Another Bhagvad Gita Question

[Wannabe Yogi]

The question of BG contradicting Vedas does not arise; because simply it does not. Both the scriptures come from the same source- Him. If one perceives any contradiction then it is lack of his/her understanding.
Regards,

I have no problems with the Gita. If I had problems with any scripture I would assume that it could be my lack of understanding. This is true of my interpersonal relationships also. My views in the area of the Vedas being a Hindu's final authority is very orthodox. I must say that in all my years of reading scripture I have found only one place that I have problems with. Just as an argument maybe interpolation might also be a problem when it comes to non-Vedic scriptures.

 

[Satsangi]

I have no problems with the Gita. If I had problems with any scripture I would assume that it could be my lack of understanding. This is true of my interpersonal relationships also. My views in the area of the Vedas being a Hindu's final authority is very orthodox. I must say that in all my years of reading scripture I have found only one place that I have problems with. Just as an argument maybe interpolation might also be a problem when it comes to non-Vedic scriptures.

Friend Wannabe Yogi,

Vedas ARE the final authority; no question about it, I fully agree. One has to keep a "scripture base" to refer to in the spiritual path and Vedas are the final.

Regards,

 

[Metempsychosis]

A very difficult thing to decide, though, considering the massiveness of the accumulative texts that make up the Vedas, and the fact that there are apparently parts that didn't get translated back in the late 1800s, when the only "unabridged" English translations since (apparently) started popping up.

IMHO,now the situation is different.By Vedas,we generally mean the Upanishads.Because the Karma Kanda has very little philosophy.Translations of Upanishads are readily available.Because it probably a little difficult to understand (compared to the Gita),many Hindus don't even read it.

 

[Riverwolf]

IMHO,now the situation is different.By Vedas,we generally mean the Upanishads.Because the Karma Kanda has very little philosophy.Translations of Upanishads are readily available.Because it probably a little difficult to understand (compared to the Gita),many Hindus don't even read it.

When I refer to the Vedas, I do primarily mean the Upanishads. I consider them the final authority on spiritual matters, though I haven't read all of them. (They are difficult, indeed... and it's difficult to find unabridged translations of some of the longer ones! )

Having been to a local temple several times now, I do understand now the purpose of the hymns: certainly NOT to be read cover-to-cover unless you're a priest.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

When I refer to the Vedas, I do primarily mean the Upanishads. I consider them the final authority on spiritual matters, though I haven't read all of them. (They are difficult, indeed... and it's difficult to find unabridged translations of some of the longer ones! )

Having been to a local temple several times now, I do understand now the purpose of the hymns: certainly NOT to be read cover-to-cover unless you're a priest.

It's hard to believe that some priests use to memorized the whole Vedas with 100% accuracy.

 

[Metempsychosis]

When I refer to the Vedas, I do primarily mean the Upanishads. I consider them the final authority on spiritual matters, though I haven't read all of them. (They are difficult, indeed... and it's difficult to find unabridged translations of some of the longer ones! )

We definitely get those unabridged translations online(If you dont mind reading it on your comp).BTW.I have uploaded it here .

I haven't searched for the paper copy...I dont think many Hindus keep Upanishads with them,but they keep a copy of the Gita though.

Having been to a local temple several times now, I do understand now the purpose of the hymns: certainly NOT to be read cover-to-cover unless you're a priest.

Many temple priests have no idea of what they are doing,they just do it for money.

 

[Riverwolf]

We definitely get those unabridged translations online(If you dont mind reading it on your comp).BTW.I have uploaded it here .

Thanks.

I haven't searched for the paper copy...I dont think many Hindus keep Upanishads with them,but they keep a copy of the Gita though.

I keep a Gita with me at all times. ^_^ I only have one book form of the Upanishads, though: Eknath Easwaren's translation.

Many temple priests have no idea of what they are doing,they just do it for money.

The priests at the temple I frequent seem to know what they're doing. At least one of them is does. Then again, I never ask them to do anything beyond normal puja, and I have seen signs up that seem to mean certain services require a donation of some sort.

Not to mention, I think the priests live right next to the temple, and that's not a very rich neighborhood. :no:

 

[Madhuri]

Do they actually call themselves priests? I'm used to referring to them as bramacharis.

 

[Riverwolf]

Do they actually call themselves priests? I'm used to referring to them as bramacharis.

Well, the one who I talked to referred to himself as a priest, but it may have been because he was (rightly) assuming I was not familiar with the term bramachari.

I usually refer to them as priests, because it's an accurate term, I guess.

 

[Metempsychosis]

Do they actually call themselves priests? I'm used to referring to them as bramacharis.

Most of these priests are married folks,hence title bramachari should not be assigned to them.

 

[Satsangi]

Most of these priests are married folks,hence title bramachari should not be assigned to them.

Even after marriage u can practice "Brahmacharya."

On a more serious note, "Ek patni vrat" is "brahmachaya of grihasthashram."

Regards,

 

[Metempsychosis]

I keep a Gita with me at all times. ^_^ I only have one book form of the Upanishads, though: Eknath Easwaren's translation.

Yes,I have read the online version of Upanishads by Eknath Easwaran a month back.But I think Eknath's translation misses out quite a number of verses.

The priests at the temple I frequent seem to know what they're doing. At least one of them is does. Then again, I never ask them to do anything beyond normal puja, and I have seen signs up that seem to mean certain services require a donation of some sort.
Not to mention, I think the priests live right next to the temple, and that's not a very rich neighborhood. :no:

Yes,Donation is expected to given,as they also to make a living out of it.

Even after marriage u can practice "Brahmacharya."

yes,but most priests don't follow nor are they so dedicated to follow them.

 

[Charzhino]

I don't want to start anotehr thread becuase the title of this one is going to be pretty much the same. I catched some of the Mahabarata episode when my mum was watching it the other day.
My question is how is the Bhagvad Gita compiled? Krishna supposedely speaks it to Arjuna before the Kurekshetra war, but was anyone else there to write down what Krsna actually said? Or did he repeat it some time after?

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

I don't want to start anotehr thread becuase the title of this one is going to be pretty much the same. I catched some of the Mahabarata episode when my mum was watching it the other day.
My question is how is the Bhagvad Gita compiled? Krishna supposedely speaks it to Arjuna before the Kurekshetra war, but was anyone else there to write down what Krsna actually said? Or did he repeat it some time after?

Traditionally the authorship of the Mahabharata is attributed to Veda Vyasa. The Mahabharata also states that Ganesha who, at the request of Vyasa, wrote down the text to Vyasa's dictation. So I would say it is a Mythological text and not to be taken as a Historical document. This is just my view of it.

Like I have said many times on this form Myth is both more real and useful then History.

 

[Satsangi]

Traditionally the authorship of the Mahabharata is attributed to Veda Vyasa. The Mahabharata also states that Ganesha who, at the request of Vyasa, wrote down the text to Vyasa's dictation. So I would say it is a Mythological text and not to be taken as a Historical document. This is just my view of it.

Like I have said many times on this form Myth is both more real and useful then History.

Veda Vyasa is considered as an Avatart by some Hindus. Whether an Avatar or not, He was a great Saint at the very least with Siddhis to see through the past, present and future..... that's how he narrated the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha.

Regards,

 

[Madhuri]

And in addition to the above answers, it was Sanjaya who visioned the battle of Kurukshetra and related it to King Dritarastra. So the actual battle and Krishna's teachings to Arjuna were known by these two individuals as it was happening though they were not at the site of the war.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Veda Vyasa is considered as an Avatart by some Hindus. Whether an Avatar or not, He was a great Saint at the very least with Siddhis to see through the past, present and future..... that's how he narrated the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha.

Regards,

I accept your view in a Mythic way. The Mahabharata is a piece of brilliant literature. If I could read only one scripture, the Mahabharata is the text I would pick. It has every thing you need to understand Dharma and your spiritual path. It is so large, the stories would never get old. It gives many differing school of thought so it makes clear a large body of Hindu thought. No other book in the world is quite like it.

If tomorrow a archeologist made a find that proved the whole Mahabharata was a Historical Fact. It would not change my view of this scripture in any way. It's teachings are above History. It's teachings are the truth.

From my point of view it matters not who wrote it. The only way we can know the truth of the Mahabharata is not by being a scholar of it's History but by direct perception of the Truth it teaches.

 

[Riverwolf]

I accept your view in a Mythic way. The Mahabharata is a piece of brilliant literature. If I could read only one scripture, the Mahabharata is the text I would pick. It has every thing you need to understand Dharma and your spiritual path. It is so large, the stories would never get old. It gives many differing school of thought so it makes clear a large body of Hindu thought. No other book in the world is quite like it.

Too bad it's not readily available in the West... :sad4:

 

[Madhuri]

Too bad it's not readily available in the West... :sad4:

I am sure you could order online. With the internet everything is readily available!

 

[Riverwolf]

I am sure you could order online. With the internet everything is readily available!

Except that I can't afford a 100+ dollar book, and I don't like abridgments/paraphrases.

The only public domain translation is VERY hard to follow.