Avataras

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The discussion over whether Parasurama and Buddha are part of the

Dasavataara has since changed course and the discussion has centered

around whether in fact they are Avataaras. For the purpose of

Srivaishnavas the Dasavataaras are those that appeared to Thirumangai

Azhwaar and have been present since then at the Dasavataara Sannidhi

in Srirangam. Swami Desikan has put His stamp of approval on these

vigrahas as representing the ten principal avataaras by composing His

DasavatAra Stotram. For the purposes of Srivaishnavas it is very

clear that Parasurama is one of the 10 principal avatAras while

Buddha is not. Whether Buddha is or is not an avatAra is another

issue altogether. The Srimad Bhagavatam mentions Buddha as one

avatAram. I have read that this refers to Adi Buddha who appeared

two Kali Yugas ago. Sriman Narayana can and does manifest in the

bodies of surrendered souls. Swami Desikan has described all the

Azhwars and Acharyas as avatAras because Lakshmi Hayagriva sit on

their tongues and preaches to the whole world. We also cannot decide

on the basis of the leelas of any of the avataaras whether Sriman

Narayana would have acted like that or not. He is independent, owns

everything and whatever He does is for the good of all. Parasurama

does not have to be prayed to if one does not feel like it but since

realized souls have accepted Him as an avatAra, we have to accept

their word for it. Krishna for example not only killed the King of

Kashi who sent a demon to Dwaraka to kill Krishna and the residents

of Dwaraka, but also made the Sudarshana chakra destroy the whole

city of Kashi and all the residents along with women and children.

How is this different from what Parasurama did? Parasurama after

only killed kings in battle. Yet Srimad Bhagavatam says that

"Krishnastu Bhagavam Swayam" and is accepted by all Hindus as such.

 

Similarly Satyabhama made life miserable for all around her. Yet the

Vishnu Sahasranaama says "Rukmini Satyabhamabhyam Sahitam Krishnam

Ashrayeh". The same Satyabhama appeared in Kali Yuga as Andaal.

Also Sriman Narayana takes avataras all the time in the animal

kingdom etc in order to redeem fallen jivatmas whose existence we do

not even know about. These avataaras are just not manifest to us.

We will be able to see them when we are ready and when Sriman

Narayana decides to bless us with that realization. Even during Sri

Krishna's time only a few realized that He was God and only these

people were able to see the Vishvaroopam shown in Dhritarashtra's

palace. The rest only saw a blinding light and looked upon Krishna

as a mortal just as many Hindus look upon Narayana in vigraha form as

a stone image today.

 

Jaganath.

[Guest guest]

Dear Rajiv,

I decided to put this answer to the Prapatti group since there may be

others who may have the same question regarding Satyabhama's

behaviour.

 

Satyabhama acted in ways very similar to what we come across in

today's society in relationships between mother-in-law and

daughter-in-law etc. Plenty of jealousy, bitterness, sharp tongued

answers to innocent statements etc. She was also very critical of

the gopis of Vrindavana who were held in high esteem by the other

queens of Dwaraka. Her number 1 target was Rukmini whom she would

insult at every given opportunity.

 

The issue here is that she did not do this in out of anger caused by

material desire and subsequent delusion as described in the Geeta,

but she acted in this way because Krishna wanted her to do so. Out

of love one should do anything that Krishna wants. That alone is

perfection.

 

It is generally mentioned that Yudhishthira's chariot which always

rode 4 inches above the ground during the Mahabharata war because of

Yudhisthira's adherence to Dharma, came to ground level as soon as he

mentioned "ashwathAma gajah: vadah:". This was at the time that

Drona was virtually invincible just before his death. Krishna wanted

somebody to tell Drona a lie in order to get him to stop fighting.

Krishna being Narayana could have chosen any number of ways to get

Drona to stop fighting. But he chose the method to have someone tell

a lie. Yudhishthira initially volunteered to be the "liar" but

chickened out at the last minute and confessed that it was

Ashwatthaama the elephant that was killed. At this time Krishna blew

his conch and Drona did not hear the confession. The general

understanding is that Yudhishthira's chariot came to ground level

because he "lied". The interpretation that I read in Srila

Prabhupada's "Krishna" book which to me is consistent with the

Charama Shloka of the Geeta is that the chariot came to ground level

because Yudhishthira initially volunteered to do what Krishna wanted

and later on tried to back out.

 

It may be pointed out that Vasudeva's status as a Satyavaadi was not

affected even though he promised to deliver his 8th son to Kamsa and

later on reneged on the promise. This is consistent with the view of

all Vaishnava Sampradayas that the jivatma exists solely for the

purposes and pleasure of the Paramatma. It is only our promise to

Krishna that needs to be fulfilled and any promises we may make out

of ignorance that is in violation of our status as a dasa or sesha to

the Paramatma should be reneged if we realize the mistake before its

fulfilment.

 

Jaganath.