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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/03/27/stories/2002032700720800.htm)

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

God easily accessible in image form

 

 

 

CHENNAI, MARCH 27. The Supreme Being has five aspects according to scriptural

texts, which explain in detail His nature and His different manifestations.

God's transcendental form (Para) is His absolute aspect and this is beyond human

comprehension. His second form is known as Vyuha, which is instrumental in

creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe. The other three aspects of

God are His incarnations (Vibhava), His immanence in all beings (Antaryamin) and

the image form for worship in temples and in homes.

 

Saints have with an analogy described God's accessibility to human beings in

these five aspects so that a spiritual aspirant will be able to relate to God

according to his level of spiritual evolution. The absolute form of the Lord is

akin to the cosmic water or the heavenly Ganga, which is subtle and hence not

available for worldly life. The Vyuha form of God is similar to the rain-bearing

clouds, which also cannot provide water immediately to one in need. The

incarnations of God are likened to flash floods as a result of heavy rain. This

can directly benefit those who lived during the time of His manifestations. The

Antaryamin form is compared to the groundwater, which can be harvested only by

boring deep into the soil. The image form of God in temples, on the other hand,

is like the potable water in ponds and lakes that is available to anyone who is

thirsty.

 

In his musical discourse, Sengalipuram Sri Jayakrishna Dikshitar said God's

accessibility in His different forms had direct bearing on the human effort

necessary to realise Him. The scriptural statement that it was only after

countless births that a human being realises God actually is applicable to one

who is seriously pursuing the goal of liberation from rebirths in every life and

not to the majority who are engrossed in worldly life and do not have any

inkling about the purpose of human birth. The very fact of one's birth in the

world now makes it clear that one has not benefited from the Lord's incarnations

in earlier births. It is also obvious that spiritual practices like Yoga by

which one can realise God in His immanent form, are difficult to adopt. The only

way out then for the majority of worldly people wallowing in materialistic

pursuits is to adore and worship God resident in the idols in temples, which

have been glorified in hymns by saints and mystics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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