The God Contention - Audarya-lila Dasa

Are there many gods in Hinduism (Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu) or just one God, Brahman?

Thu, 20 May 2010 16:48:14 -0400

Answered within the Hindu worldview by Audarya-lila Dasa

There is only one God. God manifests in many ways at different times and places and for different reasons. According to Vedanta, God manifests in three aspects: Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan. This is corroborated in the natural commentary on the sutras, Srimad Bhagavatam by th...

What unique evidence is there for your religion or worldview? Can you prove that what you say is true?

Thu, 13 May 2010 10:19:59 -0400

Answered from the perspective of multiple worldviews

Hindu - Audarya-lila Dasa
In our tradition pramana (evidence) is divided into several categories. The first and most important is revealed truth which comes to us in the form of sastra pramana (evidence from the revealed scriptures). Two other categories of evidence which are important as support to the first are called pratyaksha (experiential knowledge) and anumana (logical inference).

Because God is beyond the ability of the mind and intellect and is also not directly percieved by the senses our only hope of knowing him is if he chooses to reveal himself to us.

One can look at historical evidence, forensic e...

Why is the cow considered sacred in Hinduism?

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:14:30 -0400

Answered within the Hindu worldview by Audarya-lila Dasa

The bull tills the land and churns the butter in rural India and is thus seen as a type of father who provides sustenance to the living entity. The cow provides milk which is used to make so many different types of food which also nourish the living entity and she is thus seen as a type of mother. The mother and father are always to be venerated. This is the basic idea. Beyond that, the highest expression of divinity within Hinduism is that of Krsna, the cowherder, who is God at play and expressing himself in his most intimate setting with his family and friends. Another name for Krsna is...

Is Yoga inherently Hindu, or can non-Hindus really practice Yoga fully?

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:03:34 -0400

Answered within the Hindu worldview by Audarya-lila Dasa

The word Yoga literally means to 'link up' with God, or be connected to God. This is not inherently Hindu and is a universal concept. There are many branches of yoga discipline, but all of them have the same goal. The highest form of yoga is called Bhakti-yoga. This is the discipline of linking up with God through devotion. This devotion is characterized as a nine-fold path called nava-lakshana bhaki. Here is the verse from the Bhagavata Purana that delineates the nine fold processes of Bhakti:

sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam
arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma...

What are the beliefs of Hari Krishnas and do you agree with them?

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:17:26 -0400

Answered within the Hindu worldview by Audarya-lila Dasa

I don't think I could give you a comprehensive answer to this question in a short space. Hare Krishnas, as you have labeled them, are members of the International Society for Krishna Consciuosness (Iskcon). It is a mission established by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami to spread the teaching of Gaudiya Vaishnavism globally. My teacher is a student of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami's but has established his own mission independent of Iskcon.

Why am I here? Why do I exist? What is my purpose?

Thu, 14 May 2009 18:18:22 -0400

Answered from the perspective of multiple worldviews

Hindu - Audarya-lila Dasa
Why is a BIG question and the yoga system gives a comprehensive answer to this perennial question for all people at all times. This is not a new question. It is the question that is in the mind and hearts of all sentient beings past, present and future.

Descartes said, 'I think, therefore I am' - another way of saying this is that I am aware and therefore I exist. In the Vedic world view three words describe the conscious state of being. These words are Sat, Chit and

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Thu, 14 May 2009 18:18:22 -0400

Answered from the perspective of multiple worldviews

Hindu - Audarya-lila Dasa
We make judgements of good and bad based on our own conditioning. What is good for one person is bad for another. Therefore what constitutes a 'good person' or a 'bad person' is a relative consideration.

Beside that point the answer that Vedanta gives to your general question is that Karma (action and reaction) is anadi - or beginningless. Everyone has unlimited amounts of karma and it is presenting itself in different forms to us. We have our parabdha karma which is karma...