Image worship in the vedas

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shankara

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May 31, 2013, 3:02:16 AM5/31/13
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Pranams to all,

I am looking for books or journal articles about 'Image worship in the Vedas'. Any info on this subject will be highly appreciated.
 
regards
shankara

sunil bhattacharjya

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May 31, 2013, 12:51:06 PM5/31/13
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Shankaraji,

After reading what the Paripurna Brahman Lord Krishna himself told Arjuna I did not feel the need to look for any other reference on the Image-worship. Lord Krishna said that the image worship is for the alpabuddhinam (i.e. obviously for the beginners in the spiritual journey). He said that the Samadarshis see God everywhere.

Regards,
Sunil KB


On Fri, May 31, 2013 at 9:14 AM, shankara <shanka...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Bhattacharyaji,

I starting this search only after listening to a discourse against 'Image woship' in which the speaker had quoted 'na tasya pratima asti'. I felt that he has misinterpreted it. Do you know any book which discusses this topic in detail. In my search I found some books that discuss this topic here & there but not in detail.

Are you sure 'pratima svalpabuddhinam' is Krishna's statement? It is not there in the Gita. Is it from Bhagavata?
 
regards
shankara

From: sunil bhattacharjya <skbhatt...@gmail.com>
To: shanka...@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, 31 May 2013 9:34 PM
Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Image worship in the vedas

Have you considered the Yajur Veda statement "na tasya pratima asti" as well as Lord Krishna's statement "Pratima alpabuddhinam"

Regards,
Sunil KB



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DrVedantham Satya Srinivasa Ayyangar

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May 31, 2013, 3:30:36 PM5/31/13
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Doc1.pdf

DrVedantham Satya Srinivasa Ayyangar

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May 31, 2013, 3:43:05 PM5/31/13
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Doc1.pdf

Dipak Bhattacharya

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May 31, 2013, 11:17:58 PM5/31/13
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pratimā in VS.32.3a na tasya pratimā asti means ‘comparison’.See Mahiidhara
DB


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Subject: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Image worship in the vedas

Ajit Gargeshwari

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May 31, 2013, 11:43:59 PM5/31/13
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​Subject line corrected ​

Regards
Ajit Gargeshwari
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे।।2.20।।

Ajit Gargeshwari

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Jun 1, 2013, 12:02:00 AM6/1/13
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Posted on behalf of ​Subodh Kumar,

Regards
Ajit Gargeshwari



On Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 9:20 AM, subodh kumar <subod...@gmail.com> wrote:
 
न तस्य प्रतिमाsअस्ति यस्य नाम महद्यश: | यजि 32.3 a
He has no statue/ picture of He who is the most glorious of all.  Is there any doubt about this interpretation  of the above Yajurved mantra? 
Else where also it is stated in Vedas" यस्य नाम महद्यश: तस्य प्रतिमा नास्ति" 

​​
Subodh Kumar,
C-61 Ramprasth,
Ghaziabad-201011
Mobile-9810612898
Maharshi Dayanand Gosamwardhan Kendra , Delhi-96
Science is belief in the ignorance of Experts- Richard Feynmann 

shankara

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Jun 1, 2013, 12:21:08 AM6/1/13
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Ayyangarji,

Thank you very much for sharing the reference to Rig Veda mantra supporting 'bimba aradhana'.
 
regards
shankara

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Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Image worship in the vedas

Dipak Bhattacharya

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Jun 1, 2013, 12:25:13 AM6/1/13
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pratimaa does not mean 'image' in the Vedas. Whether there is idolatry in the Vedas is a different question not related to the mention or non-mention of pratimaa there,
Best

DB



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Subject: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Image worship in the vedas

Ajit Gargeshwari

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Jun 1, 2013, 12:34:00 AM6/1/13
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Subject line corrected. Please don't add भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत् to subject line while posting. Thanks for helping us to maintain a clean archive for future reference.

Regards
Ajit Gargeshwari
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे।।2.20।।


On Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 9:51 AM, shankara <shanka...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Ayyangarji,

Thank you very much for sharing the reference to Rig Veda mantra supporting 'bimba aradhana'.
 
regards
shankara
From: DrVedantham Satya Srinivasa Ayyangar <drved...@gmail.com>
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Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 1:00 AM

Nityanand Misra

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Jun 1, 2013, 12:46:54 AM6/1/13
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Agree with Dr. Bhattacharya. प्रतिमा in this context means comparison or similitude. Hence the word अप्रतिम which means incomparable. I would like to quote the following from my Gurudeva's commentary on Śvetāśvataropaniṣad 4-19.

नैनमूर्ध्वं न तिर्यञ्चं न मध्ये परिजग्रभत्।

न तस्य प्रतिमा अस्ति यस्यनाम महद्यश:।। ४-१९ ।।

एनं दिग्देशकालाद्यनवच्छिन्नत्वादाद्यन्तमध्यरहितत्वाच्चाखण्डमनन्तमनवयवमचिन्त्यमव्यपदेशमव्यवहार्यलक्षणमव्यक्तमेकमजन्मानमूर्ध्वमुपरि साकेतादौ वर्तमानमपि स्वर्महस्तपोजनः सत्यनिवासः सकलोऽपि ब्रह्मर्षिसमूहो न परिजग्रभन्न परिष्कृत्य ग्रहीतुं शक्नोति। तिर्यञ्च वक्रं चलन्तमपि न ग्रहीतुं शक्नोति। एवं मध्ये भूर्लोके मध्यतो वा न ग्रहीतुं शक्नोति। ऊर्ध्वं हि साकेतलोकः। तिर्यगन्तरीक्षम्। रविकिरणानां तिर्यगेव दृष्टिगोचरत्वात्। अतएव माघकाव्ये गतं तिरश्चीनमनूरुसारथेः” (शि.व. १-२)। एवं मध्ये भूर्लोकः। अतिगहनत्वात्पातालस्य चर्चा न हि। अथ सर्वतोग्रहणानर्हत्वेऽपि सादृश्येन ग्रहीतुं शक्यत इत्यत आह नेत्यादि। तस्य परमात्मनः प्रतिमा प्रतिमानं सादृश्यं नास्ति न विद्यते यस्य भगवतो नाम श्रीरामाद्यभिधानं यशः कीर्तिश्च महन्महनीयम्। ‘‘यस्य नाम महद्यश:’’ इति श्रुत्या भगवदवतारवादोऽपि सूचितः। यत्तु न तस्य प्रतिमा अस्तिइति मन्त्रेण भगवतो मूर्तिपूजानिषेधं परिकल्पयन्ति तत्तु सन्निपातग्रस्तानां प्रलपितमिव प्रकरणमत्रत्यमनालोचयतां कुमनीषितं न श्रद्धेयम्। अत्रत्यप्रतिमापदं सादृश्यपरम्। अथ प्रतिमाशब्दस्य सादृश्यार्थे किं मानम्।यस्य नाम महद्यश:इतीहत्यश्रुतिसकलमेव परमं प्रमाणम्। न खलु शरीररहितस्य नामयशसी महती भवतः। सर्वतः पाणिपादं तत्” (श्वे.उ. ३-१६)। ननु अपाणिपादो जवनो ग्रहीता” (श्वे.उ. ३-१९) इत्यादि श्रुतौ भगवतो रूपराहित्यमस्तीति चेत्। मैवम्। तत्र अनपेक्ष्य पाणिपादःइति व्याख्यानेनादोषात्। वस्तुतस्त्वेनमूर्ध्वं साकेतादौ श्रीरामादिरूपं तिर्यञ्च तिर्यग्गमनं मत्स्याद्यवतारं मध्ये मानुषे लोके समागतं श्रीरामकृष्णान्यतरं न परिजग्रभन्न कोऽपि परिश्रान्तोऽपि ग्रहीतुं शक्नोति।

(श्वेताश्वतरोपनिषदि श्रीराघवकृपाभाष्ये ४-१९)

shankara

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Jun 1, 2013, 12:55:05 AM6/1/13
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Bhattacharyaji,

Thanks for pointing at Mahidhara Bhashya. I give below relevant portion from commentaries of Mahidhara & Uvata for 'na tasya pratima asti' (taken from http://vedvikas.blogspot.in/2011/04/vedic-statement-na-tasya-pratima-asti.html)

न तस्य प्रतिमा अस्ति यस्य नाम महद्यशः - शुक्ल यजुर्वेद संहिता ३३-२

न तस्य पुरुषस्य प्रतिमा प्रतिमानभूतम् किञ्चिद् विद्यते
यतो यस्य नाम महद्यश इत्येष वेदान्तविदः पठन्ति हिरण्यगर्भ इत्येष चतुर् रुचो अनुवाकोदूर विप्रकर्षेण हिरण्यगर्भम् प्रतिमाभूतमाह। (ऊवटभाष्यम्)

तस्य पुरुषस्य प्रतिमा प्रतिमानम् उपमानम् किञ्चिद् वस्तु नास्ति
अत एव नाम प्रसिद्धम् महद्यशः यस्यास्ति। सर्वातिरिक्त यशा इत्यर्थ:। (महीधरभाष्यम्)

I assume that both the commentators interpret the word 'pratima' as pratimanam (comparison).
 
regards
shankara

From: Ajit Gargeshwari <ajit.gar...@gmail.com>
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Subject: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Image worship in the vedas

shankara

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Jun 1, 2013, 12:59:50 AM6/1/13
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Mishraji,

Thank you very much for providing commentary of your Gurudeva on 'na tasya pratima asti'. Could you please explain 'इतीहत्यश्रुतिसकलमेव'? Is there a typo? I am not able to split it into meaningful words.
 
regards
shankara

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Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Image worship in the vedas

sunil bhattacharjya

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Jun 1, 2013, 1:19:45 AM6/1/13
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Namaste,
Adi Sankara's comment on the same verse of Svetasvatara U. is as attached. May be you will like to compare the two comments.

Regards,
Sunil KB




2013/5/31 Nityanand Misra <nmi...@gmail.com>
Adi Shankara's comment of Svetas- u-4.19.pdf

Nityanand Misra

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Jun 1, 2013, 1:23:26 AM6/1/13
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इति=thus
इहत्य = the one here (like तत्रत्य)
श्रुति = Vedic verse
सकल = completion
इयत्या चेयं श्रुतिश्च इति इहत्यश्रुतिः तस्याः इहत्यश्रुतेः सकलम् इति इहत्यश्रुतिसकलम्
एव = only
परमम् = supreme
प्रमाणम् = evidence
इति (thus) + इहत्यश्रुतिसकलम् (completion of this Vedic verse) + एव (itself) [is] + परमम् (the supreme) + प्रमाणम् (evidence) = इतीहत्यश्रुतिसकलमेव परमं प्रमाणम् [thus the completion of this Vedic verse is itself the supreme evidence].

Also see the postscript by Jwalaprasad Mishra in his commentary on SYV-VMS 32-3. He quotes several Shrutis from RV, Taittiriya Aranyaka, Atharva Veda, Shatapatha Brahmana et cetera to show that if प्रतिमा is taken as मूर्ति, then other Shrutis clearly say that the प्रतिमा of परमात्मा exists (कासीत्प्रमा प्रतिमा किं निदानम्, मा असि प्रमा असि प्रतिमा असि, तथा संवत्सरस्य प्रतिमायां त्वा रात्र्युपास्महे, इमं वा आत्मनः प्रतिमामसृक्षि, इत्यात्मनो ह्येतं प्रतिमामसृजत, अथैतमात्मानः प्रतिमामसृजत यद्यज्ञम्).
Jwalaprasad Mishra SYV-VMS 32-3 PostScript.pdf

Nityanand Misra

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Jun 1, 2013, 1:31:48 AM6/1/13
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On Saturday, June 1, 2013 1:19:45 PM UTC+8, Gitarthi wrote:

Namaste,
Adi Sankara's comment on the same verse of Svetasvatara U. is as attached. May be you will like to compare the two comments.

Thanks, as far as the word प्रतिमा is concerned, there is not much difference. One commentary interprets प्रतिमा as उपमा and the other translates it as प्रतिमान or सादृश्य. Similar interpretation is done by उव्वट and महीधर.

sunil bhattacharjya

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Jun 1, 2013, 1:26:56 AM6/1/13
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Shankaraji,

The verse "- - - - - -  -Pratima alpabuddhinam - - - - " is given in the Uttara Gita. Gaudapadacharya wrote a commentary on this.

Regards,
Sunil KB

shankara

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Jun 1, 2013, 2:31:20 AM6/1/13
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Mishraji,

It is clear now. Thank you very much for explaining it and for extracts from JP Mishra's commentary. 
You have quoted several srutis in support of image worship. What is their source? I would like to know their location in the Vedas.

regards
shankara

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Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:53 AM

Nityanand Misra

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On Saturday, June 1, 2013 2:31:20 PM UTC+8, shankara_2000 wrote:
Mishraji,

It is clear now. Thank you very much for explaining it and for extracts from JP Mishra's commentary. 
You have quoted several srutis in support of image worship. What is their source? I would like to know their location in the Vedas.


 All sources are in Jwalaprasad Mishra's postscript.

Pawan Goyal

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Jun 1, 2013, 4:54:55 AM6/1/13
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Dear Bhattacharyaji, 

Could you please tell the exact verse in Bhagavad Gita that says so? I could only find a related verse 7.23, which states that alpa-medha worship the demigods.

antavat tu phalaḿ teṣāḿ

tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām

devān deva-yajo yānti

mad-bhaktā yānti mām api


Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.



On the other hand, I could find a whole chapter in Srimad Bhagavat, Canto 11, Chapter 27, where Lord Krishna describes the process of Deity worship to Uddhava (http://vedabase.net/sb/11/27/1/en)


And relating to the exact point, the verse 11.27.15 states


dravyaiḥ prasiddhair mad-yāgaḥ

pratimādiṣv amāyinaḥ

bhaktasya ca yathā-labdhair

hṛdi bhāvena caiva hi


One should worship Me in My Deity forms by offering the most excellent paraphernalia. But a devotee completely freed from material desire may worship Me with whatever he is able to obtain, and may even worship Me within his heart with mental paraphernalia.


Please note that it doesn't say that only a neophyte class of people performs deity worship but it says that an elite (highly advanced) class of people may even worship Him within their heart with mental paraphernelia.



Thank you very much.


Regards

Pawan





R. Narayana iyengar

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Jun 1, 2013, 10:03:34 AM6/1/13
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Namaste!

Image worship and Aagamas are closely linked. I found the English and Sanskrit Introduction in the Paramasamhita-PAncarAtrAgama (Baroda Oriental Inst. 1940) to be very well written.
It is not only the Vedic statements referring to "Pratima" that become interesting. The BhAgavata cult appears to have originated out of SAtvatas who were in some sense connected  with the Purus and Bharatas of RV. It is claimed RV (1.25.13, 2.33.9, 8.69.12, 10.155.3) refer to 'Images' for adoration.  SayaNa explains  the last hymn above

अदो  यद्दारु प्लवते सिन्धोः पारे अपूरुषं 

as 

पुरुषोत्तमाख्यं देवताशरीरं ....

 Atharva-parishisTa, if considered as representing Vedic practices, prescribes metal and other objects for Graha-worship.

Regards
RN Iyengar





On Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 6:37 PM, rniyengar <narayana...@gmail.com> wrote:

shankara

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Jun 1, 2013, 10:32:39 AM6/1/13
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Iyengarji,

I will go through the introduction in the Paramasamhita. Thank you very much for this info and also quotes from Rig Veda and about Atharva Parisishtha.
 
regards
shankara

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Subject: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Re: Image worship in the vedas

sunil bhattacharjya

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Jun 1, 2013, 12:58:45 PM6/1/13
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Dear Pawan Goyalji,

I presume you are talking about the verse " - - - Pratima Svalpabuddhinam Sarvatra Samadarshinam- - - ". In an earlier mail I gave the complete verse in Devanagari and hope you have seen that. In one Bengali book, which I read years ago, the relevant word is given as "alpabuddhiunam"

This verse is from Uttara Gita 3.7. Gaudapada, generally considered to be the Parama-guru of Adi Shankara, wrote a commentary on the Uttara-Gita and that probably means that the Shankara-sampradaya do accept the text of Uttara-Gita. In this quoted verse the Lord says that the image worship is very much there for the alpabuddhinam i.e. the beginners but the Samadarshin (the real Jnanis) see God everywhere and that means the Samadarshis do not need to worship God in the image. The Veda are Apara-Vidya and the Vedanta is Para-Vidya.  The Lord could mean that one who has attained the Para-Vidya or the Vedantic jnana, need not have to worship Pratima.

My understanding is that it is also generally believed that the Murti /idol worship is more a Tantric practice rather than a Vedic practice and even in the ancient times both the Agamas and the Nigamas were considered important Shastras. Sanjaya at the end of the Bhagavad Gita clearly says that in the Bhagavad Gita the Lord had given the knowledge of both the Agamas and the Nigamas.

Regards,
Sunil KB

Pawan Goyal

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Jun 1, 2013, 2:26:37 PM6/1/13
to sunil bhattacharjya, भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्
Dear Bhattacharyaji,

Thank you for confirming that the verse was not from Bhagavad Gita. And just from reading the chapter 11.27 in Srimad Bhagavatam, I am convinced that deity worship is not a "Tantric" practice. Of course, you can always have different opinions regarding that.

Thank you again.

Regards
Pawan

sunil bhattacharjya

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Jun 1, 2013, 2:32:30 PM6/1/13
to Pawan Goyal, भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्
Dear Pawanji,

 It could have originally been an Atharva vedic practice. That is what I meant.

Regards,
Sunil KB

dr. Satyanarayana Das

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Jun 2, 2013, 7:17:15 AM6/2/13
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sarvatra samadarshinam - God is every where for samadarshis. So He is also in Pratima. Sarvatra includes Pratima. Why would a samadarshi not see God in Pratima. If he/she can not see then he/she is not a samadarshi. One meaning of tasya pratima nasti is that God does not have statue which non-hindus think a deity to be. God has a vigraha. He is personally present in His vigraha or Murti unlike a statue.

Satyanarayana Dasa

Jiva Institute of Vaishnava Studies

380 Sheetal Chaya

Raman Reti, Vrindavan

UP 281121, India

Phone: *91-9756605055

www.jiva.org


Anjaneyulu Goli

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Jun 2, 2013, 7:57:35 AM6/2/13
to an.nar...@yahoo.co.in, bvpar...@googlegroups.com, shankara
There are broadly two types of worship - the worship of the formless and attribute less Brahmam and worship with form and attributes which may be considered as idol or image worship.

In BhagavadGita, ch. 2 to 11 the Lord glorifies at various places the worship of God with form and attributes. Although the worshippers of both the qualified and absolute aspects of God are noble and praiseworthy in the eyes of Arjuna, he is anxious to know the relative worth and excellence of the two types of worhsipphers. This is what he seeks to elicit from the Lord through his question:

                                          Evam satatayuktaaye ----      Sl. 1 Ch 12

In reply to the above question of Arjuna, the Lord gives His verdict in favor of the worshippers of God with attributes.
                                          
                                          Mayyavesya mano ye maam  ---   Sl. 2  Ch.12

Sri Bhagavan said  :  I consider them to be the best Yogis, who endowed with supreme faith, and ever united  through meditation with Me i.e., God with attributes, worship Me with the mind centered on Me.



From: "an.nar...@yahoo.co.in" <an.nar...@yahoo.co.in>
To: bvpar...@googlegroups.com
Cc: shankara <shanka...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 2, 2013 11:47 AM
Subject: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Re: Image worship in the vedas

maanyaa:
I have read in a book by Sri Karpangadu Venkatacharya this sloka as follows:
 
agnau tiShThati viprANAm hRuditiShThati yoginAm |
pratimAsvaprabuddhAnAm sarvatra samadarshinAm ||
 
He says for this 3rd quarter, Yamunacharya has commented as 'aprabuddhAnAmapi'.
 
Rgds-Narasimhan

Narsing Rao

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Jun 2, 2013, 10:41:42 PM6/2/13
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This discussion seems to focus on texts that are not really the Veda.  The most obvious reference to images in the Veda is in RV 4.24.10.  Here is the text and the translation:

क इमं दशभिर्मेमेन्द्रं क्रीणाति धेनुभिः ।
यदा वृत्राणि जङ्घनदथैनं मे पुनर्ददत् ॥ ४.२४.१०॥

Who will purchase this Indra of mine for ten cows? When this Indra has succeeded in slaying the vritras (enemies), let (the buyer) return this Indra to me.

Here "this Indra" is obviously a reference to an image of Indra.  This clearly indicates that there was a practice (although may not have been widespread) of using images to secure favors.  Whether the images were worshipped and if so, in what manner, is not clear.  Furthermore the reference to returning the image indicates that the payment is for a rent and not a purchase.  (The author, Vamadeva, might have been desperately in need of funds...)

Sayana quotes some interesting shlokas form the tradition in his commentary on 4.24.9, the rik previous to this one, and I would recommend that your read it.  It includes the following shloka:

वामदेवो वशीकृत्य शक्रं स्तोत्रेण भूयसा ।
विक्रीणन् समयं चक्र इन्द्रं क इममित्यृचि ॥

Thanks,
Narsing Rao

subodh kumar

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Jun 2, 2013, 11:09:05 PM6/2/13
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No clear reference to even worshipping appears to be directly forthcoming in VEDAS least of all worshipping of an image or idol.

Subodh Kumar,
C-61 Ramprasth,
Ghaziabad-201011
Mobile-9810612898
Maharshi Dayanand Gosamwardhan Kendra , Delhi-96
Science is belief in the ignorance of Experts- Richard Feynmann 


Dipak Bhattacharya

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Jun 2, 2013, 11:42:58 PM6/2/13
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I had not thought of intervening in the ongoing debate, but now that Shri Subodh Kumar has noted the most important yet missed factor of the issue, I emphasize that the puujaa as we know is a post-Vedic development in Classical Hinduism. The the Vedic Samhitaas and Braahmanas enjoin yaj;na and not puujaa.
Best
DB



From: subodh kumar <subod...@gmail.com>
To: sthir...@gmail.com
Cc: drsn...@gmail.com; dr. Satyanarayana Das <da...@jiva.org>; sunil bhattacharjya <skbhatt...@gmail.com>; pawan...@gmail.com; Ajit Gargeshwari <ajit.gar...@gmail.com>; भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत् <bvpar...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, 3 June 2013 8:39 AM

shankara

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Jun 3, 2013, 12:34:26 AM6/3/13
to sthir...@gmail.com
Raoji,

Thanks for providing the reference to Sayanabhashya on RV 4.24.10. I will read it. 
 
regards
shankara

From: Narsing Rao <sthir...@gmail.com>
To: drsn...@gmail.com
Cc: dr. Satyanarayana Das <da...@jiva.org>; skbhatt...@gmail.com; pawan...@gmail.com; Ajit Gargeshwari <ajit.gar...@gmail.com>; भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत् <bvpar...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, 3 June 2013 8:11 AM

V Subrahmanian

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Jun 3, 2013, 1:16:19 AM6/3/13
to dbhattach...@yahoo.com, BHARATIYA VIDVAT
Sir,

Is there not the root 'yaj pUjAyAm' ?  In the mantra 'trayambakam yajAmahe sugandhim....' is it pUja or yajna? Will anyone help by providing the standard commentary for clarification?

In the mundakopanishat we have this mantra:

Yam yam lokam manasaa samvibhaati.
Vishuddhasatwah kaamayate yaamshcha kaamaan.
Tam tam lokam jayate taamshcha kaamaam-.
stasmaadaatmajnam hyarchayedbhootikaamah [3.1.10
]

For this word shankaracharya comments:  पूजयेत्पादप्रक्षालनशुश्रूषास्कारादिभिः....
One might say that the upanishad is a later addition.  But the traditionalist do not hold that view.


warm regards
subrahmanian.v

V Subrahmanian

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Jun 3, 2013, 1:52:49 AM6/3/13
to dbhattach...@yahoo.com, BHARATIYA VIDVAT


On Mon, Jun 3, 2013 at 10:46 AM, V Subrahmanian <v.subra...@gmail.com> wrote:
Sir,




For this word shankaracharya comments:  पूजयेत्पादप्रक्षालनशुश्रूषास्कारादिभिः....

Pl. note the correction here:  पूजयेत्पादप्रक्षालनशुश्रूषानमस्कारादिभिः...

vs

Dipak Bhattacharya

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Jun 3, 2013, 4:24:51 AM6/3/13
to V Subrahmanian, BHARATIYA VIDVAT
See the Viniyoga. That is not smaarta puujaa with a muurti. When I said the Samhitaas know yaj;na not puujaa i meant the said smaarta puujaa.
puujaa has more than one meaning. In the broad sense of ritually celebrating, honoring, paricara.na always existed. that was not questioned. Cf., kasmai devaaya havisaa vidhema RV 10.121. That also is puujaa but not smaarta puujaa with a pratimaa.
db



From: V Subrahmanian <v.subra...@gmail.com>
To: dbhattach...@yahoo.com; BHARATIYA VIDVAT <bvpar...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, 3 June 2013 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Image worship in the vedas

Dr. P. Ramanujan

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Jun 3, 2013, 4:35:19 AM6/3/13
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मान्याः विद्वांसः

दीपकभट्टाचार्योक्तं
आमोदमानः मम प्रतिक्रियां
स्मार्तपूजाभिन्न, वेदोक्त
श्रौतपूजाविषयकं अभिप्रायं
अनेन साकं आयोजितवानस्मि ।

रामानुजः
On Mon, Jun 3, 2013, subodh kumar <subod...@gmail.com> said:

> No clear reference to even worshipping appears to be directly forthcoming
> in VEDAS least of all worshipping of an image or idol.
>
> Subodh Kumar,
> C-61 Ramprasth,
> Ghaziabad-201011
> Mobile-9810612898
> Maharshi Dayanand Gosamwardhan Kendra , Delhi-96
> http://subodh-vedainspirations.blogspot.com
> http://subodh-cowsinindia.blogspot.com
> *Science is belief in the ignorance of Experts- Richard Feynmann *
>>>> antavat tu <http://vedabase.net/t/tu> phalaḿ<http://vedabase.net/p/phalam>
>>>> teṣāḿ <http://vedabase.net/t/tesam>
>>>>
>>>> tad <http://vedabase.net/t/tad> bhavaty alpa<http://vedabase.net/a/alpa>
>>>> -medhasām <http://vedabase.net/m/medhasam>
>>>>
>>>> devān <http://vedabase.net/d/devan> deva <http://vedabase.net/d/deva>
>>>> -yajo yānti <http://vedabase.net/y/yanti>
>>>>
>>>> mad-bhaktā <http://vedabase.net/b/bhakta> yānti<http://vedabase.net/y/yanti>
>>>> mām <http://vedabase.net/m/mam> api <http://vedabase.net/a/api>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are
>>>> limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of
>>>> the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On the other hand, I could find a whole chapter in Srimad Bhagavat,
>>>> Canto 11, Chapter 27, where Lord Krishna describes the process of Deity
>>>> worship to Uddhava (http://vedabase.net/sb/11/27/1/en)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> And relating to the exact point, the verse 11.27.15 states
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> dravyaiḥ <http://vedabase.net/d/dravyaih> prasiddhair mad-yāgaḥ<http://vedabase.net/y/yagah>
>>>>
>>>> pratimādiṣv amāyinaḥ <http://vedabase.net/a/amayinah>
>>>>
>>>> bhaktasya <http://vedabase.net/b/bhaktasya> ca<http://vedabase.net/c/ca>
>>>> yathā <http://vedabase.net/y/yatha>-labdhair
>>>>
>>>> hṛdi <http://vedabase.net/h/hrdi> bhāvena<http://vedabase.net/b/bhavena>
>>>> caiva hi <http://vedabase.net/h/hi>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> One should worship Me in My Deity forms by offering the most excellent
>>>> paraphernalia. But a devotee completely freed from material desire may
>>>> worship Me with whatever he is able to obtain, and may even worship Me
>>>> within his heart with mental paraphernalia.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Please note that it doesn't say that only a neophyte class of people
>>>> performs deity worship but it says that an elite (highly advanced) class of
>>>> people *may even *worship Him within their heart with mental
>>>> paraphernelia.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you very much.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Regards
>>>>
>>>> Pawan
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 5:43 AM, Ajit Gargeshwari <
>>>> ajit.gar...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ​ Subject line corrected ​
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards
>>>>> Ajit Gargeshwari
>>>>> न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।
>>>>> अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे।।2.20।।
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 8:47 AM, Dipak Bhattacharya <
>>>>> dbhattach...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> pratimā in VS.32.3a na tasya pratimā asti means ‘comparison’.See
>>>>>> Mahiidhara
>>>>>> DB
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>> *From:* sunil bhattacharjya <skbhatt...@gmail.com>
>>>>>> *To:* shankara <shanka...@yahoo.com>; BHARATIYA VIDVAT <
>>>>>> bvpar...@googlegroups.com>
>>>>>> *Sent:* Friday, 31 May 2013 10:21 PM
>>>>>> *Subject:* {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Image
>>>>>> worship in the vedas
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Shankaraji,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> After reading what the Paripurna Brahman Lord Krishna himself told
>>>>>> Arjuna I did not feel the need to look for any other reference on the
>>>>>> Image-worship. Lord Krishna said that the image worship is for the
>>>>>> alpabuddhinam (i.e. obviously for the beginners in the spiritual journey).
>>>>>> He said that the Samadarshis see God everywhere.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Sunil KB
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Fri, May 31, 2013 at 9:14 AM, shankara <shanka...@yahoo.com>wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Bhattacharyaji,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I starting this search only after listening to a discourse against
>>>>>> 'Image woship' in which the speaker had quoted 'na tasya pratima asti'. I
>>>>>> felt that he has misinterpreted it. Do you know any book which discusses
>>>>>> this topic in detail. In my search I found some books that discuss this
>>>>>> topic here & there but not in detail.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Are you sure 'pratima svalpabuddhinam' is Krishna's statement? It is
>>>>>> not there in the Gita. Is it from Bhagavata?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> regards
>>>>>> shankara
>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>> *From:* sunil bhattacharjya <skbhatt...@gmail.com>
>>>>>> *To:* shanka...@yahoo.com
>>>>>> *Sent:* Friday, 31 May 2013 9:34 PM
>>>>>> *Subject:* Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Image worship in the vedas
>> *Satyanarayana Dasa*
>>
>> *Jiva Institute of Vaishnava Studies*
>>
>> *380 Sheetal Chaya*
>>
>> *Raman Reti, Vrindavan*
>>
>> *UP 281121, India*
>>
>> Phone: *91-9756605055
>>
>> *www.jiva.org*
> Email secured by Check Point
>
>
>
>

--
Dr. P. Ramanujan
AD-IHLC,
C-DAC, Bangalore (KP)
ra...@cdac.in
080-25246350, 66116444 (Off.-Dir.)



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BVP-reply_3-6-13.txt

Ajit Gargeshwari

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Jun 3, 2013, 6:30:36 AM6/3/13
to भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्
Subject Line Corrected

Regards
Ajit Gargeshwari
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे।।2.20।।


desikan desikan

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Jun 3, 2013, 6:54:03 AM6/3/13
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देवतानां विग्रहादिवत्व समर्थनम्  

तैत्तिरीयशाखायां अग्ने यष्टरिदं नम इति श्रूयते। अग्ने,यष्टः- यागनिर्वर्तक,तुभ्यमिदं नमः, अर्थात् अयमञ्जलिः त्वां प्रीणयितुं क्रियत इति। अस्य मन्त्रस्य ब्राह्मणभागे च अग्निर्वै देवानां यष्टेति श्रूयते। तथाच मन्त्रब्राह्मणयोः अग्निदेवताया यागेSधिकारः प्रतीयते। परन्तु मीमांसका नाङ्गीकुर्वन्ति। तैः  इत्थं निर्णयः कृतः।    तथाहि,         

देवः प्रयोजकोपूर्वंवाच्योस्य फलदत्वतः। न विधेये गुणोह्येषोपूर्वस्य फलितोचिता।।

अर्थात् आग्नेयोष्टाकपाल इत्यादि सर्वक्रमसु मन्त्रतन्त्ररूपाणामनुष्ठेयानां अङ्गानां अग्न्यादिदेवः प्रयोजकः, यागेन  पूजितानां देवतानां फलप्रदत्वात्। देवतानां फलप्रदत्वं च मन्त्रार्थवादप्रभृतिभ्यो विग्रहादिपञ्चकादवगन्तुं शक्यते। विग्रहादिपञ्चकं च  विग्रहो हविरादानं तद्भोजनं तृप्तिः प्रसाद इति। सहस्राक्षो गोत्रभिद्वज्रबाहुरस्मासु देवो द्रविणं दधातु इति मन्त्रेण विग्रहवत्वं प्रतीयते। अग्निरिदं हविरजुषत इति हविस्स्वीकारः प्रतीयते। अद्धीन्द्र प्रस्थितेमा हवींषि इति हविर्भोजनं, तृप्त एवैनमिन्द्रः प्रजयापशुभिस्तर्पयति इति तृप्तिः प्रसादश्च प्रतीयत इति विग्रहादिवत्वात्  देवतायाः फलप्रदत्वेन यागे  प्राधान्यात् अङ्गानां प्रयोजकत्वमपि तस्यैवेति साधने मीमांसका आक्षिपन्ति यत्,

1देवतानां फलप्रदत्वेन प्राधान्यं शब्दादापाद्यत उत वस्तुसामर्थ्यात्, नाद्यः, स्वर्गकामो यजेतेत्यत्र विधेयस्य यागस्यैव फलप्रदत्वेनावगमात्। सिद्धस्य विधिर्नभवति, द्रव्यदेवतयोस्सिद्धत्वात् तयोः विध्यनर्हत्वात्। यथा  सिद्धस्य द्रव्यस्य विधेयं-यागं प्रति   गुणत्वं तथैव देवताया अपि गुणत्वमेव, न प्राधान्यं।यागस्य कालान्तरभाविफलं प्रति  व्यवहितत्वे देवतायाः ततोपि व्यवहितत्वात् अपूर्वस्यैव फलप्रदत्वं. अपूर्वस्य च  श्रुतार्थापत्या  प्रतीयमानत्वात् शाब्दं फलप्रदत्वं तस्यैव न देवतायाः। न द्वितीयः पक्षः, विग्रहादिप्रतिपादकमन्त्रार्थवादयोः स्वार्थे तात्पर्याभावात्। अतएव  वनस्पतिभ्यस्स्वाहा मूलेभ्यस्स्वाहेति  उपपद्यते। अन्यथा तेषामपि देवत्वं विग्रहादिवत्वं  कल्प्येत। प्रत्यक्षविरोधात् च  तथा कल्पनं न संभवति।

2,विना कर्मणा विग्रहादिमद्देवतावादिनापि फलं नाङ्गीक्रियते। तथाच प्राप्ताप्राप्तविवेकेनोभयवादिसिद्धस्य यागस्यैव फलप्रदत्वमिति सिद्धम्। देवताया अभावेपि मातापितृशुश्रूषादिवत्फलं भवति।

विग्रहादिवत्वमपि न  संभवति, तथासति

 1,एकदा बहुषुस्थलेषु गमनं न संभवति, गमनाभावे  विग्रहेण किं प्रयेजनं, अत इन्द्र आगच्छ इत्यादीनां  इन्द्रादि शब्दसान्निध्यपरत्वमेव।

2,विग्रहस्यनाशे वैदिकानामिन्द्रादिशब्दानामभिधेयाभात् वेदस्य प्रामाण्यं न स्यात्।

3,विग्रहादिवत्वे  ऋत्विगिव कर्मण्युपलभ्येत। नोपलभ्यते। यस्मान्नोपलभ्यते तस्मान्नास्ति।

4,मध्वादिष्वसंभवादनधिकारं जैमिनिरिति  सूत्रेणदेवानामनधिकाऱपक्षः जैमिनिमुनेरभिमत इति प्रसिद्धः।यथा असौ वा आदित्यो देवमधु इत्यत्र न आदित्यो नाम कश्चिच्चेतनो विग्रहवान् देवः प्रतीयते, किन्तु परिदृश्यमाने ज्योतिर्मण्डले प्रयोगः तद्वदेवाग्निरित्यत्रापि।

5,यदुक्तं मन्त्रार्थवादेषु विग्रहादिवत्वं प्रतीयत इति, तन्न,लोके विनापिबाह्यवस्तुना शब्दात् कश्चिदाकारविशेषः प्रतिभासते। .यथा मृगतृष्णांभसि स्नातः खपुष्पकृतशेखरः। एषवन्ध्यासुतो याति शशशृभ्गधनुर्धऱ इत्यादि, तथैव देवताविग्रहप्रतिपादकवाक्येषु। तस्मात् अग्निर्वै देवाना यष्टेत्यादि  वाक्यात्  देवानां यागेधिकारो न संभवति इति।

                  विग्रहादिवत्वं  समर्थ्यते।

देहाद्यभावे प्रमाणाभावः कारणं, उत बाधकसद्भावः, ।नाद्यः, विग्रहवत्वे मन्त्रार्थवादेतिहासपुराण योगिप्रत्यक्ष लोकप्रसिद्धीनां प्रमाणत्वात्।

1, मन्त्रः -देवोवस्सविता  प्रार्पयतु, रुद्रस्य हेतिः परि वो वृणक्तु।

2, अर्थवादः- देवासुरास्संय्यत्ता आसन्। इतिहासः.- भारतादिः, पुराणं विष्णुपुराणादि, लोके च ऋषिर्लिख्यते चेत् श्मश्रादियुक्तो लिख्यते। तथाच प्रामाणसद्भावात् देहाद्यभावो वक्तुं शक्यते। न च मन्त्रार्थवादयोः वज्रहस्तःपुरन्दर इत्यादि वाक्यात् प्राप्तं  देवतानां विग्रहायुधभूषणविभवादिकं निखिलं मिथ्या, तेषां कर्मानुष्ठानप्रोत्साहनार्थ प्रशंसामात्रततया तत्र तात्पर्यस्यानावश्यकत्वात् स्वार्थे तात्पर्यं नास्तीति पूर्वमेव प्रतिपादितमिति वाच्यम्। तेषामंशानां बाधितत्वस्य वा  तत्प्रतिपादकवाक्यानां  दोषमूलकत्वस्य वा भ्रान्तपुरुषानुवादकत्वस्य वा अस्वीकारात्। बाधादि दोषस्यान्यस्यचाभावे  वेदे तज्ज्ञाने स्वतःप्रामाण्यस्य स्वीकारात्।

तस्मात् बोधात्मकत्वेऩ प्राप्ता बुद्धेः प्रमाणता।अर्थान्यथात्वहेतूत्थ दोषज्ञानादपोद्यते।

 यतः स्वतः प्रमाणत्वं सर्वत्रौत्सर्गिकं स्थितम्। बाधकारण दुष्टत्वबोधाभ्यां तदपोद्यते।।

तस्मादुपलम्भायोग्ये विग्रहादिविषये बास्य दुर्वचत्वात् वेदस्य सर्वस्य निर्दुष्टत्वात् तदंशेपि प्रामाण्यं स्थितमेव। न च तत्र तात्पर्याभाव इत्यत्रैव प्रमाणाभावात्। अविद्यमानस्य कथनेनापि  प्ररोचऩा जायत इति विद्यमाऩकथनेन  प्ररोचना न जायत इत्यभावेन स्वतःप्रामाण्यत्यागायोगात्। अविद्यमानत्वेन ज्ञाते प्ररोचनाभङ्गश्च। विधिबलादेव प्रवर्तत इति चेन्न, तदा अर्थवाद एव व्यर्थस्स्यात्।

 अर्थवादादिरूपाणां वाक्यानां स्तुतिबोधकत्वं द्विधा भवति, प्रथमं स्वस्य यो वास्तवो गुणादिः तद्बोधनद्वारकं   अन्यच्च  स्वापेक्षयोत्कृष्टवस्तुगतगुणाद्यारोपविधया च। तस्मात् सर्वथासंबद्धकथनस्य प्ररोचना न भवति। तादृशी च बालतुल्ये एवस्यात्, न तु अमुग्धे।अपिच  गुणिनिष्ठगुणाभिधानं स्तोत्रमिति स्तोत्रलक्षणं स्वीकृतम्। न तु अगुणे गुणारोपः स्तुतिरति। लौकिकार्थरूपाग्नेः विद्यमान दाहशक्तिमादाय केनचित् स्तुतौ

कृतायां नेयं स्तुतिः सेचनगुणस्य जलगतस्यात्रारोप एव  स्तुतिरिति लोके अदृष्टपूर्वत्वात्। अतएव

स्तोत्रं नाम किमामनन्ति मुनयो यद्यन्यदीयान् गुणान्, अन्यत्रत्वसतोधिरोप्य फणितिः सा तर्हि वन्ध्या त्वयि। सम्यक् सत्यगुणाभिवर्णनमथो ब्रूयुः  इति महालक्षमी विषयक स्तोत्रे श्री कूरेशैरपि प्रतिपादितम्।

न च मन्त्रार्थवादयोः स्वार्थे तात्पर्यस्वीकारे वनस्पतिभ्यस्स्वाहा  इत्यादि मन्त्रेष्वपि देवत्वं  विग्रहादिवत्वं कल्पनीयं स्यादिति वाच्यम् । इष्टापत्तेः। तादृसस्थलेषु तत्तभिमानि देवतानां विग्रहयुक्तानां स्वीकारे दोषाभावात्।अतएव तं पृथिव्यब्रवीत्इत्यादि स्थले अचेतनरूपायाः पृथिव्या वाग्व्यापारास्य बाधात्  अभिमानि व्यपदेशस्तु विशेषानुगतिभ्यां इति सूत्रितं व्यासाचार्यैः.।

नचैवमपि मृगतृष्णिका खपुष्पादिषु वनस्पत्यादिष्विव देवताभ्युपगमः प्रसज्येतेति वाच्यम्। तथा वेदस्याभावात्।यदि स्यात् प्रमाणमेव स्यात्। तस्माद्यज्ञेसौ अवध इति कथने केचन नास्तिकाः पृच्छन्ति  यत् यदि यागे पशोः आलम्बनं हिंसारूपं  नास्ति किन्तु पशोरपि न व उ वेतन्म्रियसे न रिष्यसि. देवान् इदेषि पथिभिस्सुगेभिः इति मन्त्रानुसारं  स्वर्गप्राप्तिरूपहितमेव  भवतीति चेत् तदानीं अजापुत्रं विहाय स्वपितुरेव आलम्बनेन  उभयोरपि स्वर्गप्राप्तिस्भवे कुतस्तथा न क्रियत इति,  तत्रापि इदमेव समाधानं  भवति यत् वेदे  तादृशवाक्याभावात् न तथा कुर्वन्ति. यदि वाक्यं दर्शयिष्यसि तदाभ्युपगच्छाम इति। अतः प्रमाणसद्भावात्  देवतानां विग्रहादयस्सन्ति।

बाधकत्वेन ये हेतव उपन्यस्ताः तेषामपि समाधानं वक्तुं शक्यते।

3,इन्द्रादीनां युगपत्कर्म सन्निधिः संभवति। सौभर्यादि महर्षिभ्योप्यतिशयितशक्तयः इन्द्रादिदेवाः।तेषां अनेकदेहपरिग्रहसामर्थ्य संभवात् युगपदेव सर्वकर्मस्थले  सन्निधानं संभवति। अतो नानुष्ठान विरोधः।

 4, न चानुष्ठानविरोधे परिहृतेपि तेषां  सदेहत्वे वैदिकशब्दविरोधस्स्यात्। ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्रेन्द्राः संप्रसूयन्त इत्यादिना इन्द्रादीनामुत्पत्तेः स्वीकार्यतया नित्ये वेदे स्थिता इन्द्रादिशब्दाः तेषामुत्पत्तेः प्राक् अर्थशून्यास्स्युः। एवं तेषां नाशादूर्ध्वमपि। एवमिन्द्रोत्पत्तेः पूर्वं वज्रमुदयच्छदिति  वाक्यार्थो बाधितस्स्यात्। तस्य तत्पच्शात्कालीनत्वे वेदस्यानादित्वं निर्दोषत्वं च न स्यात्। तस्मादनित्यार्थयोगरूपदोषो भवतीति वाच्यम्। यथा व्रीहियवाद्यनन्तानित्यार्थबोधकत्वेपि वेदस्यानित्यसंयोगाभावः प्रवाहानादित्वं स्वीकृत्य साध्यते तथैव इन्द्रादीनामेकैकव्यक्तित्वाभावात् प्रवाबतः पारम्पर्येण स्थितत्वात् तत्तत्स्थाने तदपगमे तन्नामानोन्ये समायान्ति।

5,नोपलभ्यत इति नास्तीति  वक्तुं शक्यं। तेषामदर्शने बहूनि कारणानि सन्ति। सांख्याः कानिचन कारणानि वदन्ति ।अतिदूरात्  सामीप्यात् इन्द्रियघातानमनोनवस्थानात्। सौक्ष्म्यात् व्यवधानाभिभवात् समनाभिधाराच्च । इतोप्यधिकं  उक्तं, श्रीवेदान्तदेशिकैः

 सौक्ष्म्यात्तुल्याभिघारात् सहकृदपगमात् छादकादान्यपर्यात्

अत्यासत्यादिदूरात् बलवदभिभवानुद्भवाक्षोपघातात्।

 नेक्ष्यन्ते  वर्तमानान्यपि हि सुरगणाः तद्वदन्तर्धिशक्तेः इति.

1, सौक्ष्म्यात्- परमाणूनामनुपलब्धिः, 2. तुल्याभिघारात्- तैलसिक्तस्य तैलबिन्दोरनुपलब्धिः।3,सहकारिकारणाभावात्- अन्धकरवर्तिलो घटस्यानुपलब्धिः,4, छादकात्- पटावृतानां पदार्थानामनुपलब्धिः। 5.आन्यपर्यात्-व्यासक्तहृदयस्याग्रतस्थितानामपि पदार्थानामनुपलब्धिः, 6, अत्यासत्या- स्वनयनगतस्य अ़ञ्जनस्य, 7, अतिदूरात्- देशान्तरगतस्यानुपलब्धिः।8. बलवदभिभवात्.- मध्यन्दिनोल्काप्रकाशस्य.9,अनुद्भवात्- अनुद्भूतरूप चाक्षुषरूपादेः,10, अक्षोबाधात् रुग्ननयनस्य पुरोवस्थितनस्तुनोनुपलब्धिः।11. एवं अग्नीन्द्रादि देवाताः अन्तर्धनशक्त्या नोपलभ्यन्ते. । तथाच बाधकाभावात् सन्त्येव देवतानां विग्रहादयः।

एवं अर्थित्वसत्वात् यागेधिकारोप्यस्ति। स्वस्वपदस्य प्राप्तत्वेपि फलान्तरहेतौ तत्संभवात्। तेषां संकल्पादेव तत्सिद्धेः न यागादौ प्रवृत्तिरिति चेन्न, संकल्प इव यागादवपिप्रयाससाध्यत्वाभावात् प्रवृत्तिसंभवात्।नक्षत्रेष्टौ यजमानो देवताचेत्युभयमेकेनैव शब्देन व्यवहृतम्। अग्निर्वा अकामयत। अग्नये कृत्तिकाभ्यः पुरोडाशमष्टाकपालं निरपत् इति।तस्मादर्थिनो देवाः यागादिषु प्रवर्तेरऩ्। अधिकारश्चातुर्विध्येनोच्यते।अर्थः, समर्थः, विद्वान्,  शास्त्रेणापर्युदस्य़ः इति।, देवतानां यागादिषु अधिकारनिषेधो न दृश्यते शूद्रादूनामिव। शूद्रादीनामनधिकारः स्पष्टः, तस्मात् शूद्रो यज्ञेनवकलृप्त इति। तद्वन्नाधिकार निषेधो देवतानां, प्रत्युत देवा वै यद्यज्ञेकुर्वत तदसुरा अकुर्वतेत्येव श्रूयते। एवं प्रजापतिकर्तृके यागे   देवतान्तराणामार्त्विज्यमपि श्रूयते। न च आर्त्विज्यं विप्रस्यैव, तदुक्तं,

आर्त्विज्यं किं त्रैवर्णिकस्थं विप्रगाम्येव वाग्रिमः। विद्यावत्वान्न तद्युक्तं ब्राह्मणस्यैव तत्स्मृतेः।प्रतिग्रहोघिको विप्रे याजनाध्यापने तथा।। इति वाच्यम्। तत्र क्षत्रियादीनामेवार्त्विज्य निषेधात्। न तु देवतानाम्। अन्यथा  मन्त्रब्राह्मणविरोधस्स्यात्.। तत्र हि पृथिवी होता ,अग्निर्होता. अश्विनौ हि देवानामध्वर्यू आस्ताम् इत्यादि श्रवणात्।

 तस्माद्देवानां यागाधिकारे दोषाभावात् अग्निर्वौ देवानां यष्टेत्यादि युज्यत एव न दोषः

 एवं देवादीनामर्थित्वसामर्थ्य योगात् ब्रह्मविद्यायामपि अधिकारोस्तीति तदुपर्यपि बादरायणस्संभवादिति व्याससूत्रम्। स्वस्वपदस्य प्राप्तत्वेपि कालान्तरेपि तत्प्राप्त्यर्थमुपासना संभवतीति भावं तु बादरायणो अस्ति हि  इति सिद्धान्तितम्। तथाच  देवतानां विग्रहादिवत्व समर्थनेन वेदस्य क्वचित् स्वार्थे तात्पर्यं नास्तीति प्रवादस्य निषेधात् सर्वस्यापि वेदस्य प्रामाण्यमपि समर्थितं भवति।

-------------------



श्रीदेशिकप्रियः


--- On Mon, 3/6/13, Dr. P. Ramanujan <ra...@cdac.in> wrote:
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--
Dr. P. Ramanujan
AD-IHLC,
C-DAC, Bangalore (KP)
ra...@cdac.in
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यज्ञ इत्यस्य देवपूजा-सङ्गतिकरण-दानार्थकत्वं प्रसिद्धम् ।
वेदा हि यज्ञार्थमभिप्रवृत्ताः इति च प्रथितम् ।
मन्त्रपूर्वक-देवतोद्देश्यक-हविः-प्रक्षेपः यज्ञेषु विहितः ।
द्रव्ययज्ञ, ज्ञानयज्ञ, तपोयज्ञ, स्वाध्यायादियज्ञाश्च प्रथन्ते ।
एषु सर्वत्र काचित् देवता किञ्चित् स्वरूप, रूप, गुणादिविशिष्टा
ध्यायते, स्मर्यते, स्तूयते, प्रार्थ्यते, नम्यते, प्रपद्यते च ।
ईदृशानेकधातूनां सर्वत्र मन्त्रेषु श्रवणस्य दृश्यमानत्वात् ।
इष्टप्राप्त्यनिष्टनिवृत्त्यादिकं कामयमानः यजमानः एताः
देवताः सम्बोधयतीत्यपि स्पष्टम् ।
तर्हि चेतना, शक्ता, ज्ञात्री काचित् देवता श्रुत्युक्तकर्मणां
अनुष्ठातुः फलदात्री वरीवर्तीति वक्तव्यम् । यतः स्तुतिभिः प्रीता
सती स्तोतुः फलदानसमर्था दत्तं फलं स्तोतारं प्राप्य तं तोषयतीति
ज्ञानवती च अपेक्षिता ।
शब्द एव देवता इति वादिनां तु सर्वं गौणं लाक्षणिकं च भविष्यति ।
सति सम्भवे मुख्यार्थ-ग्रहणरूप-अभिधावृत्त्याख्य-गत्यन्तरस्य लक्षणाकल्पनस्य अन्याय्यत्वात् ।

कश्चित् कस्मैचित् फलाय काञ्चित् देवतां स्वेन भागधेयेन उपधावति श्रुतिचोदनया ।
सा च देवता प्रीता एनं तदभीष्ट-फलैः प्रीणाति । यथा वायुर्वै क्षेपिष्ठा देवता,
वायुमेव स्वेन भागधेयेनोपधावति स एवैनं भूतिं गमयति, भवत्येवेत्यादयः ।
अत्र रूपवैशिष्ट्यं, प्रीणनरूप आराधनं, पूजा वा नोक्तेति चेत् किमेतत् सर्वं द्योतयति ?

गोत्रभिदं गोविदं वज्रबाहुं जयन्तमज्म प्रमृणन्तमोजसा ।
इमँ सजाता अनुवीरयद्वमिन्द्रँ सखायोऽनु सँ रभध्वम् ।।
वज्रहस्तः पुरन्दरः । वेत्वाज्यस्य होतर्यज ।
तस्मै वज्रँ सिक्त्वा प्रायच्छदेतेन जहीति तेनाभ्यायत ।
इन्द्रो वृत्राय वज्रमुदयच्छत्,

अग्ने देवाँ इहाऽऽवह । इन्द्रागच्छ हरिव आगच्छ, इत्यादिषु आवाहनं,
विपश्चिते पवमानाय गायत,
गायन्ति त्वा गायत्रिँणोऽर्चन्त्यर्कमर्किणः,
स्तोतारस्त इह स्मसि,
यः पूर्व्याय वेधसे नवीयसे । सुमज्जानये विष्णवे ददाशति ।
यो जातमस्य महतो महि ब्रवात् । सेदु श्रवोभिर्युज्यञ्चिदभ्यसत् ।।

तमु स्तोतारः पूर्व्यं यथा विद ऋतस्य । गर्भँ हविॆषा पिपर्तन ।
आऽस्य जानन्तो नाम चिद्विवक्तन । बृहत्ते विष्णो सुमतिं भजामहे ।।
तद्विप्रासो विपन्यवो जागृवाँसः समिन्धते । विष्णोर्यत्परमं पदम् ।
विष्णव उरुगायाय दाशत्, विष्णुर्वा अकामयत, पुण्यँ श्लोकँ शृण्वीय,
न मा पापी कीर्तिरा गच्छेदिति । इत्यादिषु स्तुति, वन्दन, नामसंकीर्तनादिकं.

यच्चिद्धि ते विशो यथा प्र देव वरुण व्रतं, मिनीमसि द्यविद्वि ।
यत्किंचेदं वरुण दैव्ये जनेऽभिद्रोहं मनुष्याश्चरामसि । अचित्ती यत्तव
धर्मा युयोपिम मा नस्तस्मादेनसो देव रीरिषः । कितवासो यद्रिरिपुर्न
दीवि यद्वा घा सत्यमुत यन्न विद्म । सर्वा ता वि ष्य शिथिरेव
देवाऽथा ते स्याम वरुण प्रियासः, तव प्रियासः सूरिषु स्याम, इत्यादिषु
स्वानुष्ठित अकृत्यकरण, कृत्याकरणरूप दोष, पापादीनां क्षमायाचनं,
अनुग्रहप्रार्थनम् इत्यादयः पूजा न चेत् किमेते?

अतः वेदोक्त, ओपनिषद परमपुरुष वरणीयता-वाचकानां
सर्वश्रुतिवाक्यानां व्याकोपवारणाय, श्रुतिप्रामाण्याभ्युपगन्तृभिः
देवतानां विग्रहवत्त्वं, तेषां विविधोपचारैः भावनीयत्वं च स्वीकृता
शिष्टैः आस्तिकैः वैदिकैः । देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः ।
परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ इति यज्ञविषये भगवद्गीता स्मर्तव्या ।

वेदाहमेतं पुरुषं महान्तमादित्यवर्णं तमसस्तु पारे ।
सर्वाणि रूपाणि विचित्य धीरो नामानि कृत्वाऽभिवदन् यदास्ते ।।

सत्यं प्रपद्ये, ऋतं प्रपद्ये, अमृतं प्रपद्ये, प्रजापतेः प्रियां तनुवमनार्तां प्रपद्ये, ..
भूः प्रपद्ये, भुवः प्रपद्ये, स्वः प्रपद्ये, भूर्भुवःस्वः प्रपद्ये, ब्रह्म प्रपद्ये,
.... देवान् प्रपद्ये इत्यादयः उन्मत्त-प्रलपितायिता भवेयुः ।

इति सुदीर्घप्रतिक्रियायै विषीदन्

रामानुजः

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sunil bhattacharjya

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Jun 3, 2013, 11:58:04 AM6/3/13
to Dipak Bhattacharya, subod...@gmail.com, sthir...@gmail.com, drsn...@gmail.com, dr. Satyanarayana Das, pawan...@gmail.com, Ajit Gargeshwari, भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्
Yes. Even though the deities were worshipped they used to get the offerings (made to them) through Agni, who is like their mouth. Agni is the presiding deity of the Krittika nakshatra and that also was probably the reason why Krittikadi system was followed in the early Vedic times. Further Krittikma, due to being considered to be in the East, all Yajnas were performed facing the East. The image-worship was as we see now was a later development.

Regards,
Sunil KB
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