Heaven and hell

[ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ్ శర్మ]

नमस्सर्वेभ्यो विद्वद्भ्यः

One of our friends asked this question:

"When it is said that every man has to reap the fruits, whether good or bad, of the karma performed in his previous life, why should there be hell or heaven to make people experience the punya phala or paapa phala?"

I did not have a good answer. I therefore put forth this question to the group.

सुधीजनविधेयः

राघवः

[Dr. Yadu Moharir]

Namaste: I think the excellent answer is found in bhaagavta puraaNa "atraiva narakaH svarga iti mAtaH prachakShate" Here, Sage Kapila tells his mother, Devahuti that  heaven and hell is our creation that we experience is result of our own deeds.  Essentially, we have to lie in the bed we make. Having remained married to pauraaNika concepts of svarga and naraka, we keep on thinking that svarga is a separate place. Kind regards, Yadunath --- On Wed, 8/11/10, ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ <msrk...@gmail.com> wrote:

-- अथ चेत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं संग्रामं न करिष्यसि। ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि।। तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः। निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः।। (भ.गी.)

[sadasivamurty rani]

Many things in this vast Universe are beyond our purview and far away from our experience.  We cannot simply deny whichever is out of the domain of our perception. As we need some special instruments,operatus and methods to obtain the knowledge of many things which cannot be perceived with our bear eyes or other sense organs so also we may need some special exercise and practice as prescribed in the scriptures and other sacred texts to understand about the wonders of the celestial region. Ofcourse I am not going to shoulder the responsibility to prove some how the presence of Svarga, Naraka and such other worlds in the celestial plain. But I very strictly believe in the presence of all those. I have hundred percent faith in the Presence of God. In my view, offering our prayers to the GOD is to express our gratitude to HIM for giving us a very great opporutnity to be born as Human beings. Again there may be a question about whether getting birth as human beings is the result of our own deeds in our past lives or is just because of the grace of the GOD. It also shall be a lengthy debate.  So at present I shall be silent if that question arises. At this moment to meet the immediate need I join with Dr. Yadunath Ji who gave an excellent illustration from the Bhagavatha Purana. Here I would like to add another line also from our ancient lore. "अत्युत्कटै: पुण्यपापै: इहैव फलमश्नुते (The yield of excessive virtues or sins is experienced here and in this world itself)". This line agrees with the citation of Bhagavatha Purana. Noble people say that showing compassion for others is Heaven and Selfishness is Hell. Some others say Contentment is Heaven and Greed is Hell.  All these are excellent metaphoric truths paving a way for Heaven and Hell.  Moreover, surprisingly our entire Indian way of living is related with इह and अमुत्र। Individuals have freedom either to leave or believe. Dr. Rani Sadasiva Murty --- On Wed, 11/8/10, Dr. Yadu Moharir <ymoh...@yahoo.com> wrote:

[Dr. S. Ramakrishna Sharma]

प्रणम्य

>Moreover, surprisingly our entire Indian way of living is related with इह and अमुत्र।

"परीक्ष्य कर्मचितान् लोकान्" Which are they?The Mundakopanishat makes one raise the eye brows.
But "न  साम्पराय: प्रतिभाति  बालं " of the Kathopanishat makes one seek the required maturity to test them.
"नरके  नियतं वास: भवत्तीत्यनुशुष्रुम:" exclaims Arjuna. And what all he saw within the Vishva Rupa! 

>Individuals have freedom either to leave or believe.

Indeed, "प्रमाणं प्रति स्वतन्त्रा: विवेकिन:" asserts Bhagavatpada Shankara in his commentary on the Bhagavatgita.
Great observations.

2010/8/11 sadasivamurty rani <ranisada...@yahoo.com>

--
Aangirasa/Dr.S.Ramakrishna Sharma. M.A.,Ph.D.(Eng.Lit.),Ph.D.(Sanskrit.).

[Rachuri Achar]

Dear Raghu Kiran,
     Just my two cents. Elders may correct. It is true that a person reaps the fruits of his past deeds. But where he enjoys the fruits depends on the type of deed he performs (. If he performs a highly pious deed which is capable of bringing forth enjoyment in Heaven, he is taken to Heaven to let him enjoy the fruit. If it is an ordinary pious deed which brings forth happiness in this world itself, he enjoys the fruits in the next birth in the martya loka. Same with papa phala also.

हरये नमः
राचूरि आचार्य
मम स्वामी हरिर्नित्यं सर्वस्य पतिरेव च ।
त्वमस्माकं तवस्मसि

2010/8/11 ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ్ శర్మ <msrk...@gmail.com>

--

[Dr. S. Ramakrishna Sharma]

अभिवन्द्य,
"ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था:", "प्राप्य पुण्यकृतान्  लोकान् ", "मनुष्यलोके", "जीवलोके",
"आब्रह्मभुवना लोका:" such expressions unerringly point out different domains,
realms and fields of experiences at various levels of the cosmic existence.

These can be very well be within the body as well as outside the body.
"यदिह तदमुत्र"।
Hindu Cosmology is an enthralling subject for study.Hindu Cosmology.    

"Long before it became a scientific aspiration to estimate the age of the earth, many elaborate systems of the world chronology had been devised by the sages of antiquity. The most remarkable of these occult time-scales is that of the ancient Hindus, whose astonishing concept of the Earth's duration has been traced back to Manusmriti, a sacred book."

When the Hindu calculation of the present age of the earth and the expanding universe could make Professor Holmes so astonished, the precision with which the Hindu calculation regarding the age of the entire Universe was made would make any man spellbound.

(source: Hinduism and Scientific Quest - By T. R. R. Iyengar p. 20-21).

Further,
Professor Gene R. Thursby, of University of Florida, observed, “A revolution in our understanding of the cosmology of the Puranas is in the making here.
This book offers a way of reading ancient Indian texts that is profoundly interesting and that overturns a long history of scholarly undervaluation of the supposedly only mythological’ contents of Puranic literature.”
This is a comment on a the book:
Sadaputa Prabhu has recently published his latest book on science and Vedic knowledge entitled Mysteries of the Sacred Universe: The Cosmology of the Bhagavata Purana. In addition to the book he has produced a multimedia CD-ROM illustrated with computer animations, over 250 color pictures, and original artwork. The book contains 375 pages, 104 illustrations, 51 tables, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index and retails for $15.95.

हरये नमः

2010/8/11 Rachuri Achar <rrac...@gmail.com>

--
Aangirasa/Dr.S.Ramakrishna Sharma. M.A.,Ph.D.(Eng.Lit.),Ph.D.(Sanskrit.).

[Jagannatha s]

Prof.Sadashivamurthy Rane's statement  ‘‘Many things in this vast Universe are beyond our purview and far away from our experience.  We cannot simply deny whichever is out of the domain of our perception’’

is confirmed by a half verse:

अचिन्त्याः खलु ये भावा न तांस्तर्केण योजयेत्।

I can not remember exactly where this half verse has come from. I request the scholars to enlighten me.

 

2010/8/12 Dr. S. Ramakrishna Sharma <d.ramak...@gmail.com>

[SriKanth!]

Its here sir:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/mbs/mbs06006.htm

11. अचिन्त्याः खलु ये भावा न तांस तर्केण साधयेत
परकृतिभ्यः परं यत तु तद अचिन्त्यस्य लक्षणम

Thanks,
Srikanth.

On Aug 12, 5:49 pm, Jagannatha s <jgran...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Prof.Sadashivamurthy Rane's statement  ‘‘Many things in this vast Universe
> are beyond our purview and far away from our experience.  We cannot simply
> deny whichever is out of the domain of our perception’’
> is confirmed by a half verse:
> अचिन्त्याः खलु ये भावा न तांस्तर्केण योजयेत्।
> I can not remember exactly where this half verse has come from. I request
> the scholars to enlighten me.
>

> 2010/8/12 Dr. S. Ramakrishna Sharma <d.ramakrishn...@gmail.com>

>
> > अभिवन्द्य,
> > "ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था:", "प्राप्य पुण्यकृतान्  लोकान् ",
> > "मनुष्यलोके", "जीवलोके",
> > "आब्रह्मभुवना लोका:" such expressions unerringly point out different
> > domains,
> > realms and fields of experiences at various levels of the cosmic existence.
>
> > These can be very well be within the body as well as outside the body.

> > *"यदिह तदमुत्र"।*
> > Hindu Cosmology is an enthralling subject for study.Hindu Cosmology.<http://www.hinduwisdom.info/Hindu_Cosmology.htm>
> > *

>
> > "Long before it became a scientific aspiration to estimate the age of the
> > earth, many elaborate systems of the world chronology had been devised by
> > the sages of antiquity. The most remarkable of these occult time-scales is
> > that of the ancient Hindus, whose astonishing concept of the Earth's
> > duration has been traced back to Manusmriti, a sacred book."

> > *

>
> > When the Hindu calculation of the present age of the earth and the
> > expanding universe could make Professor Holmes so astonished, the precision
> > with which the Hindu calculation regarding the age of the entire Universe
> > was made would make any man spellbound.

> > (source: *Hinduism and Scientific Quest<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8124600775/o/qid=992106880/sr=...>- By T. R. R. Iyengar
> > *p. 20-21).

>
> > Further,
> > Professor Gene R. Thursby, of University of Florida, observed, “A
> > revolution in our understanding of the cosmology of the Puranas is in the
> > making here.
> > This book offers a way of reading ancient Indian texts that is profoundly

> > interesting and that overturns a long history of scholarly undervaluationof the supposedly only mythological’ contents of Puranic literature.”
> > *This is a comment on a the book:*

> > Sadaputa Prabhu has recently published his latest book on science and Vedic

> > knowledge entitled Mysteries of the *Sacred Universe: The Cosmology of the
> > Bhagavata Purana.* In addition to the book he has produced a multimedia

> > CD-ROM illustrated with computer animations, over 250 color pictures, and
> > original artwork. The book contains 375 pages, 104 illustrations, 51 tables,
> > a glossary, a bibliography, and an index and retails for $15.95.
>
> > हरये नमः
>

> > 2010/8/11 Rachuri Achar <rrach...@gmail.com>

>
> > Dear Raghu Kiran,
> >>      Just my two cents. Elders may correct. It is true that a person reaps
> >> the fruits of his past deeds. But where he enjoys the fruits depends on the
> >> type of deed he performs (. If he performs a highly pious deed which is
> >> capable of bringing forth enjoyment in Heaven, he is taken to Heaven to let
> >> him enjoy the fruit. If it is an ordinary pious deed which brings forth
> >> happiness in this world itself, he enjoys the fruits in the next birth in
> >> the martya loka. Same with papa phala also.
>
> >> हरये नमः
> >> राचूरि आचार्य
> >> मम स्वामी हरिर्नित्यं सर्वस्य पतिरेव च ।
> >> त्वमस्माकं तवस्मसि
>

> >> 2010/8/11 ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ్ శర్మ <msrki...@gmail.com>

>
> >>  नमस्सर्वेभ्यो विद्वद्भ्यः
>
> >>> One of our friends asked this question:
>
> >>> "When it is said that every man has to reap the fruits, whether good or

> >>> bad, of the *karma* performed in his previous life, why should there be
> >>> hell or heaven to make people experience the *punya phala* or *paapa
> >>> phala*?"

[Jagannatha s]

Respected Shrikanth,

 

I am very happy to know that this verse is from Mahabharata. My joy knew no bound by reading  the second half. Thank you very much Mr. Srikanth.

 

Some  typing errors are occurred in shloka you typed.

 

तांस तर्केण  should be  तांस्तर्केण

परकृतिभ्यः परं यत तु तद अचिन्त्यस्य should be प्रकृतिभ्यः परं यत् तु तदचिन्त्यस्य

 

Sincerely yours,

Jagannatha.

2010/8/12 SriKanth! <srikk...@gmail.com>

[Arun]

Heaven and hell are relative terms. 'Iha' or 'Idam' = this created
universe. This can be whole visble universe or this earth planet only
as per context. 'Tat', 'Adas" etc mean the invisible creator. Detached
creator or unimaginable is'Nirvishesha brahma' or 'Parama-shiva' as
per Shaiva-darshana. 'Ishvara' is creator form-in this sense, it has
been used in Gita (18/61)-Ishvarah sarva bhutanam Hriddeshe'rjuna
tishthati. In one sense, the whole universe beyond earth is dyu (sky).
Mundakopanishad tells about 4 lokas-earth = Bhu, planetary system or a
part = Bhuvar, Svar =solar system, mahar = everything beyond solar
system. In general, this 'mahar' has been divided into 4 lokas-making
a total of 7-Mahar = sphere around sun with diameter equal to width of
spiral arm of galaxy here, Janah = galaxy, Tapah =visible universe ,
Satya loka = infinite space, called Purusha or Svayambhu mandala also.
Measures of these are given in Vedic and puranic literature in 6
different units. For that, my article-'units of length and time' may
be seen on www.scribd.com/Arunupadhyay. All the outer lokas have been
called-Urdhva or Urdhva-vishala in Sankhya philosophy (See-sankhya
book in Hindi on above website-chapter 3). Heaven and hell in outer
space have 2 concepts. Kathopanishat (1/3/1) tells zones of Chhaya
(shadow) and 'Atapa' (brightness). Accordingly, bright part of Saturn
is called 'Dharma' (Heaven) and dark part is called 'Yama' (hell). The
ring around satun has been called Vaitarani river whose 3 zones are
named as Pilumati, Udanvati and Pradyau (paradise ?) in Atharva-veda
(18/1/54, 59, and 18/2/7, 47, 48). Solar system is called Rodasi
having fluctuations, krandasi is galaxy having accumulation of all
light of 100 billion suns, and sanyati is whole universe which is
always static. Complete solar system is Indra (radiation ) svarga. It
is surrounded by Ap or Varuna-svarga of Galaxy. As Janah loka, it is
called 'Jannat' in Koran. Solar system is divided into 2,3, or 6 zones
(1) 2 zones are Brihaspati =Planetary zone, Indra = outer zone mostly
with radiation. (3) 3 zones are 3 steps of Vishnu within solar system.
Parama-pada of Vishnu is last limit where sun rays can reach or seen
as a point-that is galaxy. Zone within earth orbit is Rudra or excess
heat upto 100 sun-diameters (Shata yojane ha va Adityah Itastapati-
kaushitaki Brahmana). Excess heat may be called hell-fire. Zone upto
1000 diameter (earth to saturn) is 'Shiva' =calm, called Rashmi zone
alao-Sahasram haita Adityasya rashmayah. Zone upto 1 lakh sun diameter
is called 'Shivatara' and beyond that upto 157 lakh diameters is
called 'Shivatama'. Beyond solar system in Mahar-loka is 'Sadashiva'.
It is mixed with 'Ambhah' of galaxy-so it is called 'Samba-Sadashiva'
also. (3) Six zones are called 'Vashatkara' starting with earth at 3,
9, 15, 21, 27, 33 aharganas-Trimshat dhama Vi-rajati, vak Patangaya
Dhiyate. Prati vastoh Aha dyubhih. (Rig veda 10/189/3). Earth has 3
zones within it, beyond that, field of sun is upto 30 dhamas, where
its light is more (than galaxy background). Each zone is measured in
"Ahar'
Then there are grades of Deva-svargas, centered around saturn at 21
ahargana. That is from 17 (near earth) to 25 (Balakhilyas =plutonic
bodies at 60 A.U.) aharganas. These are 9 Deva-svargas. Zone near
earth has mixed effect of all three-earth (agni), moon and sun-called
eyes of Shiva (Mundaka etc). Since effects are not clearly separated,
it is called 'nachiketa-svarga'. Chiketa = distinct.
On earth surface also, there are classification of 7 lokas in 3 lokas
of Indra also-called Russia, China and India. Each is divided into 3
each -making a total of 7 with 2 common at boundaries. These are- (1)
Bhu =south of Vindhyas, (2) Bhuvar-Between Vindhyas and Himalaya.
Dilip has been called Madhyama-lokapal in Raghuvamsha 2/46. Even now,
persons of plain region of Nepal are called madhesa (madhya-desha).
(3) Himalaya is Svarga called Devatatma. Its 3 zones are called Tri-
vishtapa. catchment of Sindhu river system is called Vishnu-vitapa,
catchment of Ganga system is Shiva-vitapa and catchment of Brahmaputra
system is Brahma-vitapa. (4) China is Mahar loka. Brahma had called
these people as mahan (Han tribe), so it is mahar loka as per puranas.
(5) Janah loka is Mangolia. In space, mahar loka is final place of
souls (Vishnu purana 2/7 etc). In Arabic, Mukul =soul. (6) Tapah loka
=Siberia. It is Tapas =steppees. (7) satya loka = polar circle around
north pole.
Remaining world was divided into 7 'Tala'- (1) Atala =Europe (Italy),
(2) Talatala =north Africa, (3) Atalantaka =Atlantice, (4)Patala
=north America, (5) Rasatala =south America (with large water body of
Amazon. (6) Sutala =South Africa, (7) Vitala = Australia -Agni dvipa
in Agni kona from India. Antarctica was called yama-dvipa, Yama is
lord of south, yama = twin also as it is double land. Its nearest land
is also double called Yamakoti dvipa (Newzealand) having Yama-koti-
pattana at 90 degree east of Ujjain (Surya siddhanta etc).
In warm regions, higher zone of Himalayas is Svarga and undersea land
near Dead-sea is Hell. It was place of Yama-Vaivasvata of
Kathopanishat called Jamashed in Zenda-Avesta. In cold regions, plain
land is Sverge (local name of Sweden) and hills are Norge (Norway).
Europe also is divided into 3 lokas-Bhu =close to Bhumadhya-sagara,
south of that was Mura (Morocco) killed by Krishna. Middle is Bhuvar
(Bavarian plains of central Europe) and north is Svarga (Sweden).
South America zones are named as puras of iron, silver, gold. Brazil =
iron (literal meaning), Argentina =silver (Argentum in Greek) and
south part or Antarctica may be Gold-called place of Ananta. Details
may be seen in Geography of Purans on the website.-Arun

On 11 अग, 17:11, ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ్ శర్మ <msrki...@gmail.com> wrote:
> नमस्सर्वेभ्यो विद्वद्भ्यः
>
> One of our friends asked this question:
>
> "When it is said that every man has to reap the fruits, whether good or bad,

> of the *karma* performed in his previous life, why should there be hell or

> heaven to make people experience the *punya phala* or *paapa phala*?"
>

[ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ్ శర్మ]

नमस्सर्वेभ्यो महाजनेभ्यो विद्वद्भ्यः

Based on the discussion so far, I understand that one should not "think" "logically" about things which are beyond nature.

As per श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम् the fruits are to be enjoyed right here, for whatever one does either good or bad, heaven and hell are right here.

Somehow I feel my question is still not answered! More doubts arose in my mind, which I am unable to articulate now!! कालो हि भगवान् कर्ता सततं सुखदुःखयोः। नराणां परतन्त्राणां पुण्यपापानुयोगतः।।

प्रणामाः

राघवः

[VKG]

Dear Raghava!

I was keenly observing the suggestions from othe members.

Let me debate to find Simple Answer to your Query:

1.अत्युत्कटैः पुण्यपापै रिहैव फल मश्नुते।
2. पूर्व जन्म कृतं पापं व्याधिरूपेण पीडतम्।
3. पुण्यचितो लोकः क्षीयते।

These are the oft quoted references.
One Logical Inference to the concept of Hell and Heaven. (It is a
Carrot and Stick Idiom)
1. Paapa Bheeti (Fearing the sin and its repercussions) is the most
vital part to keep the society on the track of Dharma. Lack of it,
results in moral degeneration. Hence, the Hell (and its ruler - Yama)
is a threatening deterrent to wrong doing.

2. Similarly, Meritorious Deeds attract prizes in the form of Swarga.
Every action will have equivalent and adquate effect. Similarly, the
extent of Swarga Vaasa is proporitionate to your Sat Karma.

Then Your first Question:
If every deed (good or bad) yields result in this birth or the other;
why do you need Hell or Heaven?

The Simple Reason:

To endure the comprehensive Luxuries or Punishments, which cannot be
visibly experienced by a human body, a meta physical phenomenon is
required. That is Swarga or Naraka, where this Sooksha Sareera alone
travels, assumes the Bhoga Sareera of that world to endure the fruits
of the deeds in this world.

1. Luxuries or the Difficulties, described in any religious texts are
beyond comprehension, with this mortal body. This is more relevant to
Hell, as this body cannot withstand the harsh punishments. Hence, the
Puraana Vaakyas describe that the Sooksha Sareera only travels to the
Hell to undergo sufferings. (That Samskaara of Pain would be inflicted
on the perpetrator and another Bhoga Sareera, a garb is assumed to
under the the punishment.)

2. Similarly this gross body (Sthoola) cannot travel to experience a
celestial comfort, for which another Bhoga Sareera is assumed to have
been given to each of us.

For this reason only, every faith has a description about the
aftermath of this life in the concepts of Hell and Heaven. Thus, the
concept of Naraka and Swarga keep the humanities on the track of
Dharma/ Righteousness.

Epilogue (According to the Adwaita thought):

If there is nothing else, other than the omni present,omni potent,
Limitless Para Brahman, everything else is just a mirage. Whatever
appears to be real is not so, compared to the experiences of the
dream. In that sense, neither this world, nor the others are real.

Only One - Sarvam Brahma.
Regards
VKG
Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi

On Aug 13, 4:40 pm, ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ్ శర్మ <msrki...@gmail.com>
wrote:

[ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ్ శర్మ]

नमांसि वंशीकृष्णाय घनपाठिनः

Thank you for the clarification. Whatever the "mortal body" or sthoola sareera can experience will be experienced by it, and whatever is beyond its experiences is experienced by sthoola and bhoga sareeras.

You referred to this mortal body as sthoola sareera. How many such sareeras exist for an individual? Do you mean to say that the others mentioned (sookshma and bhoga sareeras) are immortal? Is it because they are immortal that it is they which carry the vaasanas from the previous birth? Are these immortal only till one attains moksha? Can you please suggest me any book to read in this regard?

As far as I can understand, till one realizes that one and One are the same, the world is real.

सप्रणामः

राघवः

[Dr. S. Ramakrishna Sharma]

यादृशोऽसि महादेव ! तादृशाय नमो नम:!!
नम विद्वद्भ्य:,

>As far as I can understand, till one realizes that one and One are the same, the world is real.

संसार: स्वप्नतुल्यो हि रागद्वेशादिसंकुल: ।
स्वकाले सत्यवत् भाति प्रबोधे सत्यासत् भवेत् ।।(आत्मबोध:)
While this has to be understood in the light of जीवसृष्टि:
created by rAga and dvesha,
"अपि च नात्र विवदितव्यं ------देहधारणम् ब्रह्मवेदनम् च-----"(ब्र-सू-शं-भा)
This Jivanmukti is possible only if there is ईश्वरसृष्टि:which is unopposed to
स्वरूपज्ञानं|
Le there be the gold ornament to wear and gold to weigh. What is the loss?
Sri Vidyaranya points out in Vedanta Panchadashi that ईश्वरसृष्टि:which is unopposed to  स्वरूपज्ञानं| Only जीवसृष्टि:creates problems.

2010/8/14 ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ్ శర్మ <msrk...@gmail.com>

राघवः

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अथ चेत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं संग्रामं न करिष्यसि।
ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि।।
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः।
निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः।। (भ.गी.)

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Aangirasa/Dr.S.Ramakrishna Sharma. M.A.,Ph.D.(Eng.Lit.),Ph.D.(Sanskrit.).

[piyali palit]

Namaste. Firstly, I seek apology for entering into this dialogue without permission of Ghanapathiji to whom the questions were asked.  My response (in blue) to the questions raised are : 1. You referred to this mortal body as sthoola sareera. How many such sareeras exist for an individual? - Innumerable, since this sthoola sareera undergoes gradual 'viparinaama' in every moment. 2.  Do you mean to say that the others mentioned (sookshma and bhoga sareeras) are immortal? Is it because they are immortal that it is they which carry the vaasanas from the previous birth? Are these immortal only till one attains moksha?  - Yes. you are right in a way. This immortality actually means these sookshma and bhoga/karma sareeras are not made of perishable materials like sthoola sareeras. But, if one understands mortality in terms of 'viparinaama' and its result then obviously these sareeras are also not immortal, since they change their shapes and forms according to bhoga and kaala. 3. Can you please suggest me any book to read in this regard? - You may check vivid descriptions of all these states/sareeras in Brahma-suutra-shaankara-bhashya III & IV chapter, Chhandogya & BRhadaaranyaka upanisat-bhashya and Bhaagavatapurana. 4. As far as I can understand, till one realizes that one and One are the same, the world is real. - Your understanding is without contradiction to Sankara's, to quote - 'yushmadasmat-pratyaya-gocarayoh vishaya-vishayino tamaHprakaasavad-viruddhusvabhaavayoH itaretarabhaavaanupapattau siddhaayaam taddharmaanaam api sutaraam itaretarabhaavaanupapattiH. ityataH asmatpratyayagocare vishayini cidaatmake yushmatpratyayagocarasya vishayasya taddharmaanaam ca adhyaasaH, tadviparyayena vishayinaH taddharmaanaam ca vishaye adhyaasaH mithyaa bhavitum yuktam. tathaapi anyonyasmin anyonyaatmakataam anyonyadhrmaaMsca adhyasya itaretaraavivekena atyanta-viviktayoH dharma-dharminoH mithyaajnaananimittaH satyaanRte mithuniikRtya aham idam mama idam iti naisargikaH ayam loka-vyavahaaraH.' Regards. Piyali Palit

From: ముక్కు శ్రీరాఘవకిరణ <msrk...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Heaven and hell

To: bvpar...@googlegroups.com Date: Saturday, 14 August, 2010, 7:44 PM

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