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Re: Re: aham brahmasmi - Revised and Enlarged!
X-URL: http://rbhatnagar.ececs.uc.edu:8080//alt_hindu/1995_Feb_2/msg00102.html
> Re: Re: aham brahmasmi - Revised and Enlarged!
> From: ken_stuart@macshasta.snowcrest.net (ken stuart)
> did so with the understanding expressed in the Bhagavad Gita, ie that all
> those appearances are in fact just the Supreme Person.
Please convince us that this is indeed the understanding expressed in the
Bhagavad Gita. The understanding seen in the Gita is that although people worship
various gods, the only enjoyer of the sacrifice is Sri Krishna (9.23, 9.24),
and there is a distinction between the result achieved by worshippers of devas and
of worshippers of Krishna (9.25). Similarly it is said that people worship devas
for specific results and desires (7.20), but that Krishna is the one who makes
those people's faith strong (7.21), and that the results are also actually coming
from Krishna (7.22). This does not equate Krishna with any other deva, or for that
matter any deva with any other deva.
> the Gita, ie those people (and there are MANY in India) who worship deities
> as being DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS
What you are saying here is akin to saying that all the activities of the various
personalities mentioned in the Vedas are all myth. The various devas are indeed
different individuals, otherwise there would be no need for distinguishing among
them.
> that the SAME Supreme Person is worshipped by all these paths, which is what
> Srila Prabhupada and Krsna himself have said as well.
Srila Prabhupada said that following the teachings of Christ very carefully
was most appropriate for Christians. However, he also told Christians that they
should immediately close all the slaughterhouses and start chanting the names
of God. In other words, Prabhupada wouldn't tolerate any perversions from followers
of other paths either. Prabhupada did say that Allah, Jehovah, etc were also
conceptions of Krishna, but he always said that the Supreme Person was undoubtedly
Krishna, and he distinguished between Krishna (the perfect understanding of the
Absolute) and the devas (who are also conceptions of the Absolute for neophytes, etc).
Furthermore, Prabhupada strongly rejected impersonalism, since Krishna also says
that impersonalists have slow progress and their methods are troublesome (12.5)
> Ken
> Ken@macshasta.com
Yours,
Vijay
