Lord Krishna and the Demigods
“Visnu is the supreme principle, not subject to the duality of the material world. He is a form full of consciousness and knowledge, existing eternally beyond the modes of material nature, although being the absolute controller of the material world. Krsna in Goloka is the original and supreme Visnu form, being ornamented with sixty-four transcendental qualities to enhance His blissful activities by which He performs His activities. The puruña-avatäras and other plenary avatäras all possess these sixty qualities in order to carry out their function.
"Krsna expands as two types of conscious particles. The first is the ordinary jéva, who has fifty qualities to some degree. The second are the demigods, who have the same fifty qualities but to a greater degree. In addition, Siva possesses five more qualities. Visnu has all these qualities plus five more which are not found in other living entities. In this way we can see that Viñëu or Näräyana, with sixty qualities, is the Lord, and Siva and the demigods are His servants. Greater than the ordinary jivas are the demigods and Siva, and greater than Siva is Visnu, who is the Lord of the jivas and the Lord of the demigods. Therefore, whoever considers Visnu on the same level as the demigods is very ignorant.
"Some people claim that the Brahman without qualities takes on qualities when it expands as Brahmä, Visnu and Siva. However, the conclusion of scripture is that Näräyana is supreme, and is the cause of Brahmä and Siva. Whoever rejects Visnu as the supreme controller and takes to worship of demigods, falls into the world of illusion.
"Other people claim that since Visnu is all pervading throughout the universe and is present in the demigods as well, one can worship Visnu by worshiping all the demigods. But this is not the ruling in the scriptures. Rather, this type of activity is forbidden. By worshiping Visnu all other worship is perfected. Just as by giving water to the root of a tree the branches become satisfied; by worshiping Visnu exclusively, all worship is covered. This is the Vedic conclusion, but unfortunately, the fools reject this precept. Under the influence of mäyävädi philosophy, the living entities of Kali-yuga put Visnu on the same level as the demigods. In truth, however, the demigods give only limited result, whereas worship of Visnu yields all results. If the materialists can understand this truth, they will take to Visnu worship and achieve all results.
"Krsna expands as two types of conscious particles. The first is the ordinary jéva, who has fifty qualities to some degree. The second are the demigods, who have the same fifty qualities but to a greater degree. In addition, Siva possesses five more qualities. Visnu has all these qualities plus five more which are not found in other living entities. In this way we can see that Viñëu or Näräyana, with sixty qualities, is the Lord, and Siva and the demigods are His servants. Greater than the ordinary jivas are the demigods and Siva, and greater than Siva is Visnu, who is the Lord of the jivas and the Lord of the demigods. Therefore, whoever considers Visnu on the same level as the demigods is very ignorant.
"Some people claim that the Brahman without qualities takes on qualities when it expands as Brahmä, Visnu and Siva. However, the conclusion of scripture is that Näräyana is supreme, and is the cause of Brahmä and Siva. Whoever rejects Visnu as the supreme controller and takes to worship of demigods, falls into the world of illusion.
"Other people claim that since Visnu is all pervading throughout the universe and is present in the demigods as well, one can worship Visnu by worshiping all the demigods. But this is not the ruling in the scriptures. Rather, this type of activity is forbidden. By worshiping Visnu all other worship is perfected. Just as by giving water to the root of a tree the branches become satisfied; by worshiping Visnu exclusively, all worship is covered. This is the Vedic conclusion, but unfortunately, the fools reject this precept. Under the influence of mäyävädi philosophy, the living entities of Kali-yuga put Visnu on the same level as the demigods. In truth, however, the demigods give only limited result, whereas worship of Visnu yields all results. If the materialists can understand this truth, they will take to Visnu worship and achieve all results.
Comments
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glory to Radha Govinda!
I don't know why Mr.R sent such an angry mail. I have been tested at times by the Lord and as I found out, He does so because He loves us so so much.
I simply believe in five steps that Krsna does before giving us what we want. So, if we have a dream, an ambition, a desire so strong and suddenly it feels that everything is over, devastated and I have hit a roadblock, a dead-end, I say this to my self. It really helps:
Krsna's action plan for your goal:
1.Dream: He gives you a dream, and you feel this would make your life more beautiful
2.Decision : You decide whether you really want to go forward with this thing.
3.Delay : And then comes the first sign that Krsna is interested, He delays it. Because He loves us so much that He wants us think it over a THOUSAND times. But, we are ignorant and think He doesn't want to help us
4.Difficulty: Now, as Krsna says, "Aham Bija Pradah Pita", He as the father, gives a over-all view of the situation, the pros and cons of completing this job. Many of us give up saying that Krsna doesn't love us.( See, the separation from Him widens)
5.Dead-end: Then Krsna halts all progress because He really loves you and doesn't want you to get hurt. He makes sure the World is ready. He cares so much that He makes the world change for you :) Many at this point conclude that Krsna doesn't EXIST, because you can not see a single ray of hope in any direction.
6.Deliverance: And just when you think its over, Krsna comes, in an effulgence of a million suns, He comes and delivers. Remember the story of Gajendra Moksam, all that the elephant did was call out " Narayana!" and there He was, on Garuda with all his weapons, ready to help his dear devotee. Ajamila called out ignorantly " Narayana!" and he was given an eternal place in Vaikuntha.
The point is that Krsna may give you loads of difficulties but thats when both we and Him can show our love to each other. Kunthi prays to Krsna that they have lots of difficulties than joys because then they will be able to remember him for a long time.
I always say this in my mind when facing a crisis:
"Sarvasya cha'Aham Hrdi sannivisthah Mattah Smritir Gnanam Apohanam cha|
Vedaischa Sarvair Aham eva Vedyo Vedanta krt Veda videva cha' aham"
Krsna says to Arjuna "I am situated in every living being's heart, as forgetfulness, Memory, Knowledge and digestive power. I am the ONE TO BE KNOWN from ALL THAT THERE IS TO BE KNOWN. I am the composer of Vedanta and I am the true scholar of Veda
So, I have been in plenty of tight spots in my life, but as soon as the feeling comes, I call out to Him " Govinda!" and there He is, smiling and removes all my obstacles. My advice to Mr.R (Though im not worthy enough to advise) is that what he is feeling is quite understandable and I request him to open out his thoughts to us and as devotees of Lord Krishna, we can surely help.
Chant Hare Krsna and be Happy!
Jaya Srila Prabhupada
Dandavats,
Suraj