Instant Goddesses? ( reply by devi_bhakta )

[Guest guest]

Thanks nora, baburoy and dreamaker for some really relevant questions

-- I hope many memnbers will contribute their thoughts on this

essential subject.

 

Nora stated that, "Ultimately it doesn't matter as to who you worship.

.... the most important is that this act of worshipping fulfill the

need ... to feel connected to the Divine One."

 

However, she found it "rather irrational" to deify popular movie stars

as Baburoy notes is sometimes seen in popular Hinduism. Baburoy

observes, "I think it really matters who is put on the pedestal."

 

This is an important point, because it's where Christians, Muslims and

other "outsiders" find a certain lack of credibility in the Hindu

approach to worship. As my correspondent asked "I still can't get over

how they just come up with new goddesses, just like that. I mean, can

you do that?" And dreamaker adds, "there are so many gods and

goddesses ... and why do we need them all?"

 

In my understanding, the answer for Shakti Sadhikas/Sadhakas lies in

the concept that Goddess is Everything. From there, it is at least

theoretically possible to say that we can worship anything in this

world and, through it, reach Goddess.

 

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is the manifestation of Shiva-Shakti, or

Ultimate Reality: "I am the Father of this Universe, and even the

Source of the Father. I am the Mother of this Universe, and the

Creator of All." (BG, 9.17)

 

Because S/HE is the only God/dess, all objects of worship are possible

paths to HER/HIM: "In any way that men love me, in that same way they

find my love: For many are the paths of men, but they all in the end

come to me." (BG, 4.11)

 

Also: "Even those who, in faith, worship other deities, because of

their love they worship me, although not in the right way." (BG, 9.23)

 

BUT ... that does not mean that all paths are equally effective.

Worshipping a human being -- even a divinely beautiful actress or

handsome actor -- is certainly not the same as worshipping a true

avatar of Devi or Shiva or Vishnu.

 

"I accept all worship, and I am their Lord Supreme. But they know not

my Pure Being, and because of this they fall." (BG, 9.24)

 

I take this to mean that, while any kind of devotion can purify the

devotee, and prepare them for higher worship in future lives, it will

not lead them to moksha. Does that seem like a legitimate

interpretation? I'd be interested to hear other opinions.

 

Aum Saraswatyai Namaha