Hinduism For All - Forms and Significance

Hinduism For All 

Forms and Significance

a) Ganesha (Ganapati, Vinaayaka)

     No worship or a commendable act begins without formal obeisance to Ganesha. The fat elephant headed Lord riding on a mouse is a favourite of all especially the children. He manifests Himself in various forms. The bulky body stands for the entire cosmos, the large fan – shaped ears signify the quality to listen more. The four hands holding whip and goad signifies whipping of passions and controlling the mind, the beads in other hand for meritorious action and broken tusk for the sacrifices one has to make in accomplishing noble deeds. 

The mouse, the steed of Ganesha stands for the unsteady mind, which need to be controlled to achieve enlightenment.

"Fill Your Home with Tranquility – Shop Agarbatti Now!" https://giri.in/collections/agarbatti

b) Subrahmanya

       Lord Subrahmanya, the fire born son of Lord Shiva stands for perfect self – control and yogi in his Dandapaani state, the ascetic boy. But in this six – faced form, the six faces represent the six fold characteristics that differentiate the divine from others, namely – omniscience, non-attachment, omnipotence, overlordship, grace and glory, called the bhagas. The one endowed with these six qualities is God. The six – faced majestic form reveals the Supreme Power.

     The peacock stands for Ego. The divinity can be realized only upon quelling the Ego.

"Enhance Every Moment – Explore Dhoop & Sambrani Today!" https://giri.in/collections/dhoop-sticks-and-sambrani

c) Durgaa

     Shakti (Power) is represented in many different forms, each standing for a particular aspect of Primordial Energy, be it Sarasvati (creative, life force), Lakshmi (the sustaining force) and Durgaa or Kaali (the destructive energy).

     The motherly love and motherly firmness are both objectified in the conception of serene and terrific conception of Shakti. While Raajaraajeshwari, Meenaakshi, Annapoornaa etc. represent the motherly affection, Chaamundaa, Kaali, Taaraa, Chinnamasta etc. stand for the corrective fierceness. Each conceptualization is laden with mystic symbolism.

     The worship of Dashamahaavidyaa, Navadurgaa, Baalaa etc. and that of Suvaasini (married women) and Kumaari (unmarried young girls - under 12 years of age) are integral part of mother worship.

      The recital of Durgaa Saptashati, also known as Chandi Paaraayana; a prayer text in 700 shlokas is prescribed for daily recitation in Navaraatri celebration. This contains detailed exposition of the mystic symbolism in the plurality of Devi form at the same time emphasizing the ultimate unity in it.

 "Purify & Refresh – Dive into Camphor’s Natural Essence!" https://giri.in/collections/camphor

d) Shiva :

        Lord Shiva is renowned as Rudra, the terrible or Shiva, the auspicious. Both the qualities are present in Him depending on the function He performs. He is depicted variously, as Nataraaja, Aghora, Sadaashiva etc. Generally, the Shiva tattva signifies Satya, Shiva and Sundara i.e. Truth, Auspiciousness and Blissful beauty.

      Shiva is popularly visualised in the form as seated in a composed state of meditation, with flowing locks of hair braided as a crown, wearing a crescent moon, smearing holy ashes on his body, wearing tiger and elephant skin as his garment. The pure consciousness stage signifying pure knowledge is reflected in the fair complexion of Lord Shiva (Shuddha Sattva) and the smearing of the ashes is a reminder that in the state of spiritual awakening all the actions (Karmas) are burnt away. The other elements in and around Shiva i.e. snakes, bull, goblins (bhootaganas) etc are to declare that for a true Jnyaani, nothing external is neither pleasurable nor despicable. The mated locks stand for the mind and senses under control. This is to understand the Shiva tattva in brief. A great amount of labour has been spent by great scholars in their texts to unravel the significance of the different aspects of Lord Shiva.

e) Vishnu

Lord Vishnu is spoken of in the Vedas as Trivikrama i.e. the Gaint form with which He measured the heaven and earth. The Puraanic conceptualization is that of reclining on a serpent – bed on the milky ocean, holding conch, discuss, mace and lotus with Lakshmi seated near His feet.

       The milky ocean symbolizes, pure Saattvik quality. The serpent bed stands for the Raaja Yoga, the science of awakening of Kundalini. The man who has attained perfection in rising his Kundalini would rise about the three qualities, including Sattva. Lord Vishnu’s sleep called Yoga-Nidra is a state of awareness of Self at the same time being disconnected with worldly affairs. The Shankha stands for primordial naada or sound – OM. The Chakra represents Dharmic actions. The Mace emphasises Vishnu as the protector of the ethics and value by imparting punishment and Lotus stands for the blessing. Lakshmi near His feet symbolizes the fact that glory and riches would serve the feet of the realised soul.

      Lord Vishnu has incarnated time and again to protect the Righteous and punish the evil and spread the message of Dharma and Self-knowledge. Shreemad Bhaagavata speaks of twenty two incarnations, but the main ten incarnations of Vishnu, collectively known as ‘Dashaavataara’ is well known –

1. Matsya                     (Fish)

2. Koorma                    (Tortoise)

3. Varaaha                    (Boar)

4. Nrisimha                  (Man – Lion)

5. Vaamana                  (Dwarf who enlarged himself to measure the three worlds)

Trivikrama               

                                                     

6. Parashuraama           (Braahmin warrior who resurrected braahminism)

7. Raama                      (Complete incarnation through which the Lord

                                       showed the path to lead a moral life)

8. Balaraama                (Elder brother of Krishna)

9. Krishna                    (The incarnation which showed the path of action)

10. Kalki                     (future incarnation to anhiliate evil)

Some include Buddha too as an avataara of Vishnu.

There is an opinion that these Avataaras represent the evolutionary stages of life.

f) Hanumaan

         The son of Vaayu the Wind God, Hanumaan is one of the principal characters in the great epic Raamaayana. He symbolises selfless devotion and strength attainable through Yogic practices. He is also considered as a great musician. The Monkey- God is also the favourite character of the children and elders alike. He can be accepted as a role model by anyone. Hanumaan who is called Vajraanga Bali (Bajrang Bali) because of his Diamond like strong physique, is considered to be Chiranjeevi (meaning - one with extended life span i.e. immortal), and makes his presence felt in all the places where the glory of Raama is sung. Even now there is a customary practice of leaving a wooden plank empty at the time of recitation of Raamaayana for Hanumaan to be seated. Presence of Hanumaan in his subtle body can be felt by the devotees.

g) Navagraha

       According to Indian Astrology, Nine Planetary bodies called Navagrahas have a great influence on the course of man’s life. These nine grahas are,

Temple dedicated in Tamilnadu

        The first seven are celestial bodies, the last two are called Chaaya Grahas i.e. the north and south equinoxal nodes in the earth’s orbit around the sun.

        The legends of these Grahas make them subjects of adoration. With the Grahas playing a major role in determining the life and future of a man, they were propritiated by various Daanas (charities), worship (Graha Shaanti) and homa (Navagraha homa). There are separate shrines dedicated throughout India, especially in Tamil Nadu, for deriving a favour from these deities.

h) Dvaarapaalakas

      The two guardian deities of the Lord are called Dvaarapaalakas. In the temples, the two images on either side of sanctum sanctoram represents the Dvaarapaalakas. The Dvaarapaalakas of Vishnu are – Jaya & Vijaya, those of Shakti are Jayaa & Vijayaa, and those of Lord Shiva are Dvaarachandi & Dvaaramundi.

i) Ashta – Dikpaalakas

Hindus had a firm conviction that to be protected from natural calamities and adversities, they ought to have guardian deities around them. The eight directions have a guardian deity each and they are called Dikpaalaka (dik – direction, paalaka – guardian)

These guardian deities are offered propitiation before commencement of any act of worship, more so before the homas.

j) Kula Devata & Graama Devata

        The concept of Kula Devata and Graama Devata sprang from the need to have and maintain the temple closest to ones place of residence. The practice of ‘adopting’ a shrine as ones family deity (Kula Deivam) came into being from this commitment. But in today’s cosmopolitian world, where people have migrated from their native villages to far of cities, the Kula Devata worship is performed only on special occasions in one’s family. But it is mandatory on the part of a person to visit and

pay obeisance, at least once a year to one’s Kula Devata temple.

k) Kaamadhenu

      Among the various divine entities which were yielded from the churning of ocean to acquire the Amruta (Ambrosia), Kaamadhenu was one. It is described as the wish yielding cow and is worshipped by the sages as well as the devas for procuring all the necessary ingredients of sacrifices. There are many shrines in Tamil Nadu wherein Kaamadhenu has worshipped the presiding deity such as Marundeeshwarar temple in Chennai, Mullaivananathar in Tirukarukavur etc.

Worship of Cows (Go Pooja), the descendent of Kaamadhenu is considered most auspicious and holy before commencement of any religious activities. It has been stated in the scriptures that cow is the abode of all the devataas.

In the Hindu tradition, the cow is honoured, garlanded and given special feedings during festivals all over India. The cow and her sacred gifts - milk and ghee in particular - are essential elements in Hindu worship, penance and rites.

The cow is also the symbol of dignity, strength, endurance, maternity and selfless service.

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition. 

Giri’s Pooja Products

Pooja Items  | Puja Items | Pooja Thali | Silver Pooja Items | Pooja Items Online | Pooja Stand | Return Gifts For Pooja | Pooja Store Near Me | Pooja Oil | Pooja Thali Set | Pooja Samagri | Pooja Shop Near Me | Brass Pooja Items | Pooja Samagri Online | Hawan Samagri | Puja Store Near Me | Silver Pooja Thali | Silver Thali Set | Pooja Store | Puja Samagri Online | Pooja Decoration Items | Mandir Decoration Items | Brass Pooja Thali | Aarti Thali | Puja Thali Set | Mandir Decoration | Puja Items Online | Online Pooja Store | Pooja Needs Online | Pooja Essentials | Pooja Saman | Temple Decoration | Pooja Saman Online | Pooja Gift Items | Pooja Room Decoration Items | God Idols For Pooja Room | Pooja Items Online Shopping | Puja Store | Hindu Pooja Items | Pooja Basket | Best Pooja Items Online | Pooja Kit | Diwali Pooja Box | Puja Kit | Puja Decoration Items | Puja Plate | Pooja Gifts | Brass Puja Items | Pooja Shop | Pooja Articles | Pooja Samagri Store Near Me | Aarti Plate | Aarti Samagri 

To Know More & For Deeper Insights on Sanatana Dharma, Hinduism & Indian Culture & Tradition, Follow Us on.

     


Have something to say about this Article ? Please Leave Some Comments Thank you.