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Re: Ramanuja & Bhagavatam

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Malolan Cadambi • January 22, 2003 


> In verse 24, appearance of Lord Buddha is predicted
>
> tatah kalau sampravrtte sammohaya sura-dvisam
> buddho namnanjana-sutah kikatesu bhavisyati
>
> Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will
> appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Anjana, in the
> province of Gaya, just for the purpose of deluding
> those who are envious of the faithful theist.

Before one proceeds in learning and understanding the purAnA-s, one has to
important learn sanskrit. It is pretty obvious that the above verse does not
refer to Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama 580 BCE - 460 BCE).

Let us analyse it. But, first let us know more about Buddha (or Siddhartha
Gautama 580 BCE - 460 BCE).

Siddhartha Gautama was the son of King Suddhodhana and Maya. Moreover,
Siddharta was born in Lumbini not Kikata as the above verse points out.

But, the above verse referes to Buddha, the son on Anjana. It is elementary
knowledge that the Buddha reffered to in the Bhagavatam is not Siddhartha
Gautama.

Over the years, Buddhist zealots tried to equate the Buddha of Srimad
Bhagavatam to Siddhartha Gautama, in order to win favour of the hindus. This
is similar to some semitic religions who tried to claim superiority over the
other. One manifestation of that fanaticism lead to centuries of violence
and hatred which continues to date.

But that scenario is not the same in India, the holy land of the democratic
sages. Buddhism and Hinduims have never had any recored history of mass
violence, unlike what was seen throughout history in the middle east and
medieval europe. Both religions share common places of worship and have very
cordial relationships. Gaya in Bihar, Muktinath in Nepal are two such
examples. Visit http://www.muktinath.org for more details.

>
> And is Lord Rsabha mentioned in verse 13
>
> astame merudevyam tu nabher jata urukramah
> darsayan vartma dhiranam sarvasrama-namaskrtam
>
> The eighth incarnation was King Rsabha, son of King
> Nabhi and his wife Merudevi. In this incarnation the
> Lord showed the path of perfection, which is followed
> by those who have fully controlled their senses and
> who are honored by all orders of life.

Then, should it not be imperative of the Jains to base their beliefs on the
Srimad Bhagavatam? If following that verse, it would also require that the
Jains base their beliefs and source of axiomatic truths on the prasthana
trayam. They, however do not.

The same argument of identification applies. Inasmuch as the Jains claim
that the Rishabhadeva is their first thiirthankara and that he is indeed
extolled in Srimad Bhagvatam, they consistenly reject the very ideals that
King Rishabhadeva stood for and preached in the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Let me give you an example, Jains do not accept the presence of the Brahman,
let alone the veda-s or even Vyasa himself!

But as again, both faiths have never had any recorded history of mass
violence. The dharmAdhikari (head) of Dharmastala, a famous Shiva Temple in
coastal Karnataka is a Jain. Jains equally worship at all hindu sacred
places and have contributed richly to Indian architecture. The fantastic
Mount Abu temple in Rajasthan is one such example. Apart from that, the
Jains are also a prominent trading community and one of the drivers of the
Indian economy!

This again reaffirms to the fact of Indian Democracry since the ages. Forget
ancient Greece and Egypt. A tolerance and even acceptance of other religions
was displayed by the Hindu rulers of those ages!


Regards,

Malolan Cadambi
Austin,TX
USA.




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