Hinduism - Basics & FAQ - Part 6

Hinduism - Basics & FAQ

Preface:
Collection of FAQs to understand basics of Hinduism - a collection of facts as shared by my friend, Shri Sai, a vivid forum contributor in Tamil 'Thuglak' magazine. Entire collection here and the following pages in several parts, due to volume of information, are fully attributed to Shri Sai. His various sources are attributed 'then and there' where relevant. Have a pleasant reading-cum-learning, readers!!
- Singai Sivas
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41. Do Hindus worship idols or images ?

Hindus do not worship idols or images per se, but rather the ideals that the idols or images represent. Human beings, with their finite instruments of knowledge, cannot conceive of the formless Infinite, so they use images as aids to concentration. Mahatma Gandhi said, "An idol does not excite any feeling of veneration in me. But I think that idol worship is part of human nature. We hanker after symbolism. Why should one be more composed in a church than elsewhere? Images are an aid to worship. No Hindu considers an image to be God."

Examples of symbolism in Hinduism : Lord Ganesha's elephant ears represent his ability of selective hearing - to listen to all that is auspicious and worthwhile, and to ignore the rest. Lord Shiva's snakes represent his victory over fear, death, and ego. Lord Krishna's blue color symbolizes infinity, like the infinitude of the blue sky. For further study, see 'Symbolism in Hinduism' by Swami Chinmayananda.

The names and forms of God may ne many, but God is One. Example: There are many types of golden ornaments, but the essence of all the ornaments is gold. So too, there are many names and forms in the universe, but the essence of all names and forms is One (God).

Devotion, Swami Chinmayananda says, is not "falling in love;", it is "rising in love." Most people need to associate a specific name and form with God because it makes it easier for them to develop a relationship with God. Which name and form each person chooses as his 'Ishta Deva', or Lord of his heart, is based on his personal attraction toward that name and form.

Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission

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42. Can one worship God without the use of images ?

Yes, one could worship God as 'nirguna and nirakara' (without qualities and without form). But it is easier to concentrate on God as 'saguna' (with form) through a symbol. The Upanishads say that the formless 'Brahman' has been assigned forms only for the convenience of the aspirant, as it is not possible for most people to concentrate on that which is formless.

Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission

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43. Do Hindus worship cows and the natural elements ?

Hindus revere cows because they regard all of creation as sacred - whether conscious or inert, whether animal or plant. It is not that Hindus worship cows as deities. Hindus honor cows in gratidue for their generosity, value, and gentleness. The cow is looked upon as a mother, who contributes unconditionally, in so many ways, to the daily sustenance of the human being.

Vedic hymns do address the natural elements, but the seeker is told to focus on the elements' underlying powers and not merely their physical aspects. Each element has 'adhibhautik' (physical), 'adhidaivik' (celestial), and 'adhyatmik' (spiritual) significance. Example : 'Agni' signifies fire on the physical plane, purity on the celestial plane, and Light, or God, on the spiritual plane.

Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission

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44. Who make up the Hindu Trinity ?

The Hindu Trinity consists of Brahma, the Creator (note the distintions between Brahma, Brahman, and Brahmana); Vishnu, the Sustainer; and Shiva, the Destroyer. The three represent the different aspects of the one 'Brahman', supreme Reality, or God.

It should be noted that the formless One has been assigned such forms only for the convenience of the seeker (sadhakanam hitarthaya brahmano rupa-kalpana), whose finite equipment does not allow him to comprehend the infinite, formless One in its entirety.


Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission

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45. What is meant by avatara, or incarnation of God ?

The Sanskrit term 'avatarana' means "coming down" and denotes the manifestation of the Supreme in any form. Lord Krishna says in 'Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (4.7-4.8):

Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata
Abhyuthanam adharmasya tad atmanam srijamyaham
Paritrnanaya sahdunam vinashaya cha dushkritam
Dharma samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge

"Whenever rightousness declines and unrighteouness increases, I manifest Myself. I am born from age to age for the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil and evildoers, and the re-establishment of dharma in the world."

Thus, the 'avatara', which is the incarnation of God in a form - to redeem humanity from spiritual degradation and restore dharma in society - postulates the ultimate victory and supremacy of the Divine.


Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission

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46. Are all 'avataras' alike, or is there a difference between one 'avatara' and another ?

Not all 'avataras' are alike. The Lord is ever complete, but His 'avatatars' differ in manifestation, depending on the purpose of incarnation, the requirements of the time, and the intensity of the circumstances. Based on this 'avataras' are categorized as follows:

a. Nitya Avatara - The Lord is ever present in the world and in the form of saints and sages. Saint Ramadas said, "Those who work for the establishment of Dharma are none other than 'Ishvara' himself."

b. Amsha Avatara - The Lord manifests with only a part of His potency in order to accomplish a particular goal. Example : Matsya (fish) Avatara, Varaha (boar) Avatara, Vamana (dwarf) Avatara, etc.

c. Avesha Avatara - The Lord supremely manifests in a situation where a devotee is in need. Example: 'Narasimha Avatara', for His devotee Prahlada.

d. Purna Avatara - The Lord manifests in His full potency and splendor (with all His 16 'kalas' or attributes), Shri Krishna is a 'purna avatara.'


Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission

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47. What are the 'avataras' of Lord Vishnu ?

There have been various 'avataras' of Lord Vishnu; however, it is not possible to give an exact number. This is largely due to the fact that whenever we see a great personality of superhuman strength (physical, mental, intellectual, or spiritual) establishing dharma and achieving great feats, we attribute it to divinity. 'Shrimad Bhagavatam' states that even though there are countless 'avataras', there are 24 'avataras' that are significant. The ten reowned manifestations of Lord Vishnu are:

1. Matsya (fish)
2. Kurma (tortoise)
3. Varaha (boar)
4. Narasimha (man-lion)
5. Vamana (dwarf)
6. Parashurama
7. Rama
8. Krishna
9. Buddha (or Balarama)
10. Kalki

For further study, see 'Shrimad Bhagavatam.'


Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission

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48. What are the three dispositions (gunas) of Nature ?

a. Sattva (sattva-guna): good, pious, noble, tranquil

b. Rajas (rajoguna): passionate, agitated, authoritative, assertive

c. Tamas (tamoguna): dull, inactive, sleepy, ignorant

These dispositions of Nature are seen at the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels of existence. On the microcosmic level, the sum of all three qualities is always a constant; when one 'guna' rises, the others decline. A person's personality or mood at any given time is determined by the prepondernace of any one 'guna'.


Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - The Means and The Goal), Chinmaya Mission

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49. What are the five subtle elements, or tan-mantras ?

The five subtle elements, before grossfication, are known as the 'tan-mantras': space, air, fire, water, and earth. Each 'tan-mantra' is comprised of the three 'gunas': 'sattva', 'rajas', and 'tamas'. Each 'tan-mantra' has a total aspect and an individual aspect.

1. The total sattvik aspects of five tan-mantras combine to form the 'antah-karana', or inner instrument: 'manas', 'buddhi', 'chitta', and 'ahankara' (See Question 53 which I will send later)

The individual sattvik aspects of the five 'tan-mantras' produce the 'jnana-indriyas', or sense organs of perception:  
ears (from space), skin (from air), eyes (from fire), tongue (from water), and nose (from earth).

2. The total rajasik aspects of the five 'tan-mantras' combine to form the five 'pranas': prana, apana, vyana, udana, and samana (see Question 52 which I will send later)

The individual rajasik aspects of the five 'tan-mantras' produce the 'karma-indriyas', or sense organs of action: tongue (from space), hands (from air), legs (from fire), genitals (from water),and anus (from earth).

3. The individual tamasik aspects of the five 'tan-mantras' undergo 'panchi-karana' to form the five elements that make up the gross world.

After 'panchi-karana' the total tamasik aspects of the five 'tan-mantras' combine to form the gross (physical) body.



Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - The Means and The Goal), Chinmaya Mission

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50. What is Panchi-karana, or the grossification process of the five elements ?

According to 'Advaita Vedanta', 'Brahman' alone is real and all else is unreal. The concept of creation is described as follows: From the one Source, 'Brahman', come forth five elements and their combinations to create the phenomenal world. The process by which the five subtle elements ('pancha-tan-mantras') become the five gross elements ('pancha-mahabhutas'), which make up the gross world, is called the five-step division/combination process, or 'Panchi-karana'.

For further study, see 'Tattva Bodha' by Adi Shankara, with commentary by Swami Tejomayananda.

Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - The Means and The Goal), Chinmaya Mission

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