[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: A question on Geeta
In article <4i5c0h$ioc@babbage.ece.uc.edu>,
Ravishanker_Nandiwada <rnandiwa@research.westlaw.com> wrote:
>
>This is a question for those who are knowledgeable in Indian scriptures.
>Consider the two slokas from Geeta given below:
Well, I don't consider myself worthy of the title "knowledgeable" but I will
take a crack at it anyway.
>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?
>
I have dealt with issues relating to these verses several times previously.
Briefly stated, it must be understood that the 10th chapter of the Gita is
full of metaphorical statements. Now, before someone accuses me of making an
interpretation of something to suit my needs (as I have often accused other
Hindus), I would like to clarify that the text itself makes this quite clear.
Krishna also says, "Among Pandavas, I am Arjuna." Wait a second, if Arjuna
were the same as the omnipotent, omniscient Krishna, then how could Arjuna
become bewildered and require clarification from the Lord about His duty?
Clearly, this is not a literal statement. In fact, if you will look at the
verses more carefully, you may notice that they all fall into the form "Among
Group X, I am the best among X." What Krishna is saying throughout the 10th
chapter is that the best among everything is a representation of Him. They are
not necessarily statements of identity, although some of them like "Among
Adityas, I am Vishnu" can be considered as such.
As for your second question, I think the issue is one of semantics. What
exactly is a star? Granted that scientists would define it as a gas giant in
space with a certain luminosity, but the word being translated as "star" may
simply have the connotation of those luminous bodies which are dimmer than the
sun.
Regarding the moon supplying vegetables, I can't think of a scientific
explanation for that offhand, but I would not rule it out as unscientific. The
truth is, there are many things we still don't understand, and may never
understand if for no other reason than the fact that our theories can only be
as good as our powers of observation.
regards,
-- Krishna Susarla
