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Pancharatra and the Greeks

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Malolan R Cadambi • July 24, 2002 


Sri
Srimathe Ramanujaya namaha

Dear Members,

I came across an interesting passage while reading the famous book on
Hinduism by Dr.C P Ramaswamy Aiyar. I quote as follows:

"As early as the 2nd century B. C. the renowned Besnagar Column had
been erected by a Greek named Heliodorous, who had been converted to
the Bhagavata or Vaisnava faith of which the Pancaratra doctrines
then formed an integral part; its scriptures were Satvata Samhita,
the Mahabharata, and the Bhagavata and Visnu Puranas. The origin of
the Pancaratra doctrines which form the basis of Srivaisnava culture
has been traced further back to the well known Purusasukta of the
Rg-Veda. The Satapatha Brahmana refers to the Pancaratra sacrifices
performed by the primeval Narayana, the idea of Nara and Narayana
(Primordial man and the deity Visnu) being an integral part of
ancient Indian thought"

The entire book can be found here:

http://www.uni-giessen.de/~gk1415/

>From the above, I have a few questions:

1.) Does any one have more information about the Besnagar Column?
2.) What is the approximate provenance of the Pancharata Agamas which
we know today? Are they pourusheya or apourusheya? 

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Malolan Cadambi

[ The Besnagar column is regarded as great proof not only of 
  the antiquity of the Vaishnava / Bhagavata faith, but also
  of its catholicity.  Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador of
  Megasthenes to India.  The pillar he erected is considered
  holy by the locals in Besnagar (see Sri Tirumanjanam Kannan's
  article on this matter:      
  http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/jan98/0119.html )

  In this regard the following site is also interesting:
http://www.gosai.com/chaitanya/saranagati/html/vedic-upanisads/vedic-archeology.html  (pardon me if the URL wraps around).
  Those interested in the antiquity of the Bhagavata tradition
  may also wish to see http://www.ibiblio.org/radha/p_a045.htm
  which refers to Panini and his usage of the names Vasudeva and
  Arjuna.
 
  The Pancaratra are considered paurusheya because they are 
  authored by Paramatman Narayana himself. For the same reason,
  they are considered wholly authoritative by the tradition. 
  Please see http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/mar2000/0055.html
  for some elaboration of this point. -- Moderator ]
 


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