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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

God assumes any form for the sake of His devotee

 

CHENNAI, NOV. 7. The plethora of rituals, customs and religious

practices in vogue may be confusing for a spiritual aspirant and

he may be at a loss to understand which one to follow. For

obtaining clarity it is important to understand the intent of

these practices. For instance, when we analyse the simple

observance of fasting, it becomes apparent that for one who is

used to indulgence in the matter of food, abstaining from eating

even one meal may be difficult. Initially when he fasts his mind

will be preoccupied only with thoughts of food and it is in

course of time with repeated practice that he will attain self-

control. All religious practices have been prescribed with the

purpose of getting control over one's mind which is the basis for

spiritual progress.

 

The teachings of the Upanishads are meant for leading a fulfilled

life in the world. They do not advocate renunciation for all to

realise the goal of liberation. In fact, the names of rulers

figure in the Upanishad passages as seekers of truth. They only

beseech mankind to be aware of God behind all the phenomenon. As

this requires only a change of perspective in life it is not

necessary to become a monk in order to realise the truth. What is

essential is the desire for liberation from bondage.

 

In his discourse, Swami Asutoshananda said one could practise

meditation either on the abstract Reality without a form or on a

form of God. In any case one has to start meditating on God with

a form initially because man can visualise anything only in his

image. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to draw attention to the

mind's nature by saying that a cat would envision God only as a

huge cat. So it is natural for man to conceive God with a form

similar to the human form. Within this group of devotees who

worship God with form, differences arise due to sectarian

affiliations as each devotee's preference may be different. But

on no account should one denounce others who worship a different

deity.

 

The analogy of the ocean and the waves must be borne in mind. The

Almighty is like the ocean which is a formless expanse; but many

waves arise in it. Likewise, all forms of God are legitimate in

their own right. It is for the sake of His devotees that the

Almighty appears as many. Similarly, those who meditate on the

formless aspect of God should not denounce those who worship God

with form saying that it amounts to limiting the infinite. All

are aspects of God and the Supreme Being in His boundless

compassion is ready to accept His devotee in whatever form he

wishes to conceive Him.

 

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