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An Astika sampradaya is one that places the infallible authority of the Vedas first. There are claims for instance, that ISKCON leaders believe that Srimad Bhaagavatam is higher in authority than Vedas. What this means, potentially, is that if ever there is a conflict of interpretation between the Vedas and Bhaagavatam, ISKCON's position will default in support of Bhagaavatam over Vedas - Is this true?

Given the potential for controversy with this question, answers that source their evidence authoritatively are only appreciated (books published by any ISKCON press agencies proclaiming their affiliation (or lack thereof) or direct links to statements in interviews by ISKCON's upper echelon leaders proclaiming this or otherwise)

DirghaChintayanti
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  • ISKCON believe in vedanta. Doesn't that make them astika? –  Apr 10 '18 at 08:04
  • @KrishnaShweta An authoritative answer to this question can be used in the future. In any case, astika means considering vedas as highest authority across all other scriptures. This is the point I am interested to get clarified on. – DirghaChintayanti Apr 10 '18 at 13:44
  • I will answer the question if you change it from ISKCON to Gaudiya Sampradaya –  Dec 24 '18 at 16:07
  • Thank you for the consideration but I'm actually interested in the question as it pertains to ISKCON. @RaRe – DirghaChintayanti Dec 24 '18 at 16:08
  • Learned people in ISKCON will obviously not see conflict b/w the two, they will interpret the statement properly. –  Dec 24 '18 at 16:13
  • @RaRe If you can substantiate (i.e., give evidence) for your comment above regarding why there cannot be an answer to this question or provide evidence for the lack of conflict given the requirements for what can be accepted as authoritative evidence (as mentioned in the body of the question), you can add that as answer as well for consideration. – DirghaChintayanti Dec 24 '18 at 16:14
  • I can't substantiate, that is my opinion having observed iskcon. –  Dec 24 '18 at 16:17
  • See the Sri Vaishnava answer about puranas purpose#2 https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/32620/2612. Seems like Ramanujacharya also interprets Vedas with the help of puranas, How will you know the conflict then?. Vedas would be interpreted with the help of puranas. –  Feb 27 '19 at 08:43
  • Can you give a source of your statement - astika sampradaya is one that places the infallible authority of the vedas first?, Astika would simply mean one who believes in the existence of Brahman or Bhagavaan or astika would mean one who believes in the authority of vedas or literatures which emphasise atman and god consciousness. – Prakash K Aug 30 '19 at 16:11

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