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Re: Ramanuja & Bhagavatam

From the Bhakti List Archives

Pradeep Janakiraman • January 26, 2003 


The staunch vaishnavite might always find it tough to accept Buddha 
or Jaina being reffered to in any work. 

But the complications only continue. Because, in "jayadeva-ashtapati" 
the very first song talks about the 10-avatars and one of them refers 
to Buddha. 

Ashtapati, is a very well known part of 'sampradaaya-bhajanai' being 
followed by all bhagavataas, during any 'radha-kalyaanam'. 

Jains indeed base their 1st tirthankara on the very same 'rishaba-
deva' mentioned in the Bhagavatam. But they only take the points 
where the story mentions how he lived a life of an avadhuta, and 
didnt care about his body and observed tortures to his body with 
ease. We read that he plucked his hairs, people pelted him etc. 

But it is true that they do not base their 'siddhanta' on the Vedas. 
So we(asthikaas) dont accept either the Boudhas or the Jainas. 

Also, one should recollect that 'ahimsa' and life of extreme docility 
is not something for the entire race. We have a way of life called 
the 'sanyaasa' for that purpose. 

The King cannot be like that. He has to establish justice by using 
punishment, and law; not by talking sweetly to criminals. Similarly 
he has a duty to guard the nation, all of which requires bravery and 
valor. 

Sanyaasa dharma cannot be a universal dharma for all. "Veeram" is 
very important part of our religion. All the gods we worship have 
weapons in their hand, including Narayana(maze, bow, discuss, etc.) 
But he is also the highest saatvic god and full of divine virtues 
whom saints & ascetics worship. 

-- Pradeep



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