hindu philosophy of conduct: Prof M.Rangacharya

[Guest guest]

This set of books is excellent, save some sociological aspects

discussed in Chapter 2 that have been superseded by more modern

theory.

 

Professor Rangacharya was a man of very deep learning. Unfortunately,

the books are out of print, and it doesn't appear that any new

publisher has picked up the rights to print them.

 

I daresay it is the best exposition of Bhagavad-gita in English.

It is essentially a transciption of lectures that he gave at

the turn of the century to men and women in Triplicane, Madras.

I was lucky enough to secure the books from my grandfather's

collection.

 

Mani

[Guest guest]

I did read some portions of intial verses of 7th chapter. I feel he is

very good and a true visistadvaitin. but like most pre-independence

writers, writes questionably when comparing to other religions

.. HIs one paragraph on page 12 , vol II sort of

bothered me -

 

All great inspired religions in the world bear testimony to their faith

in God, whatever may be the way and means that made their God vision

an accomplished fact to them. We may take Sri-Krishna, Moses, Jesus

and Mohammed as notable examples to illustrate this point; and

an appreciative and impartial study of their lives and teachings cannot

fail to show to us that none of them had any doubts or uncertainty

or suspicion of incompleteness in relation to his knowledge of God.

In the case of all great seers, their knowledge of God is direct and

therefore, both full and undoubted.

___________________

Here Sri-Krishna is referred to as a seer and world-teacher and a seeker

of God. This aspect

is totally unacceptable to Sri Ramanujacharya and to even the words of

Bhagawadgita itself!. Ramajujacharya's

introduction to Gitabhasya identifies Sri Krishna with the absolute

God undoubtedly.

Moreover, no where in the whole of bhagawadgita, Lord

krishna has ever referred to himself as just a seer! and a seeker of God!

.. Sri Krishna

is probably only character among all the religions in the world,

who has blatantly identified himself with

the absolute God all over his teachings in Bhagawadgita. According to

Lord Krishna, He never underwent the process of perfection and became

God but always was GOD all the time....never was different and never will be!

 

To my knowledge none of the prophets - Jesus, Moses, Mohammed identified

themselves with God, but were God seekers.

 

Atleast according to the original verses of Gita, bible, Qoran, this statement

of Rangacharya seems questionable. Probably one has to ignore this

since in other places his explanation of some verse are EXCELLENT.

Also we have to give credence to the times since he was in, pre-

independence era where there was certain discretion maintained regarding

christianity etc. (to the extent of untrue representation).

 

 

 

Krishna

[Guest guest]

Krishna Kalale writes:

> Here Sri-Krishna is referred to as a seer and world-teacher and a seeker

> of God. This aspect

> is totally unacceptable to Sri Ramanujacharya and to even the words of

> Bhagawadgita itself!. Ramajujacharya's

> introduction to Gitabhasya identifies Sri Krishna with the absolute

> God undoubtedly.

> Moreover, no where in the whole of bhagawadgita, Lord

> krishna has ever referred to himself as just a seer!

 

I think you are misunderstanding the point Professor Rangacharya

makes. He very clearly understands Krishna and the Supreme Brahman

Vaasudeva to be one and the same -- but at the same time, Krishna

is like other religious leaders in that he is a guru. There is, of

course, that dhyaana-sloka wherein it is said "krishnam vande

jagadgurum". In this sense, Krishna is the parama-guru, a personality

who was truly a "seer", since the Lord is by definition a "jnaani".

I do not know about the "seeker" part; that word is not used in

your excerpt.

 

If we may compare a bit further, Krishna and Jesus occupy similar,

though not identical, positions, since Jesus is also fully God in

the incarnation, yet at the same time, he was a great teacher.

 

The point is that these world-religions are definitely inspired

works, inspired by their faith in God. Krishna had faith in himself,

the Para-Vaasudeva (the ultimate expression of self-esteem?), just

as Jesus glorified his "father who is in heaven."

 

Mani