Mystery regarding the scriptural texts

Most of the scriptural writings are filled with symbolisms which need not be taken in the literal sense.

It's like the scripture telling that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day and that God made the man in his own image and the woman from man’s rib.

There is hardly any reason for people to argue about this, like why did God take six days to create the world and that too in such a messed up condition (full of misery and unhappiness)? Or, should people argue about the need for God to take rest on the seventh day?

Moreover, should women go on television and complain, like they are seen doing sometimes these days, that the abuse and discrimination against women by men are the result of scripture implying that women are not equal to men since God did not create woman in his own image like he did in the case of man and that God only made woman from man’s rib after creating man in his own image?

Furthermore, consider the scriptural narration about Adam and Eve living in Paradise which in art form shows Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden almost naked (except for their private parts only covered with fig leaves).

According to this story, one day a Serpent appeared in the Garden of Eden and guided Eve to an apple tree and asked her to sample the fruit. Eve called Adam to her side and they both ate the fruit from the apple tree. This made God very angry with Adam and Eve and he immediately kicked them out of Paradise, sending them to Earth.

One might think that this probably would be an opportunity for Adam and Eve to dress up properly (covered from head to toe on Earth instead of living near-nakedly in Paradise) and shun the despicable apple fruit (the cause for their ejection from the Garden of Eden).

Anyway, there is no reason for anyone to question the decision of God (the most benevolent and merciful) to eject Adam and Eve from Paradise (the Garden of Eden) and send them to Earth, thinking that what they had done (eating the apple) was a small infraction.

No need also for anyone to think that God, the almighty, should have gotten rid of the Serpent and the apple tree in the beginning, before they were able to mislead Adam and Eve and have them thrown out of the Garden of Eden for eating an apple.

Similarly, no reason for anyone to bother that the Serpent, whom the omniscient God knew as the real culprit in this misdeed (deviously showing the apple to Eve in the beginning and thus manipulating Adam and Eve into eating it later), should have been punished (even exterminated) by God and not that Adam and Eve (the innocently misled couple) needed to be ejected by God out of the Garden of Eden.

More on this topic in the comments section in the following blog,

"Irfan Habib and Purusha Sukta (10.90) of RgVeda: Some Questions on Logic" ---

http://creative.sulekha.com/irfan-habib-and-purusha-sukta-10-90-of-rgveda-some-questions-on-logic_602880_blog

http://creative.sulekha.com/mystery-regarding-the-scriptural-texts_603331_blog (blog)

Good morning dear Seva:)

I have heard so many religious, historical and scientific theories/interpretations- related to Book of Genesis in the Bible..don't think I'll get into it! From my own reading and interpretation..much of it is Allegory. There is enough for me to try to even remotely follow in the four Gospels (which I interpret for myself)!

Anyways, saw your post, came over..good to see you, hope you are doing well.

Have not visited Sulekha in a long time..meet most of the friends and folks in Fb and other sites..will have to stop by there soon.

take care.

Seva, what is your interpretation of the following:

Following is the 12th section of the first chapter of the Chandogya Upanisad. This passage is complete in itself.
Now next the Udgitha of the dogs. So Baka Dalbhya--or Glava Maitreya--went forth for Veda-study.Unto him there appeared a white dog. Around this one, other dogs gathered and said: 'Do you, Sir, obtain food for us by singing. Verily we are hungry.'Then he (the white dog) said to them:'In the morning may you assemble unto me here at this spot.' So Baka Dalbhya--or Glava Maitreya--kept watch. Then even as (priests) here, when they are about to chant the Bahispavamana Stotra, glide hand in hand, so did they glide on. They they (the dogs) sat down and performed the preliminary vocalizing(himkara).(They sang): 'Om!Let us eat. Om! Let us drink! Deva, Varuna, Prajapati, Savitri, gather food here. O Lord of Food!Gather food here--Yea, gather it here. Om!'

sandilya, i would appreciate it if you also share your thoughts on the above passage.

Maria S wrote:Good morning dear Seva:)

I have heard so many religious, historical and scientific theories/interpretations- related to Book of Genesis in the Bible..don't think I'll get into it! From my own reading and interpretation..much of it is Allegory. There is enough for me to try to even remotely follow in the four Gospels (which I interpret for myself)!

Anyways, saw your post, came over..good to see you, hope you are doing well.

Have not visited Sulekha in a long time..meet most of the friends and folks in Fb and other sites..will have to stop by there soon.

take care.

Good Afternoon dear Maria.
You are right about many things in the ancient literatures and scriptures being of allegorical nature. Anyway nice to see your response / comment. You take care too.
Seva

Rashmun wrote:Seva, what is your interpretation of the following:

Following is the 12th section of the first chapter of the Chandogya Upanisad. This passage is complete in itself.
Now next the Udgitha of the dogs. So Baka Dalbhya--or Glava Maitreya--went forth for Veda-study.Unto him there appeared a white dog. Around this one, other dogs gathered and said: 'Do you, Sir, obtain food for us by singing. Verily we are hungry.'Then he (the white dog) said to them:'In the morning may you assemble unto me here at this spot.' So Baka Dalbhya--or Glava Maitreya--kept watch. Then even as (priests) here, when they are about to chant the Bahispavamana Stotra, glide hand in hand, so did they glide on. They they (the dogs) sat down and performed the preliminary vocalizing(himkara).(They sang): 'Om!Let us eat. Om! Let us drink! Deva, Varuna, Prajapati, Savitri, gather food here. O Lord of Food!Gather food here--Yea, gather it here. Om!'

sandilya, i would appreciate it if you also share your thoughts on the above passage.

Rashmun, I have to look at its context in the original text to give a proper response and I will do that when I have free time. Most of it is quite symbolic anyway and intended probably as a parable.

Seva Lamberdar wrote:

Rashmun wrote:Seva, what is your interpretation of the following:

Following is the 12th section of the first chapter of the Chandogya Upanisad. This passage is complete in itself.
Now next the Udgitha of the dogs. So Baka Dalbhya--or Glava Maitreya--went forth for Veda-study.Unto him there appeared a white dog. Around this one, other dogs gathered and said: 'Do you, Sir, obtain food for us by singing. Verily we are hungry.'Then he (the white dog) said to them:'In the morning may you assemble unto me here at this spot.' So Baka Dalbhya--or Glava Maitreya--kept watch. Then even as (priests) here, when they are about to chant the Bahispavamana Stotra, glide hand in hand, so did they glide on. They they (the dogs) sat down and performed the preliminary vocalizing(himkara).(They sang): 'Om!Let us eat. Om! Let us drink! Deva, Varuna, Prajapati, Savitri, gather food here. O Lord of Food!Gather food here--Yea, gather it here. Om!'

sandilya, i would appreciate it if you also share your thoughts on the above passage.

Rashmun, I have to look at its context in the original text to give a proper response and I will do that when I have free time. Most of it is quite symbolic anyway and intended probably as a parable.

One point of interest is whether the passage i gave is to be interpreted as humor/jest (the sages poking fun at the priests) or whether it should be interpreted as serious in tone and content.