Murti Puja Idol Worshipping
(hinduism beliefs - hinduism gods)

Kaivalya Jnani:
Do not confuse yourself with the concept of idol worship. In Hinduism idol worship is simply a ritual... a means to an end! The masses... the commoner who is not able to concentrate his thoughts on the concept of God Almighty... worships whatever image or concept of God exists in ones mind (thinking).

Most people who go to the temple are not after a spiritual goal of life. They simply worship God out of fear... they ask for material riches all the time. They are after the welfare of the self and the family. In my 50 years of life I have never come across people in temples who did not desire anything from God. We are born a human being... the highest manifest stage in cosmic life... yet we ask of God!

Those in the spiritual pursuit of life never go to a temple. They find God every where and in every deed. For them God exists in the heart of every living being. Personification of God does not mean anything to them. For the true spiritual seeker... the body itself is a garment for the soul atman within. Why seek ornaments for the ephemeral body and burden God!

God Almighty is only one... it never answers our prayer. It is the doctrine of karma that rules the roost. As we perform our karma... so shall our destiny be! If we ask God of something... we must be prepared to offer something equivalent or more in return to God. Most people never offer anything. They desire the fruits of karma they have never performed. Can such desires and wishes ever get fulfilled!

I have observed people going to temple religiously for more than 15 years yet, when I asked one of the benefits accrued... the simple reply was zero! In the domain of God there are no free lunches. We need to perform our karma for the benefit of the community... only then God Almighty might fulfill our wishes in return.

Idol worship... Murti puja is only symbolic. God Almighty does not reside in the statues. If we desire welfare of the family... we pray to Lord Ganesha. What if we do not desire any fruits of our karma... still, do we worship Ganesha or any other God?

Worship of God is never out of fear or desires. We must dutifully worship God for the endowments we have been graced with. It is only then the true benefits of worship sometimes accrue in life.

Essay by: Kaivalya Jnani ... One who realized self in his life time! Send your query!

 
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