Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Krushnah Sevyam

Shastram avagatyam mano-vak-deheih Krushnah sevyah
It is very important to understand the purpose of understanding the scriptures - ancient and modern. One can understand them for several reasons - to satisfy one's personal, social, business or academic or even military needs. However the most important purpose that Shree Vallabhacharya instructs us is to serve Krushna - the Supreme Lord of the Universe. Universe is a term used to translate the Sanskrit word Srushti (sruj + ti : that which is created). By whom ? the Creator - the Supreme Lord Shree Krushna. Shree Vallabhacharya accertains this by saying "Param Brahmam tu Krushno hi" and "Sarvam khalu idam Brahmam".

All living and non-living entities are emanated from him as part-and-parcels of him by his own sweet will. Thus it is our most important existential purpose to remind ourselves of this relationship by serving him humbly and pleasingly. But to serve someone pleasingly, one needs to know about His likings and dislikings and it is this precise reason, why we need to understand the scriptures in a harmonious and wholistic way.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Shastram definition

In the Anubhashya, Shree Mahaprabhuji defines Shastram while giving commentary on the First Chapter, First Section, Second Sutra "Janmadyasya yatah shastrayonitvat" as :

Shaastiti (Shaasti iti) shastram vedah |
That which governs is the Shastram as per the Vedas.

Shree Navneetpriya Shastriji in his book Pushti-Pulin, also quotes similar definition "shansati it shastram".

As per this defintion, the modern civilization is governed by both ancient scriptures as well as recent scientific theories. Thus, modern science is just the natural expansion of Shastram. Understanding it in a harmonious manner is a prerequisite to the ultimate goal of serving the Supreme Lord Shree Krushna.

Friday, June 03, 2005

Shastram - scriptures

Shastram avagatyam mano-vak-deheih Krushnah sevyah (Having understood the scriptures, serve Shree Krushna with mind, speech and body)

This is the major premise of Pushtimarg according to Pu. Go. 108 Shree Shyammanoharji, from which all other minor premises are drawn. During the time of Shree Mahaprabhuji, shastram was referred to mainly of the Vedic texts which includes among others the four Vedas, the upanishadas, the six vedangs, the eighteen purans and further commentaries. Though Shree Mahaprabhuji accepted verbal testimony from the four main scriptures - Vedas, Gita, Brahmsutras and Shreemad Bhagvat - as the praman (proof), he as well as his sons - Gopinathji and Vitthalnathji - studied all the allied branches of contemporary knowledge as well. In current times, we have not only the Vedic scriptures (spiritual sciences), but also the abundance of modern scientific literatures (material sciences) to study as shastram. All these knowledge enhances our understanding of the greatness of the Supreme Lord and therefore, Shree Mahaprabhuji considers this as a background conditioning state before we can really serve Shree Krushna in all humility and gratefulness.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Check your knowledge









Shree Vallabhacharya's commentary on Brahmsutra of Vyasdev is known by

Shastrarth Prakaran

Tattvarth Dip Nibandh

Anubhashya

Subodhini







Society, Science and Spirituality

Universal Vision :
"The complete cosmic manifestation coexisting blissfully and harmoniously while relishing the divine Rasa"

This is possible if we focus on "Socio-Sciento-Spiritual Advancement" i.e. social responsiveness multiplied by scientific inquisitiveness multiplied by spiritual understanding. Such a unique system of thought and practice was established by our great Acharya Mahaprabhuji Shreemad Vallabhacharyaji (1478-1530 AD). He unified the views of all the Vedic scriptures and gave us the most resplendent of the philosophies called "Shuddhadwait" alongwith the supremely blissful path of life called "Pushtimarg". His universal message to everyone is "Shastram avagatyam, mano-vak-deheih Krushnah sevyah". I offer my humblest obeisances unto his lotus feet !

Chintasantan hantaro yatpadambuj renuvah |
Swiyanam tannijacharyan pranamami muhurmuhuhu ||