This book deals with popular Hindu deities and their significant attributes. To the outsider, the diversity in the Indian concept of God appears not only baffling but does not seem to follow any rational pattern. In his present day life, modern man has neither the time nor the inclination to ascertain the basic truthof traditional dogma; how can he claim the right of passing judgment on the Indian religious way of life?
The realization of divine knowledge is the
objective behind the study of
symbols. Wisdom has occasionally been concealed from the mass; it is left to enquiring minds to look beyond the surface. The outer cover is peeled off to reveal the truth inside, until you reach a point where you find nothing left to remove.
The lotus is the symbol of detachment. It floats on the surface of water, but it is never contaminated by the pollutants present in the water. The bees are the symbols of dignified attachment. They return to their hive with the bounty of fulfillment in the
form of honey.
The ancient thinkers also chose a particular animal as a symbol for a particular concept, keeping in mind the similarity with its nature and function. For example, the snake represents kala (Time), a lion represents power and tenacity, and the swan is known as the symbol of purity. The dwarf being trampled under the foot of Shiva is not the passive, spiritless ego that has so often been portrayed, but suggests an ego subservient to the will of God.
Many of the dance forms in India have a spiritual origin. Each form has its own specific
meaning. When he is dancing for the purpose of
destruction, Nataraja (Shiva) dances with the five elements in a rhythmic frenzy. In the subjective world the dance is in the hearts and minds of men, and the pose assures safety and freedom from fear.
On the one hand the
task of destruction has been assigned to him and on the other hand He is considered most benevolent by his devotees. The Hindus see no contradiction in this for his actions at all times have to be motivated by one objective alone – the redemption of this world. He removes the negatives so as to strengthen all that is positive in man. He does not destroy for the sake of destruction; His destruction is merely preparatory to a fresh creation. A change in state is always to create a new world for the purpose of man’s evolution.
Like the tortoise, the seeker of knowledge must occasionally withdraw from the world of senses (from the outside world) to find a higher purpose within himself. Only those who are tired of the unending cycle of joy and sorrow should take to this path. But once he decides to take this path in earnest, the path of
self-inquiry, he must then follow through with determination. In this context, the Rishis (Sages) have also said that when the seeker concentrates on a definite goal in view, he is bound to achieve his objective. The worshipper should not stop after gaining intermediate powers, but shout try to subdue his desires and merge his individuality with the divine mind. He should not remain attached to these powers, though they eclipse many man-made achievements, or he will become delirious with self-importance.
As long as man keeps on using his knowledge for his own selfish ends, chaos and tension will rule his life, and he will face different challenges. In different situations, temptations will come in many, many forms; sometimes horrible, sometimes alluring and sometimes very deceptive. But in a self-realized person, the blessings of the cosmic force appear in the form of a divine luster. Such a person functions in the world through the spirit in contrast to distinctions based on matter.
From times immemorial, Hindus have used various types of symbols for making pictures in the mind. They also gave form and figures to their ideas, for this proved to be helpful in grasping their essential meaning. If we understand the meaning behind them, we will enjoy keeping these images in our homes all the more. It is with this definite objective in mind that the author embarked on this quest. The task of translating Hindu religious ideas into cut and dried philosophy and incisive psychology was a task whose magnitude could be understood only by those who had attempted it.
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