Should women suffer for Indra's sin?

VOL. 6, CHAPTER 9, VERSE 9.
SHASHTAMA SKANDHAM, ADHYaYA 9 SLoKA 9.

SASvata kAma varENAmhas
turIyam jagruhu strIyaha
rajO rUpENa tAsv amho
mAsi mAsi pradrusyatE.

CONTEXT AND GIST
The chief of demy Gods Indra killed the demon Vritra, who was said to be a Brahmin. Killing a Brahmin was said to be a great sin. Indra wanted to distribute the burden of his sin to other.

Women were one of the recipients of the sin. There was a trade. Indra gave a boon of constant sexual desires for women. In exchange, women had to accept the painful monthly discharge as the sin.

ybrems
We can wonder how the priests were able to create a cock and bull story, for a biological phenomenon like monthly menstruation.

How about remaining poor?

Volume 10 - daSama skandha.
Chapter 81 - adhyAya 81.
Verses 21-23.
iti tac cintayann antaḥ
praapto niya-gṛhAntikam
sUry analendu-sankASair
vimAnaiḥ sarvato vṛitam
vicitropavanodyAnaiḥ
kUjad-dvija-kulAkulaiḥ
praphulla-kumudAmbhoja-
kalhArotpala-vAribhiḥ
juṣṭam svaalankṛtaiḥ pumbhiḥ
strIbhiS ca hariNAkṣibhiḥ
kim idam kasya vA sthAnam
katham tad idam ity abhUt

CONTEXT
SudAma (popular name: kucEla or a person with torn clothes) was a classmate of Krishna. He had a large family. Goaded by his wife, he came to Dwaraka. He was received well by Krishna, and ate the palmful of flat rice brought by SudAma. SudAma forgot to ask Krishna for wealth. Sudama, next morning, returned to his dilapidated home, thinking that Krishna didn't bestow him wealth, probably because he felt that Sudama will become arrogant with riches and forget Krishna.

Thinking thus, Sudama reached his home.
GIST
He, found in the place of his home, a number of palaces with fountains, gardens, cooing birds, lotuses, tulips, The palaces were glowing like sun, moon and the fire God. Well-dressed men and deer-eyed bejewelled ladies were adorning the home. SudAma started wondering: What is this? Whose place is this? How all this happened?

ybrems
1. How about the poor belonging to castes other than Brahmins and Yadavas?

2. Every Brahmin cannot be a classmate of Krishna. How about the poor Brahmins of those days, who were not classmates of Krishna? It is like this: Everybody cannot be a classmate of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi can probably help one or two classmates of his, who were very close to him.

3. One thing is certain. During Krishna's rule, there were extremely poor persons like sudAma. Everybody was not prosperous, or at least equal.

4. The crux of the problem, is inequalities. Inequalities cannot be removed by raising classmate sentiments.

5. This problem existed even during Shri Rama's time. Pl. see my post at Click to see rAmAyanayb.blogspot.

Was Krishna a leader of ornament-pickers on battle-fields?

HEROS or PILLAGERS

Lord Krishna is an incarnation of God depicted in Bhagavata. He is the hero of the Bhagavata purana. According to Canto 10, Chapter 50, Verse 4 of Bhagavata, Jaraasamdha the king of Magadha besieged the Capital of Madhura. It was ruled by Ugraseena, grand father of Krishna. Jarasamdha waged war with Krishna using 23 akshauhinis. 1 akshauhini = 1,09,350 infantry (foot soldiers); 65,610 cavalry with horsemen on them; 21,870 elephants with mahouts on them; 21,870 chariots and charioteers -------------- 218,700 -------------- 23 akshauhinis x 218,700 = 5,030,100 (humans, animals not counted). Jarasamdha and Krishna fought 17 times, everytime with 23 akshauhinis. 17 x 5,030,100 = 85,511,700 people. According to Bhagavata, Krishna and Balarama killed all these people. What would have been the population of India 2500 to 5000 years back (period of Maha Bharata and Krishna under dispute) ? Did Krishna kill all the Indians? Hundreds of rivers of blood flowed. How many? What a grotesque description! Quote: Verse 40 from the same book, same chapter. aayodhana-gatam vittam anantam vī`ra-bhu`ṣhaṇ`am yadu-ra`jaaya tat sarvam a`hṛtam praadis`at prabhuḥ. Gist Krishna presented to UgrasEna (the Yadu king) all the wealth that had fallen on the battlefield (aayoodhana-gatam) - ornaments worn by the slain soldiers and knights.

More Comments
British Kings and Queens encouraged the European colonialists and pirates to go on rampaging adventures and expeditions, and collected royal shares in the collections brought back. The Kohinoor Diamond, The Peacock Throne, The Sword of Tippu Sultan, The Serangapatam Diamond, The Star of Africa, Edward's Sapphire,The Timur Ruby, etc. are some examples of the ornament-picking.


The Arab, Turkish, Moghul and other Islamic Invaders from the Northwest encouraged their soldiers to pick gold, silver and gems on battle-fields (from injured persons and dead bodies) and gave them shares when they submitted the collections to the Chief.

Pillaging is thus a regal splendour.

#012 Should we need couches to lie down?

My mother tongue is Telugu. Nearly 80 million people speak it. Bammera Potana is a poet of 15th Century A.D. He translated the Bhagavata Purana of Vyasa ,
from Sanskrit to Telugu , with the title 'Andhra Mahaa Bhaagavatam . ' The book used to be a household name in Andhra Pradesh. I translate below a verse from the book.

Kamaniiya bhuumi bhaagamulu leekunnavee , pad`i yund`ut`aku duudi parupuleela? Sahajambulagu karaanjalulu leekunnavee , bhoojana bhaajana punjameela? Valkalaajinakus`aaval`ulu leekunnavee, kat`t`a dukuula sanghambu leela? Konakoni vasiyimpa guhalu leekunnavee, praasaada saudhaadi pat`ala meela? Phala rasaadulu kuriyavee paadapamulu ? Svaadu jalamula nund`avee sakala nadulu ? Posaga bhikshamu vet`t`aree pun`ya satulu ? Dhana madaandhula koluveela , taapasulaku ?

ORIGINAL SANSKRIT VERSE NO. 2-2-5 VYASA BHAGAVATA Cīraaṇi kim pathi na santi dis`anti bhikṣaaḿ Naivaanghripaaḥ para-bhṛitaḥ sarito apy asuuṣyan Ruddhaa guhaaḥ kim ajito vati nopasannaan Kasmād bhajanti kavayo dhana-durmadaandhaan . Note: Potana made some changes and improved on the original verses. The phrases used are also very aesthetic. Potana's translation is more elaborate. He does not, somehow, mention about the 'ajita' and 'upasanna' (unconquerable God protecting the surrendered).

APPROXIMATE ENGLISH GIST
Why do we need cotton couches , when we have portions of earth , to lie down on ?

Why do we need great menus , and heaps of cutlery and vessels to eat in , when we have our open fists ?
Why do we need thin silk wardrobes , when we have jute

clothes and deer skins to wear ?
Why do we need great complexes of mansions , when we have caves to live in ?
Won't trees shower fruits with succulent juices ?
Won't rivers flow with sweet waters ?
Won't virtuous women bestow alms ?
Why should austere persons take up the service of the rich blind from wealth?

COMMENTS
The above compare-and-and contrasts , though were the expressions of S`uka Yogi to the King Parikshit, I feel that these were the personal reflections of Poet Potana himself, who refused to serve in the court of the 15th Century King "Sarvagna Singa Bhuupaala".


Please visit , www.vairagyasatakam.blogspot.com , if you wish to read similar Sanskrit verses in Roman Script.

#011 WERE WAR VICTORS TAKING AWAY WIVES OF LOSERS?

WERE VICTORS IN WARS TAKING AWAY THE WIVES OF LOSERS

PART 9, CHAPTER CHAPTER 6, VERSE 9, SANSKRIT:

jitvaa paŕaam dhanaḿ sarvaḿ sastriiḱam vajra-paaṇ`ayee
pratyayacchat sa raajarsḥir iti naamabhir aahṛtaḥa.
ENGLISH: After conquering the enemies, (Puranjaya) gave away the enemies' riches along with their wives to the God of Thunderbolt (Indra).
DID GOD RELISH HORSE SACRIFICES?

WHICH SMELL DID AMBARISHA LIKE? THE SMELL OF HORSE FAT OR THE SMELL OF TULSI LEAVES?

The King Ambarisha performed many horse sacrifices and satisfied the Supreme God. The sacrifices were grand, well equiped and full of gifts to priests. The feasts were led by sages Vasisht`a, Asita and Gautama.

VERSE NO. 9-4-22
Ijee as`vameedhair adhiyagnam Iis`varam
mahaa vibhuutyoopacitaamga daksḥiṇaạha
tatair Vasiṣt`ha Asita Gautamaadibhir
dhanyani abhisrootam asau sarasvatiim.

QUESTIONS 1) Is the Godhead fond of flesh of horses? 2) In the preceding verses, the king Ambarisha was said to be a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, taking pleasure only in smelling the flavors of Tulsi (an aromatic plant considered sacred by Hindus). In horse sacrifices, the king has to smell the fumes of burning fat of the horse. 3) Why Lord Siva (a God equal to Lord Vishnu among the trinity) was relegated to be entitled to just the remnants (left overs) of the sacrifices (Evidence verse No.9/4/8 yagna vastu gataḿ sarvam ucchiṣhṭ`am rịṣhayahạ kvacit,
cakrur hi bhaagaḿ rudraaya sa devaḥ sarvam arhati--LORD SIVA IS ENTITLED TO THE LEFT OVERS). (Note: According to Valmiki Ramayana 1/61/8, Ambarisha performed a human sacrifice. It said that Visvamitra participated in the sacrifice. In Bhagavata we have three sages Vasisht`a, Asita, Gautama. This makes four adding Visvaamitra.). This also adds additional meaning that the Godhead himself was fond of human sacrifices.

#010 DID HARISCHANDRA SACRIFICE HUMANS?

DID HUMAN SACRIFICES EXIST?

CONTEXT: Part 9, Chapter 7, Verses 7 to 26 (i.e. 20 verses) narrate the story of Harischandra. Briefly: King Harischandra was the great grandfather of Rama. He did not have children. He approached Rain God (Varun`a) for boon of a son. Foolishly he promised the Rain God, that he would offer the tobeborn son in sacrifice to the Rain God. The Rain God okayed.

After the son is born, the Rain God approached the king for the sacrifice of the infant. Name of the baby: Rohita. The king wanted 10 days time stating that an animal becomes fit for sacrifice after 10 days.

Rain God came after 10 days. This time, the king said that the infant will be fit for sacrifice only after it gets its teeth. He asked the Rain God to come after the child gets teeth.

RG came after the child got teeth. This time, the king postponed stating that the teeth should fall. Then only the boy will be fit for sacrifice.

RG came after Rohita's teeth had fallen. This time, the king wanted new teeth to grow. Then only Rohit will be fit for sacrifice.

RG came after Rohit got his teeth. This time king's excuse: A warrior should become fit to defend himself. Then only he will be fit for a sacrifice. The waiting story went on.

Now Rohit understood that his father was postponing the sacrifice deliberately with some excuse or other. Understanding that he should save his life, Rohit went to forests.

Owing to the wrath of the Rain God, the king started suffering from dropsy. Rohit came to know about it. He wanted to return immediately, but the God of Heaven "Indra" persuaded him to go on a pilgrimage and Rohit spent five years on pilgrimages.

VERSE 20, SANSKRIT:
ṣaṣht`̣haam samvatsaram tatra caritvaa rohitahạ puriim
upavrajann Ajiigartaad akriiṇaan
madhyamaḿ sutam s`unaḥs`eephaam
pas`uum pitree pradaaya samavandata.
ENGLISH:
At the end of the sixth year Rohit returned to his father. Rohit bought one youth called "Sunahs`eepha" as the animal for sacrifice, from his father Ajigarta and gave to the king.
VERSE 21, SANSKRIT:
tataha puruṣha-meedheena Haris`candroo mahaa-yas`ahạ
muktoodaroo 'yajad devaan varunạadiin mahat-kathaḥa
ENGLISH: By sacrificing the human, Harischandra (here see the adjective used to describe Harischandra: "Great famed"), pleased the Rain God and freed himself from dropsy.
VERSE 22: SANSKRIT: Vis`vaamitroo abhavat tasmin hootaa ca adhvaryur aatmavaan
Jamadagnir abhuud brahmaa Vasiṣhṭ`hoo Ayasyaḥa saama-gaḥa.
ENGLISH: In the sacrifice, Vis`vaamitra acted as OBLATOR (Priest who pours clarified butter and human flesh into the pyre), Jamadagni acted as CHANTER of Yajurveeda mantras, Vasisht`ha acted as CHIEF PRIEST, and Agastya acted as "SINGER" of Vedic hymns.
CRITICAL REMARKS:
For all sacrifices (whether human or horse or bulls or aquarian or bird or other animals), the four leaders i.e. CHIEF PRIEST, OBLATOR, CHANTER, and SINGER are necessary. PRESUMPTION: When an animal is sacrificed in the fire, the resultant cooked flesh and ash, is taken as divine gift food ("prasaad") eaten by all present. COMMENTs: Now what is the difference between Ikshavaku Kings and Cannibals?
Were sages and priests of those days, cannibals?

#009 DID KRISHNA KILL ALL THE INDIANS IN INDIA?

CANTO 10 (PART 10)

CRUEL KRISHNA OR KRISHNA IN A HYPERBOLE

Lord Krishna is an incarnation of God depicted in Bhagavata. He is the hero of the Bhagavata purana. Ref: www.srimadbhagavatam.org.

According to Canto 10, Chapter 50, Verse 4 of Bhagavata, Jaraasamdha the king of Magadha besieged the Capital of Madhura. It was ruled by Ugraseena, grand father of Krishna. Jarasamdha waged war with Krishna using 23 akshauhinis.
1 akshauhini = 1,09,350 infantry (foot soldiers);
65,610 cavalry with horsemen on them;
21,870 elephants with mahouts on them;
21,870 chariots and charioteers
--------------
218,700
--------------
23 akshauhinis x 218,700 = 5,030,100 (humans, animals not counted).

Jarasamdha and Krishna fought 17 times, everytime with 23 akshauhinis.
17 x 5,030,100 = 85,511,700 people.
According to Bhagavata, Krishna and Balarama killed all these people.
What would have been the population of India 2500 to 5000 years back (period of Maha Bharata and Krishna under dispute) ? Did Krishna kill all the Indians?
Hundreds of rivers of blood flowed. How many? What a grotesque description!
Quote: Verse 40 from the same book, same chapter, same website:
"Lord Krishna then presented to the Yadu king all the wealth that had fallen on the battlefield - namely, the countless ornaments of the dead warriors. "
This shows that there was a custom of knights collecting the gold and precious ornaments of slain soldiers and presenting to the kings who filled their coffers with the booty.

Heroes or pillagers or Lords!

#008 WHY SHOULD THE FOURTH CASTE PERSONS BE SATISFIED WITH MEAGRE AMOUNTS?

WHY SHOULD A SUUDRA SATISFY HIMSELF WITH MEAGRE AMOUNT?

PART 11, CHAPTER 17, VERSE 19, SANSKRIT:

s'us'ruushanam dvija gavaam devaanaam ca apy amaayayaa
tatra labdheena santooshaha, s'uudra-prakritayas tv imaaha.

VERSE 49

suudra-vruttim bhajeed vais'yaha, s'uudraha kaaru-katha-kriyaam
kricchraan muktoo na garhyeena vruttim lipseeta karmanaa.

ENGLISH GIST:
Serving the Priests, cows, Gods, without cheating and being happy with whatever he gets -- these are the duties of a Suudra.

A fourth caste person who cannot find a master to serve, can overcome his difficult situation by weaving baskets and straw mats. Again they should revert back to their original occupations after normalcy occurs. (That means a fourth caste person should find a master and serve again).
CRITICAL REMARKS: Who stipulated these duties? Did Krishna stipulate? Or the priests stipulated?

#007 WHO IS KRISHNA TO SAY THAT FIFTH CASTE BORN ARE CRIMINALS?

FIFTH CASTE BORN CANNOT BE CRIMINALS

PART 11, CHAPTER 17, VERSE 20, SANSKRIT:
as'aucam anrutam steeyam naastikyam s'ushka vigrahaha
kaamaha krodhas' ca tarshas' ca sa bhaavo antyavaasaayinaam.
CONTEXT: KRISHNA PREACHES duties of persons of different castes.
ENGLISH GIST: Uncleanliness, lies, stealing, atheism, frivolously quarrelling, lustful, anger, hankering are the characteristics of persons of the last caste (outcaste or fifth caste).
CRITICAL REMARKS: Krishna is declaring arbitrarily the characteristics of the fifth caste persons. This is nothing but a prejudice.

#006 SHOULD KING NRIGA BE CONDEMNED SO MERCILESSLY?

CRUEL TREATMENT METED OUT TO KING NRUGA (ALSO SPELT AS:NRIGA)

PATHETIC STORY OF KING NRUGA
shows how cruel can the Sanatana Dharma (Ancient Faith i.e. Hinduism) be.
PART 10, CHAPTER 64, VERSE 24, SANSKRIT
puurvam deevaas'ubham bhungja iti praaha pateti saha
taavad adraaksham aatmaanam krikalaasam patan prabhoo.
ENGLISH GIST: (Nruga said to the God of Death): 'I shall first suffer the consequences of my sins.' Then the God said: 'OK Fall!'. 'Immediately I found myself in a well as a lizard.'

STORY AND THE CRITICAL REMARKS: Nruga was a noble king. He gave away hundreds of thousands of healthy cows to Priests. One day a cow given by him in charity to a Priest "X" deviated from the crowd and came back to the cow-shed of the king. It got mixed up with the King's cows. It was given out to another priest "Y" without knowing that it was already the first Priest's property. The first priest saw the cow when being led away by the Priest Y and claimed it as his own.

Nruga found the inadvertant error and requested the Priest Y to accept one hundred thousand cows in lieu of the erroneous cow and allow it to be passed on Priest X. Priest Y rejected the offer. Then Nruga requested Priest X to accept hundred thousand cows in lieu of the erroneous cow. Priest X too rejected the offer.

Nruga now knew that he was going to become a lizard (chamaleon). He fell down at the feet of the Priests and requested them to save him from falling in a filthy well, by accepting one hundred thousand cows. None of the Priests obliged the King.

The God of Death came took Nruga to hell. The God asked Nruga whether he would accept punishment for his sins first or enjoy the fruits of his good deeds first. Nruga chose the first alternative. He found himself as a lizard in the well in the City Dwaraka (Krishna's city). Nruga remained there for thousands of years, till he was saved by Krishna.

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