Miscellaneous - Religion   

Inclusive vision

CHENNAI : The scriptures of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) posit that the Supreme Being who is one appears in manifold forms for the sake of humanity to worship Him. In fact, the myriad forms in which God is worshipped are a reiteration of His infinite nature, which makes it possible for Him to assume any form that the devotee wishes to behold. In the initial stages it is not possible for a spiritual aspirant to meditate on the formless Absolute and hence it becomes essential for each devotee to worship a particular form, which appeals to his heart. Thus the scriptures have an inclusive vision to accommodate the capacity and outlook of each spiritual aspirant to progress towards the goal of liberation from bondage.

In his discourse, Swami Mitrananda said Lord Krishna had stated in the Bhagavad Gita that even those who worshipped other deities in reality worship Him (the Absolute) alone. Similarly, all the offerings that are made in sacrifices to different deities reach Him only and those who do not have the knowledge that He is the enjoyer and the Lord of all sacrifices (as the Supreme Deity) are reborn in this world. It is evident even from our worldly pursuits that we move towards realising the goal we seek. This is true in spiritual life also for a devotee attains that form he seeks. The Lord states in the Gita, "Those who are vowed to gods go to the gods; those who are vowed to the manes go to the manes; those who adore the spirits reach the spirits and those who worship Me come to Me alone."

The Lord Himself has pointed out that only loving devotion matters and that He can be worshipped in simple ways without resorting to ostentatious display, "Whosoever offers to Me with love a leaf, a flower, a fruit or even water, I appear in person before that devotee of sinless mind, and delightfully partake of that article offered by him with love." Man's outlook has become so complicated that he fails to see God in all aspects of nature. What ultimately matters is the love with which whatever is offered to God and not what is offered, though a devotee will offer whatever is the best to Him. Loving devotion to God is a powerful antidote to worldliness.

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