First of all i would like to say that i am not an expert on deity worship. Idol worship and prayers having been taken to various temples by my parents for 21 years, i came to the question of why do so many practicing hindus blindly visit temples and recite prayers in sunskrit that they have no real understanding of what the idols signify or the prayers mean. A hindu is the person who lives the life of dharma righteousness. Jan 20, 2015 but i am a human being and i believe its my duty not to make the general public illiterate about our scripture get the idea that vedas are against idol worship.
The prophet will be given protection against his enemy. Hindus do idol worship which is condemned in abrahamic religious books like the holy quran, the holy bible and the holy torah. Nov 27, 2012 no idolatry in vedas western indologists dr vivek arya swami dayanand was first scholar in modern times to proclaim that idolatry or worship of god in forms of idols is not sanctioned in the holy vedas. Idol worship and rituals are at the heart of hinduism and have great religious and philosophical significance. The vedas are the ultimate source to which all religious knowledge can be traced. It allows absolute freedom to the human reason and heart with regard to questions such as nature of god, soul, creation, form of worship and the goal of life. In this book, truth is god, the reader will find gandhiji speaking from his heart on various occasions in the course of thirty years of the maturest period of his life. The vedas are the oldest books in the library of man. Why i am a hindu, from the book truth is god, where gandhiji explains why he continues to be a hindu.
Worship practices practicing hindus worship god present in every form, recognizing that everything is a manifestation of god sometimes we hear that hindus practice idol worship this is incorrect hindus do not worship the idol but god in a particular form this is common practice in all religions where. Idol worship murthi puja or image worship in hinduism refers to the worship of the names and forms murti of god, any divinity or reverential person such as a guru or a saint. Vedas were heard by the sages direct from the gods. Therefore, it is very likely that there could have been a time where idol worship was prohibited and working on oneself to realize the ultimate truth was the process that was undertaken. This is very opposite to what we follow in hinduism today where there are millions of gods and idols to worship, each god signifying certain characteristics. Idol worshiping is not prohibited in vedas, but considered as least kind of worshiping.
Alexandria school of theology alexandria branch fourth year 20102011 religions the philosophy and significance of idolworship in hinduism mina fouad. Sep 11, 2008 i liked the key pointman is to become divine by realizing the divine. My question is the hindu pandits and scholars, agree that the vedas, and other hindu religious scriptures prohibit idol worship, but initially because the mind may not be matured, therefore an idol is required for concentration while worshipping. If you are talking of hindus, let me put very clear. But i am a human being and i believe its my duty not to make the general public illiterate about our scripture get the idea that vedas are against idol worship. In these monotheistic religions, idolatry has been considered as the worship of false gods and is. The practice of idol worship in hinduism and why hindus pray to idols and images at homes and in temples. Full text of the prophet muhammad pbuh in hindu scriptures. They are the original scriptures of hindu teachings, containing spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of life. It is also the most complex in its philosophy and practices and difficult to understand. See more ideas about hindu worship, vedic mantras and hindu mantras. Vedas are books of knowledge not hindu religious texts.
Part 1 in indian society, idol worship is one of the major superstitions that preclude the development of a scientific bent of mind. But i think that idol worship is part of human nature. Idolatry is the worship of an idol or cult image, being a physical image, such as a statue, or a person in place of god. The concept of god in hinduism is unparalled in this world that everything is god and god is everything. Common questions asked by hindus about islam by dr. The idea that vedas are agianst idol worship is an interpretation of arya samaj from the vedas. For centuries they have been the basis of philosophical discussion, study and commentary. This method is possible to only those who have a lot of meditation practice, and those people are. An introduction the following are some references from hindu scriptures. Some people may argue that raja bhoj mentioned in the prophecy lived in the 11th century c. Common questions asked by hindus about islam by dr naik. The hindu pundits and scholars agree that the vedas and other hindu religious scriptures prohibit idol worship, but initially because the mind may not be matured, an idol is required for.
Although ancient hindu philosophies laid the foundations for all other modern day religions and is aeons ahead of modern science, there is a misconception regarding the practice of idol worship in hinduism. The philosophical maxims of vedic literature have stood the test of time, and the vedas form the highest. Owens 1 baylor school hedges library hindu gods and. Be a proud and staunch hindu never be afraid if someone calls you a communal, whoever say s so, is the pseudosecular or a bigger communal than you. Agniveer proudly stands in defense of idolatry until this monster of terror is wiped off the globe. This book by jayaram v presents a thorough and scholarly understanding of the basic and essential aspects of hinduism from both historical and theological perspectives. I would also like to say that i very much enjoy temple visits because of the divine feeling that one gets when going to temples. Why do people worship idols even though they are banned in. Preference is given to manasika pooja which means a person who wish to worship any god, need to assume gods image in his mind and concentrate on that god and worship in his mind manasika. Principally there are four vedas and amongst all the vedas, the rigveda is the most sacred and oldest. Although many reformers in past like adi shankracharya, guru basava, guru nanak, sant kabir, dadu, raja ram mohan roy. As far as i am concerened hinduism has not one book but many books and just by going through one line and spreading a rumor that idol worship is banned in hindusim doesnt suit. Different parts of world have different popular holy books. No doubt it is prohibited in all holy books like vedas, upanishads, talmudh, bible and the quran.
The truths contained in all religions are derived from the vedas and are ultimately traceable to the vedas. This web site explains how the attitudes are based on the teaching of hindu sacred texts such as the vedas. Other murti forms found in hinduism include the linga. The vedas also are thoroughly opposed to idol worship, but what you have seen in hindu temples is not idol worship but rather deity worship. Vivekanandas explanation on idol worship and many gods theory of hinduism. Worship takes a multitude of forms depending on geography and language. The practice of idol worship in hinduism by nithin sridhar the article was published in. A form or image is necessary for worship in the beginning. Several websites provide lists of hindu organizations in the u.
Even if idolatry and avatar are not mentioned in vedas, still the idea of avatar came from vedas and vedas have their own literature from vishnu to vaman. It doesnt matter if i am a hindu, muslim, christian or atheist. Jan 09, 2015 stop killing, raping, abusing idolworship and idolworshippers. These books are in sanskrit, the sacred language of the hindus.
Another major common ground for hinduism as well as abrahamic religions is that even paganidol worship which abrahamic religions condemn was never mentioned in the vedas or upanishads. The hindu pundits and scholars agree that the vedas and other hindu religious scriptures prohibit idol worship, but initially because the mind may not be matured, an idol is required for concentration while worshipping. The vedas are considered the earliest literary record of indoaryan civilization and the most sacred books of india. The idols of rama, sita, lakshmana, krishna, venkateshwara, ganesha, laxmi and many innumerable idols are worshipped all over the world by hindus. Why should one be more composed in a church than elsewhere. But i think that idolworship is part of human nature. No idolatry in vedas western indologists agniveer fan.
Murti is a general term for an image, statue or idol of a deity or mortal in indian culture. But as a matter of fact most of hindus or christians or which ever religion, are all doing the same thing ie limiting to the plane of idol worship for material gains, and are never rising above it that is my observation. They sure did yagnas sacrificial rituals to appease the forces of nature like sun, fire, wind, rain etc. Page 5 idol does not excite any feeling of veneration in me. The hindu trinity is represented by three godheads. Of these, the first three books are considered the more ancient books, and the rig veda is the oldest of them. The hindus have associated the idea of holiness, purity, truth, omnipresence, and such other ideas with different images and forms. The same hindu scriptures, which prescribe idolworship for beginners, speak of meditation on the infinite or the absolute and contemplation of the significance of tat tvam asi mahavakya, for advanced aspirants. My question is the hindu pandits and scholars, agree that the vedas, and other hindu religious scriptures prohibit idol worship, but initially because the mind may not be matured, therefore an idol is required for concentration. Hinduism is the oldest living religions of the world. Aug 21, 2012 hindus do idol worship which is condemned in abrahamic religious books like the holy quran, the holy bible and the holy torah. As we discussed in an earlier feature, the devas and asuras in hindu mythology represent aspects. Nov 19, 2012 idol worship forbidden in hindu scriptures q.
Stop killing, raping, abusing idolworship and idolworshippers. Introduction to hinduism a book hindu website, hinduism. Six letters addressed to educated hindus containing a practical discussion of hinduism william hastie thacker, spink and company, 1883 christianity and other religions 187 pages. The philosophical maxims of vedic literature have stood the test of time, and the vedas form the highest religious authority for all aspects. Jan 30, 2020 the vedas are considered the earliest literary record of indoaryan civilization and the most sacred books of india. Dec 14, 2007 as far as i am concerened hinduism has not one book but many books and just by going through one line and spreading a rumor that idol worship is banned in hindusim doesnt suit. Reasons for idol worship in hinduism hindu website. Was he not a idol worshiper when he was respecting the photos of his parents. Vivekanandas explanation on idol worship and many gods. Vivekananda answers christians about worshiping god idols in. In india, idolatry remains as an integral part of hindu religion. Vivekananda answers christians about worshiping god idols. The vedas an englishonly, indexed version of the 4 veda samhitas in one document issue 1, draft 2 compiled by the dharmic scriptures team november 24, 2002 ano bhadraha kritavayo yantu vishwataha let noble thoughts come from every side rg veda 1.
The rules of warfare are explained in the rig veda, the laws of manu and the mahabarata. The following are only few references, you may find many more once you go through it. A sense of bhakti or devotional love is generally invoked. But with this difference that while some people devote their whole lives to their idol of a church and never rise higher, because with them religion means an intellectual assent to certain doctrines and doing good to their fellows, the whole religion of the hindu. I would ask our hindu brothers please refrain from such rumours better read all the vedas upanishads before believing in one sentence. This method is possible to only those who have a lot of meditation practice, and those people are mostly be saints or rushi. No idolatry in vedas western indologists vedicvoice. Feb 04, 20 another major common ground for hinduism as well as abrahamic religions is that even pagan idol worship which abrahamic religions condemn was never mentioned in the vedas or upanishads. Worship in hinduism is an act of religious devotion usually directed to one or more hindu deities. Therefore, one should not undermine the importance of idol worship in hinduism. But with this difference that while some people devote their whole lives to their idol of a church and never rise higher, because with them religion means an intellectual assent to certain doctrines and doing good to their fellows, the whole religion of the.
No single spokesperson exists for all the hindu communities in the u. Brahma the creator, vishnu the protector, and shiva the destroyer. The stack of books at left holds one bound volume from each of the four vedas in the sanskrit language. Thus, thus symbolically in idol worship one not only worships the concrete form of god murtam but also the subtle, invisible and formless self amurtam in the body. Assalam alaikum, this is yaseen ahmed i am a software engineer by profession. When simple piece of painted paper invokes so much love and respect, idol consecreted with due pratishhta should invoke reverse to that great lord that is symbolized in that idol. Murti idol worship the idol is a support for the neophyte. Pdf the practice of idol worship in hinduism nithin sridhar. All hindu deities are themselves symbols of the abstract absolute and point to a particular aspect of the brahman. In worship that incorporeal creator of vedas in the form of image of veda, i imagine him in human form for worshipping. One must read this book to understand what sort of a man the father of the nation, mahatma.
Why do you still worship idols representatives of god almighty while you say that you follow vedas and scripts of hinduism. Read about the gods of the vedas who send out prayers to help in battles. Hinduism idols for concentration but vedas against idol. In abrahamic religions, namely judaism, christianity and islam, idolatry connotes the worship of something or someone other than god as if it were god. The philosophy and significance of idol worship by sri swami sivananda sri swami sivananda founder of the divine life society serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realize so says sri swami sivananda a divine life society publication. It is important to understand that the attributes of god almighty. Why do you worship idols when vedas and scriptures of. Pdf this book gives latest research updates on ancient hinduism. Idols or temples or churches or books are only the supports, the helps, of his spiritual childhood.
Jan 30, 2010 in hinduism idol worship is not prohibited. The last one is a commentary on the vedas, but it is considered as a revealed book. This term is probably a central one in hinduism, but a direct translation from the sanskrit to english is difficult. Sanatana dharma or hinduism hindu temple of central illinois. But if you spit out even slightest hatred against idolworship, consider me the greatest idolworshipper who would fight your fire with such a fire that would make you extinct.
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