Why Are Hindu Scriptures Sometimes Contradictory?

This audio tells you about - 1. How Shastras sometimes apparently contradict each other 2. Why Rishis want to know just the essence of shastras.

Why Are Hindu Scriptures Sometimes Contradictory?

The first Suta, Lomaharshana, was the direct disciple of Sage Vyasa. He was narrating Puranas to the Rishis in Naimisharanya during their thousand-year-long yaga. He was killed by Lord Balarama. There was a misunderstanding, and the Lord, in a fit of anger, killed Lomaharshana. But when he realized what had happened, the Lord transferred all the knowledge and qualities of Lomaharshana onto the body of his son, Ugrashrava. He also blessed Ugrashrava with longevity till the end of the yaga. After this, Ugrashrava continued narrating the Puranas in the place of his father.

See what all can be done with yogic power. Balarama was a mahayogi. Of course, he is an avatara of Adishesha. But now he is in human form. Even then, he had so much power in him. He had used Brahmastra to kill Lomaharshana. Then, after realizing the misunderstanding, he transferred everything that Lomaharshana had onto his son’s body. Why did Balarama not revive Lomaharshana himself? That would have been an insult to Brahmastra.

There was a small difference between Lomaharshana and his son Ugrashrava. Lomaharshana never left Naimisharanya. But Ugrashrava went to the banks of the Ganga when Shukadeva was narrating Shrimad Bhagavata to Raja Parikshit. He listened, learned, and then came back to Naimisharanya to narrate the same to the Rishis. This was towards the end of the thousand-year-long yaga.

The Rishis had a strange demand. They wanted to listen to the essence of all shastras, the essence of all teachings. They had heard all other Puranas by then. Shastras are Puranas, teachings based on historical incidents. Historical incidents are narrated so that people can learn what is dharma and what is adharma. The shastras are sometimes apparently contradictory. One shastra will say to do this; another shastra will say not to do it.

For example, the performer of a yajna has to take a deeksha on the previous day. Deeksha is upavasa. From that time, it is as if the Devatas of the particular yajna are present in the yaga vedi. They are like guests. They are given offerings only on the next day. Till that time, can the yajamana, the performer of the yajna, take any food? Naturally, no, because there are guests, and they have not been offered anything. How can the host alone have food? This is what you might think.

But there is a problem here. If you abstain from taking food on the previous night of any ritual, then it resembles pitru-karma. So, the yajna, which is a Deva-karya, may end up looking like a Pitru-karya. You are changing the nature of the ritual. This is one argument. What to do now? The yajamana can take something that the Devas do not consume, such as what grows underground. So there are two options. Either ignore the argument and do complete fasting, risking diluting the nature of the yajna, or take something that Devas do not take. But then, the host is taking food when the guests are not given anything.

Such confusions are there in shastras. There are clear solutions, but it can be confusing for many people. So, the Rishis did not want to get into all these anymore. They just wanted the essence, which would not confuse. So, they asked Suta one question. They made one demand.

Shaunaka Maharshi was the kulapati of the yajna. He told Ugrashrava: 'We have been hearing the Puranas from your father and you as well. We have learned a lot from you both. You have been so kind to us, telling us so much about the incidents of the past. But shastras are endless. Nobody has seen everything. Those Rishis who have told us something, that is as per what they have experienced. Their experiences, they have shared with us. Nobody can say that they have seen everything. Nobody can say that this is everything. Sometimes, the Rishi-vachanas also appear to contradict each other. Because of this, doubts arise. Is this knowledge authentic? If it is, then why does someone else contradict it? Both arguments sound convincing.

'So now, you have seen all the shastras. So far, you told us whatever we asked for. We asked you about Shiva; you told us Shiva Purana. We asked about Vishnu; you told us Vishnu Purana. But now, what we want from you is the essence of all shastras. Since you have learned all the shastras, tell us their essence. What you have understood as their essence, the essence of all teachings. We know, so far, you did not tell us this because we never asked for it. We know you are our well-wisher. You are here for our benefit. Now, please tell us the essence of all teachings, which you have so far kept hidden from us. Please tell us that now.' Shaunaka Maharshi told Suta.

Knowledge Bank

What are Shastras?

Shastras in Hinduism are teachings to help people live righteously and grow spiritually. These texts can be found in a variety of forms, such as Vedas, Smritis, Puranas, and Itihasas, and Dharmashastras.

What are books such as Nirnaya Sindhu and Dharma Sindhu called in Dharmashastra?

In Dharmashastra, the texts such as Nirnaya Sindhu and Dharma Sindhu belong to a category called Nibandha granthas. They are a ready reference to principles of righteous living according to Hinduism

What is the difference between Shruti and Smriti?

Shruti means a group of scriptures comprising of Veda Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads. They are eternal knowledge revealed to the Rishis in the format of mantras. No authorship can be attributed to them. The Smritis, written by Rishis, are expositions based on the Shruti.

How Srimad Bhagavata is different from other Puranas?

Emphasis in Srimad Bhagavata is on bhakti. Srimad Bhagavata is the essence of all the other Puranas. Srimad Bhagavata was revealed to Vyasa in the state of samadhi. The other Puranas are compilations of pre existing legends.

Why should Suta know the secrets of the Puranas?

Suta was the favorite student of Sage Vyasa. There are some secrets that Gurus teach only to their favorite students. Suta learned from many Gurus as well.

Are Rishis worried about themselves?

Rishis are not worried about themselves. They are worried about the common man of Kaliyuga. He will be less intelligent and short-lived. He will be overburdened with day-to-day problems. He will lack interest in observing dharma. Rishis are looking for a solution for him.