Trip To Tirumala part Eight-The End

2011.08.25

A important Hinduism belief is the existence of God Almighty... the one and only one... the Creator of the cosmic system! In Hinduism God Almighty has also been termed as Brahman, Parmatman, Creator, Karta and Sanatana Purusha! Hinduism believes in existence of only one God as the ultimate Creator of the whole cosmic system.

Still, Hinduism also believes in existence of the cosmic system... existence of life from times immemorial. How is that possible? How can both analogies withstand scrutiny and still be correct. Simply as duality is part of life in the cosmic system... the cosmic system also has duality which is best explained by the doctrine of Maya (veil of illusion) best explained by Adi Shankaracharya.

In Hinduism we have approximately 330 Million gods. It simply implies that every living being has a right to pray to god in his own manner. If one does not have the means then in Hinduism... many people even consider a stone as a symbol of God and pray to the Almighty God through the medium of this stone. in hinduism many people consider pipal tree as a medium for praying to God. As many people as many mediums can there be for praying to God does not mean that 330 Million gods had their entity as a living being and attained the stage of enlightenment and finally took Salvation (moksha).

The concept of 330 Million gods is merely the form of deity to worship the ultimate God the Creator of the cosmos. Apart from that it carries no other meaning. In earlier times when people of lower castes were not permitted by the priests of the higher caste to enter the precincts of the temple then there was no other alternative for this poor beings other than to take a stone or a tree as a symbol for praying to God. Whether we pray to God in form of a statue, a tree or a stone is totally immaterial as long as we pay our Obeisance to God in a rightly and a justified manner.

The purpose must be served and the goal must be accomplished. God Almighty is not the least concerned about the medium we use for our prayers. It is the content of prayers, the Truthfulness of our prayers that gets conceded by God. Prayers are also deeply related to the Karma we perform in our day-to-day Life. While practicing adverse Karma we cannot expect miracles while praying to God. We shall get whatever is due to us... nothing less or more! None can expect mangoes to grow on a guava tree.

This process of purification of atman the soul within in a complete Life cycle requires 8.4 Million manifestations. This is not merely a belief in Hinduism. This is a fact stated in Bhagavad Gita... the core document of Hinduisum... the doctrine put forward by Lord Krishna in the battle of Mahabharata between Pandavas in the Kauravas. Bhagavad Gita... the sacred scriptures contains the Essence of the whole Cosmos... the Life itself.

1. Belief in continuity of life. As per Hinduism religion... as per the sacred scriptures of Hinduism... the form of a human being is not the ultimate essence of life! There is something more than meets the eye... something that needs unveiling by fathoming the depth of wisdom contained in sacred Bhagavad Gita of Hinduism.

As per sacred Bhagavad Gita... the doctrine given to mankind by Lord Krishna... the human form is but a sojourn... in the vast expanse of cosmic life that every soul atman undergoes. Hinduism firmly believes in the existence of a soul atman... the spirit within that has manifested the human form to work out its karma... remove the dross impurities within!

The continuity of life as enumerated in Hinduism is different from the concept of reincarnation rebirth as understood by most in the West. Reincarnation is the most grossly misunderstood concept world over.
The concept of reincarnation... rebirth is not difficult to understand! The fact of the matter is... when something does not die... how it can take rebirth in a new body! As stated in Bhagavad Gita... the entire life of a soul atman is one single span of life... a span consisting of 8.4 million manifestations... an earthly life cycle of 96.4 million years!

Does it mean the life cycle of every soul atman consists of a journey of 96.4 million earthly years... yes, the truth is so! In its life every soul atman which is indestructible by nature... that which cannot be created or destroyed starts its cosmic journey as an amoeba (single cell formation)... The first manifestation in the cosmic life cycle!

It further evolves into multi-cell formation... then insect life, plant life, animal life and finally the form of human beings. Does it mean before reaching the stage of human beings... we as human beings have already crossed the stages of insect, plant and animal life... yes, the truth is so! The prime reason why human beings sometimes behave like insects, plants or animals!

This is so fascinating Satish. Must a person use a medium to pray to God? Is a symbol necessary?

liveandletlive · 2011-08-24: 23:18

That's a lot of years on earth! Very interesting!

unblinkingeye · 2011-08-24: 23:32

Fascinating information, I'm always impressed by your ability to explain this to everyone in a way that enlightens, instead of confuses - Thank you for this fantastic series!

McMommy · 2011-08-24: 23:38

An information important for me. I learn.I like peaceful crowd of the first one. Very good serie Satish

josy63 · 2011-08-25: 00:50

Very interesting! fantastic series!

Davorka · 2011-08-25: 03:18

Very Nice information...

kauphem · 2011-08-25: 03:26

glory

peace4kidss · 2011-08-25: 03:31

great post!

mimax2 · 2011-08-25: 05:00

great post very lively and colourful great information too

littemissriri · 2011-08-25: 05:43

Thank you for the journey :) Its been a great one and love the way you share words and pictures :)

EvaLizette · 2011-08-25: 07:56

Again such beautiful pictures rich in color and meaning. I really appreciate all of the time that you have spent revealing to us the tenets of your religion. There is somethiing there for all of us to learn and benefit from! Thanks again Satish!

danrav · 2011-08-25: 08:28