First of all, sorry for not being able to post for a long time. Was busy earlier and now am in the midst of my 5th semester exams.
Many people have been writing in both via comments and directly about Lord Balaram being given a place in the Dasavathars instead of Lord Buddha (who founded the religion called Buddhism, and whose followers are called Buddhists). People feel Lord Buddha is a more popular Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Moreover, the presence of 2 Avatars simultaneously (Krishna and Balaram in the Mahabharat) adds to the confusion.
Though I have replied to the queries via comments, I'll make a post as well to justify my point of view.I chose Lord Balaram as it tallies with the common thread linking the Dasavathars - Lord Vishnu descends on the earth to put an end to the tyrannical reign of a certain ruler, who is the actually the rebirth of one of his Dwarpals (watchmen) - Jai and Vijay.
If you remember, Lord Balaram was equally involved when Lord Krishna killed Kansa, and was also part of the Mahabharat War, which brought about the triumph of good over evil. Lord Buddha never indulged in any violent activities, leave alone killing someone. Thats what convinced me that the 8th Avatar was Lord Balaram rather than Lord Buddha.
In fact, Lord Krishna has overshadowed Lord Balaram to such an extent in the Mahabharat that we hardly consider the latter's role...
Please make do with this post for now. Will come back after the exams are done with the reason behind why women do not undergo the Janehu/Upanayanam ceremony (and do not wear the sacred thread) ASAP...
- Nikhil Mundra
http://www.gandhistamps.com/
7 comments:
Man....i would like to comment again on the wrong connotation of yours regarding Shri Balaram as one of the avatars in dasavatars....
If by believing that all the avatars of lord vishnu were indulged in violence then i believe my dear friend that u r wrong in your perspective....because even the very first avatar, according to hindu beliefs and scriptures says that "Matsya avatar" never hurt anyone....
Thus by thinking that god teaches and preaches through violent means only is a wrong belief of yours.....
Man....i would like to comment again on the wrong connotation of yours regarding Shri Balaram as one of the avatars in dasavatars....
If by believing that all the avatars of lord vishnu were indulged in violence then i believe my dear friend that u r wrong in your perspective....because even the very first avatar, according to hindu beliefs and scriptures says that "Matsya avatar" never hurt anyone....
Thus by thinking that god teaches and preaches through violent means only is a wrong belief of yours.....
Dear Narendraji,
Thanks for your comment.
Please refer my post on the Mathsya Avatar that you have mentioned. Lord Vishnu took the form of a fish when the Asura King Hayagriva's violent reign had become unbearable. He created a huge flood and at the same time killed Hayagriva.
I think you have misunderstood my interpretation. What I meant was that Lord Vishnu came down to end a tyrannical rule or at a time of crisis for the world, not that he incarnated only to indulge in violence...
Nikhil Mundra
www.gandhistamps.com
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Point 1.) The underlying reason for these manifestations. It is but evident that these incarnations came at a time when humanity needed Divine aid.
Point 2.) Why I feel it is Lord Buddha. Think about the period. The caste divide... The Hindu caste system was being ruthlessly exploited by the Brahmanas. Oppression of the lowers castes.
Scientifically? Ok... The aforesaid system is like a fluid. Whenever you apply pressure on fluid, it tends to look out for the nearest possible exit. You compress it from the top, it tries to expand at the sides. It ekes out from crevices.
Likewise, when the Hindu system was becoming unbearable, you had a new avatar. To save the Hindu society from the oppression by avarice Brahaman class. Remember, Buddhism and Hinduism are not two different worlds.
Peace.
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Greetings Nikhil,
Just a random visitor... Who happens to be a Religion/Philosophy enthusiast. You are always welcome to take part in discussions I hold at my space.
Season's Greetings.
Peace. Have a nice day.
Dear Nikhil,
Firstly I sincerely appreciate for your interest in bringing the scientific reasons and being able to spend time. I wanted to comment on avatars.
From discourses of Aacharya's:
Buddha is also considered as an avatara of Lord Vishnu, reason being There used to be 3 kingdoms named Tripura in north-east of India where lots of daemon's lived.
There was a need to remove the burden on earth from these daemons,
and as these daemons were living righteously per Vedas hence it was not possible to kill them.
This can be considered as a part of the need for Buddha avatar.
Buddha condemned The Vedas for a good reason as at that time they were being used for self purpose. The same was also preached in Tripura, So following the teachings of Buddha all the daemons condemned The Vedic retuals that in turn added to commit bad deeds and thus they were all eliminated. (Rajasik and Tamasik qualities increased in them and they fought with in themselves and killed each others)
You may find more about this in Srimad Bhagawat Puran. Later on Sri Adi ShankarAcharya revived the Vedic essence and thats a different story.
To conclude: Both Balaram and Buddha are considered as avatar's. These things are really delicate and difficult to understand unless we have been enlightened by our Aacharya's in the right directions. Thus we are told not to follow Buddha as it doesn't comply with The Vedas (ofcourse we are not daemons like who lived in Tripura) just like the saying "Follow Lord Sri Rama and Listen to Lord Sri Krshna"
Dasa (GOD Servent)
Venugopal Daroori
well, i am very much sure that Buddha is not an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. All the other avatars of Lord Vishnu were related with Vedic Hindu Dharma (eg Vaman Avatar) but Bhagvaan Buddha said that Yagnya (sacrificial fire) was not necessary. It is also said that time period of Buddha Avatar is from the dwapar Yuga to Kali Yuga after the Krishna avatar. Buddha avatar should be recognized by using buddhi (brain power).
Lord Balaram can not be Lord Vishnu's 9th incarnation as he is said to be incarnation of Sheshh Naag. Even Laxamana, brother of Shree Ram is said to be the sheshh naag's avatar.
Since today (in my location) is the auspicious Appearance day of Lord Balaram, I was doing some internet searches and found this blog. But, i do not see to which DasaAvathar is being referenced? Is this the song by Jayadev Gosvami? If so, then the song (the versions we sing) does list Lord Buddha as 9th incarnation and Kalki as 10th. But, these 10 are not all inclusive. In Bhagavat Purana many more incarnations are listed. The song DasaAvatar simply listed the 10 most popular.
Buddha's appearance is also predicted in the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Regarding why Balaram is listed as incarnation and Not Sri Krishna : Jayadev Gosvami was student of Srimad Bhagavatam and in the Bhagavat Purana after listing the different incarnations it is stated:
SB 1.2.TEXT 28
ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ
kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam
indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokaṁ
mṛḍayanti yuge yuge
TRANSLATION
All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.
Unlike the majority of Hindus, the members of the BrahmaMadhvaGaudiya sampradaya understand that Vishnu is an expansion Krishna, not that Krishna is an Avatar of Vishnu. This is the conclusion of Srimad Bhagavatam and is also elucidated very clearly in the teachings of Lord Brahma in his Brahma-Samhita.
Jayadev purposefully left out Krishna in list of Avatars, as does the Srimad Bhagavatam, because He is not an avatar, Krishnas tu Bhagavan Svayam. He is God Himself, and the origin of all the other Avatars.
(Ameyatma das, disciple of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad)
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