Guest guest Posted October 8, 2003 Report Share Posted October 8, 2003 CHAPTER VIII WORSHIP OF SUBSTITUTES AND IMAGES The next points to be considered are the worship of Pratikas or of things more or less satisfactory as substitutes for God, and the worship of Pratimâs or images. What is the worship of God through a Pratika? It is ---------- — Joining the mind with devotion to that which is not Brahman, taking it to be Brahman " — says Bhagavân Râmânuja. " Worship the mind as Brahman this is internal; and the Âkâsha as Brahman, this is with regard to the Devas " , says Shankara. The mind is an internal Pratika, the Akasha is an external one, and both have to be worshipped as substitutes of God. He continues, " Similarly — 'the Sun is Brahman, this is the command', 'He who worships Name as Brahman' — in all such passages the doubt arises as to the worship of Pratikas. " The word Pratika means going towards; and worshipping a Pratika is worshipping something as a substitute which is, in some one or more respects, like Brahman more and more, but is not Brahman. Along with the Pratikas mentioned in the Shrutis there are various others to be found in the Purânas and the Tantras. In this kind of Pratika-worship may be included all the various forms of Pitri-worship and Deva-worship. _____________ Today we continue Swami Vivekananda's book Bhakti-Yoga found in Volume 3 of the Complete works. This is a part of a daily study of the lectures and writings of Swami Vivekananda. All lectures are sent out in sequenced form, as he spoke them. Please tell a friend about this Vivekananda Mailing (VML) list and study group. To or send a message to sarada. or visit universaltemple.org and there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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