Hare Krishna! I am a little confused with Srimad Bhagavatam. please some one help.
1) In the first canto of sb it is written that varaha killed hiranyakasha by his tusks whereas in the third canto it is written than varaha slapped him in the root of his ear
2)it is written in sb that lord rama arrow struck ravanas heart like a nuclear bomb whereas in the iskcon temple it is shown that the arrow has hit his navel
3)in sb it is written that krishna lifted govardhan by his hand but in the picture it is shown as lifted on finger
4)it is said throughout sb that the sacrificial fire is the mouth of lord vishnu whereas in the chapter lord shiva saved from vrkasura it is written that the sacrificial fire is the mouth of lord shiva.
Some one please be kind enough & remove my confusion
Replies
Hare Krsna,
Thank you for providing further information as always. Yes, it is true that time is valuable and often I would like to have more time. However, his divine grace, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, often stressed that we need to find as much time as possible for spiritual activities. Even though it is important to try to balance material and spiritual activities, it is important to favour the spiritual activities as much as possible.
4) the information that you provided is clear, it is mentioned that the oblations are offered in the sacred fire, which is Lord Siva's mouth.
I admit maybe this statement can lead to confusions, especially if considered on its own. I do not think it is contradictory though since worship and sacrifices can be done for several demigods as mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam. So, the sacred fire can be considered to come from the mouths of Lord Krishna, Lord Siva or the fire god, agnideva.
From Srimad Bhagavatam, 2nd Canto:
"Monotheism is practically suggested here. Offering sacrifices to many demigods under different names is mentioned in the Vedic literatures, but the suggestion made in this verse is that all those varieties of demigods are included in the form of the Supreme personality of Godhead; they are
only the parts and parcels of the original whole."
However, in other parts of the Srimad Bhagavatam, it is clearly mentioned that Lord Krsna or Lord Vishnu are the masters of all sacrifices.
"One may argue that the Vedic activities are based on sacrificial ceremonies. That is true. But all such sacrifices are also meant for realizing the truth about Vasudeva. Another name of Vasudeva is Yajna (sacrifice), and in the Bhagavad-gita it is clearly stated that all sacrifices and all activities are to be conducted for the satisfaction of Yajna, or Visnu, the Personality of Godhead."
Hari Bol,
Hare Krsna,
Prabhu Siddhartha, thank you for having brought to our attention the facts that you mention. Sorry for the delay in replying, I was taken up with my unfortunate materialistic activities and some other krsna conscious activities. It is always important to read about the Lord and it is normal to wish to debate and wish to clear doubts. Nevertheless, I have imperfect senses and can only try to remove confusion with the help of previous acaryas who have worked on these topics.
1) what you mention about the Srimad Bhagavatam, 2nd Canto, is correct. It is mentioned that "When the Lord appeared to pick up the earth, the demon of the name Hiranyaksa tried to create a disturbance in the methodical functions of the Lord, and therefore he was killed by being pierced by the Lord's tusk."
However, after this sentence, it is mentioned that " According to Srila Jiva Gosvami, the demon Hiranyaksa was killed by the hand of the Lord. Therefore his version is that after being killed by the hand of the Lord, the demon was pierced by the tusk. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura confirms this version."
So, it seems that what appeared contradictory at first is probably not contradictory.
2) I agree with you that the temple authorities should show the same. Here is what his divine grace, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada said during conversation with reporters.
Srila Prabhupada: No. We are speaking of the basic principle. Krishna’s blackishbluish colour is there. Krishna’s flute is there. Krishna’s peacock feather is there. These things are described in the shastra, the scripture. So these paintings follow the actual form of Krishna described in the scripture.
Now, take even a painting of yourself. One man may paint your face a little differently from the way another man paints it. But on the whole, your form is the same, and of course, it does not depend on the painter’s conception. So Krishna’s form is not dependent on the painter’s conception but on the description of His features given in the scripture. Since Krishna is absolute, He and His picture are nondifferent.
Reporter 3: But if a painter were to paint a picture of me or anybody else, first he’d directly study the subject—a living subject.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. In this case, also, the subject is living. Krishna is living, and in the scripture He is described: “Krishna’s colour is bluish. In His hand Krishna has got a flute. Krishna has got a peacock feather on His head.” And tri-bhanga-lalitam: Krishna stands gracefully, His form curving in three places.” Tri- bhanga means that when He stands, in three places His form curves. You see. shyamam tri-bhanga-lalitam niyata- prakasham: “Krishna’s graceful dark-bluish, threefold-bending form is eternally manifest.” These are the descriptions given in the Vedas. And for instance, from these descriptions my students have painted so many pictures. From these descriptions I have simply given hints that “This picture should be like this.” So they take note and make the pictures, and people very much appreciate our pictures. So you can paint pictures by consulting the scriptural authority—the Vedas—and those who have studied the Vedas. That is what we are doing. If you are intelligent, you can make genuine pictures of God like that.
3) The full matter is written in the Srimad Bhagavatam. In fact, the 10th Canto is often called the Krishna Book since it describes the life and activities of Krsna. The 10th Canto was partially completed by his divine Grace, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada but his disciples have translated the remaining parts as 11th and 12th Cantos.
4)I have unfortunately been unable to find the part where it is mentioned that "sacrificial fire is called mouth of lord shiva". If you know where it is, kindly let me know.However, I was able to find the information below which may help understand a bit.
From Srimad Bhagavatam, 4th Canto
“ My dear great and powerful Lord Siva, you were created first from the mouth of Lord Brahma in order to protect the brahmanas in pursuing education, austerities, vows and self-realization. As protector of the
brahmanas, you always protect the regulative principles they follow, just as a cowherd boy keeps a stick in his hand to give protection to the cows.”
“It is stated here that Lord Siva is always interested in protecting the animals and the animalistic living entities, who are not very advanced in the spiritual sense. It is also stated that the brahmanas are produced from the mouth of the Supreme Lord. We should always remember that Lord Siva is being addressed as the representative of the Supreme Lord, Visnu. ln the Vedic literature it is described that the brahmanas are born from the mouth of the universal form of Visnu, the ksatriyas are born from His arms, the vaisyas from His abdomen or waist, and the sudras from His legs.”
“In this regard, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura cites the example of mother Yasoda's seeing the whole cosmic manifestation within the mouth of Lord Krsna. By the grace of Lord Krsna, mother Yasoda saw all the universes and planets within the mouthof Krsna.”
“My dear King, at the time of devastation, Lord Siva emits fire and air from his mouth out of anger. To make the surface of the earth completely treeless, the Pracetas also emitted fire and air from their mouths.”
Hari Bol,
Hare Krsna,
His divine grace, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has given explanations for these topics in the Srimad Bhagavatam and hopefully the answers below based on research done in the Srimad Bhagavatam should help. Please forgive any mistake that I may have done by inadvertence while searching.
1) In the first canto of sb it is written that varaha killed hiranyakasha by his tusks whereas in the third canto it is written than varaha slapped him in the root of his ear.
I have done a search for the word "hiran" in the First Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam (pdf file version) and could not find any mention of hiranyakasha. Lord Varaha is mentioned and hiranyakasipu, the brother of hiranyakasha is mentioned.
In the Third Canto, it is correct to say that it is written varaha slapped him in the root of his ear as mentioned in extracts below.
From Srimad Bhagavatam, 3rd Canto, Text 25/26:
“The demon now began to strike the Lord with his hard fists, but Lord Adhoksaja slapped him in the root of the ear, even as Indra, the lord of the Maruts, hit the demon Vrtra.”
“Though struck indifferently by the Lord, the conqueror of all, the demon's body began to wheel. His eyeballs bulged out of their sockets. His arms and legs broken and the hair on his head scattered, he fell down dead, like a gigantic tree uprooted by the wind.”
2)it is written in sb that lord rama arrow struck ravanas heart like a nuclear bomb whereas in the iskcon temple it is shown that the arrow has hit his navel
The extracts below mention mainly an arrow that hits the heart. I think we can rely on this version which seems authoritative since it is in both sb and ramayan.
From Srimad Bhagavatam, 9th Canto, Text 24:
“After thus rebuking Ravana, Lord Ramacandra fixed an arrow to His bow, aimed at Ravana, and released the arrow, which pierced Ravana's heart like a thunderbolt. Upon seeing this, Ravana's followers raised a tumultuous sound, crying, "Alas! Alas! What has happened? What has happened?" as Ravana, vomiting blood from his ten mouths, fell from his airplane, just as a pious man falls to earth from the heavenly planets when the results of his pious activities are exhausted.”
From the Ramayan:
“Making it sacred by a special formula as per the procedure specified in scriptures, Rama who was endowed with an extraordinary strength then fixed that arrow which was the foremost among the three worlds, capable of removing the fear of Ikshwaku dynasty, taking away the glory of the enemies and bestowing joy to one's own self on his bow.
While that excellent arrow was being fixed by Rama, all the beings were frightened and the earth trembled. That enraged Rama, stretching his bow well and with an attentive mind, hurled that arrow which can tear off the vitals, towards Ravana. That arrow, which was inviolable as a thunderbolt hurled by the arms of Indra and irresistible as Yama the lord of Death, fell upon Ravana's chest.
That arrow, released with great speed and which was capable of destroying the body, tore off the heart of that evil-minded Ravana. That arrow, which was capable of causing death to the body, after taking away the life of Ravana and having been anointed with blood, penetrated the earth.
Smeared with blood on having killed Ravana and thereby accomplishing its mission, that arrow re-entered its own quiver (of Rama) silently. From the hands of the slain Ravana, who was being separated from his life, fell his bow with its arrows (fitted to it), at the same time coinciding indeed with his life-breath.”
3)in sb it is written that krishna lifted govardhan by his hand but in the picture it is shown as lifted on finger
In the Krishna Book, chapter Twenty Four, this event is described in detail and I think we can conclude that he lifted the govardhan hill with one hand at first, then later held the mountain with the little finger of His left hand."
"Thinking in this way, Lord Krishna immediately picked up Govardhana Hill with one hand, exactly as a child picks up a mushroom from the ground. Thus He exhibited His transcendental pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill. Lord Krishna
then began to address His devotees, "My dear brothers, My dear father, My dear inhabitants of Vrindavana, you can now safely enter under the umbrella of Govardhana Hill, which I have just lifted. Do not be afraid of the hill and
think that it will fall from My hand. You have been too much afflicted from the heavy rain and strong wind; therefore I have lifted this hill, which will protect you exactly like a huge umbrella. I think this is a proper arrangement
to relieve you from your immediate distress. Be happy along with your animals underneath this great umbrella." Being assured by Lord Krishna, all the inhabitants of Vrindavana entered beneath the great hill and appeared to be
safe along with their property and animals.
The inhabitants of Vrindavana and their animals remained there for one week without being disturbed by hunger, thirst or any other discomforts. They were simply astonished to see how Krishna was holding up the mountain with the little finger of His left hand. Seeing the extraordinary mystic power of Krishna, Indra, the King of heaven, was thunderstruck and baffled in his determination.
He immediately called for all the clouds and asked them to desist. When the sky became completely cleared of all clouds and there was sunrise again, the strong wind stopped. At that time Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, known now as the lifter of Govardhana Hill, said, "My dear cowherd men, now you can leave and take your wives, children, cows and valuables, because everything is ended. The inundation has gone down, along with the swelling waters of the river."
4)it is said throughout sb that the sacrificial fire is the mouth of lord vishnu whereas in the chapter lord shiva saved from vrkasura it is written that the sacrificial fire is the mouth of lord shiva.
Hari Bol,
4)it is said throughout sb that the sacrificial fire is the mouth of lord vishnu whereas in the chapter lord shiva saved from vrkasura it is written that the sacrificial fire is the mouth of lord shiva.
Lord Krsna/Vishnu are the masters of all sacrifices, so it is logical that the sacrificial fire can be considered as the mouth of Lord Vishnu and Lord shiva is assistant same as Lord Brahma.
From Srimad Bhagavatam, 4th Canto:
"The whole sacrifice arranged by King Daksa had been disturbed by Lord Siva. Therefore all the demigods present there, along with Lord Brahma and the great sages, specifically requested Lord Siva to come and revive the sacrificial fire. There is a common phrase, siva-hina-yajna: "Any
sacrifice without the presence of Lord Siva is baffled." Lord Visnu is Yajnesvara, the Supreme Personality in the matter of sacrifice, yet in each yajna it is necessary for all the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma
and Lord Siva, to be present."