 |
||
|
||
| Advertise with us! |
|
|
Hinduism for Beginners series - 2
Hinduism and Computers *
by Namdev Nirakar
"Hinduism is so complex. I still do not understand it ", said Eesha, a
young girl to uncle Ashok. She was sitting at her computer. Seeing her
uncle Ashok from the temple, she immediately asked him about something
that was puzzling her.
"What happened ?", asked Ashok.
"I go to the temple with my parents and we worship all these idols. But
I do not know why ?", She asked.
"We will talk about it. But I see that you have a new computer.
Are you are going to give me a demo now ?", asked Ashok.
"Sure, I have already powered it on. This is the monitor, this is the
key board, and this is a mouse", said Eesha.
" It doesn't look like a mouse, except for the thin tail like chord
it has", noted uncle Ashok.
"Yes, that is why it is called a mouse. You can control and operate
the computer with it. You see all these small pictures, these are all
different programs. These pictures are called 'icons' and you 'click'
on them to start that program", Eesha informed.
"How interesting! Just like in your computer, the Hindu 'icons' or idols
in the temple or in homes are also symbolic of higher values. These
icons also relate Hindu history. Just as the symbol of a pair of scissors
on your computer is symbolic for for 'cut' operation and the icon
of 'glue bottle' is symbol 'paste operation, or a paint brush or a spray
can are symbols for paint or spary operations, so are Hindu icons
representative of values a person should aspire for and symbolic of the
Hindu history. Let us take example of Ganesh, the 'God of beginings'
with an elephant's head riding on a mouse", Ashok said.
"Yes, I wanted to to ask you about Lord Ganesh. How can he ride a
mouse ?", asked Eesha.
"A mouse is tiny, and can go every where without anyone noticing it.
it can be everywhere, but yet very small. Just like our mind. We don't
know where mind is located, and it seems to run everywhere", Ashok
replied.
"So a mouse represents our mind!", Eesha concluded (**).
"Correct!, and when Ganesha, the Lord of beginings rides on this mind
or controls it, then you can advance spiritually. Just as you use
the mouse to control and utilize the power of the computer, you must
control and use the mind to realize your power", Ashok explained.
"But why the elephant head for Ganesha ?", she asked.
"Ganesha represents many things. His wide elephant ears show he is
'Bahushruta'- widely knowledgible, and the ear's winnowing basket like
shape represents ability to separate essence from the fluff. Elephants
of course are known for great memory and intellect, hence the large head.
Even now one cannot find a robot which is capable of lifting something
very heavy (weighing a ton), and at the same time being capable of
precisely lifting a tiny pin. But an elephant's trunk can lift and
uproot huge trees, and also sift and pick up a blade of grass. So
a trunk represents a sense of discrimination (Vivek) between gross
(JaDa) and subtle (sookshma). His small eyes represent ability to keep
an 'eye' on tiniest matter", said Ashok.
He continued, "Also the story of Ganesha's birth goes as follows :
'Ganesha was created by his mother Parvati out of her 'sweat'. When
Shiva, the supreme Lord came, Ganesha refused to acknowledge Shiva.
So Shiva removed Ganesha's human head and upon Parvati's urging replaced
it with an elephant's head. Let us look at the meaning of this story:
When we work hard and accomplish something, we say "I have built this
with my own sweat". So accomplishments result from sweat and hard work,
but usually that increases our ego. We say "I did this". We even forget
God. So in order to progress on spiritual path, this 'ego ahamkar
must be chopped off and replaced with an elephant's head with the
qualities of knowledge, memory, sense of discrimination, sensitivity."
"That explains about symbolism, but what about the history?" asked Eesha.
"The Greek historians around Alexander of Macedonia's (also called as
Alexander the Great) time describe during his invasion of frontier
kingdoms of India in 327 BCE, his attack on Mousikanos. Later the King
of Mousikanos revolted against Alexander and was punished. Mousikanos
is Greek description of a Sanskrit word 'Mooshak' or mouse in English.
Thus Mooshak were a people. Similarly a coin dating 165 BCE of a King
of neighboring Bactria, called Dimitrius by Greek historians, shows a
unique headgear, that of an elephant's head. Around that time most Greeks
in the region had adopted Hinduism or Buddhism. Hence a possibility of
his being a Ganesha follower exists. It is also possible that Ganesha's
unique form was used by the rishis to absorb into the Hindu fold the
then Greeks with similar headgear", Ashok replied.
"Very interesting, but why do we have all these different symbols or
icons? " Eesha asked.
"Eesha, in school you are being a student, on the play ground you
are a player, you are a sister to your brother, a daughter to your
parents, and so on. Do you act as a student with your parents ? No.
So are there many Eeshas. No. Similarly different icons in Hinduism
represent a different aspect OF THE SAME God. His (or Her) creative
aspect is called as Brahma, the preserving aspect is called VishNu
and the destructive aspect is called Shiva and so on. You have the
SAME computer which has a spreadsheet program, a word processor program
and communication or print program, and you use the same computer but
use or invoke a different 'aspect' or click on a different icon as you
need. Similarly Hinduism represents different aspect of the SAME God
that you 'click' on to develop particular ability", Ashok said.
"Do you know when the computers initially came they did not have
the icons. Then the 'knowledgible' programmers used 'long strings' of
commands. But it became difficult for common man to use. Hence the
graphic representation or icons came in. Similarly, in the begining
Hindu rishis wrote hymns called Vedas, which do not have icons. But
later on icons were used so common people could learn and 'click'
on this knowledge", he added.
"Like me ?" Eesha asked.
"Yes, like you and me", Ashok replied. "Ironically, even most Hindus
get cought up in the rituals and do not go beyond them. If you offered
garlands and flowers to computer without clicking on the icons, will you get a
get any benefit ? Of course not ! Unfortunately, most people mistakenly
consider those who do ritualistic worship as 'devotees'. Just as by
using a computer you improve your efficiency and skills, 'clicking' on
on the true devotion will improve your life."
"So Eesha, you now know that Hindu icons are symbols and represent
different aspects of the SAME God. They also represent various attributes
that we must develop. By clicking on the 'true' Bhakti or devotion and
not just ritualistic devotion, you can develop and utilize the great
power within." Ashok concluded.
"Of course there are are those who reject symbols completely and
erroneously brag that they are being modern." He added.
"That would be like rejecting the computer itself", Eesha added.
"So now let us get on with the computer demonstration" they both said.
_______________________________________________________________________
Please note that usually there are multiple (3 to 7) meanings and
interpretations for most Hindu literature and all these meanings are
VALID AT THE SAME TIME.
References for Ganesha's history -
1.Invasion of India by Alexander the Great as depicted by Arrian,
Plutarch, Justin etc, by J.W.McCrindle
2.The wonder that was India by A.L.Basham (for the Bactrian Coin )
_______________________________________________________________________
For more information on Hindu symbolism please read
1. Symbolism in Hinduism - R.S.Nathan (Editor), Chinmay Mission
Publication.
(Also available thru Vedanta Press, CA)
2. Ganapati-The song of the Self by Prof John Grimes- SUNY Albany Press
3. For Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati readers
Sanskruti Poojan by Pandurang Shastry Athawale
Book no 2 is for more mature readers.
|
||
|
||
| Advertise with us! |
|
|