 20 08: 23:44 1994
-
Newsgroups: alt.hindu
-
Organization: Rice University, Houston, Texas
-
References: <3d51jn$s2@ucunix.san.uc.edu>
K. Sadananda (sadananda@anvil.nrl.navy.mil) wrote:
: I am sure this is gratifying to all Vaisnavaites to know that their god is
: superior, but what about the Saivaites. They are doomed for eternal misery
: since their god is not capable of giving salvation! It was amusing to read
No. People who worship Lord Shiva go to the Kailasa planet, which is
a higher planet in this material universe. However, everyone there
prays to Krishna and hopes to be in Krishnaloka in their next birth.
So, Saivaites who attain Kailasa continue to advance in their spiritual
advancement. But their path is more indirect.
: If Krishana's form appeals to you so be it. Do not find fault with the
: other guy who worships the Lord in the form of Siva or Ganesha or whatever,
: provided if he realizes it is not the form but the ideal behind the idol
: that is what is important. That is what Linga literally means; that it
: designates something other itself-that is the ideal behind the idol.
Well, Krishna Himself says:
"Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender
unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship
according to their own nature."
(BG 7.20)
"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."
(BG 7.23)
"Those who are devotees of other gods and who worship them with faith
actually worship only Me, O son of Kunti, but they do so in a wrong
way."
(BG 9.23)
Please forgive my audacity in quoting the scripture. I don't mean
to suggest that my opinion is correct. I only suggest that Lord
Krishna's opinion is the only opinion any of us should be considering.
Of course, if you really don't believe in Lord Krishna, then I suppose
I can't expect you to take His words literally.
: I have no quarrels with any one whose mind is set on Siva or Sri Ganesha.
: If that helps him - glory to him. But he has no business to ridicule me
: that I am Krishna worshiper and equally I have no business to ridicule him
: because he worships the creator in the form of Lord Siva or Lord Ganesha.
The only people who ought to be ridiculed are those who claim to believe
in God, but then twist His words around to suit their own personal
philosophy of life.
Haribol!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Hari Krishna Susarla - "Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, -
- susarla@owlnet.rice.edu - become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me -
- Rice University - and worship Me. Being completely absorbed -
- Class of 1995 - in Me, surely you will come to Me." -
- Biochemistry - -- Bhagavad-Gita 9.34 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARER NAMA HARER NAMA
HARER NAMAIVA KEVALAM
KALAU NASTY EVA NASTY EVA
NASTY EVA GATIR ANYATHA
"IN THIS AGE OF QUARREL AND HYPOCRISY THE ONLY MEANS OF DELIVERANCE IS
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRSNA. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. THERE IS
NO OTHER WAY. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY."
-- Brhan-naradiya purana 38.126
