Truth has many aspects. Infinite truth has infinite expressions. Though the sages speak in diverse ways, they express one and the same Truth.

Srila Vyasadeva

Truth Has Many Aspects

Topic: Truth, Law, & Principle

Truth has many aspects. Infinite truth has infinite expressions. Though the sages speak in diverse ways, they express one and the same Truth.
Ignorant is he who says, “What I say and know is true; others are wrong.” It is because of this attitude of the ignorant that there have been doubts and misunderstandings about God.
This attitude it is that causes dispute among men. But all doubts vanish when one gains self-control and attains tranquility by realizing the heart of Truth. Thereupon dispute, too, is at an end.

Srila Vyasadeva

Srila Vyasadeva, a distinguished sage in Indian spirituality, is renowned for shaping the spiritual literature that guides many. Born to Parashara Muni and Satyavati, his destiny was intertwined with spiritual enlightenment. His most notable work, the Srimad Bhagavatam, serves as a direct commentary on the Vedanta-sutra, guiding readers towards the understanding of God. Besides this, Vyasadeva edited the Vedas and authored the epic Mahabharata, making him a central figure in the propagation of Vedic knowledge.

Vyasadeva is revered not just as a scholar but as an incarnation of the divine Vishnu, as detailed in sacred texts like the Bhagavata Purana. His incarnation was a divine response to make the complex Vedic wisdom accessible to all. He divided the singular Veda into four – Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva – and created sub-branches, a task believed beyond the capability of a regular being. This incarnation of Vyasadeva, unique to this age, is particularly significant, being an embodiment of Lord Narayana himself, underlining his exceptional spiritual status.

Vyasadeva's deeper spiritual journey is revealed through his creation of the Srimad Bhagavatam. Despite his extensive literary works, a sense of incompleteness led him to this masterpiece, which is a detailed exposition of Vedic philosophy, focusing on Bhagavan Sri Krishna. This work not only addressed his spiritual discontent but also became a pivotal guide in understanding spiritual truth. The Srimad Bhagavatam, emphasizing bhakti-yoga and direct spiritual practice, stands as a vital resource for seekers pursuing the highest spiritual truths. Thus, Srila Vyasadeva remains a guiding light for those seeking deeper understanding and connection with the divine.

(3000 BCE) Hinduism
Srimad Bhagavatam

Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture - a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991, p. 39 [Srimad Bhagavatam 11.15].

Srila Vyasadeva

Theme: Truth

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.15

In the profound words of Srila Vasadeva, “Truth has many aspects. Infinite truth has infinite expressions. Though the sages speak in diverse ways, they express one and the same Truth,” there is an invitation to embrace the multifaceted nature of truth. This statement, deeply rooted in spiritual wisdom, acknowledges the vastness and complexity of truth, transcending the limitations of singular perspectives. It suggests that truth, in its infinite forms, cannot be confined to one person’s understanding or articulation. The sage recognizes that different paths and expressions can lead to the same fundamental truth, a concept that echoes through various spiritual traditions and philosophies. This realization fosters a sense of unity and respect among diverse beliefs, as it acknowledges that various approaches to understanding the divine or ultimate reality are but reflections of the same underlying truth.

Srila Vasadeva further enlightens us by highlighting the pitfalls of ignorance in his context passage, “Ignorant is he who says, ‘What I say and know is true; others are wrong.'” This statement addresses the human tendency to cling to personal beliefs as the sole bearers of truth, often leading to conflict and misunderstanding. It is a poignant reminder of the limitations of ego and the dangers of absolutism in matters of faith and understanding. In a world where divergent views often lead to discord, this perspective is a call for humility and openness. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing that one’s understanding of truth is just a part of a much larger, intricate tapestry of knowledge and experience. By encouraging self-control and the pursuit of inner tranquility, Srila Vasadeva points towards a transformative journey where the heart of Truth can be realized, leading to the resolution of disputes and a deeper comprehension of the divine.

Finally, drawing upon the teachings from Srila Prabhupada’s preface to Srimad-Bhagavatam, we find a reinforcement of these ideas. The emphasis on Srimad-Bhagavatam as a tool for re-spiritualizing society and understanding the ultimate source of creation resonates deeply with Srila Vasadeva’s message. Prabhupada’s work, while focusing on the transcendental knowledge of God, also sheds light on the notion that truth and divine understanding are not confined to a single narrative or interpretation. By presenting a comprehensive and step-by-step approach to spiritual knowledge, Prabhupada’s teachings encourage a careful and open-minded exploration of spiritual truths. This approach aligns with Vasadeva’s insight into the nature of truth, underscoring the idea that the path to divine realization and harmony in human society lies in recognizing and respecting the multitude of ways in which truth can be expressed and understood.

Srila Prabhupada’s preface to Srimad-Bhagavatam

Srila Prabhupada’s preface to Srimad-Bhagavatam : Human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of oblivion. It has made rapid progress in the field of material comforts, education and economic development throughout the entire world. But there is a pinprick somewhere in the social body at large, and therefore there are large-scale quarrels, even over less important issues. There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause.
Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the re-spiritualization of the entire human society.”
Material science has tried to find the ultimate source of creation very insufficiently, but it is a fact that there is one ultimate source of everything that be. This ultimate source is explained rationally and authoritatively in the beautiful Bhagavatam or Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Srimad-Bhagavatam is the transcendental science not only for knowing the ultimate source of everything but also for knowing our relation with Him and our duty towards perfection of the human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge.
It is powerful reading matter in the Sanskrit language, and is now rendered into English elaborately so that simply by a careful reading one will know God perfectly well, so much so that the reader will be sufficiently educated to defend himself from the onslaught of atheists. Over and above this the reader will be able to convert others to accept God as a concrete principle.
Srimad-Bhagavatam begins with the definition of the ultimate source. It is a bona fide commentary on the Vedanta-sutra by the same author, Srila Vyasadeva, and gradually it develops in nine cantos up to the highest state of God realization.
The only qualification one needs to study this great book of transcendental knowledge is to proceed step by step cautiously and not jump forward haphazardly like with an ordinary book. It should be gone through chapter by chapter, one after another.
The reading matter is so arranged that with its original Sanskrit text, its English transliteration, synonyms, translation and purports so that one is sure to become a God-realized soul at the end of finishing the first nine cantos.
The Tenth Canto is distinct from the first nine cantos, because it deals directly with the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. One will be unable to capture the effects of the Tenth Canto without going through the first nine cantos.
I must admit my frailties in presenting Srimad-Bhagavatam, but still I am hopeful of its good reception by the thinkers and leaders of society on the strength of the following statement of Srimad-Bhagavatam:
“That literature which is full with descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, form and pastimes of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a transcendental creation meant to bring about a revolution in the impious life of a misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though irregularly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.”
Om Tat Sat

―Srila Prabhupada [From Srila Prabhupada’s Preface to his Srimad Bhagavatam Set, dated at Delhi, December 15, 1962].

Sri Krishna

Sri Krishna was born in northern India in approximately 3,228 BCE. The Puranas consider Sri Krishna’s life to mark the passing of the Dvapara age in to the Kali Yuga (current age).
Sri Krishna is the central figure of the Bhagavad Gita. Sri Krishna is widely considered by Hindus to be an Avatar―a direct descent of God. During the Battle of Kurukshetra, Krishna gave Arjuna the immortal spiritual discourse of the Bhagavad Gita―Krishna taught a spiritual path of wisdom, devotion and discrimination. Sri Krishna also popularised devotional bhakti yoga through his time with Radha and the Gopis in Vrindavan.

Additional Quotes from and About Sri Krishna

“Whenever, O descendant of Bharata, righteousness declines and unrighteousness prevails, I manifest Myself. For the protection of the righteous and the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of religion, I come into being from age to age.”

–Sri Krishna [The Bhagavad Gita (in the opening section)].

“However men try to reach me, I return their love with my love; whatever path they may travel, it leads to me in the end.”

―Sri Krishna [Brindavan (Chapter 4, verse 11)].

“There are four great events in history, the siege of Troy, the life and crucifixion of Christ, the exile of Krishna in Brindaban and the colloquy on the field of Kurukshetra. The siege of Troy created Hellas, the exile in Brindaban created devotional religion, (for before there was only meditation and worship), Christ from his cross humanized Europe, the colloquy at Kurukshetra will yet liberate humanity.”

―Sri Aurobindo [On the Bhagavad Gita].

“Sri Krishna walked the soil to annihilate the philosophies of world-shunning spirituality and of world-grasping materialism. He established on earth the “Dharmarajya,” the Kingdom of the Inner Law. He restored the true spirit of Kshatriya heroism, motivated not by human ego, but by Divine Will, making man a devoted and active instrument of the Supreme. He brought down to the earth-consciousness the supreme Truth that earth and earthly life, being inherently divine, must be made outwardly divine, fully and totally, in every sphere, in every aspect.”

―Sri Chinmoy [Commentary on The Bhagavad Gita].

Truth Has Many Aspects

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