Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

The Karmi scientists say "At its closest point, the Moon gets to 363,104 km (225,622 miles), and at its furthest point, its 405,696 km (252,088 miles), which is interesting if the Surya Siddhanta places it almost the same distance.

Although as we know the Vedic scriptures tell us a completely different story about the structures of the universe as compared to the Karmi scientists.

I have not read Surya Siddhanta, but I would be keen to read it, if you or anyone finds a link please post it here.

> Vedic scriptures tell us a completely different story about the structures of the universe as compared to the Karmi scientists.

That refers to Puranas. Siddhantas like Surya describe the human view.

Kyros, you can find it all in here:
http://www.scientificexploration.org/journal/jse_11_2_thompson.pdf
this is Sadaputas paper on planetary diameters and orbital dimensions.

[quote][cite] VEDA:[/cite]> Vedic scriptures tell us a completely different story about the structures of the universe as compared to the Karmi scientists.

That refers to Puranas. Siddhantas like Surya describe the human view.[/quote]

Correct. Puranas show the multi-dimensional, non-linear view of the universe as experienced by the yogis and vedic shamans (soma drinkers).

Im sorry Kula Pavana, but soma is not an entheogen, what has given you this impression? Vedas are not shamanistic.

According to Collins: soma is an intoxicating plant juice drink used in Vedic rituals. MW defines it as an intoxicating juice from a plant of disputed identity that was used in ancient India as an offering to the gods and as a drink of immortality by worshippers in Vedic ritual and worshipped in personified form as a Vedic god. Oxford: an intoxicating drink prepared from a plant and used in Vedic ritual, believed to be the drink of the gods. According to Srila Prabhupada: The demigods are accustomed to drinking the soma-rasa beverage, and therefore the drinking of wine and intoxication are not unknown to them. SB 1.15.34. Of course it is not a demoniac shamanic drink.

Vedic shamanism was in the mode of goodness. Soma gave one access to the higher worlds, not lower worlds like most other shamanic trips.

Samanism in the mode of goodness is not shamanism.

[quote][cite] borokrsnadasa:[/cite]Samanism in the mode of goodness is not shamanism.[/quote]
How well do you know the Atharva Veda? It is a very shamanic group of texts. With Rig Veda not too far behind.

Vedic religion is not Shamanism. There is Chepang Shamanism (from Nepal). The difference is that
Shamans are not based in Varanasrama and dharma. Even lowcast Pahari of Nepal and bhopas of Rajastan would
follow special requirement for purification, no sex, meat and alcohol. But any shamanic practice is always
contrasted and is considered outcast by brahmanas. It is brahmanas that can present Vedas, and
shamans are always outcasts. Maybe if a lowborn reads on the Vedas he will think it is Shamanic.

[quote][cite] borokrsnadasa:[/cite]Vedic religion is not Shamanism. [/quote]
To some extent it depends on your definition of shamanism. Many people would argue that the early Vedic period contained a strong shamanic element. And tere is nothing wrong with that - quite the opposite.