Questions

1. In ‘Krishnavatara’ the victory of the Pandavas was brought about by the Lord, using cunning tactics. Moreover, Srimad Bhagavatham describes the ‘Raasakrida’ of the Lord. How can these be considered right?

2. Is Carnatic music a part of the Vedas?

3. What is the basis of ‘carnatic music?’

4. It is believed that the Lord is best worshipped in ‘Sanskrit’ and not in other vernaculars. Is it true?

5. These two slokas found in Bhagavatham(find the two slokas along with the Q&A group below) are contradictory. Why?

In ‘Krishnavatara’ the victory of the Pandavas was brought about by the Lord, using cunning tactics. Moreover, Srimad Bhagavatham describes the ‘Raasakrida’ of the Lord. How can these be considered right?

In ‘Ramavatara’ the Lord desired to and lived the life of an ‘ideal man’. None can point fingers at Him but for the two incidents viz. killing Vali, using what appeared to be a dubious method and sending away his own pregnant wife Sita to Sage Valmiki’s Ashram. But, in ‘Krishnavatara’ all his actions that appeared outwardly as ‘adharma’ were in fact only in conformity with ‘Dharma’, for, the ways of Dharma are very subtle. The life of Rama can easily be comprehended and followed by the layman. The life of Krishna is not so. Nor can the common man follow it. The quintessence of ‘Ramavatara’ is Dharma. But, Lord Krishna’s ‘lilas’ are to be ENJOYED.

Life history of Great Saints like Kanchi Maha Periyaval or Sri Ramana Maharshi can be easily understood and followed even by the layman. But, the life histories of Saints like Dattatreya, Shirdi Sai Baba, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and Seshadri Swamigal can be comprehended and followed only by ‘Yogeeshwaras’.
Back to the top

Is Carnatic music a part of the Vedas?

Yes, it is in fact considered as a sub-division of the Saama Veda.
Back to the top

What is the basis of ‘carnatic music?’

‘Sangeetha Rathnakaram’ written by the Bengali Saint Sarngadevar is the basis of Carnatic music. Similarly, ‘Swararnavam’ rendered by Sage Narada can also be considered as the basis. The five ‘Dravida Desams’ are the home of Carnatic music.
Back to the top

It is believed that the Lord is best worshipped in ‘Sanskrit’ and not in other vernaculars. Is it true?

When a King holds court, he has to be addressed formally by all, be it his own son. But, in privacy the son need adhere to no formality. Similarly, puja is a formal ritual and so is best performed in ‘Sanskrit’. However, in privacy/solitude, a bhakta is free to express his love for his Lord in any language, for, this is ‘prema’ puja.
Back to the top

There is a sloka in ‘Bhagavad Gita’

Aneka janma samsaktaha
thatho yathi parangathim

which means only after several births does one attain liberation.”

Whereas, another sloka says

Thesham samudhartha mruthyu samsarasagarath
Bhavaami rasiraath, Partha, maiyaveshita chethasaam

Which means “one gets liberated from the cycle of birth and death in this very janma”.

Are not these two slokas contradictory?

No, they are not.

This has to be viewed in proper perspective. When one believes that liberation comes about only through ‘sadhana’ he has to go through several births before reaching his goal, whereas, when one believes in the grace of the Lord alone and totally surrenders to Him, he is liberated in the very same birth.
Back to the top