How to explain the Supremacy of Krishna to others who argue?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Dear Prabhuji, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am chanting Mahamantra everyday and hear what the acharyas say about Krishna, read Bhagavad Gita and Prabhupada books. I also look forward to reading your posts. Thanks a lot for your service to us.
I do believe that Krishna is the Supreme Personality Of Godhead and understand why people worship different devas and devis by the mercy of Krishna. I also know that without Shiva’s mercy, we can’t attain Krishna Prema.
But the problem is, many people have a problem when devotees from any of the four bonafide sampradayas and ISKCON say that Krishna is more supreme than Shiva. They say that both of them are dependent on each other, both are one. They even go as far as to claim that the scriptures say that both are the same (without specifying which scripture) and telling the idea of Hari Hara abheda. They claim that people will go to hell if they dare try differentiating them. No one agrees that Krishna is like milk and Shiva is like curd, one comes from the other. It feels like an easy escape for them to just say both are one and same.
I know all this debate is just a waste of time, but when you try to preach to people about Krishna, this becomes the issue.
(i) Some Puranas say that Narasimha was killed by Shiva, Ganda Berunda etc. while Bhagavatam says Prahlada Maharaj sang prayers to the Lord to cool His anger down. Why this much contradiction?
(ii) Is it to establish the supremacy of the diety of that particular Purana?
(iii) What did Krishna mean when He said that among the Rudras, He is Shiva in Bhagavad Gita 10.23?
(iv) Many people quote the Mahabharata, saying that both Shiva and Krishna are same and are the servants of each other. Is it true that Krishna is the servant of Shiva?
(v) What is the difference between the Lord’s expansion and His avatars?
If you think I, an average person who is trying to follow Krishna Consciousness, can understand the answers as it is, without any dilution, without any additions and subtractions, kindly enlighten me about these two personalities in accordance to the bonafide shastras without any mental speculations. (please don’t reveal my name).
Hare Krishna. Your servant.”
REPLY:
I have written many posts about the matter of Shiva – Vishnu – Krishna differences and Supremacy of Krishna. However, I found this question as answerable because it had some extra questions related to this matter.
First read the following Posts about the matter of Shiva – Vishnu – Krishna differences and Supremacy.
If Brahma Vishnu & Shiva are not equal, why they are grouped as Trimurtis? READ HERE!
Why Krishna alone is Supreme Personality of Godhead? READ HERE!
Why only ISKCON says Krishna alone is Supreme and can liberate us? READ HERE!
See, in any SET UP, there can be only one leader; then, next to the leader;
As I have already explained, Supreme Person can be Only One. Thjat is why, he is Supreme.
BEST or SUPREME are superlatives; that means, there is nothing beyond the BEST or SUPREME.
He is the best student of the class means, only one person can be the best; In case two students got same marks, other factors such as attendance, sports, culturals are considered to find out the best among the two.
Thus, Supreme personality of Godhead can be only one.
Out of crores of people, only one can become the President of a country. Another can become the Vice president. Another can become prime minister. Others can become ministers.
President -Vice president – Prime minister – ministers – all are not the same. Only the President is the topmost constitutional authority in India.
Out of all the Puranas, different deities are glorified as Supreme by Vyasa deva because the followers of those deities will strengthen their faith in their favourite deities. Vyasa deva did not prefer to confuse them. Let them worship those demigods now. In the births after births, he will find the Supreme Truth that Krishna is Supreme and then worship Him.
Why did Vyasadeva, who is the literary avatar of Krishna wrote claiming different deity as Supreme in every Purana? Why didn’t he write the Supremacy of Krishna alone?
Because, Krishna Himself says in Bhagavad Gita (7-21):
“I am in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul. As soon as one desires to worship some demigod, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to that particular deity.”
This is what Vyasa deva did.
That is why it is said that one should read the literatures related to his favourite deity only.
Read this Post about this matter:
(Why Vyasadeva wrote many gods as Supreme diluting his trustworthiness? READ HERE!)
If we read whatever we see, we will end up in confusion.
In Bhagavad Gita (9-23) Krishna says:
“Persons who are engaged in the worship of demigods are not very intelligent, although such worship is offered to Me indirectly,”
In Bhagavad Gita (7-20) Krishna says:
“The worshipers of demigods are motivated by small desires and do not know how to reach the supreme goal, but a devotee of the Supreme Lord is not misguided.”
In Bhagavad Gita (9-25) Krishna says:
“Similarly, a pure devotee, who worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead only, achieves the planets of Vaikuṇṭha and Kṛṣṇaloka without a doubt.”
So, Pure devotion means, the worship of Krishna as said by Krishna Himself above. But, the worshipers of demigods worship them with some desires.
So, as said by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita (7-3), “Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.”
So, Krishna Himself permits demigods worship without confusing the worshipers of demigods. But, He also says that fortunate among them will worship Him.
So, no need to confuse with Siva, Krishna, Durga, etc. The verdict given by Vyasadeva in his LAST PURANA Srimad Bhagavatam should be final as he was fully satisfied after writing the glories of Krishna.
So, you are a fortunate guy. So, you are worshiping Krishna. Why should you bother about those who worship demigods and Lord Siva expecting some benefits?
Let me briefly reply your five questions that may help you to know how to explain the Supremacy of Krishna to others who argue.
(i) Some Puranas say that Narasimha was killed by Shiva, Ganda Berunda etc. while Bhagavatam says Prahlada Maharaj sang prayers to the Lord to cool His anger down. Why this much contradiction?
Reply:
What Bhagavatham says is right. Don’t trust the informations given by unrecognized puranas. Read the following post to know the bonafide literatures/puranas:
(LIST OF 18 MAHA PURANAS & UPA-PURANAS CLASSIFED! READ HERE!)
(ii) Is it to establish the supremacy of the deity of that particular Purana?
Yes, I have replied why Vyasa deva glorified different deities above. Also Read the below Post:
(Why do the scriptures claim many Supreme Gods to confuse us? READ HERE!)
(iii) What did Krishna mean when He said that among the Rudras, He is Shiva in Bhagavad Gita 10.23?
Reply:
All the demigods, devas, plants, animals, people, rishis, etc in the Vibhuti Yoga of Bhagavad Gita are the expansions and representatives of Krishna. Krishna, thus says that Siva is He Himself, that means, Krishna is the source for the Lord Siva too. Lord Siva is actually the Guna avatar of Krishna.
(iv) Many people quote the Mahabharata, saying that both Shiva and Krishna are same and are the servants of each other. Is it true that Krishna is the servant of Shiva?
Krishna is not the servant of anyone. However, he will do any role for His devotees if the need arises. It is the causeless mercy of Krishna. If need arises, Krishna may serve even His devotees. For example, Krishna acted as the driver of the chariot/car of Arjuna. He acted as a representative to discuss with Duryodhana camp. If Krishna has served Arjuna, why won’t He serve His dear devotee Siva? This does not reduce the status of Krishna, but He gives all glories and love for His devotees.
Saying “Krishna is the servant of Siva” is not right; Instead, “If need aarises, Krishna won’t hesitate to serve His devotees” is the right way of telling.
(v) What is the difference between the Lord’s expansion and His avatars?
Lord Krishna is the COMPLETE – PURNA FORM. He has all the 64 Qualities in full, ie, 100%.
No others, including His avatars has all those 64 qualities 100%.
When Krishna takes avatars or expansions, He hides some of His qualities that are not required for that avatar/ expansion.
For example, Krishna came as Rama and expanded as Vishnu hiding some qualities like performing lilas. He came as Krishna Himself as Purna avatar with all the 64 qualities. That is why, he performed lilas with Gopis.
Read the following Post to know all the details about this topic:
(Krishna, His Expansions & Avatars – Differences! Whom to worship? READ HERE!)
Hope you are now clear about how to explain the Supremacy of Krishna to others who argue.