HINDU IDOLS

HINDU IDOLS

When language was not developed, the learned Rishis tried to explain higher living and the concept of God through pictures and symbols which anyone can understand globally, even by those who were illiterate.

Instead of being skeptical, if one tries to understand the meaning of symbol, the meanings can be understood easily.

Ganapathi is a symbol reminding that faculty of God to remove obstacles that humans can not remove themselves. Thaan paathi daivam paathi :) What ever care humans take, there can still be some error which is beyond human control. This unknown element of uncertainty, the Hindus surrender to God to kindly take care of.

For this they created a friendly happy appealing figure in Ganapathi. Looking at Ganapathi will not create fear, but a sense of amusement and freedom. Women love to have children like Ganapathi who will face even the God himself to defend his mother.

To remove obstacles, Ganapathi is the deity which is invoked.

Deities are not separate Gods. But parts of the wholesome God who in entirety is neither invoked nor invokable. Because God has no form. But humans cannot imagine formlessness. They NEED forms to feast their eyes on. What they like to see God as. The real God may please grin and bear with the devotees. 

 Who told God to be formless in the first place ? LOL !

 Most need something that can be seen to pray unto. Formlessness is high funda stuff understood by rishis and learned ones. Most live on the ground. they need sight able evidence to establish a one to one connection to have effective communication ! Hence the deities... 

Hope other religions understand and bear with the Hindus.

Humans need only a few qualities of God to be active in their lives. One such is education for which a Goddess Saraswati is invoked. For wealth another Goddess named Lakshmi is invoked. For female power, Durga is invoked. etc.

All these are assumed as separate power streams of the single God. There is actually no separation. God has all powers. People invoke only what they need for the moment. While studying, students invoke Goddess of education. While working, adults invoke the Goddess of wealth, While initiating something they invoke Ganapathi.

These are personalized tailor made Gods for the occasion... LOL ! 

Once invoked these idols are promptly dumped (immersed in water) ! Out of sight. Just chup and remain there until we need you next time appears to be the attitude of the Hindus ! LOL !

Hindus have taken this liberty with God having known God for thousands f years. However fundamentally there is only one God. One sun, many lights.

Zakir Naik may please note.. LOL !

Each of these Hindu deities have symbols or shapes. And each symbol has a carefully designed meaning. Goddesses for education and wealth sit on lotuses. Have you noticed ? That means the Goddess is not heavy, in the first place LOL ! The lotus has the quality to rise above the water level at all times. The lotus leaves even though always in touch with water, is unaffected by water. This is the correct way to live. Live life. But don't get stuck with life. Why ? Then one has to face death. Otherwise one can reach eternal life. 

Sure ? You bet !

Also lotuses have roots in stinking mud. But the lotus emits divine fragrance. It is the same dirty mud that the lotus has converted into the beauty of a lotus. This is a message to the humans. What ever be your origin, you can become a great soul like Jesus, Nabi or Buddha. Any one can. Even that beggar in the street. Yes. That is the message of Lotus. Thus the lotus is a carefully picked example. See the intelligence of the Rishi here. He picked up a symbol to teach us a lesson.

Coming back to Ganapathi, the shape of Ganapathi is full of meanings.

Ganapathi is the symbol of removing obstacles. It has huge ears. This means to avoid obstacles, one has to listen BIG first!

The pot belly indicates read and digest as much as possible. Digest everything in the world. Accept all. No gas trouble LOL !

The trunk is so fine that it can pick up a pin but so powerful too to even uproot a tree. Make the intellect sharp and the mind powerful.

An elephant fears none. Not even a pack of lions. Or an army. So be fearless like an elephant.

Be a vegetarian like an elephant, still be healthy and strong.

There are many meanings.

At least Hindu idols have some meaning.

Hope it is more confusing now !

Mission accomplished.

 LOL !