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Re: A question on Geeta
In <4i5c0h$ioc@babbage.ece.uc.edu> Ravishanker_Nandiwada
<rnandiwa@research.westlaw.com> writes:
>
>
>This is a question for those who are knowledgeable in Indian
scriptures.
>Consider the two slokas from Geeta given below:
>
>1. Aadityaanaamaham vishnumrjyotishaam raviramsumaan |
>Mariichirmarutaamasmi nakshatraanaamaham sasii ||
>
>Trans: Of the Aadityas I am Vishnu, of lights I am the radiant sun,
>of the Maruts, I am Marichi, and I am the moon among the stars.
>
>2. Gaamaavisya cha bhuutaani dhaarayaamyahamoojasaa |
>Pushnaami choushadhiih sarvaah soomoo bhuutvaa rasaatmakah ||
>
>Trans: I enter into each planet and by my energy they stay in orbit.
>I become the moon and thereby supply the juice of life to all
vegetables.
>
>In both the above slokas the two statements relating to the moon
appear
>to be scientifically incorrect.
>
>1. I am the moon among stars: We all know that moon is not a star.
>2. Moon supplying juice of life to vegetables: We also know that in
>the case of most vegetables, sun supplies more "juice of life".
>
>How can Lord Krshna state incorrectly? Can anyone clarify this issue?
>
>Thank you.
>Ravi
>--
Only recently, I read that same passage from the Gita and it seemed to
me that Lord Krishna was probably talking in the language of the people
of the day, who were not "scientifically" trained. By stars, He
probably was referring to celestial bodies in general and since the
moon is so close and so big and has such an obvious effect on the tides
and on the psychology and physiology of humans, as well as animals and
plants, the Lord probably used the moon as an example of the best of
the celestial bodies.
So-called science is discovering more and more that the moon has much
more effect on the lives of animals, plants and humans than they
thought was possible. So, I would not question the word of the Lord of
the Universe, on the basis of "modern" science. Today's scientific
certainty is tomorrow's disgarded theory. Not that I want to diminish
the many accomplishments of science, but it still is only scratching
the surface of things compared to the Wisdom of the Scriptures.
I'm grateful that you mentioned something which was recently in my own
thoughts.
Thank you,
Jack
