scriptures and references

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> Could any of the kind hearted pandits out there shed light on the authors

> and the datings of the following scriptures:

>

> 1. Vishnu Smrti

> 2. Harita Smrti

> 3. Mahanirvana Tantra

> 4. Samskara Dipika

 

>From The Manurishi Foundation Encyclopedic Dictionary of Hindu Terms

(available as hindict.zip in Krsna Katha file area):

 

Dharmashastra-A law-book or code of laws. This term includes the whole body

of Hindu law, but more applicable to the laws of Manu, Yajnavalkya, and

other inspired sages who first recorded the Smriti or "recollections" of

what they had received from a divine source. These works are generally in

three parts: 1) Achara, rules of conduct and practice; 2) Vyavahara,

judicature; 3) Prayashcitta, penance. The inspired lawgivers are spoken of

as being eighteen in number, but the names of forty-two old authorities are

mentioned. Manu and Yajnavalkya stand apart by themselves at the head of

these writers. After them the eighteen other inspired sages are recognized

as the great authorities on law, and the works ascribed to them are still

extant, either wholly or partially, or in an abridged form. They are: 1)

Atri; 2) Vishnu; 3) Harita; 4) Ushanas; 5) Angiras; 6) Yama; 7) Apastamba;

8) Samvarta; 9) Katyayana; 10) Brihaspati; 11) Parashara; 12) Vyasa; 13 and

14) Shankha and Likhita, whose joint treatise is frequently quoted; 15)

Daksha; 16) Gotama; 17) Shatatapa; 18) Vasishtha. But there are others who

are more frequently cited than many of these, as Narada, Bhrigu, Marichi,

Kashyapa, Vishvamitra, and Baudhayana. Other names that are met with are

Pulastya, Gargya, Paithinasi, Sumantu, Lokakshi, Kuthumi, and Dhaumya. The

writings of some of these lawgivers have appeared in different forms, and

are referred to with the descriptive epithets of Vriddha, "old"; Brihat,

"great"; and Laghu, "light or small."

 

 

Harita-1. A son of Yuvanashva of the Solar race, descended from Ikshvaku.

>From him descended the Harita Angirasas. In the Lingapurana it is said,

"The son of Yuvanashva was Harita, of whom the Haritas were sons. They

were, on the side of Angiras, twice-born men (Brahmans) of Kshatriya

lineage;" or according to the Vayu, " they were the sons of Angiras

twice-born men (Brahmans), of Kshatriya race," possibly meaning that they

were sons raised up to Harita by Angiras. According to some he was a son of

Chyavana. 2. Author of a Dharmashastra or law-book. 3. A special term used

in the Kama Sutra for aromatic plants.

 

----

 

Isn't Mahanirvana Tantra a Shakti tantra? Then the speaker is Devi herself.

 

Otherwise I have no idea. Did you check the net?

 

> Additionally, if you have historical records of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta

> Sarasvati Thakura's receiving diksa from Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji, please

> send them in.

 

Bhaktikusum Sraman - Srila Prabhupada Sarasvati Thakura, Sri Chaitanya

Math 1983 (ch. 10, p. 72-73):

 

"With the permission of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, Srila Sarasvati Thakura

accepted Bhagavati initiation from Srila Babaji Maharaja in the month of

Magha (January-February) 1900 A.D. The incident of his acceptance of

initiation is seen to be similar to the acceptance of initiation by Srila

Narottama Thakura from Srila Lokanatha Gosvami. Gosvami Srila Gaurkishore

Dasa Babaji Maharaja was also a viviktanandi like Srila Lokanatha Gosvami,

that is to say he used to constantly remain engaged in his own bhajana - he

did not make disciples. When Srila Sarasvati Thakura expressed his prayer

for initiation at his feet, Srila Babaji Maharaja replied - "Mahaprabhu will

be asked, if He gives permission your desire will be fulfilled." One day he

(Srila Sarasvati Thakura) went again and asked to know "What was

Mahaprabhu's order?" Srila Babaji Maharaja replied - "I forgot to ask." On

the third day of being requested Srila Babaji Maharaja replied - "I asked. I

did not receive the command of Mahaprabhu." By the impulse of hurt feelings

Srila Sarasvati Thakura got up and said - "You are both worshippers of the

Crest Jewel of Debauchees, therefore, why will you take mercy upon someone

devoted to morality like me? In His pastimes as an exemplary teacher

Mahaprabhu has given instructions for the worship of the Crest Jewel of

Debauchees. Therefore, why will He give the command to take mercy upon me?

But, 'karuna na haile kandiya prana na rakhiba ara.' (If there is no mercy,

weeping and weeping, I can sustain my life no more). If I do not receive

your mercy I do not see any need in holding on to life." Saying this he

began to cry. Srila Babaji Maharaja's heart was melted by Srila Sarasvati

Thakura's deep attachment for bhajana. He told Srila Sarasvati Thakura to

bathe in the Sarasvati and then come. After bathing, Srila Sarasvati

Thakura's desire for initiation as fulfilled. At the time of initioation his

name became -

 

SRI VARSABHANAVIDAYITA DASA.

 

The fact that the reception of a true Guru's mercy is not easily attained

without a single-minded eagerness for bhajana shines brightly forth from the

pastime of Srila Sarasvati Thakura's acceptance of initiation.

 

----

 

I don't think there is any legal document about this diksa. It was informal,

without anyone else present and without pancaratrika-style fire yajna. I

understand there are some who doubt that BSST ever took diksa from GKDB.

Very unsavory, to say the least, and completely unimaginable in his times.

 

Hope this helps

 

ys bh. Jan

 

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