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Relating to Non-Vedic Religions - What is our stand ?

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Rajaram Venkataramani • January 5, 2000 


Dear Bhagavathas,

A lot of devotees have pointed to a number of books on inter-religious 
faith. I would like to add a point about what Srimad Bhagavatham says about 
it in Canto 1.

Sages in Naimisaranya ask Suta Goswami about "What is a bonafide religion"
Suta Goswami answers by saying "Any religion that cultivates unadulterated 
love of the Supreme Lord is bonafide".

In that sense, pure form of Christianity or Islam are definitely bonafide 
because they preach love of God. But none of them can compare with 
Vaishnavism in cultivation of love of Godhead for atleast three reasons :

1. They dont clearly describe the Lord's form, names & His activities which 
are very important for cultivation of love of Godhead. Vaishnavism does 
that.
2. Vedas are the very word of Lord Narayana & no where else the Lord 
Himself speaks like He does in  Bhagavad Gita. They dont have eternal 
scriptures like the Vedas so the truths said there in  have to be rejected, 
if they contradict vedic opinion. The opinion of Jesus or Prophet is not 
the same as that of our acharyas because our acharyas are basing their 
philosophy on eternal vedas where as others are  not. Atleast not directly. 
3. Much of Christianity & Islam are highly degraded because of the vested 
interests of the followers & commercialization.


With warm regards
Rajaram V.



-----Original Message-----
From:	narayanan.k.m@in.pwcglobal.com [SMTP:narayanan.k.m@in.pwcglobal.com]
Sent:	Tuesday, January 04, 2000 11:28 AM
To:	bhakti@lists.best.com
Subject:	Re: Relating to Non-Vedic Religions - What is our stand ?



Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

Dear Sri.JaiSimman,

Well,  regarding the religious faiths from West, Our seers could not have
commented
due to the very fact  during their existence, these religions were not even
born.

However, I have heard Sri Krishna Premi once telling in a discourse, that 
any
religious philosophy or practice if it is  not sanctioned by Vedic Dharma 
or
that which does not recognise the superiority of Sri Vasudeva should not be
given importance.

He was referring to Buddhism Buddhism also talks of ahimsa, truth etc like
vaishnavism.
He said that such things are like serving the Honey in
a container made of Dog's skin. Though the content is  Honey, since not 
served
through the right medium of vedic sanathana Dharma, it has to be rejected. 
I
feel this holds good for other latter faiths also.


Dasan

K.M.Narayanan
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