What Happens In The Presence Of A Deity
Though a deity is usually made of stone, it has presence. But, to draw divinity out of stone, a devotee's intense prayer and supplication are needed. The Vedas declare that God pervades every atom of the universe. By that logic, nothing can be excluded. In Hinduism, the deity playsan important role. Proponents of the Dvaita school of philosophy wittingly create a distinction between God and devotee. They want a visible form to adore and worship. Though Advaita isthe ultimate goal, there are those who relish bhakti marg, which establishes a personal and loving relationship between the devotee and the divine. This relationship envisages a personal god with form, who can be invoked and adored.Thus multifarious deities are crafted to exact specifications as laid down in the Vedas. Secondly, when a deity is placed at a shrine, a ceremony called, 'Prana Protista' is duly performed, as per Vedic guidelines, by which thedivine essence of the god or goddess is invited and infused into the image. The shrine becomes a sacred spot for the devout to express their devotion. Though the Divine isomnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, only enlightened beings can experience this. For simple, worldly souls, the hurly-burly of existence presents constant challenges and obstacles that call for daily attention. To 'see' the Divine everywhere through these daily struggles, is not always workable. Marked out consecra ted spots, assist in marshalling tree faith and attention towards divinity. Justas a house has a living room, bedroom, and dining room, for specific associated activities, at different times, a marked out spot for God, at home or outside, becomes a sacred space to connect to the Divine. Rituals always potentially facilitate direct communion with the divine. 'God' is ever immanent and all it takes is a heart brimming with devotion to draw Him out. The ardent belief that the deity is alive and responsive makes it so. This is not a fanciful fable to the community of the devout. They will go back again and again to their beloved shrine to repeat the experience and garner blessings. Sri Sathya Sai Baba says of the many prevalent forms of gods and goddesses in Hinduism, "Each name and form is indicative of an aspect of divinity Each one is a facet, a part, a ray of the Supreme... in fact, everywhere you look the attribute-less divine has taken on attributes. Without the helpof nameand form you cannot comprehend the fless divine. Even Shankara, the bigproponentof non-dualism, worshiimages in childhood, and he realise value of saguna-swarupa (worshigods with form)...therefore he advsaguna-aradhana to the large majcpeople even later in his life." Places of worship providestruand disciplinefor remembering thSupreme. This promotes humility, nurtures the devotional instinct ardesirefor purifying impulses. Legistories of devotees visiting a shrinhallowed spot, and feeling overwhewith bliss. Tears streaming downtcheeks, with the devotees not kno why or how. This is the power of deand the faith resposed in the sagurversion of the Supreme or whatevename you give it. The experiencelibeyond the region of the mind-soand logic flounder in the face of it.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Shammi Paranjape views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Shammi Paranjape and Speaking Tree and Times of India
What Happens In The Presence Of A Deity
Though a deity is usually made of stone, it has presence. But, to draw divinity out of stone, a devotee's intense prayer and supplication are needed. The Vedas declare that God pervades every atom of the universe. By that logic, nothing can be excluded. In Hinduism, the deity playsan important role. Proponents of the Dvaita school of philosophy wittingly create a distinction between God and devotee. They want a visible form to adore and worship. Though Advaita isthe ultimate goal, there are those who relish bhakti marg, which establishes a personal and loving relationship between the devotee and the divine. This relationship envisages a personal god with form, who can be invoked and adored.Thus multifarious deities are crafted to exact specifications as laid down in the Vedas. Secondly, when a deity is placed at a shrine, a ceremony called, 'Prana Protista' is duly performed, as per Vedic guidelines, by which thedivine essence of the god or goddess is invited and infused into the image. The shrine becomes a sacred spot for the devout to express their devotion. Though the Divine isomnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, only enlightened beings can experience this. For simple, worldly souls, the hurly-burly of existence presents constant challenges and obstacles that call for daily attention. To 'see' the Divine everywhere through these daily struggles, is not always workable. Marked out consecra ted spots, assist in marshalling tree faith and attention towards divinity. Justas a house has a living room, bedroom, and dining room, for specific associated activities, at different times, a marked out spot for God, at home or outside, becomes a sacred space to connect to the Divine. Rituals always potentially facilitate direct communion with the divine. 'God' is ever immanent and all it takes is a heart brimming with devotion to draw Him out. The ardent belief that the deity is alive and responsive makes it so. This is not a fanciful fable to the community of the devout. They will go back again and again to their beloved shrine to repeat the experience and garner blessings. Sri Sathya Sai Baba says of the many prevalent forms of gods and goddesses in Hinduism, "Each name and form is indicative of an aspect of divinity Each one is a facet, a part, a ray of the Supreme... in fact, everywhere you look the attribute-less divine has taken on attributes. Without the helpof nameand form you cannot comprehend the fless divine. Even Shankara, the bigproponentof non-dualism, worshiimages in childhood, and he realise value of saguna-swarupa (worshigods with form)...therefore he advsaguna-aradhana to the large majcpeople even later in his life." Places of worship providestruand disciplinefor remembering thSupreme. This promotes humility, nurtures the devotional instinct ardesirefor purifying impulses. Legistories of devotees visiting a shrinhallowed spot, and feeling overwhewith bliss. Tears streaming downtcheeks, with the devotees not kno why or how. This is the power of deand the faith resposed in the sagurversion of the Supreme or whatevename you give it. The experiencelibeyond the region of the mind-soand logic flounder in the face of it.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Shammi Paranjape views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Shammi Paranjape and Speaking Tree and Times of India