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Question on the five manifestations

From the Bhakti List Archives

M Srinivasan • November 17, 1997 


In his continuing series on the Sahasranama, Sri. Krishnamachari had given for
'caturvyooha' a comment by Sri Sankara Bhagavatpaada on the fourfold
manifestations of the Lord as Vaasudeva, SamkarshaNa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha.
After discussing this with Sri Krishnamachari, I understand that Sri Sankara
quotes in this context a saying of Sri Vyaasa Bhagavaan (Vyaasa vacanam) as
the pramaaNa (authority). If any one knows where this Vyaasa vacanam occurs,
may I request you to kindly explain the context?

I was under the impression that the Paancaraatra Aagama was the primary
authority on the Lord's five modes (i.e the Para, the fourfold Vyooha,
Vibhava, Archa and Antharyami) and that Sri Sankara did not accept the
praamaaNyam (authoritativeness) of the Paancaraatra Aagama. A question arises
whether there are other pramaaNas among the sruti, smiriti, itihaasas and
puraaNas for the other four of the five modes. Could someone clarify this?

dasan Srinivasan