Bhagavan Himself censures difference and praises unity of Trimurtis - Bhagavata

[V Subrahmanian]

In the Bhagavata, the censure of difference among Trimurtis, and the praise of non-difference by Bhagavan Himself.

Lord Srihari's addresses everyone in the Dakshayajna episode thus:

We (the Trimurtis) together are the cause of this world. None of us should be discriminated. He who discriminates is ignorant. Supreme good will not be attained by those who differentiate.

श्रीमद्भागवतपुराणम्/स्कन्धः ४/अध्यायः ७

https://sa.wikisource.org/s/ebv

श्रीभगवानुवाच -

अहं ब्रह्मा च शर्वश्च जगतः कारणं परम् ।

आत्मेश्वर उपद्रष्टा स्वयं दृगविशेषणः ॥ ५० ॥

आत्ममायां समाविश्य सोऽहं गुणमयीं द्विज ।

सृजन् रक्षन् हरन् विश्वं दध्रे संज्ञां क्रियोचिताम् ॥ ५१ ॥

Depending on the sattva, etc. qualities of my maya, I perform the functions of creation, state and destruction.

तस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यद्वितीये केवले परमात्मनि ।

ब्रह्मरुद्रौ च भूतानि भेदेनाज्ञोऽनुपश्यति ॥ ५२ ॥

It is significant that Srihari speaks of Brahman here as 'advitiya': the idea that the Trimurtis, the whole world, is not different from Brahman, but Brahman verily is all. The verses for this are in the sequel.

यथा पुमान्न स्वाङ्‌गेषु शिरःपाण्यादिषु क्वचित् ।

पारक्यबुद्धिं कुरुते एवं भूतेषु मत्परः ॥ ५३ ॥

Just as one does not discriminate between the parts of his body, one should not discriminate between the Trimurtis and other living beings.

त्रयाणां एकभावानां यो न पश्यति वै भिदाम् ।

सर्वभूतात्मनां ब्रह्मन् स शान्तिं अधिगच्छति ॥ ५४ ॥

Among the Trimurtis which is one, and even among all living beings, those who do not discriminate will attain peace (liberation).

Trimurtis are the three forms of Lord Vishnu:

This verse from the Bhagavata states:

The whole world is a plaything for the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord takes the form of Brahma Vishnu Rudra assuming Sattva rajas tams qualities:

ŚB 11.29.7

श्रीशुक उवाच

इत्युद्धवेनात्यनुरक्तचेतसा

पृष्टो जगत्क्रीडनक: स्वशक्तिभि: ।

गृहीतमूर्तित्रय ईश्वरेश्वरो

जगाद सप्रेममनोहरस्मित: ॥ ७ ॥

This leads us to conclude that:

1. The Trimurtis and the entire living entities are the integral forms of the same Supreme Being.

2. There is no discrimination in this as stated by the Supreme Lord:

Just as one does not discriminate between one's own bodily organs, one should not discriminate between the Trimurtis and other living beings.

3. Censuring of discrimination: Those who discriminate are ignorant (the remain in bondage).

4. Praise of Abheda Drishti: Salvation to those who have Abheda Buddhi among the Trimurtis and all living beings.

Thus Srihari himself has denied all kinds of discrimination by employing yukti, logic, bhedaninda (censure of difference) and abheda prashamsa (praising of non-difference). This Vedantic premise declared by Vedavyasa is admissible only in Advaita. For other schools this view of Vedavyasa and the Lord are detrimental.

The implication that stands out above is that absolute, universal non-difference is determined by indicatory marks, tatparya lingas.

Even if the Supreme Lord himself has said about difference elsewhere, the above mentioned words supersede that. For Abheda, non-difference, is the pervader, vyapaka and Bheda, difference, is pervaded, Vyapya.

It is heartening to note that Advaitian Acharyas have faithfully preserved this teaching of Bhagavan Vyasa

यः पृथिव्यामितीशोऽसावन्तर्यामी जगद्गुरुः ।

हरिर्ब्रह्मा पिनाकीति बहुधैकोऽपि गीयते ॥ ३७७ ॥

[That Antaryami spoken of in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and the bhashya thereon, though Only One, is spoken of with many names such as Hari, Brahmaa and Pinaaki (Shiva).]

~ Vartikakara Bhagavan Sureshvaracharya ( Brihadaranyaka bhashya vartika 1.4)

Om

[V Subrahmanian]

It is heartening to note that Advaitian Acharyas alone have faithfully preserved this teaching of Bhagavan Vyasa

यः पृथिव्यामितीशोऽसावन्तर्यामी जगद्गुरुः ।

हरिर्ब्रह्मा पिनाकीति बहुधैकोऽपि गीयते ॥ ३७७ ॥

[That Antaryami spoken of in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and the bhashya thereon, though Only One, is spoken of with many names such as Hari, Brahmaa and Pinaaki (Shiva).

~ Vartikakara Bhagavan Sureshvaracharya ( Brihadaranyaka bhashya vartika 1.4)

Om

Om

See a Trimurti image here: https://groups.google.com/g/advaitin/c/OKceCp2KAYA

[Aravinda Rao]

A good selection which is useful for explanation. Thank you Subrahmanian ji.

Aravinda Rao

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