Hare Krsna,
What is the meaning of 'Godhead' in "Supreme Personality of Godhead"?
Does it mean Ishwar tattva like Ram, Narsimha dev, Krishna, etc??
What is the difference between God and Godhead??
Please help me clarifying these doubts.
Dhananjay
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सीतानाथ समारम्भां रामानन्दार्य मध्यमाम्।
अस्मदाचार्य पर्यन्तां वन्दे श्रीगुरू परम्पराम् ।।
Both Śrī Hari Narayan and Śrī Krishnā are the incarnation of the Perfect Supreme Personality of the GodHead Śrī Rāma.
Their is no difference between Avatar and Avatari as पूर्णमद: पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात् concept always apply. Like wise their is no difference between Śrī Rāma himself and his incarnations like Śrī Hari Narayan, Śrī Krishnā etc.
To think bigger and smaller is just a mere satisfaction of one's Ego and nothing else.
That's Śrī Rāma who incarnates himself as Vishnu;
(Śrī Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa 7.104.9)
"After my prayers in the begining of the creation, Oh Rama ! You forsaken Your durdharsa (the swarupa which is difficult to be achieved for many) i.e. eternal Bhava (the eternal two armed Śrī Rāma form) and assumed the form of Vishnu for the sake of protection and sustenance of all the beings."
One thing I want to say here is that Śrī Ramayana is an incarnation of Vedas so it has the same Authority as Vedas;
As said;
(श्रीमद् वाल्मिकी रामायण-मङ्गलाचरण एवं अगस्त्य-संहिता)
जो दशरथ के पुत्र हैं वे ही वेदवेद्य अर्थात वेदों से जाने जाने वाले परम पुरुष हैं, उनके प्रकट होने पर वेद ही साक्षात् श्रीरामायण रुप में प्राचेतसश्रीवाल्मीकि मुनि के श्रीमुख से अवतीर्ण हुए। भगवान शिव स्वयं कहते हैं, हे देवी! श्रीरामायण स्वयं वेद ही है इसमें कोई संशय नहीं है।
Śrīmad Valmiki Ramayana is Veda itself as said in Valmiki Ramayan;
In Skandh Puran also;
(स्कन्द पुराण उ० ख० रा० मा०अ० ५-६४ )
In Mantra Ramayana aslo;
So Ramayana's authority (Śrīmad Valmiki Ramayana & Śrīmad Rāmcharit Manas, as Tuslidas ji maharaj is incarnation of Śrī Valmiki muni as mentioned in scriptures) is same is of Vedas.
Now, Back to point,
It's Śrī Rāma himself from whom Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha gets incarnated.
(Śrīmad Ramcharit Manas, Balkand)
Meaning :- Many Lord Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu appear from the mere part of Śrī Rāma.
Same is mentioned in Skandh Puran uttarkhand in Narad Sanathkumar Dialogue;
अर्थ:~सम्पूर्ण जगत् के अभीष्ट मनोरथोंको सिद्ध करनेवाले, ब्रह्मा, विष्णु और महेश आदि देवता जिनके अभिन्न अंशमात्र हैं, उन परम विशुद्ध सच्चिदानन्दमय परमात्मदेव श्रीरामचन्द्रजीको मैं नमस्कार करता हूँ तथा उन्हींके भजन -चिन्तनमें मन लगाता हूँ।
Same in Bhardwaj Samhita;
(Śrī Bhardwaj Samhita)
Śrī Hari Narayana is an incarnation of Śrī Rāma and shines in Vaikunth in the form of conch, chakra, mace with Four Arms. There are many incarnations of Śrī Rāma differentiating by Kalas, part, Vibhuti etc. But Śrī Rāma himself is ParBrahma who is devoid of Maya in his two armed form (human form).
As Śrī Rāma himself says;
(श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये अद्भुतोत्तरकाण्डे भगवद्धनूमत्संवादो नाम चतुर्दशः सर्गः)
The Lord of the infinite worlds, who is inseparable Narayan, is my supreme form and maintains the universe.
As said in Śrīmad Kurm Puran;
(Śrīmad Kurm Puran)
मत्स्य, कूर्म, वाराह अतुल तेजमय श्रीनृसिंह तथा वामन, यामदग्नि परशुराम, भ्राता बलदेव जी के सहित कंश के शत्रु श्रीकृष्ण भगवान, करुणामय वपु बौद्ध, म्लेक्ष विध्वंसक श्रीकल्कि ये दश अवतार और अन्य भी जो अवतार में परिगणित है पृथु ऋषभादि ये सब सूर्यकुल में उत्पन्न जिस पर पुरुष के अन्शकला से उत्पन्न होते हैं, उस व्याप्त ब्रह्म तेज रूप विमल सुखमय श्रीरामचन्द्र महाराज को मैं नमस्कार करता हूँ।
Even Veda Narāyan saying same thing;
(इति पञ्चब्रह्मोपनिषत् यजुर्वेदीय श्रुति)
मैं अखंड आनंद के कारक भगवान श्री रामचंद्र के चरणों की वंदना करता हूं, जहां ब्रह्मा आदि समेत पांच ब्रह्म (श्रीशिव, श्रीहरि विष्णु, श्रीगणेश, भगवती दुर्गा और श्रीसूर्य) सदैव विश्राम (आश्रय) पाते हैं।
(यजुर्वेद श्रुति श्रीराम रहस्योपनिषद)
अर्थ:~
वेद आदि सभी शास्त्रों में परमतत्त्व ब्रह्मस्वरूप 'तारक राम' ही है। राम ही परमब्रह्म है। राम ही परमतप स्वरूप है। राम ही परमतत्त्व हैं। राम ही तारकब्रह्म हैं।
हनुमान जी ने श्रीहरि विष्णु के भक्त और अन्य ऋषियों को उपदेश दिया "मैं स्वयं, श्री गणेश, देवी सरस्वती, देवी दुर्गा, सभी क्षेत्र पाल, सूर्य, चंद्रमा ,भगवान श्रीहरि नारायण, भगवान नरसिंह, भगवान वासुदेव (श्री कृष्ण), भगवान वराह, आदि सभी जन भगवान श्रीराम के अंश हैं। लक्ष्मण, शत्रुघ्न, भरत, विभीषण, सुग्रीव, अंगद, जाम्बवंत और प्रणव (ॐ) भी भगवान श्रीराम के अंश मात्र हैं।
(Atharvaveda Shruti Krishnopanishad)
That Śrī Rāma, who transformed himself (incarnated) as Krishna, attained Sarvaatmakta (सार्वभौमिकता) by his very lila (divine exploits, pastimes); and thus deities-sages-masses were completely satisfied on this earth. I make prostration before that same Śrī Rāma.
(Brihad Brahma Samhita 2.7.8, Śrī Hari Narayan to Brahma)
The supreme cause of the four vyuhas, such as Vasudeva. Śrī Rāma, the shelter of the twenty-four avtars, is my refuge.
One thing has become clear from here that the same Supreme Soul who is called Śrī Rāma is established in all forms as said in Vedavataar Śrīmad Valmiki Rāmayana,
(Śrīmad Valmiki Rāmayana 7.119.32)
Śrī Rāma is the eternal akshar brahman mentioned in Vedas who is the innerself (heart) of all Gods.
(स्वयंवेद श्रीमद् वाल्मीकि रामायण ५.३९.५३)
"Who else is greater than Śrī Rāmā? and who else is equal to even Lakshmana? (means no one is greater than him)
(श्रीपद्मपुराण, पातालखण्ड ३५/५१ क )
No God is superior than Lord Rama; No penance has greater fruit than Lord Rama.
Only Lord Śrī Rāma is pervaded in all forms, that's why no one can be small or big. If you are down grading any form of Śrī Rāma, it means that you are down grading Śrī Rāma through them which will not be tolerated at all. The one with eight arms lord is also ours, the one with four arms lord is also ours, the one with two arms is also ours, the Jagannath with half arms is also ours and the one without arms i.e. Shaligram is also ours.
One thing to note here is that the Supreme Soul who pervades is the two armed has been called the root of all. Let's understand through Proofs;
(Narad Panchratra Śrī Padma Samhita)
Concluding meaning is that, In the Sun (the divine light/effulgence), there is the original primeval-form of Śrī Hari having one face and two hands with bow and arrow."
Same is their in Narad Panchratra Anand Samhita and Sundari Tantra;
(इति आनंद संहिता एवं सुंदरी तंत्र)
Wherever in the Vedas there has been a discussion of Parambrahma Paramatma, the word Dwibhuja has been used for them.
(Rig ved 10.81.3)
Here the word Bhāubhyam (बाहुभ्यां) has been used in Dwi-Vachan representing two armes.
Even in Purush Sukta of Vedas the sanskrit word used for arms has been used in Dwi-Vachan, (10 & 11th mantra)
So the Purush Sukta is exclusively dedicated to Śrī Rāma but as Śrī Hari Narayan and Śrī Krishnā are his incarnations so this applies to them as well as their is no difference between Avatar and Avatari.
Same like many Shloka are in Vedas which clearly speak up the same thing.
(Atharvaveda 13.2.23)
(Krishna Yajurved Shvetashvatara Upanishad 3.3)
(Shukla Yajurveda 17.19)
So from here it has been clear that the two armed form of God his Original Source of everything,
As Tulsidas Maharaj has written in Ramcharit Manas,
जो वेदों और पुराणों में पुरुष प्रसिद्ध हैं, प्रकाश के भंडार हैं, सब रूपों में प्रकट हैं, जीव, माया और जगत् सबके स्वामी हैं, वे ही रघुकुल मणि राम मेरे स्वामी हैं - ऐसा कहकर शिव ने उनको मस्तक नवाया।
That's why he has written;
In short, the whole universe (including Devi, Devata and Panch Brahma) are illuminated by the only one illuminator i.e. Śrī Rāma.
As Śrī Parashara Smriti clearly says;
(इति पराशर स्मृति वचने)
अर्थ- भगवान श्रीरामभद्र ही परंब्रह्म परमात्मा है, जो भी कुछ स्थूल और सूक्ष्म वस्तु है उनमें से कुछ भी श्रीराम से परे नहीं है इसीलिए ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, शिव ये सभी तथा इंद्र, अग्नि, वरुण, यम, सूर्य, चंद्र, स्वर्ग, भूमि, आकाश, पवन, जल ये सब भगवान श्रीरामचंद्र के तेज से ही प्रतिष्ठित हुए हैं तथा भूत, भविष्य और वर्तमान ये तीनों काल तथा इन तीनों कालमें जो कुछ उत्पन्न होगा और उत्पन्न हुआ है, वो सब श्रीराम से ही उत्पन्न हुआ है।
So from here we can conclude that Śrī Rāma is alone Par Brahma who resides in the heart of all Gods.
As Tulsidas Maharaj has cleared in Śrīmad Rāmcharit Manas that;
Who so ever is big is bigger by the praise of Śrī Rāma.
As Valmiki Rāmayana says;
(Śrī Valmiki Rāmayana 5.39.53)
"Who else is greater than Śrī Rāmā? and who else is equal to even Lakshmana?
[Means Śrī Rāmā is free from anyone equal to or greater than him, and there is none equal to even Lakshmana.]"
Same is their in Śrīmad Bhagwat mahapurana;
(इति श्रीमद्भागवत पुराण ९.११.२०)
परीक्षित्! भगवान श्रीरघुवर के समान और कोई नहीं है, फिर उनसे बढ़कर तो हो ही कैसे सकता है। उन्होंने देवताओंकी प्रार्थनासे ही यह लीला-विग्रह धारण किया था। ऐसी स्थितिमें रघुवंश-शिरोमणि के लिये यह कोई बड़े गौरवकी बात नहीं है कि उन्होंने अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंसे राक्षसोंको मार डाला या समुद्रपर पुल बाँध दिया। भला, उन्हें शत्रुओंको मारनेके लिये बंदरोंकी सहायताकी भी आवश्यकता थी क्या? यह सब उनकी लीला ही है।
One thing should always be noted that anything which applies to Śrī Rāma will be applied to his incarnations too as their is no difference between Avatar and Avatari.
आनंद भाष्यकार श्रीमद जगद्गुरु रामानंदाचार्य भगवान की जय 🚩
भगवान श्रीलक्ष्मी नारायण की जय 🚩
वृंदावन बिहारी लाल संग राधारानी सरकार की जय 🚩
अवध दुलारे अवध दुलारी प्रिया प्रियतम सरकार की जय 🚩
(कलिसंतरण उपनिषद)
यद्दिव्यनाम स्मरतां संसारो गोष्पदायते ।
सा नव्यभक्तिर्भवति तद्रामपदमाश्रये ।।
जिनके स्मरण मात्र से यह संसार गोपद के समान अवस्था को प्राप्त हो जाता है, उसी को नित्य किशोर रहने वाली भक्ति कहा गया है जो भगवान श्री रामचंद्र के चरणों में आश्रय प्रदान करें।
Hare Krishna.,
"krishnastu bhagwan swayam" Krishna is the original personality of Godhead. He is one without a second.
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, is distinguished from other incarnations. He is counted amongst the avatāras (incarnations) . But actually he is the cause of all causes. From Him came out all Incarnations. Every incarnation has purpose to descend to the Earth. Every Incarnations displayed a specific opulence of Krishna in maximum. While all other opulences were not displayed all in all in any incarnation other than Krishna. In Krishnaavatar he displayed all his 6 opulences in maxium potential. Krishna avatar is called paripoorna avatar that is why.
Lord Nṛsiṁha and Lord Paraśurāma displayed the Lord’s power to kill all the disobedient kings
Rāma and Dhanvantari -displayed fame.
Balarāma, Mohinī and Vāmana exhibited His beauty.
Dattātreya, Matsya, Kumāra and Kapila exhibited His transcendental knowledge.
So all the different indirectly or directly empowered incarnations of the Lord manifested different features, but Lord Kṛṣṇa, the primeval Lord, exhibited the complete features of Godhead, and thus it is confirmed that He is the source of all other incarnations. And the most extraordinary feature exhibited by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was His internal energetic manifestation of His pastimes with the cowherd girls.
SO, godhead feature is that who exhibits all the 6 opulences in full. The Lord is naturally endowed with His six opulences. Specifically, He is the richest, He is the most powerful, He is the most famous, He is the most beautiful, He is the greatest in knowledge, and He is the greatest renouncer as well.
The summum bonum Kṛṣṇa is one without a second. He Himself has expanded Himself in various parts, portions and particles as svayaṁ-rūpa, svayam-prakāśa, tad-ekātmā, prābhava, vaibhava, vilāsa, avatāra, āveśa, and jīvas,all provided with innumerable energies just suitable to the respective persons and personalities. Learned scholars in transcendental subjects have carefully analyzed the summum bonum Kṛṣṇa to have sixty-four principal attributes.
But Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the possessor of the attributes cent percent. And His personal expansions such as svayam-prakāśa and tad-ekātmā, up to the categories of the avatāras who are all viṣṇu-tattva, possess up to ninety-three percent of these transcendental attributes.
Lord Śiva, who is neither avatāra nor āveśa nor in between them, possesses almost eighty-four percent of the attributes.
But the jīvas, or the individual living beings in different statuses of life, possess up to the limit of seventy-eight percent of the attributes.
In the conditioned state of material existence, the living being possesses these attributes in very minute quantity, varying in terms of the pious life of the living being.
The most perfect of living beings is Brahmā, the supreme administrator of one universe. He possesses seventy-eight percent of the attributes in full.
All other demigods have the same attributes in less quantity, whereas human beings possess the attributes in very minute quantity.
The standard of perfection for a human being is to develop the attributes up to seventy-eight percent in full. The living being can never possess attributes like Śiva, Viṣṇu or Lord Kṛṣṇa. He can become a Brahmā in due course.
To SUMMERISE--Therefore we can summarize as
Lord Krishna. 64 qualities or 100%
Vishnu Tattva. 60 qualities or ~93%
Shiva Tattva. 54 qualities or ~84%
Jiva Tattva. 50 qualities or ~78%
https://nitaaiveda.com/Compiled_and_Imp_Scriptures/Glories_of_Lord_... << please refer.
. The abode of Lord Kṛṣṇa above all spiritual planets is called Kṛṣṇaloka or Goloka Vṛndāvana, and the perfected living being, by developing seventy-eight percent of the above attributes in fullness, can enter the planet of Kṛṣṇaloka after leaving the present material body.
So godhead refers to the divinity which is expressed by Lord In full cent percent. Krishna is called Supreme personality of Godhead because Lord Kṛṣṇa has no other source than Himself. Although in other places the incarnations are described as bhagavān because of their specific functions, nowhere are they declared to be the Supreme Personality. In this stanza the word svayam signifies the supremacy as the summum bonum.
source: http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/1/3/28
Hare Krishna.
Thanks a lot Gayatri Mataji...
I was missing this info of percentage of qualities in Krsna, Vishnu tattva, Shiva Tattva and Jiva Tattva..
Hare Krsna