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On a more positive note, I really hope that I can visit Mayapur soon. The TOVP looks pretty amazing, and the presence of Vaishnavas will make it a lot better. Recently been seeing some videos on Mayapur and it looks so peaceful and enchanting.
Srimati Radharani can be found in Bhagavatam, but in a very hidden form. She is very very confidential, so Suka-Deva Goswami was very careful not to reveal Her directly.
With all due respect, does this argument appear logical?
1. Radha is not mentioned in *any* scripture that is dated prior to the 12th Century CE.
2. No scholar of repute (or otherwise) before this time, interpreted any Vedic/Puranic text to identify a character named Radha.
3. None of the well known Vaishnava traditions that have been in existence before Gaudiya Vaishnavism make a mention of Radha.
4. There is nothing confidential about Radha today. Why was she held confidential until the 12th Century, after when her knowledge became public? What was that turning event that caused the change?
Isn't it far more reasonable therefore, that Radha is a later deity, who came into prominence in Eastern India during the 12th Century CE? Chaitanya lived in the same region and therefore it is quite natural that she would become a big part of his new doctrine.
That is not respect enough. Behind Brahma, that is a second insult. And all that for a foreign God."Better respect"? Shiva is a parama Vaishnava in Vaishnava theology, and the second greatest deva (behind Brahma).
Vishnu does not assume 8 avataras. They were eight regional indigenous Gods whom the Aryans appropriated in Vishnu.Vishnu assumes 8 avataras during sagara mathanam.
..Yes ofcourse Radha can be viewed as one of numerous Gopis. Brahma vaivarta purana talks about radha but it is a rAjasa purana...With all due respect, does this argument appear logical?
1. Radha is not mentioned in *any* scripture that is dated prior to the 12th Century CE.
2. No scholar of repute (or otherwise) before this time, interpreted any Vedic/Puranic text to identify a character named Radha.
3. None of the well known Vaishnava traditions that have been in existence before Gaudiya Vaishnavism make a mention of Radha.
4. There is nothing confidential about Radha today. Why was she held confidential until the 12th Century, after when her knowledge became public? What was that turning event that caused the change?
Isn't it far more reasonable therefore, that Radha is a later deity, who came into prominence in Eastern India during the 12th Century CE? Chaitanya lived in the same region and therefore it is quite natural that she would become a big part of his new doctrine.
Nitai dAsa when you open a thread, you are going to get some heat ...Anyway I would be out of this thread now for good as I feel it is unnecessary side tracked from main things...Our main goal hari nAma sankeertana which could release us from thi samsAra should not be deviated with unnecessary discussionsI am reluctant to enter into a discussion concerning the dating of certain Scriotures. That is not how we Gaudiyas deem something as authoritative or not. Rather, all scripture is eternal, and may appear or disappear according to the will of Lord Hari. Yes Radharani may have been revealed later, but that does not mean that Her presence is an imagination or fake. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is concidered by Gaudiyas as Sri Krsna Himself (and there are injunctions to prove this) and therefore only after He descends (12 century) does the very confidential knowledge about Radharani become manifest. That is one of His reasons to descend, to bestow unotta-ujwala rasa (Radha-like Prema) on the fallen souls, To us Radha's presence is always eternal, the question is when she is revealed. A scripture could be revealed yesterday, yet if it is manifested by someone who is self realized, then to us it is deemed authoritative. In-fact of the sruti Veda Vyasa ji compiled, only a very small portion is available to us now. What is to say that Radharani is not within the remaining? It is also equally logical that Radharani's presence was made known after the descend of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. For us, Vedanta gradually evolves and develops until it reaches the fully fruitified form of Acintya Bhedabheda of Lord Chaitanya. Again we cannot accept the writings of our previous Acharayas (as well as many educated and scholarly personalities like Goswamis and Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya) as imagination. Reason must always be submissive to Sabda.
Nope.So considering this 'did Radha exist or not' sub debate, Do Sri Vaishnavas not worship Radha?
But where there is a murti of Krishna at a temple, Radha is by his side. We just ignore her?Nope.
No, worshiping her is not a problem. She just isn't worshiped a lot, just like how Parashurama isn't worshiped a lot (but both are a part of Vaishnavism). Besides, I don't think Shri Vaishnavas consider Radha to be a legitimate goddess, perhaps just a gopi.But where there is a murti of Krishna at a temple, Radha is by his side. We just ignore her?
Yes, meanwhile for us Gaudiyas, Radharani is the ultimate shelter. We don't even worship Krsna unless it is under Her guidance. Such is Her position in our Sampradaya.No, worshiping her is not a problem. She just isn't worshiped a lot, just like how Parashurama isn't worshiped a lot (but both are a part of Vaishnavism). Besides, I don't think Shri Vaishnavas consider Radha to be a legitimate goddess, perhaps just a gopi.
The truth has to be known: the nature of the lord has to be known for certain.
i dont think there is any point now as it became clear to me now that gaudiyas have written their own theories except bhagawatham (which actually has no chracter radha) and BG and they have no valid authoritative backing.......That is why the 3 pramAnic acharya lineage should not be diverted with imo (Trio of Shankara, Ramanuja and madhva) because their word never crossed even a single letter of vedam ) to accomodate newer stuff possibly from isckon. They say Krushna created Vishnu which is directly against vedic scritures
We only need to know the truth on what we should do to survive in dignity given that evil is also part of Nature. When our life lived to this perfection is over we die happy that we took the right decisions in our lives. Awareness of God as a Guide seems to give me the right thoughts for my actions.namaskaram Shantanu ji
jai jai , ...yes those that want to know the Lord will eventualy know him and thus realise the Truth in its entirity , ... ...but also we must remember that the Lord himself is unlimited therefore very difficult for us limeted beings to understand , ...at least in his fullness , .....