Shankara: Devotee in Disguise part1
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 17:46 — admin
MICHAEL: If the Supreme Lord wanted to help the people of a particular time and place come closer to Him, couldn't He do it in such a way that wouldn't adversely affect the lives of countless individuals for centuries to come?
TEACHER: Shankara's commentaries are written in very flowery language, so one can easily be deluded by them. Nevertheless, if a person is sincere, he will see by Shankara's own example that the Mayavadi philosophy is a bankrupt philosophy. Firstly, there are numerous contradictions between Shankara's commentaries and the verses he is commenting on. Secondly, he renounced his own philosophy at the last moment of his life. And thirdly, when his most prominent disciples came in contact with Sri Krishna Chaitanya and heard his commentary on Vedanta-sutra, they immediately gave up their previous opinions and accepted the Vaishnava understanding. I speak here of Prakashananda Saraswati, who, along with all of the Mayavadi sannyasis of Benares, became disciples of Lord Chaitanya after meeting with him in that city,10 and also of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, one of the most influential personalities in the line of Shankaracharya at the time of Lord Chaitanya. Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya was advanced in age and was renowned as a brilliant philosopher. He had numerous disciples of his own, yet upon meeting Lord Chaitanya and discussing Vedanta-sutra with him, he immediately surrendered his life to him and begged to be accepted as his disciple. He admitted that Shankaracharya's commentary on Vedanta-sutra was indirect and misleading.11
Thus, there is ample evidence, and intelligent persons will be convinced by it. It is only those who are envious of God and do not want to surrender to Him who wish to hold on to Shankara's explanation of Vedanta Sutra. Well, Michael, evening is upon us! Why don't we call it quits for the day and if you like, we can resume our conversation again tomorrow morning.
MICHAEL: Thanks very much, TEACHER, but tomorrow I have classes so I won't be able to come. If it's all right with you, though, I'd like to come the following day.
TEACHER: Of course it's all right. I'll look forward to seeing you the day after tomorrow.
BRAHMA AND NARADA – BONAFIDE GURU, BONAFIDE DISCIPLE Mystic yogis, by the practice of mystic or psychic powers, can do things that ordinary people consider very wonderful and miraculous. Such yogis then exploit the people, claiming that they are God Himself. And millions of foolish people believe such charlatans and blindly follow them. This is very unfortunate.Shankaracharya called his closest disciples "intellectual fools" because although they were very learned men and great scholars, they had not actually understood the Absolute Truth. He could understand that their so-called knowledge was simply book knowledge and that their word jugglery had no actual spiritual value. Therefore, he advised them to give all of this up and engage themselves in devotional service to Govinda, Krishna.
Science of Identity Foundation – Chris Butler Speaks
MICHAEL: If the Supreme Lord wanted to help the people of a particular time and place come closer to Him, couldn't He do it in such a way that wouldn't adversely affect the lives of countless individuals for centuries to come?
TEACHER: Shankara's commentaries are written in very flowery language, so one can easily be deluded by them. Nevertheless, if a person is sincere, he will see by Shankara's own example that the Mayavadi philosophy is a bankrupt philosophy. Firstly, there are numerous contradictions between Shankara's commentaries and the verses he is commenting on. Secondly, he renounced his own philosophy at the last moment of his life. And thirdly, when his most prominent disciples came in contact with Sri Krishna Chaitanya and heard his commentary on Vedanta-sutra, they immediately gave up their previous opinions and accepted the Vaishnava understanding. I speak here of Prakashananda Saraswati, who, along with all of the Mayavadi sannyasis of Benares, became disciples of Lord Chaitanya after meeting with him in that city,10 and also of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, one of the most influential personalities in the line of Shankaracharya at the time of Lord Chaitanya. Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya was advanced in age and was renowned as a brilliant philosopher. He had numerous disciples of his own, yet upon meeting Lord Chaitanya and discussing Vedanta-sutra with him, he immediately surrendered his life to him and begged to be accepted as his disciple. He admitted that Shankaracharya's commentary on Vedanta-sutra was indirect and misleading.11
Thus, there is ample evidence, and intelligent persons will be convinced by it. It is only those who are envious of God and do not want to surrender to Him who wish to hold on to Shankara's explanation of Vedanta Sutra. Well, Michael, evening is upon us! Why don't we call it quits for the day and if you like, we can resume our conversation again tomorrow morning.
MICHAEL: Thanks very much, TEACHER, but tomorrow I have classes so I won't be able to come. If it's all right with you, though, I'd like to come the following day.
TEACHER: Of course it's all right. I'll look forward to seeing you the day after tomorrow.