SRIMAD BHAGVATAM-MAHABHARATA

[ajay]

Hare Krisha.Have attended a few Iskcon lectures.so have some basic idea about Iskcon Philosophy and movement.
Most of the teachings are based on Srimad Bhagvatam and based on same Lord Krishna is mentioned as the Supreme Persnality and other GODS like Lord Shiva are mentioned as Demi Gods.

Now my query is Both Srimad Bhagvatam and Mahabharata are written by the Great Ved Vyasa so it means if whatever is mentioned in Srimad Bhagvatam is accepted as correct then whatever is written in Mahabharata should also be correct.

In Mahabharata Anushasan Parva its clearly mentioned by Bhisma Pitamah to Yudishtra that Lord Krishna has performed great penance for pleasing Lord Shiva.Lord Krishna himself says in the Anushasan Parva that he has done meditation to obtain boons from Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma.

I am totally confused as to what is correct.In my (limited) understanding of Hinduism Lord Krishna is an avatar of Lord Vishnu whereas Iskcon states vice versa.

Also if Lord Shiva is Demi God as claimed by Iskcon then If one goes through the entire Anushasan parva of Mahabharata its quite conflicitng with Iskcon views.

Can some devotee please clear my state of confusion.

[Maheshlulla]

Lord Shiv is also known by Bholenath,Gods and even demigods can worship Him to aquire their requirments,even Lord Krishna also worship that to get blessings from Lord shiva and Uma.

[honeyflowerservant]

the Brahma Samhita should have the answer you need.

if you like you can hear it in audio, or you can read it too..
Brahma Samhita
audio
1 (http://www.vaisnava.com/cgi-bin/st/ax.pl?http://www.vaisnava.com/books/SriBrahmaSamhita1.mp3) 2 (http://www.vaisnava.com/cgi-bin/st/ax.pl?http://www.vaisnava.com/books/SriBrahmaSamhita2.mp3) 3 (http://www.vaisnava.com/cgi-bin/st/ax.pl?http://www.vaisnava.com/books/SriBrahmaSamhita3.mp3) 4 (http://www.vaisnava.com/cgi-bin/st/ax.pl?http://www.vaisnava.com/books/SriBrahmaSamhita4.mp3) 5 (http://www.vaisnava.com/cgi-bin/st/ax.pl?http://www.vaisnava.com/books/SriBrahmaSamhita5.mp3) 6 (http://www.vaisnava.com/cgi-bin/st/ax.pl?http://www.vaisnava.com/books/SriBrahmaSamhita6.mp3)

visual
www.krishna.com/e-books/Sri_Brahma_Samhita.pdf+Brahma+Samhita&hl=en] (http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:WJ9zeGkJnwEJ:http://www.vedicresource.com/Merchant2/graphics/books/sbsi.jpg[/img]

Hi. From Iskcon and hinduism point of view - both are right in a manner of speaking. In hinduism Siva is said to be supreme lord. In Iskcon Krsna is supreme lord but Siva is also said to be God in the aspect of destroyer or dissolution. Siva is another form of God which is separated from Visnu and is empowered to be overseer of activities of destruction. Thus it may be viewed like this:-

Krsna
l
Visnu
l \
Avatars Siva

All are different aspects and forms of God. So when sage Vyasa wrote both books he was correct and yet in his mystical way he gave everyone regardless of their chosen form of godhead a way back home to the real reality.

And when Krsna worshiped Siva, he was in reality worshiping himself and at the same time setting the example for everyone to follow and showing how it is done... I hope this helps clear your confusion.

he was in reality worshiping himself

Why THE supreme authority needs to worship himself ?.

"The path of worship of the innumerable devas, or administrative demigods, is still more hazardous and uncertain than the above-mentioned processes of karma-kända and jnäna-kända. This system of worshiping many gods, such as Durgä, Siva, Ganesa, Sürya and the impersonal Visnu form, is accepted by persons who have been blinded by an intense desire for sense gratification. When properly executed in terms of the rites mentioned in the sästras, which are now very difficult to perform in this age of want and scarcity, such worship can certainly fulfill one's desires for sense gratification, but the success obtained by such methods is certainly transient, and it is suitable only for a less intelligent person. That is the verdict of the Bhagavad-gitä. No sane man should be satisfied by such temporary benefits."
(Srila Prabhupada; Caitanya Caritamrta; Adi-Lila Chapter 1 verse 91)

he was in reality worshiping himself

Why THE supreme authority needs to worship himself ?.

The Supreme Lord does not really need to worship himself as He is totally sufficient in Himself but He does so for our benefit. He is the ultimate role model for all the living beings and He sometimes worships Himself in other forms just to show us how it should be done and for what purposes. A good example is Sesanaga or Anantadeva. He is also an incarnation of God but he worships Krsna. So does Lord Caitanya. Lord Caitanya worshiped Krsna and showed all of us the perfect way of Bhakti yoga and how to worship Krsna. By setting the example Himself, it encourages everyone else to follow.
:D

By setting the example Himself, it encourages everyone else to follow. :D

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna in Bhagavad-gita:

Chapter 3, Verse 21.
Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

Chapter 3, Verse 22.
O son of Prtha, there is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I need to obtain anything--and yet I am engaged in work.

Chapter 3, Verse 23.
For, if I did not engage in work, O Partha, certainly all men would follow My path.

Chapter 3, Verse 22.
O son of Prtha, there is no work prescribed for Me

Who can prescribe work for Krishna ?

Chapter 3, Verse 22.
O son of Prtha, there is no work prescribed for Me

Who can prescribe work for Krishna ?

Read the whole verse to get the understanding. Krishna answers your question in these verses.

Lord Krishna very clearly tells us that although He has no prescribed work and really does not have to do anything except enjoy - He does work anyway as an example for all living beings.

More to think about:

Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead - He is the source of everything and He is in need of nothing. Just from His willing it to happen the entire universe can be created or destroyed!

However, although Krishna has no needs, He acts according to the scriptures.

Now consider this question - Why does He do this?

Lord Krishna gives the answer to this question in the verses quoted above. In Bhagavad-gita Chapter Three verse 24 Lord Krishna goes on to tell us:

"If I did not perform prescribed duties, all these worlds would be put to ruination. I would be the cause of creating unwanted population, and I would thereby destroy the peace of all living beings."

[cherry]

'Caitanya Bhagavata' by Vrndavana dasa Thakura (Antya Lila - chapter 4)

'Lord Krsna Himself says that how can any person worship Him and not worship Siva?.
How can one develop love for Krsna if he disregards Lord Siva who is so dear to Lord Krsna.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam it says "How can anyone render devotional service to Me without
worshipping My dear devotee Siva in the proper devotional mood. A person who does not
respect Siva is envious of the Vaisnavas and is a sinful reprobate."
Again, in the Skanda Purana it says "First one should worship Lord Krsna, the cause of all
causes, and then worship the best of the demigods, Lord Siva. Then all the other demigods
should be worshiped with great faith and devotion."
Sri Advaita Arcarya is accepted by the saintly personalities as Siva himself. This is so
because Lord Caitanya gave sufficient indications to establish this truth.'

[varadaraja sharma]

Radhe krishna

Rukmani devi dasiji, Radhe Krishna,

U have offended those people who are performing panchayatana puja by inappropriately telling that they are doing it for sense gratification. Is there any basis for this.

U have written about karma kanda and gnana kanda. Leave alone writing about a single karma. u r writing about a comple kanda. Do u know atleast as to how many types of karma are performed by people who perform karma as per karma kanda? or do u know on what basis karma is performed?

For ur kind information. My family traditionally performs panchayatana puja. god knows since when. This is performed as part of nithya karma. I have not elaborated on types of karma since this is not the platform to dwell into this topic. However, let me tell u that every nithya karma is performed with out any desire (least of all sense gratification) and is performed dutifully since even on reciting the sankalpa of every nithya karma , it is specifically pronounced that the karma is performed for the "Preethi" of Lord vishnu as per his orders. We are not the ones to disobey the orders of Lord Vishnu.
If u criticise a person that he is performing a karma for sense gratification whereas he performs it without any desire and only as per the orders of lord (all nithya karmas are performed as per orders of god)
u r intentionally or unintentionally telling a lie.

sorry to use harsh words - which i have not so far used in this forum.

Had i said any thing wrongly, u can write me back.

Radhe krishna