Dear SPS, Balram closely connected w Naagar, as you know. see image on Lakshmana Mandir, Khajuraho, 11th cent. In fact, some of those Mathura early images, can't tell whether it's a Nagaraja or it's Balarama. Kathie
There is a belief that Balarama is the avatar of Adisesha (the serpent that serves as the bed of Mahavishnu). Thus, if one accepts this interpretation, there is no dissonance between Balarama and Naga; both are the same.
I am new to this forum and have been reading the posts for some time. I just want to point the story told by my GrandMother, she said Balarama is an avatar of AadhiSeshan, the snake-bed of Vishnu in PaarKadal. He has been honored by Vishnu and asked to take avatars along with him. Like in Ramayana, AadhiSeshan took avatar as Lakshmana and in Mahabharatha, he took avatar as Balarama. Also she said, because in Rama avatar Lakshman did so many Panividaigal to Rama, in Krishna avatar Balarama is elder brother to Krishna and Krishna gave due respect and listened to Balarama. So it could be that Balarama and Lakshmana are originally a Snake.
Again I just want to emphasize, I am not quoting from any references but just a Sevivazhi Kadhai told by my GrandMother in my childhood.
Dear Sir, In the old movie Dasavatharam, there is a scene where Krishna tells to Naradhar that when he took Ramavataram, he had given something or other to whoever falls in his feet, like Bharatha got his Paadhani, Vibhishnan got the kingdom of Lanka, Sugriva got the kingdom of Kishkinda and so on. But for Lakshmana, who had been serving his feet throughout his lifetime he could not give anything. Hence, in Krishnavataram, the same Lakshmana is born as Balarama and Krishna is serving him as a younger brother and also Balarama is considered as one of the Avatars of Vishnu himself. Donno whether this is right. But just remembered that scene from the movie on seeing the discussions in our group... RegardsVardhini
Dear Vardhini, That's a wonderful explanation. Where are you from? is that a regional purana?
> Dear Sir, > > In the old movie "Dasavatharam", there is a scene where Krishna > tells Naradhar : when he took RamAvataram, he 'd given something > to whoever fell at his feet : Bharatha got his Paadhani, Vibhishnan > got Kingdom of Lanka, Sugriva got the kingdom of Kishkinda, etc. But > for Lakshmana, who had been serving his feet throughout his > lifetime, he hadn't given anything. > > Hence: in Krishnavataram, that same Lakshmana was born as Balarama, > and Krishna served him as a younger brother. Also Balarama is > considered to be one of the Avatars of Vishnu himself. > > Dunno whether this is right. But just remembered that scene from the > movie, on seeing the discussions in our group... > > Regards > Vardhini
1. If Balaraama is Aadhiseshan Avataar then we dont have Dasavathaaram We have Nav (Nine) Avatar 2. If you include Balaraama as an Avatar then Lakshmana is also one Avatar and even now we dont have Dasavatar in fact we have Gyaarah (Eleven) avataar.
Dear Madam, Thank you very much. But this I happened to view in one of the old movies. Am not sure which purana it is based on. I am basically from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and currently living in Kuwait. RegardsVardhini.
Hi, Actually the number of Avatar of Vishnu are innumerable. For instance would one consider Mohini as an avatar or Ajitha who stabilizes the Meru when the milk ocean is churned. The puranas also vary in their count and list of avatars. This link provides a summary overview of the lists by various puranas. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar#Avatars_of_Vishnu
Only in north-east (Bengal -Orissa) areas, Krishna is replaced by Buddha, as Krishna is considered as the primary God and not an avatara. Even though the puranas list many more, only the ten, by tradition, are viewed as principal avatars. Jayadeva in his Dasavatara stotra replaces Krishna with Buddha. Last year, when the Orissa government approved/released a set of dasavatara stamps with Buddha as the 9th avatar, there was a bit of rumble, but Jayadeva's (from Orissa) stotra settled the issue. According to Jayadeva:
Quote:
Jayadeva enumerates ten of them in his Dashavatara Stotra. They are: (1)
Matsya, the Fish; (2) Kurma, the Tortoise; (3) Varaaha, the Boar; (4) Narasimha,
the Man-lion; (5) Vaamana, the Dwarf; (6) Parasuraama; (7) Raama; (8)
Balaraama; (9) Buddha; and (10) Kalki.
Hymns of the ten incarnations written by Jayadeva
This Dashavatara stotra is the very first section in the Gita-Govindam, a
composition of the famous poet Sri Jayadeva.
9th Sloka
Oh Lord, in the body of Buddha, the enlightened one! Out of Compassion of your
heart you have condemned the ritualistic part of the Yagnas ordaining the killing
of animals. Hail! Hari, God of the world, Victory to Thee!:
End quote.
But it is difficult to accept Gautama Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu, as Buddhism and Jainism are considered as non-vaidic by all - Sankara, Ramanuja, Azhwars and Nayanmars who were keen to reduce the influence of sakkiyars (buddhists) and samanars (jains). But Jayadeva's reference to animal sacrifice points to Gautama. A rich field for passionate debate.
As avatars are innumerable, and are made for specific purposes and for a specific period of time, there is no inherent conflict in adding/ deletion. In fact, the avatar status is lost when the purpose is served - Parashurama after losing to Rama, and Rama after defeating Ravana, and Krishna after the great war.
Re: [ponniyinselvan] Re: top 10 kalvettu - VELVIKKUDI GRANT
VELVIKKUDI GRANT:
JATILA PARANTAKA NEDUNJADIAYAN (765-815 ce)
If not this grant was explored, we would have not known most of happening during dark period (as mentioned by historians) and Kalappirar.
Nedunjadaian issued the Velvikkudi grant and was donor of that village to the descendents of the original donees. Much of the early history of the Pandyas too, could not have been peiced together but for this informative and lengthy document.
Long ago, the Sangham Oandyan King Palyagalasalai Mudukudumip Peruvazhudhi granted a Velvikkudi (Brahnim Village - tax free) to a brahmin KoRkai Kizhaan NarkoRRan. When the Kalabhras took over the Tamil country, they destabalised this charity; then centuries later, when Parantaka Nedunjadayan became King of Madurai, one Narasinghan, a descendant of earlier KoRkai Kizhaan represented the King his claim to the Village. The King reendowed the descendent of the original; and on the Velvikkudi copper plates, the new grant was inscribed with unusually full description of the King's acheivement.
The grants were issued in the third year of Nedunjadaiyan.
When completely read all the inscriptions of Velvikkudi plates, Kadungon, the first revived King of Pandya appeared in the plates. He who conquered the Kalappiras.
For people who do research on Pandya, the Velvikkudi grant was goldmine.
Why sir? I think the reference is verse 5.7.5 of Thiruvoimozhi -Pasuram on Thotarinathan of Thirusirivaramangai- Nanguneri, Pandia nadu. Nammazhwar does not mention Buddha at all. He chides perumal for staying away from devout vaishnava adiyars, even though he does enter the enemy groups (as buddha - not in the verse) to keep them away from him. Sort of vanjaha pugazchi or ninda stuti - I do not know the term which correctly explains it. Why this pasuram is taken as a reference to Buddha, evades me. Perhaps, Mr. Venkat (of Tiruvallikeni) who has learnt the prabandam in the traditional way will be able to explain it better. Sampath