Re: Agree? Disagree?
Pranam
Originally Posted by
philosoraptor
As far as where this specific hierarchy is stated in shruti, I am not aware of an explicit reference per se. ------
The Kena Upanishad mentions Indra, Agni, and Vaayu as dependent entities on Brahman, who had to be instructed by Uma about the nature of Brahman. So, Brahman is clearly different from these devas. -------
In the Varaaha, Vishnu, and Bhaagavata Puraanas, devas like Brahma, Shiva, and Shakti are clearly above other devas like Indra, etc, but not are quite on the same level as Vishnu. So... the arrangement doesn't seem inconsistent with shAstra.
regards,
philosoraptor
This debate of hierarchy has been debated here in this forum till one is blue in the face.
We may refer this matter to an expert (but again I fear that experts are themselves of many kinds, driven by their predilections.) Everyone starts from a base and then reconcile the apparent contradictions in shastra to suit.but off course if we were to accept this vakya from sruti we would see no contradictions.
46 They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, and heavenly nobly-winged Garutman.
To what is One, sages give many a title they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan.
47 -----
48 Twelve are the fellies, and the wheel is single; three are the naves. What man hath understood it?
Note: The wheel is single and the 12 spokes (fellies) are perceived as different aspects. To what is One, sages give many a title.
The point is very clearly explained in Brihadaraynaka: "What did Brahman know that it became all?"
Resolution of such debates is never possible. Ending of questions is never possible -- new doubts will be ever cropping up.
Those with hierarchy problem will never be able to resolve so call contradiction.(because egos will always persists).
Off course we can site some Puranas that extoll Vishnu and some Puranas that extol either Brahma or Shiva but we can also quote from Bhagvat Puran where Lord Shiva is extolled if you like i quote you it.
Jai Shree Krishna
Rig Veda list only 33 devas, they are all propitiated, worthy off our worship, all other names of gods are derivative from this 33 originals,
Bhagvat Gita; Shree Krishna says Chapter 3.11 devan bhavayatanena te deva bhavayantu vah parasparam bhavayantah sreyah param avapsyatha Chapter 17.4 yajante sattvika devan yaksa-raksamsi rajasah pretan bhuta-ganams canye yajante tamasa janah
The world disappears in him. He is the peaceful, the good, the one without a second.
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