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Re: symbolism associated with deities
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To: alt-hindu@cis.ohio-state.edu
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Subject: Re: symbolism associated with deities
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From: susarla@owlnet.rice.edu (H. Krishna Susarla)
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Date: 28 Feb 1995 05:58:34 GMT
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Distribution: world
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From news@larry.rice.edu Tue Feb 28 00: 48:09 1995
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: Rice University
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References: <3ig29j$m9v@ucunix.san.uc.edu>
In article <3ig29j$m9v@ucunix.san.uc.edu>, bsamal@aol.com says...
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>I am interested to learn and collect informations related to the symbolism
>associated with different gods in Hinduism. For example, the choice of
>chariots (swan, mouse, garud, bull etc), the weapons the Gods carry
>(chakra, trident etc) and the number of hands and heads they have. I shall
>appreciate in receiving references (names of books, research articles etc)
> regarding these and other symbols. Thanks.Babru Samal
Haribol,
The idea that deities are merely 'symbols' is a relatively new idea. It
certainly has no basis in any Vedic scripture that I am aware of. Rather,
the deity is meant to represent the particular being who is worshiped.
Because our senses are contaminated by material attachments, they are
incapable of perceiving higher beings in the material plane like the devas,
what to speak of perceiving the spiritual world and God Himself. Therefore,
out of His causeless mercy for us, the Lord agrees to incarnate Himself as a
material deity to receive our worship and devotion. I am told that when the
deity is worshiped with devotion, the Lord Himself is present there to
receive the devotion. On the other hand, if the deity is worshiped
half-heartedly, then it's a good bet that the Lord is not interested.
Installing a deity or picture of a deity in your home or temple is like
inviting the Lord as a guest to reside with you. You certainly would not
want your guest to dwell in a dirty place. Rather, you would keep his
dwelling clean, and always offer him fresh food and other items. Similarly,
when you are engaging in deity worship, you should treat the deity as if the
Lord Himself is residing there as your guest. It is good to offer food,
incense, fresh flowers, and water daily. Don't ever do anything to the
deity that you would not do to a VIP guest.
So, what does having four hands symbolize? What does having two hands
symbolize? What does carrying a weapon symbolize? There is no need to search
for some kind of abstract, underlying meaning. The deities are the material
representation of the Lord (or demigod, if you are worshiping one of His
servants).
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- H. Krishna Susarla - "Religion without philosophy is sentiment, or -
- susarla@rice.edu - sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without -
- Rice University - religion is mental speculation." -
- Class of 1995 - -- Swami Srila Prabhupada -
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"Unintelligent men, who do not know Me perfectly, think that I, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, was impersonal before and
have now assumed this personality. Due to their small knowledge,
they do not know My higher nature, which is imperishable and supreme."
- Bhagavad-Gita 7.24
