Vol 01.008 | Pre-SaraNAgati Issues |
18 October, 1997
|
In this Issue:
1. NOTE FROM THE EDITOR 2. FROM RAHASYA TRAYA SARA Adhikara 18: Aparadha Parigraha Adhikara Adhikara 19: Staana Visesha Adhikara 3. FROM Chapter 3 of " Hinduism Rediscovered"(Contd) |
Dear Bhagavatas,
We continue postings on RTS and Hinduism Rediscovered in this issue.
Certain points on the Question Box Replies received from members will be
posted separately. Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
ADHIKARA 18 : APARADHA PARIHARA ADHIKARA (Atonement for offences)
After Prapatti, a Prapanna will not indulge in committing any sins
(1) Should he commit any without intention, such sins will not accrue
to him
(2) Sins knowingly and deliberately committed can be neutralized by
atonement -prayaschitta prapatti (not for the purpose of Moksha)
(3) Should one indulge in sins deliberately and does not atone, minor
punishments will be imposed on him like becoming blind, lame etc., or disobedience
by wife, children etc. In such an event also the Prapanna would not be
denied Moksha because his papas will be negatived by atonement or suffering
punishment as aforesaid.
(4) Even major sins except what is stated in (5) below will be excused
by the Lord by inflicting a light punishment in exercise of his patience,
love and compassion towards the Prapanna.
(5) The only heinous and unpardonable sins which will nullify the effects
of Prapatti are: (a) Disrespect to Bhagavatas and Acharyas and (b) Adherence
to deities other than Bhagavan.
(6) Though the means and Phala of Moksha are identical as between a
Prapanna and the great Nityas and Muktas like PARASARA,VYASA,SRI NATHAMUNI
and others, the Prapanna should not arrogate himself by equating himself
with these extraordinary luminaries since they are far superior on account
of their birth, character, knowledge, discipline etc which are not comparable
to those of the Prapanna.
(7) THE PRAPANNA SHOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE ANY
ONE AS INFERIOR ON ACCOUNT
OF THE LATTER'S
CASTE, CREED, SEX OR OTHER DIFFERENCES
(8) The Apacharas committed towards Bhagavatas can also be expiated
but Only by seeking the forgiveness of the same Bhagavatas
(9) A SUBTLE POINT TO NOTE IN THIS CONNECTION
IS THAT IF A PRAPANNA
PRAYS AT THE TIME OF
DOING PRAPATTI FORGIVENESS OF SINS HE MIGHT
COMMIT
KNOWINGLY OR UNKNOWINGLY IN THE POST-PRAPATTI PERIOD, THE LORD WOULD TAKE
CARE
TO GUARD HIM AGAINST HIS COMMITTING
SUCH SINS ALSO.
(10) The Post-Prapatti sins get exculpated thus:- 1/4th by not repeating
such sins; 1/4th by feeling repentant; 1/4 th by efforts to perform atonement
(Prayaschitta) and the balance1/4th by actually performing the Prayaschitta.
Thus, for the Prapanna, there is no consignment to hell or the danger of
rebirth under any circumstances.
ADHIKARA 19 : STHANA VISESHA ADHIKARA
(The places suitable for the Prapanna's residence ) The question arises
as to which places will be most suitable for a Prapanna to reside. This
is answered as follows:
(1) A Prapanna should select a place suitable for carrying out his
daily ritualistic chores relating to his Varna and Ashrama
(2) Any place sanctified by Bhagavatas would be suitable. Places glorified
and consecrated by Alwars in their Mangala Sasanas ( statement of consecration)
will be most suitable since they will be the usual places where other devotees
would prefer to reside.
(3) However great a place may be, if it is not recognized by Bhagavatas,
such a place is not fit for a Prapanna.
(4) SHOULD, HOWEVER, A PRAPANNA IS FORCED BY CIRCUMSTANCES TO LIVE
IN ANY SUCH PLACE (e.g.)
IN THE USA OR ELSEWHERE, AND CONTINUES TO
PERFORM
SCRUPULOUSLY HIS DHARMIC DUTIES,
SUCH A PLACE WOULD BECOME SANCTIFIED BY
VIRTUE OF *HIS* HAVING RESIDED THEREIN.
3. From Chapter 3 of " Hinduism Rediscovered"
2.1.5. GODS OF THE VEDAS
The Veda Samhitas or recensions in general are collections of mantras
or hymns of praise of the different deities representing the various facets
of the natural world and include 33 major deities: grouped into 3 categories
of 11 each presiding over as many as 330 million subordinate deities. This
is also known as 'Muppattu Mukkodi Devatas.' (Arrangement is in alphabetical
order and not according to their relative importance)
( i.) CELESTIAL GODS
1. ARKA : One who radiates from 'ark' to radiate denotes a particular
aspect of Sun God.
2. ARYAMA Guardian of compacts and marriages, Represents chivalry,
Another aspect of Sun God.
3. CHANDRA: Moon, also known as Indu (drop of Soma), Nisakara (maker
of night), Nakshatra Natha (master of constellations), Sitamsu (having
cool rays)
4. INDRA : Lord of thunder and lightning; a.k.a. Mahendra (Indra, the
great) His city : Amaravati (Immortal city), his horseUchaisravas ( shrill
shriek), the rainbow is called Indra dhanus
5 .MITRA: Friendship, Solidarity, mainly connected with vows ( cf.
) .Zorashtrian 'mitras'
6.PUSAN : Prosperity, Nourisher, Guardian of roads, herdsmen and protector
of cattle
7. SAVITR: Vivifier, Life stimulator, Procreator, also refers to power
of words
8. SURYA: The luminous from 'SUR' or 'SVAR' to shine (cf.) svarga a.k.a.
Aditya (Source of the world), Paavaka (purifier), Karmasaakshin (witness
of deeds) Divakara (maker of day) Prabhakara (source of light) Bhanu (shining),
Bhaskara (maker of light) Sahasramsu (1000 rayed)
9. TVASTR: The Vedic vulcan, the shaper, craftsman
10. VARUNA: The mysterious, cryptic, hidden-from 'VRU' to envelop,
cover or restrain; Cosmic law (cf.) Greek Uranus. Varuna becomes Ahura
Mazda ( ORMUDZ) the supreme God and creator of the world. If Varuna is
the Lord of RTA, Ahura is the Lord of Aasa. Like Varuna, Ahura is also
closely associated with Mitra, the Sungod.
11. VISHNU-The All-pervader, the Supreme deity
( ii. ) ATMOSPHERIC GODS.
1. APSARAS: Nymphs (cf.) nymphs of Greece-born of waters in the pond
(Ap+saras), Essences
2. ARUNA: the red one, charioteer of the Sun God.
3. DYU: or Dyava: The sky a.k.a. Ambara (veil) Antariksha (space)
4. DEVAS: the divine ones (from the root 'Div" to shine)
5. GANDHARVAS Divine musicians, fragrances, also harmonies (go always
with Apsaras)
6. MARUTS: Breath . One without whom one dies PITRUS-consisting of
7. VASUS:( Eight ) Spheres of existence: viz. Apah (water), Anala (fire)
Anila (wind), Dhara (flow), Dhruva (Polestar) Soma (an aspect of moon)
Prabhasa (light) and Prathyusha (dawn)
8. RUDRAS (Eleven ) Divinities of life: viz. Ahirbudnya (seasnake),
Ajaikapada (shepherd), Bhaga (fortunate), Dahana (burning), Kapalin (bearer
of skulls), Mrigavyaada (hunter), Nirruti (misfortune), Pinaakin (archer),
Sarpa (snake), Sthaanu (pillar), and Trayambaka (three eyed)
9. AADITYAS ( Twelve ) Sovereign principles of the sky: viz., Aryama
(an aspect of Sun God) Bhaga (share), Dhaatri (order), Mitra (friend),
Pushan (nourisher), Rudra (roarer), Savitru (vivifier) , Surya (sun god)
Tvastr (craftsman) Varuna (watergod) and Vishnu (pervader)
10. VAYU: Wind God a.k.a.Vaata ( wanderer), Marut (the one without
whom one dies) Anila (one by whom one lives) Paavana (cleanser)
11. VISVEDEVAS : Manes, a vague group of indeterminate gods
( iii. ) TERRESTRIAL GODS
1. AGNI (Devourer), Fire God cf Latin 'Ignis"a.k.a. Jatavedas (one
who knows all happenings), Paavaka (purifier), Vaisvanara (all pervader),
Havya vaahana (oblation bearer), Vahni (conveyor)
2. AAPAH: Water
3. BRIHASPATI: The great master, Teacher of Gods 4. DHATR: Order
5. HIRANYAGARBHA: Golden Embryo
6. PRAJAPATHI: Lord of progeny
7. PRITHVI: Earthly sphere
8. SOMA: Ambrosia, Nectar, Devoured, the lord of offering, fuel, the
presiding deity being Moon a.k.a. Soma, considered as chalice of Soma.
Ghandharvas are associated with Soma as the promoter of lust.
9. SUKRA: The teacher of the genie or antigods.
10. VAGEESA Lord of speech
11. VIVASVAAN: The ancestral law, morality.
(iv.) OTHER GODS AND DEMI GODS FOUND MENTIONED IN THE VEDAS
ABHASVARAS: The shining
ADITI: Primordial vastness
AMSA: the share
ANGAARAKA: Mars
ASVINS : the gods of Agriculture
BUDHA: Mercury
CHITRAGUPTA: Scribe of Yama, secrets illustrated
DAKSHA: Ritual skill
GARUDA: Divine falcon, Vehicle of Vishnu
KAAMA; The god of love a.k.a. Ananga ( bodyless)
KAAMADHENU: The cow that grants all wishes
KIMPURUSHAS: Divine musicians
KINNARAS: Heavenly humans
KRATU: Inspiration
MANUS: The Law givers
MARICHI: Light
MAYA or MAAYA: Power of illusion, also the name of the architect for
the anti-gods
PRACHETAS: Awareness
RATHI: Desire ,wife of Kaama
RBHUS: Gnomes who worked in metal, skillful craftsmen
SAADHYAS: Those who have the means to realize
SAKRA: The mighty
SESHA: The remainder, what remains when everything else has disappeared
SIDDHAS: Those who have realized
SURABHI: Fragrant, the mother of Kamadhenu
TUSITAS: The satisfied
UPANAAYIKA: Minor fairies
VAISRAVANA : Son of fame, denotes Kubera
VIDYAADHARAS: The bearers of knowledge
VISRAVAS: Fame
VISVAKARMA: Architect of the Gods
YAKSHAS: Speedy beings
YAMA: Lord of death
YAAMINI : Yama's sister, also means night who subsequently became river
Yamuna (Markandeya purana77.7) YOGINI: Powers of realization
But, the Gods of Atharva Veda are different (e.g.) KALA (Time), KAMA (Desire) PASUPATA (Lord of Cattle), ROHITA (Sun), MATARISVAN (Wind), VIRAJ (Cosmic water), UCHISHTA (the remains of sacrifice), ENDOR (son of death), PARAMESHTIN (He that is highest), VIDHARI (the arranger) and CHITRA RATHA (kind of Gandarvas or invading spirits).