SPLASHES FROM HINDU MAHASAGAR 5 - Idol Worship and Symbolism by Chand K Sharma *** Jai Maharaj posts
and/or www.mantra.com/jai
Splases from Hindu Mahasagar -- 5 - Idol Worship and Symbolism
Splases from Hindu Mahasagar -- 5
Idol Worship and Symbolism
Early humans all over the world attributed cause of natural
calamities like rain, floods, lightening, thunder, floods, disease
and death to be the acts of unknown super beings. With passage of
time, out of their imagination they perceived super human replicas of
powerful natural phenomena to be identified as gods and goddesses.
This is how Paganism emerged all over the world. Sanatan Dharm was
foremost to have such Mythology and the rest also followed. Thus they
have general similarities and local variations. Almost every version
of Paganism has a god or goddess controlling the various functions of
Nature and its Master Creator, though their names and internal
relations differ.
A happening remains a myth till it is accepted as a proven truth. As
scientific reasoning and knowledge advanced the beliefs and
superstitions of Paganism came to be questioned and were subjected to
rejection wherever they failed the test of conviction. Any religion
to be acceptable, must appeal both to the head and to the heart of
the maximum number of people. Hinduism does it. It is a matter of
pride for Indians that while most of ethnic groups in other part of
the world were still passing through savage or nomadic phase of life
and few were in the process of evolving their own 'paganism' and
crude history: rationally refined 'paganism' in India was fully
developed. 'Sanatan Dharm' is fanciful, imaginative and pictorially
perceivable through a written history that is true to life. Learned
mystics further enriched and rationalized the same concepts with
scientific precision during the Vedic age and their assertions stand
test of the modern discoveries being made today.
The mind of child cannot perceive abstract. The child is required to
be shown the pictures of mango, dog, tiger, map of the unknown place,
or photograph of his parents and relatives to perceive their image
when they are not physically present. The picture should portray the
attributes of the object being introduced as truthfully in detail as
possible. Although the picture is not true representation of the
object yet it helps the child to identify the object and understand
its attributes.
Similarly, while Hinduism accepts the formless existence of God and
perceives His omnipresence in every object, Hinduism is also a
religion of symbols. For training of the mind, Hinduism asserts that
when a symbol is pronounced it recalls the thing signified, if there
is a natural connection between the symbol and the thing signified.
The word and thought become inseparable. Symbol is thus an aid to
visualize the abstract.
Idol worship is not peculiar to Hinduism alone. Christians worship
the Cross. They decorate their premises with Christmas tree, and
deploy Santa Clause to bless children. The Muslims keep the image of
the Kaaba stone when they kneel and do prayers, display digits 786,
Mohammad and Allah written in Arabic and wear pendents (Taweez) on
person to escape evils. Thus in their faith also, mental image is a
form of idol. The difference is not one of kind, but only of degree.
All worshipers, however intellectual they may be, generate a form in
the mind and make the mind dwell on that image. A word is also a
symbol to fix the wandering of mind. Idol worship is only the
beginning of religion. Certainly it is not its end. The same Hindu
scriptures, which prescribe idol worship for beginners, also speak of
meditation on the Infinite. There are different grades of worship.
Idols are not only fancies of sculptors, but also a medium for
establishing communion with God. Though apparently the image is
worshiped, the devotee feels the presence of the Lord in it. The
logic is that when it is feasible to catch the sound waves of people
all over the globe through the radio and TV, it is also possible to
commune with the all-pervading Lord through the medium of an idol.
The divinity of God is vibrant in every atom of creation. A flag
bearing symbol of nationality is only a small piece of colored cloth,
but a soldier is prepared to give up his life in defending his flag.
Just as the flag arouses martial valor in the soldier, so also the
image arouses devotion in the devotee.
A procedure has been evolved to do Idol Worship called Puja rituals.
Rituals are prescribed to standardize procedure for performing an
activity in public, and for ensuring that no vital action is missed
out. Rituals formalize beginning and ending of an activity. Like
blowing of candles and cutting of cake symbolize celebration of one's
birthday, idol worship follows the rituals that normally one would
extend to other persons in authority. The worship per super-imposes
on the Idol, the image of the Lord and all His attributes. He does
the sixteen forms of reverence to the Lord:-
The Presence of the Deity is invoked.
A seat is offered,
The feet are washed,
Water is offered,
Hospitality is offered.
The idol is bathed
The idol is dressed
The idol is invested with the sacred thread.
Sandal paste is applied to its forehead,
Flowers are offered,
Incense is burnt.
A lamp is lit,
Lamp is waved before the Deity.
Food is now offered, together with the burning of camphor.
A gift of gold is offered.
Finally, as the sixteenth step, the Deity is bidden farewell.
All this is symbolic; otherwise, the Supreme Power that can fill
oceans and light up the whole universe is not dependent for bath or
some food from the worshiper. There is no compulsion to go through
every step either. Every individual can formulate a procedure as per
his convenience and conviction. To the worshiper who has faith in the
symbol, any kind of image is the body of the Lord, be it made of
stone, clay, brass, gold, or be it a picture, or a drawing. All
matter is a manifestation of God, and He is present in everything.
Idol worship is one of the easiest modes of Self-realization based on
scientific principles, and suits majority of the people today.
Besides idols all religions have some religious symbols also.
Christians revere Cross, Muslims prostate towards Kaaba and
inscriptions of Allah or Muhammad, but Hindus have more options, such
as the following:-
'OM' represents the un-struck sound called 'Anahata Nada'. All
ordinary audible sounds are made by at least two elements, such as,
bow and string; drum and stick; or wind against the leaves. But the
sound which is produced of two things striking together is the sound
of primal energy, the sound of the universe itself. Tradition has it
that this ancient mantra is composed of four elements: the first
three are vocal sounds: A, U, and M. The fourth sound, unheard, is
the 'silence', which, begins and ends the audible sound, the silence
that surrounds it.
The 'SWASTIKA' stands for stability during rotation in four
directions and their harmonious whole. Many Eastern cultures still
hold it to be sacred, besides India, in spite of its recent
association with Nazism.
'SHIV LING' -- signifies the scientific origin of all kind of life in
Universe. From the relation of ling and yoni, the whole world arises.
Everything therefore bears the signature of the ling and the yoni.
The union is an act of divinity and not sin.
Several geometric symbols that mainly manifest Shakti are used in
Tantarik Yantr also.
Symbols have been used for establishing identity. Even now all
countries have a state symbol. Business corporations also have a logo
as their trade mark. If Christ had not been crucified, symbol of
cross would have no meaning for Christians. Same way if Holy mosque
was in some other city, that city would have attained more religious
importance but Hindu symbols are ever lasting because they represent
universal truth that will not change.
However it is still not compulsory for anyone to adopt any symbol or
worship any idol in Hinduism if he is not convinced about the
explanation attached to the symbol. That is the secularity of
Hinduism.
Chand K Sharma
End of forwarded message from Chand K Sharma
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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