Myth, Significance of Gotra, Gopala-mantra

Question: In present times, other cultural literature is deemed as mythology by the general and intellectual masses. These include Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Greek, Roman, Japanese, Chinese, Norse, and other literature. While I would like to believe that Hindu philosophy is true, I wonder about other literature and cultures. There has to be one truth; consequently, all others must be mythology. 

Where should the line be drawn? Hindu philosophy is extensive and inexhaustibly profound. It also reveals details that closely match modern scientific findings about the universe, whereas other “myths” seems childish.

Can we say that the naivety of these texts has led to the creation of a “myth notion” among the masses which people have generalized to all cultures, eventually engulfing our Vedic philosophy?

Answer: Your question is very black and white. It is not true that everything in non-Vedic literature is a myth. They also contain some truth.

For example, Buddhism has many principles that match with the Yoga Sūtras, Bhagavad-gītā, Advaita Vedanta, etc. You cannot say that the whole of Buddhism is a myth. For example, Buddhism says that everything is temporary. This is very true for anything material. Buddhism says that there is suffering everywhere. This is also very true; even Krsna says so.

Therefore, you have to study each piece of literature and then distinguish between truth and myth. 

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Question:  What is the significance of gotra in Sanātana Dharma?

Answer: Gotra played a great significance in Vedic rituals, especially in marriage. For every ritual, such as the daily sandhyāvandana, one has to pronounce one’s gotra along with the present day, time, and place. Gotra is also needed when making saṅkalpa before any yajña. Marriage between a boy and a girl of the same gotra is forbidden. The gotra gave one a very clear sense of identity.

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Question: The mantra “kliṁ kṛṣṇāya govindāya gopī-jana vallabhāya svāhā” is described in both SB and Brahma Saṁhitā. Does it appear in any other scripture? Also, could you kindly explain the various purposes of this mantra? Some authorities claim that this mantra clears up negative emotions.

Answer: This mantra is also found in Krama-dīpikā and in Gopāla-tāpanī Upaniṣad. The prime purpose of the mantra is to get Kṛṣṇa–prema. But being like a kalpa-vṛkṣa tree, one can chant it for whatever one desires.

Question: Is there any śāstra-pramāṇa about Parīkṣit Mahārāja’s spiritual identity after his death by Takṣaka?

Answer: I have not read anything. But I would say that because the Pāṇḍavas are eternal associates of Kṛṣṇa and Parīkṣit is their grandson who had direct darśana of Kṛṣṇa, he will be part of the Pāṇḍavas’ eternal līlā with Kṛṣṇa. 

Question: What is the original source for saying that Anaṅga Mañjarī is the svarūpa-śakti expansion of Balarāma? If I´m not mistaken, this originally comes from Anaṅga-mañjarī-sampuṭikā by Ramai Gosai, but I don´t think this information is present in any Gosvāmī  literature.

Answer: I do not know another source except what you mentioned above.