Re: If god exists, what created god?
Madhudvisa (shelter@calvados.apana.org.au)
Wed, 19 Apr 1995 16:53:43 -0400
In article <D77p7M.J5w@crash.cts.com>,
roosen@crash.cts.com (Robert Roosen) wrote:
> Here is an excellent description of the Narlikar/Burbidge
> cosmology. I would appreciate elaboration on the points of manvantara
> and pralaya, and whether the material universe dissolves after the tenth
> and final incarnation of Vishnu.
>
Dear Robert,
I have tried to answer your first question about manvantara (the
life-time of one Manu) and pralaya (the devastation of the
universe) in another posting. Now what about the incarnations of
Vishnu and the dissolution of the universe?
Firstly although, in India, ten incarnations of Visnu are
especially well known and these incarnations have been glorified by
the poet Srila Jayadeva Gosvami in his "Dasavatara-stotra", there
are not only ten incarnations. These ten are only a small sample.
Vishnu is unlimited and His incarnations are also unlimited.
yada-yada he dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham
"Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O
descendant of Bharata [Arjuna], and a predominant rise of irreligion--
at that time I descend Myself." Bhagavad-gita 4.7.
Here are Srila Jayadeva Gosvami's descriptions of Vishnu's
incarnations:
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form of a fish! All glories to You! You easily acted as a boat in the
form of a giant fish just to give protection to the Vedas, which had
become immersed in the turbulent sea of devastation.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form of a tortoise! All glories to You! In this incarnation as a
divine tortoise the great Mandara Mountain rests upon Your gigantic
back as a pivot for churning the ocean of milk. From holding up the
mountain a large scar-like depression is put into Your back, which has
become most glorious.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form of a boar! All Glories to You! The earth, which has become
immersed in the Garbhodaka Ocean at the bottom of the universe, sits
fixed upon Your tusk like a spot upon the moon.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form of a half-man, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can
easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the
body of the wasplike demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the
wonderful nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form of a dwarf-brahmana! All glories to You! O wonderful dwarf, by
Your massive steps You deceive King Bali, and by the Ganges water that
has emanated from the nails of Your lotus feet, You deliver all living
beings within this world.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form of Bhrgupati [Parasurama]! All glories to You! At Kuruksettra You
bathe the earth in rivers of blood from the bodies of demonic
ksatriyas that You have slain. The sins of the world are washed away
by You, and because of You people are relieved from the blazing fire
of material existence.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form of Ramacandra! All Glories to You! In the battle of Lanka You
destroy the ten-headed demon Ravana and distribute his heads as a
delightful offering to the presiding deities of the ten directions,
headed by Indra. This action was long desired by all of them, who were
much harassed by this monster.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form of Lord Balarama, the wielder of the plough! All glories to You!
On Your brilliant white body You wear garments the colour of a fresh
blue rain-cloud. These garments are coloured like the beautiful
dark-blue hue of the River Yamuna, who feels great fear due to the
striking of Your ploughshare.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form of Buddha! All glories to You! O Buddha of compassionate heart,
You decry the slaughtering of poor animals performed according to the
rules of Vedic sacrifice.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the
form Kalki! All Glories to You. You appear like a comet and carry a
terrifying sword for bringing the annihilation of the wicked barbarian
men at the end of the Kali-yuga.
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed these
ten different forms of incarnation! All glories to You! O readers
please hear this hymn of the poet Jayadeva, which is most excellent,
an awarder of happiness, a bestower of auspiciousness, and is the best
thing in this dark world."
It is the last incarnation, Kalkli, who you have referred to as
the "last" incarnation of Visnu. He is certainly the last
incarnation within this particular kalpa, He will appear at the end
of this age, Kali-yuga, just prior to it's end and kill all the
sinful men to enable a new Satya-yuga or "Golden Age" to be ushered
in. But Vishnu will continue to incarnate on schedule and when
required. This is such a big topic.... one could write many books
about it.... There are five different types of incarnations....
(for more details I suggest you make a serious study of the "Srimad
Bhagavatam" translated by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada. It is published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.)
--
Madhudvisah dasa Swami |
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