|
|
Post by Īśvaradāsa on Aug 14, 2019 18:52:03 GMT -6
This is an excerpt from her doctorate thesis which studies the evolution of Balarama in Vaisnavism through a comparative analysis of the Harivamsa, Visnu purana, Brahma purana and Bhagavata Purana, I thought I might post it considering the day it is. The whole thesis is interesting, she argues that Balarama used to have more importance as a deity in early worship and was associated with food, abundance, protection and fertility. But as his popularity decreased, and Krsna gained more prominence in the narrations, he became associated with Ananta Sesa or the support (-ing actor) of Visnu. The analysis actually also includes Jain texts as sources for variations of the Krsna-Balarama story. Balaramas birth story comparative chart.pdf (662.96 KB) ![]()  Laharu, ca 1755 "Balarama diverts the course of the Yamuna river" In the collection of the San Diego Museum of Art. |
|
jiva
Full Member
Posts: 143
|
Post by jiva on Nov 3, 2019 13:28:23 GMT -6
I happened to look into the night sky, saw the moon, and the thought of Balarama was born.
It was as if I saw Balaram himself, not the bright moon that illuminated the night blue sky. 
Does the scriptures mention Balarama/Nityananda's connections to the moon and the reason why he wears blue garments? |
|
|
|
Post by Īśvaradāsa on Nov 5, 2019 20:18:00 GMT -6
I think the moon is a recurrent image in CV literature, mostly because its light is considered to be cooling and refreshing in contrast with the the scorching heat of the sun, the moonlight provides relief from the burning of samsara, hence Narottama’s well known words about Nitai’s lotus-like feet. But I have a feeling this isn’t exactly what you were thinking of. There’s also that Balarāma and Krsna were born in the moon dynasty through Yayati and his son Yadu, I believe. There are surely other more rasik uses of the moon image in CV literature but I’d have to do more research on that and I’m traveling at the moment. Same with Balarama’s blue garments. I think you might find this dissertation interesting, i don’t remember at the moment if it covers the garment issue but if you like i can send you the whole thing via email when I get back home.
|
|
jiva
Full Member
Posts: 143
|
Post by jiva on Nov 10, 2019 9:48:50 GMT -6
Yes, I would like to read a dissertation that you mention.
Please send via email.
Not urgent.
|
|
|
|
Post by meeno8 on Dec 22, 2019 14:13:21 GMT -6
For us, Lord Nityananda is a double incarnation of Balaram and Ananga Manjati (the younger sister of Radhika). There are source texts that explain that, including Gaura-ganodesh-dipika, and (if memory serves), Caitanya-Bhagavata.
|
|
|
|
Post by Īśvaradāsa on Dec 23, 2019 21:48:09 GMT -6
For us, Lord Nityananda is a double incarnation of Balaram and Ananga Manjati (the younger sister of Radhika). There are source texts that explain that, including Gaura-ganodesh-dipika, and (if memory serves), Caitanya-Bhagavata. Hi, Meeno Yes, not sure about the CB or the GGD but the Ananga Manjari Samputika by Ramai Thakur explicitly makes this claim and elaborates on it. It’s definitely a text worth exploring more, but I lost a copy of a translation made by Advaita that I had and just haven’t found any other translation of it. The only one I’ve seen lecturing on that book was Premgopal Goswami some years ago, it went on for some days so I didn’t follow it completely, I may just go back to those videos now that you reminded me of this. |
|
|
|
Post by Nityānanda dāsa on Dec 24, 2019 20:41:09 GMT -6
For us, Lord Nityananda is a double incarnation of Balaram and Ananga Manjati (the younger sister of Radhika). There are source texts that explain that, including Gaura-ganodesh-dipika, and (if memory serves), Caitanya-Bhagavata. Hi, Meeno Yes, not sure about the CB or the GGD but the Ananga Manjari Samputika by Ramai Thakur explicitly makes this claim and elaborates on it. It’s definitely a text worth exploring more, but I lost a copy of a translation made by Advaita that I had and just haven’t found any other translation of it. The only one I’ve seen lecturing on that book was Premgopal Goswami some years ago, it went on for some days so I didn’t follow it completely, I may just go back to those videos now that you reminded me of this. Merry Christmas from Afghanistan! It seems that Santa Claus has heard Eduardoji's wish and in addition wanted to benefit all the bhaktas on the Caitanya Symposium. He told me to pass this along to y'all... drive.google.com/file/d/1E0DdS29prB8a4XpNkvsFG87eDVKb7OMc/view?usp=sharing(Ananga Manjari Samputika - translation by Advaita Das) |
|
|
|
Post by Īśvaradāsa on Dec 25, 2019 12:54:38 GMT -6
Hi, Meeno Yes, not sure about the CB or the GGD but the Ananga Manjari Samputika by Ramai Thakur explicitly makes this claim and elaborates on it. It’s definitely a text worth exploring more, but I lost a copy of a translation made by Advaita that I had and just haven’t found any other translation of it. The only one I’ve seen lecturing on that book was Premgopal Goswami some years ago, it went on for some days so I didn’t follow it completely, I may just go back to those videos now that you reminded me of this. Merry Christmas from Afghanistan! It seems that Santa Claus has heard Eduardoji's wish and in addition wanted to benefit all the bhaktas on the Caitanya Symposium. He told me to pass this along to y'all... drive.google.com/file/d/1E0DdS29prB8a4XpNkvsFG87eDVKb7OMc/view?usp=sharing(Ananga Manjari Samputika - translation by Advaita Das) Sadhu Sadhu! Thank you, Nila, very kind of you (and quick as well!), I appreciate it. This is the version I used to have, good to see it’s still around. I’ll start reading it again and post here if anything in particular catches my attention. |
|
|
|
Post by avadhutadas on Feb 11, 2022 19:11:54 GMT -6
The only one I’ve seen lecturing on that book was Premgopal Goswami some years ago, it went on for some days so I didn’t follow it completely, I may just go back to those videos now that you reminded me of this. [/quote]
Prem Gopal Goswamis Ananga Manjari Samputika lectures have been made into a book. It’s a nice book with good commentary. The AMS translation for the book is based off Advaita das’. Advaita das has retracted his translation but PDFs never disappear. He calls the book “wishy washy”. Might be he doesn’t understand it.
|
|
