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Sri Madhvacharya, the dualist

8/28/2020

Sri Madhvacharya, the dualist
Sri Madhvacharya was born on family of Tulu Brahmin, near Udupi, Karnataka. he lived during 1238-1317. Sri Madhva was also known by three other names – Vasudeva, Purnaprajna and Anandatirtha. He demonstrated that each Vedic Sukta had three meanings, the Mahabharata ten meanings, and each word of the Vishnu-sehsranama, a hundred meanings. He introduced the use of animal forms made of a paste of black gram power and ghee in place of animals in sacrifices. He proclaimed that in most ancient days Vedic rituals did not allow animal sacrifice.

He, besides philosophical works, influenced great devotional movement known as Dasa Kuta, in Karnataka. He also made excellent arrangements for worship in the temple by founding eight Maths in Udupi. Madhva, unlike all other vedantic acharyas, built an intellectual structure to stimulate people to sustain their faith in a real God and real spiritual destiny for human beings to be attained through devotional disciplines enlivened and enlightened by love and knowledge, and crowned by the grace of God.

Madhva’s philosophy is called Dvaita or the Doctrine of the Two, because it accepts two entirely separate substances, the independent reality (God) and the Dependent reality (the Jivas, Nature and other allied categories). He challenged the philosophy of Advaita (philosophers – Sri Gaudapada & Sri Adishankaracharya) and put forth following reasoning:

Theory of Illusions (Khyati-vada):
Advaitia Philosophy:
According to Advaita philosophy (means Non-dual), Brahman is the one and only reality and everything else is a mere illusion. Maya creates apparent multiplicity in a universe where only Brahman really exists. One of the most common examples used to describe the state is momentarily seeing a snake in a rope when it is lying in the darkness. The Advaita system has three levels of experience as under:

Paramarthika – Ultimately real i.e. the Para-Brahman – attribute less and quality less, and indicated only by indirect scriptural epithets viz. Satyam, Jnanam, Anandam and Anantam (Truth-Consciousness-Bliss-Absolute). These are not its attributes but the Absolute itself.
Vyavaharika – Empirically real - Daily experiences take the nature of real due to the illusion caused by Avidya-Maya. It persists for all time for those who have not attained the Paramarthika.
Pratibhasika – The momentary experiences such as snake in rope, nacre in silver etc. It is category forming a mixture of both reality (as actually experienced) and unreality (as sublated). For this reason, this is called Anirvacaniya-khyati.

Advaitins maintain that Vyavaharika is sublated (taken away) when consciousness get established in Paramarthika level. The Vyavaharika world is then realized as disappearing. The evidence is of the perfected sage.

Dvaita Philosophy:
However, Dvaitins dispute both claims of Advaitins. If there is a at all a non-dualistic experience, it is only the temporary disappearance of world consciousness in the blissful absorption of the Jiva in mystic communion with the divine. The Vaisnavite doctrine claims:

Only through devotion and self-surrender to the Supreme Being Jiva can secure salvation. It presupposes a basic difference between them. For this reason, Advaita philosophy characterizes the experience of difference as an illusion resulting from Avidya. Madhva’s philosophy of realism does not accept the Advaita’s two tier conception of Paramartha and Vyavahara and holds difference is an actual experience, and our life is based on its recognition.
Advaitins argued that perceivablity is the nature of falsehood and maintain that experience is their conclusive proof of Paramartha (ultimate reality). Paramartha is attained when there is Alhandkara-vriti (unmodified mind). As per Dvaita philosophy, experience always requires experiencer and the experienced. In case mental mode of Akhandkara-vriti subsides, Paramartha experience too must disappear with it. So all the old mental viritis may come back, or consciousness itself may be destroyed. These arguments proved futile in disproving the reality of the world experience.
Perception through Sense Organs: Madhva maintains that a valid experience must basically be self-validating. Errors occur because of the defects in the organs of perception and placement of the objects. Certainty may not arise in the mind, because presentation by the sense is done through intellect whose nature is to doubt, thinking of the pros and cons of all experiences that pass through it. When the energy of the soul enlightens the impression presented to it by the senses through the mind and intellect that certainty arises. This energy of Atman that gives certainty is called as Saksi (witness). When saksi functions, experience becomes self-validating or svatassiddha. The defects of the organs and placement of objects obstruct the operation of the saksi, and hence one must take all care to remove these obstructions to get valid experience. Experiences like joy and sorrow, dream experiences and sense of duration & peace in deep sleep, are felt without involvement of senses and doubt. These experiences are felt indicating existence of validating power or saksi.

Location of Avidya:
According to the Advaita Philosophy, Jiva is one with Brahman and this assumes Avidya being in Brahman. Brahman will thus become the center of all corruption.

As per Dvaita philosophy, Avidya has its locus only in the Jiva. So their theory of Avidya is called Svabhavajnana-vada, which means the forgetfulness of the Jiva’s true nature and of his dependence on God. It is induced in them by the Independent Being, God. As Jiva is different from Brahman, Avidya is located in the Jiva does not affect Him as in Advaita. Though located in the Jiva, it is not natural to him. For being, an eternal category and a reflection of God, the Jiva’s existentiality and self-consciousness are retained, but his blissful nature is gravely clouded and bodily identification is generated.

Reference: Bhakti Schools of Vedanta – by Swami Tapasyananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.

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Shri Krishna, the Almighty

8/7/2020

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Shri Krishna, the Almighty
श्रीकृष्ण गोविन्द हरे मुरारे । हे नाथ नारायण वसुदेवा ।

Shri Krishna appeared on the earth around 5122 years ago to teach the human beings, how to lead balanced life. As in human form, he had to undergo both pleasures and pains. Shri Krishna taught not to crave for power, wealth, kingdom, fame etc. which are mundane desires. He set ideals for different relationships. Various events occurred during his life, displayed these attributes.

Bhagwan Sri Krishna displayed sixteen attributes viz. compassion, patience, forgiveness, impartiality, justice, impartiality, detachment, meditation & spiritual powers, invincibility, beneficence, beauty incarnate, best of dancer, best of singer, honesty, truthfulness, Perfect master of all arts, such as poetry, drama, painting etc. and controller of all & controller of self. Moreover, he displayed fearlessness, freedom from anger; renunciation, tranquility, steady determination, vigor, etc.

In Human form enjoyed pleasures as well as pain -Shri Krishna suffered more than anybody else. But, smile never left his lips.

He took birth in a prison cell and was separated from parents.
He was attacked several times, when he was small child.
He was raised by a foster mother, Yasoda & foster father, Vasudeva despite having his own parents.
He was to move far off place in the public interest from his birth place.
He did not get choice to marry a girl and ended up to marrying those girls who wanted to marry him.

Displayed control over senses –Shri Krishna displayed control over senses and took decisions in larger public interest.

Positive attitude in both positive as well as adverse circumstances – he faced adverse circumstance since childhood but always maintained calm and happiness. At age six days, Putna attacked him and later on a large number of attacks were made on him in Gokul as well as Mathura.
No greed of Power & Kingdom –
Though he killed Kansa, Shishupal, Jarasanha (through Bhima), Narakasur etc., he gave away the kingdoms to Ugrasen, Shishupal’s son, Jarasanha‘s son, Sahadeva, Narakasur’s son respectively.

War as a last resort –He tried to avoid killing Kansa, Shishupal, Narakasur and war between Kauravas & Pandavas.

There was a divine announcement that eighth child of Devaki would kill him. On hearing the announcement, Kansa imprisoned Vasudev and Devaki. Kansa was always remembering Shri Krishna, the eighth child of Devaki, out of enmity. He sent several demons to kill balkrishna. Kansa decided to perform Dhanush Yajna to increase his age and to kill Shri Krishna, so he invited Nand along with his sons. Shri Krishna released Kansa by killing him. Shri Krishna handed over the kingdom of Mathura to Ugrasena, father of Kansa.
Shishupal was always criticizing Shri Krishna. He continued abusing Shri Krishna during Rajasuya Yajna despite no instigation by him. Ultimately, Shri Krishna chopped of his head by sudarshan chakra.
Shri Krishna killed Narkasur and freed 16000 girls imprisoned by him.
Shri Krishna tried his best to avoid the war between Kauravas & Pandavas. He went to Kauravas as ambassador of the Pandavas on peace mission. Krishna asked Duryodhana to return Indraprastha to the Pandavas or, if not, give over at least five villages, one for each of the Pandavas. Duryodhana said he would not give land even as much as tip of a needle to the Pandavas.

No egoism, humbleness –

After the death of Kansa, his wives, Asti and Prapti came to home of their father, Jarasandh. Jarasandh attacked Mathura seventeen times and got defeated by Shri Krishna. Thereafter, Shri Krishna decided to leave Mathura in the interest of Mathura habitants as repeated battles was gravely harming them. He preferred to be called as Ranchhord means that ran from battlefield. He left for Okha, Gujarat and set up a new city named as Dwarka.
Despite being king of a large kingdom, Shri Krishna served as the charioteer of the Pandava Arjuna during the war of Mahabharata.

Spread love –
Sri Krishna spread spiritual love throughout his life. He gave spiritual love to gopals & gopis in childhood, Udhav, Sudama, Padavas (friends), to deviki & Yashodha (mothers), etc. He even gave liberation to Putana who tried to kill him & Jara hunter who killed him.

Taught respect for different relationships – Throughout his life, Shri Krishna played whatever role; He perfected that role and became role model.

Ideal Student - He was a very fast learner. He mastered sixty-four arts by Sandipani Muni in the brief period. After completing his study, Shri Krishna spoke of giving Guru Dakshina to Gurmata. On this, Gurumata considered Krishna as unique and asked for his son back in Guru Dakshina, who died by drowning in the ocean during Prabhas tour. Obeying Gurumata, Krishna ripped the stomach of a demon named Shankachakunda in the sea and pulled out son of Guru and a conch, which was called "Panchajanya".
Ideal Friend - Shri Krishna met Sudama in Gurukul (School). Sudama was a poor Brahmin from Saurashtra, Gujarat. When poor Sudama reached Dwarka to meet his friend, Shri Krishna cleaned his feet with his tears and plucked the thorn with his teeth. Shri Krishna ate the coarse rice brought by Sudama and in exchange bestowed entire prosperity of Dwarka. As a friend, Shri Krishna became charioteer of Arjuna and showed him his universal form.
Ideal Son –When Balkrishna was leaving for Mathura, Ma Yasodha was much agitated and she said to him that people have been telling that she is his foster mother. She begged pardon for binding him and said, “She loved him much”. Balkrishna saluted her and assured that she is his mother and would remain as mother. In Mathura, Shri Krishna killed Kansa and freed his parents from prison.
Ideal Brother – The relationship of Shri Krishna with sister Subhadara and Balrama was ideal. At Jagannath Puri temple, all the three are worshipped together. Balrama also killed many demons. He along with Shri Krishna killed Kansa. He was constant companion of Shri Krishna.
Ideal Husband - There is lot of talks about thousands of wives of Shri Krishna. But very few people know the real stories behind Shri Krishna’s wedding with 16,108 girls. All the weddings of Shri Krishna were at the behest of the girls as they wanted to marry with him. Once, Narada ji desired to see the married life of Shri Krishna and his conduct with 16108 wives. He reached Dwarka. He visited all the houses of Shri Krishna’s wives and found him engaged in family affairs.
Ideal Disciple – The relationship of Draupadi and Shri Kirshna was more like a devotee and God. Shri Krishna saved the modesty of Draupadi at a time when all left her alone.

Bhagwan Sri Krishna is called as Purna Avatara as he displayed sixteen “Kalas” viz.

Immense wealth and rich in spiritually (Story of richness of Dwarka)
Right over a large land (Vast area of Dwarka)
Fame (His glory was spread since childhood till death)
Seductive voice (Story of gopis who forget their complaint after listening Krishna’s voice)
Life interesting (Stories of Bal Leela)
Enticing beauty (Krishna’s beauty is awesome)
Proficient in all types of learning (Vedas, politics, diplomacy, war, music, dance, art etc - Bhagavad Gita Jnana, story of dance on hood of Kali naag, attracted not only people but also nature & cows by playing flute)
All are equal (Story of Maharasa, Krishna gave first choice to Duryodhna to choose between his large army fighting on one side and Him becoming Sarathi on the other side during Mahabharta War)
Skilled in inspiration and planning (story of inspiring Arjuna in Mahabharata)
Qualities that give a new direction to the society (Story of Goverdhan leela)
Actuality (Krishna may not have fought the war with weapons in his hands but became the charioteer of Arjuna and conducted the war)
Self-controlled (Krishna is called as Yogeshwar, remained detached & happy as Gopal as well as Dwarkadheesh)
Devoid of ego & full of humility (Story of friend Sudama’s visit to Dwarka)
Not abstain from telling harsh Truth (Story of slaughter of Shishupala. Krishna told Shishupala’s mother without hesitation about his slaughter, this is the law of law and I have to do it)
Influence people (Story of influencing the residents of Mathura to settle in Dwarka city)
Favor people with selfless feelings (fulfilled the desires of devotees without expecting anything)

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DEITIES, PHILOSOPHERS & BHAKTS

Sri Madhvacharya, the dualist

Shri Krishna, the Almighty

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DEITIES, PHILOSOPHERS & BHAKTS​

Sri Madhvacharya, the dualist

Shri Krishna, the Almighty

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DEITIES, PHILOSOPHERS & BHAKTS