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Sri Brahma-Samhita
According to Vedic tradition, these "Hymns of Brahma" were recited or sung countless millennia ago by the first embodied being, Lord Brahma, just before he created the universe. The book consists of a brief description of Brahma's enlightenment by Lord Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, followed by Brahma's extraordinarily beautiful prayers elucidating the content of his revelation. Sri Brahma-samhita contains extensive commentary by Srila Prabhupada's spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.
157 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 11, 2023
The Brahma Samhita is a Sanskrit sectarian text that belongs to a religious movement in Hinduism that originated in late 1st millennium BCE around the ideas of Narayana and the various avatars of Vishnu as their central deities.
The movement later merged with the ancient Bhagavata tradition and contributed to the development of Vaishnavism.
Brahma-Samhita is nothing more than a praise poetry that expresses admiration of, gives homage to, and makes extravagant proclamation about the positive attributes of someone, and, in the case of the Samhita, of Lord Krishna.
Similar texts can be found in other Shanmatas like "Shaktas", "Saivism", "Ganapathyam", "Kaumaram" and "sun worship". Therefore, there is noting unique or remarkable about Brahma-Samhita.
I have given only one star for the text because the person who comments on the 62 verses is obviously an unapologetic sectarian whose sole aim is to promote his sect, and at the same, to denigrate other sampradayats and belief system.
There are yet other reasons for my giving only one star for this text: one, if one reads the author's Foreword and some of his commentaries, one wonders at the author's proficiency in the English language. The following extract from the Foreword is an example: "Aspersions of calumniation are restricted in the limited world, whereas transcendence cannot admit such angularities being an angle of 180 degrees or void of any angular discrepancies." Gobbledygook! (And, this is the type of views that can be found throughout the text. Admirers of the Hare Krsnas and people who would not want to seem offensive prefer to think that the author "is writing at a level of transcendence that is beyond the hoi polloi's mundane understanding".
Another reason for my giving but one star is, the Indian edition that I possess is coming apart at the spine. (Book-lovers, eschew all books from India).
I should not recommend this text to anyone who should like to gain a better understanding of Hinduism, Hindu scriptures, sadhana, and spiritual practice.
The movement later merged with the ancient Bhagavata tradition and contributed to the development of Vaishnavism.
Brahma-Samhita is nothing more than a praise poetry that expresses admiration of, gives homage to, and makes extravagant proclamation about the positive attributes of someone, and, in the case of the Samhita, of Lord Krishna.
Similar texts can be found in other Shanmatas like "Shaktas", "Saivism", "Ganapathyam", "Kaumaram" and "sun worship". Therefore, there is noting unique or remarkable about Brahma-Samhita.
I have given only one star for the text because the person who comments on the 62 verses is obviously an unapologetic sectarian whose sole aim is to promote his sect, and at the same, to denigrate other sampradayats and belief system.
There are yet other reasons for my giving only one star for this text: one, if one reads the author's Foreword and some of his commentaries, one wonders at the author's proficiency in the English language. The following extract from the Foreword is an example: "Aspersions of calumniation are restricted in the limited world, whereas transcendence cannot admit such angularities being an angle of 180 degrees or void of any angular discrepancies." Gobbledygook! (And, this is the type of views that can be found throughout the text. Admirers of the Hare Krsnas and people who would not want to seem offensive prefer to think that the author "is writing at a level of transcendence that is beyond the hoi polloi's mundane understanding".
Another reason for my giving but one star is, the Indian edition that I possess is coming apart at the spine. (Book-lovers, eschew all books from India).
I should not recommend this text to anyone who should like to gain a better understanding of Hinduism, Hindu scriptures, sadhana, and spiritual practice.
September 21, 2023
I was so excited to read one of the oldest of Hindu scriptures - Sri Brahma Samhita… I was first exposed to this sacred text back in 2005-06 when I heard the melodious chanting of verses from the Brahma Samhita at ISKCON (Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi).
I deeply regret to say this, but this small booklet translated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (Guru of Srila Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON) killed my excitement to read this scared text, almost instantly.
I am not a post graduate in the English language, however, years of voracious reading has enhanced my vocabulary and comprehension of the English language substantially. Despite my fluency in English, I struggled to read the Introduction and Foreword of this book. It feels as if vying to use the toughest words possible, the author has tried to use them all in a single sentence/paragraph. Reading only 1.5 verses (out of 62 that make up this book), and seeing the writing style getting no better, I gave up.
From the Foreword of the book (verbatim): “Aspersions of calumniation are restricted in the limited world, whereas transcendence cannot admit such angularities being an angle of 180 degrees or void of any angular discrepancies.” I re-read this sentence almost a dozen times. What is this even supposed to mean?
The book is nothing more than a random set of jumbled tough words. The second book to go into my ‘abandoned’ shelf. Truly disappointed.
I deeply regret to say this, but this small booklet translated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (Guru of Srila Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON) killed my excitement to read this scared text, almost instantly.
I am not a post graduate in the English language, however, years of voracious reading has enhanced my vocabulary and comprehension of the English language substantially. Despite my fluency in English, I struggled to read the Introduction and Foreword of this book. It feels as if vying to use the toughest words possible, the author has tried to use them all in a single sentence/paragraph. Reading only 1.5 verses (out of 62 that make up this book), and seeing the writing style getting no better, I gave up.
From the Foreword of the book (verbatim): “Aspersions of calumniation are restricted in the limited world, whereas transcendence cannot admit such angularities being an angle of 180 degrees or void of any angular discrepancies.” I re-read this sentence almost a dozen times. What is this even supposed to mean?
The book is nothing more than a random set of jumbled tough words. The second book to go into my ‘abandoned’ shelf. Truly disappointed.
September 24, 2023
Let us come to know some praises of Sri Brahma Samhita.
The #book cover is looked so royal. On above of it, the sitting place of Brahma ji on a burgeous lotus flower with silky pink shade. Then, we could see all the creative desires are coming out of four headed Brahma ji.
This book is full of nectareous slokas which have been spoken by Brahma ji himself to the Supreme Lord in whom everything exists, from whom everything emanates, and everything will enter in it. Brahma ji, the dweller of Satya Loka or Brahma-Loka the topmost Loka of our 14 lokas planetary system, says -
ईश्वरः परमः कृष्णः सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहः।
अनादिरादिर्गोविन्दः सर्वकारणकारणम्॥
Krsna who is known as #govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful #spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes.
Brahma ji assures that krsna is the Supreme personality among all devas and devis. It is no doubt in the position of supreme authority. However, people who have four defects namely (1) committing mistakes, (2) cheating others, (3) remain in illusion and (4) imperfect senses of body, do not want to accept it. Why? Because they want to be chated by rascals pandits, politician, influencers, leaders and so on. People want to exploit this earth without restriction. Therefore, they do not want to accept the Supreme authority of Godhead, Krsna. As you can see, there are so much pollution - air, water, polythene, noise, water, chemicals etc. Why? Because people are exhausting mother earth for their sense gratification. They think " there is no one proprietor of this earth. Okay, we are free to exploit and waste uncontrollably."
#बीजं प्रधानं प्रकृतिः पुमांश्च ।
Krsna Himself says, I am the seed of pradhana (the matter), prakrti (nature), purusa (cause).
No one dev or devi claims that he or she is the seed of creation but krsna says it.
What should we do now? When we come to know who is our real father?
We start making a relationship with Him doing #service to lord #krsna . Then, We live #happily , #blissfully, #peacefully and #satisfied .
All glories to HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada ji for teaching how to #love God, krsna. Special thanks to HG Vaikunth Vraj Prabhu ji, my spiritual teacher who has encouraged me to preach glories of God, krsna, through what I have inherent skills.
The #book cover is looked so royal. On above of it, the sitting place of Brahma ji on a burgeous lotus flower with silky pink shade. Then, we could see all the creative desires are coming out of four headed Brahma ji.
This book is full of nectareous slokas which have been spoken by Brahma ji himself to the Supreme Lord in whom everything exists, from whom everything emanates, and everything will enter in it. Brahma ji, the dweller of Satya Loka or Brahma-Loka the topmost Loka of our 14 lokas planetary system, says -
ईश्वरः परमः कृष्णः सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहः।
अनादिरादिर्गोविन्दः सर्वकारणकारणम्॥
Krsna who is known as #govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful #spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes.
Brahma ji assures that krsna is the Supreme personality among all devas and devis. It is no doubt in the position of supreme authority. However, people who have four defects namely (1) committing mistakes, (2) cheating others, (3) remain in illusion and (4) imperfect senses of body, do not want to accept it. Why? Because they want to be chated by rascals pandits, politician, influencers, leaders and so on. People want to exploit this earth without restriction. Therefore, they do not want to accept the Supreme authority of Godhead, Krsna. As you can see, there are so much pollution - air, water, polythene, noise, water, chemicals etc. Why? Because people are exhausting mother earth for their sense gratification. They think " there is no one proprietor of this earth. Okay, we are free to exploit and waste uncontrollably."
#बीजं प्रधानं प्रकृतिः पुमांश्च ।
Krsna Himself says, I am the seed of pradhana (the matter), prakrti (nature), purusa (cause).
No one dev or devi claims that he or she is the seed of creation but krsna says it.
What should we do now? When we come to know who is our real father?
We start making a relationship with Him doing #service to lord #krsna . Then, We live #happily , #blissfully, #peacefully and #satisfied .
All glories to HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada ji for teaching how to #love God, krsna. Special thanks to HG Vaikunth Vraj Prabhu ji, my spiritual teacher who has encouraged me to preach glories of God, krsna, through what I have inherent skills.
December 17, 2022
Very nice book to read. If one go through this book, will ger a clear understanding of spirituality and it is all about, what's our relationship with The Supreme.
Specially, this book contains knowledge, which has roots connected to Brahma-Madhav Sampradaya, which is authorized chain of receiving knowledge. It's not the opinion of any mortal being or any mundane scholar like we may find now-a-days giving their own interpretations on spirituality.
Although, the use of English is very deep because it was translates from Sanskrit to English way back 100 yrs ago. But very nice, one must read this book, if sincerely wants to drop dive into God's Abode.
Specially, this book contains knowledge, which has roots connected to Brahma-Madhav Sampradaya, which is authorized chain of receiving knowledge. It's not the opinion of any mortal being or any mundane scholar like we may find now-a-days giving their own interpretations on spirituality.
Although, the use of English is very deep because it was translates from Sanskrit to English way back 100 yrs ago. But very nice, one must read this book, if sincerely wants to drop dive into God's Abode.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews