The Foundational Emblems of Indian Culture: Shikha and Sutra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 04)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Sept_Oct/ShikhaSutra/)

Prophet Hazarat Muhammad had opposed idol worship because of the sinful customs that were propagated and practiced through it during his times.

The place where he was born was dominated by the blind rule of might is right, those days. Dacoits and hoodlums used to rob the villages, and take away all the crops, cattle and young women for their pleasure; some of them used to possess ten to fifty women. Some of the children born by them were allowed to grow to serve as bonded laborers or work in the dacoit gangs. As it was found a waste to raise the rest, those kids were killed in the name of sacrifices before the giant idols, made in the lands occupied by the dacoits.

The angelic soul of Hazarat Muhammad was born in human form to eliminate such heinous acts and insane customs.

He destroyed the roots of such evils by opposing the mindless and cruel rituals of worship.

It was the necessity of that time and that place.

This does not mean that all kinds of idol-worship are bad or irrational.

You must remember that all the idols of Divine manifestations are simply the source of reminding us of God.

We may, for example, go to the temples of Lord Krishna, and also bend our head and offer prayers.

But we should know that this pranam and prayers are not for the stone that is enshrined in the temple. Rather, these are for Lord Krishna, whose divine incarnation in human form had taken place to bestow the light of divinity, to establish the law of righteousness, to give new direction of enlightened progress to the world.

The idols simply help to awaken our devotional sentiments.

These may activate the linkage of our inner mind with Him during meditation or emotionally engrossed prayers, if we have really purified our mind and have adopted the true meaning of devotional faith in our lives.

The Foundational Emblems of Indian Culture: Shikha and Sutra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 03)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Sept_Oct/ShikhaSutra/)  

The idols we enshrine in the temples, the Holy Scriptures like the Vedas, Bhagvad Gita, the Ramayana, and the Guru Granth Sahib are symbols of deities for us. We worship them.

The symbols of our faith, our reverence for them are the source of light in our lives.

Many times people also place the photographs of their ideal heroes, their guides, their gurus in their houses and at their place of work. My disciples have also placed the photographs of Mataji and myself at the Gayatri Tapobhumi Mathura and in our old house (now Akhand Jyoti Sansthan), in our memory, since we left that place. This indicates their affection and respect for us.

Well! In fact, emblems carry within them a message, an effect and have great importance in our lives as sources of inspiration, and moral support and guidance.

They have intimate linkage with sentiments and create immense impact on human psychology.

I do have great regards for them, and have also enshrined them in the form of idols, pictures and other models.

Look at the temples of Goddess Gayatri at Shantikunj and Brahmvarchas for example; or the model of the Himalayas there.

Some of you might wonder then why do I sometimes criticize symbolic worship, and even admonish you against it in some of my writings and speeches?

Good, if you have noticed that, I will certainly admonish you, if you remain stuck only to the symbol and learn nothing from it.

If you regard an idol as omnipotent, and believe that just bending your head and praying before it will solve all your problems, then you are living in a fantasy, in blind faith.

Then, for some of you Lord Krishna sitting in the temple of Badrinath would be superior to that in the temples of Mathura or Vrindawan; while the latter would be mightier for some others. Does it have any sense?

The Foundational Emblems of Indian Culture: Shikha and Sutra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 02)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Sept_Oct/ShikhaSutra/) 

The communists deny all religions and even deny the existence of God. Worshiping His idols is therefore a mark of blind faith and absurdity in their views.

But, what if somebody burns their red flag, or tears off the manuscript of the manifesto of communism?

They would certainly feel hurt and insulted and react furiously against any such attempt.

But why should they? After all, the flag is only a piece of cloth and there must be several copies of their manifesto available in print.

Well, it is not the physical entity, but the sentiments, the faith in the implications associated with it that count.

So many of our freedom fighters had dared to risk their lives for protecting our national flag; great revolutionaries had sacrificed their lives by placing this mark of our national prestige in place of the British flag those days!

The Foundational Emblems of Indian Culture: Shikha and Sutra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 01)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Sept_Oct/ShikhaSutra/)

The Foundational Emblems of Indian Culture: Shikha and Sutra
(Translation of Hindi discourse: "Bhartiya Sanskrati Ke Pratik: Shikha Aur Sutra")

Let us begin with the collective chanting of the Gayatri Mantra:

 "Om Bhoor Bhuvah Swah Tatsaviturvarenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayaat"

Idol Worship and the Importance of Symbols

Sisters and Brothers,

I often talk about the importance and necessity of the devotion and worship of God.

Worshiping the idols of deities is an integral part of the Hindu religious practices.

Multiple representations of divine manifestations in the idol forms were visualized by our Rishis of the Vedic times.

The specific forms symbolize specific divine qualities and powers of the manifestations of God, and also incorporate ethical teachings for us.

The Arya Samajis do not believe in idol-worship, but they also respectfully place the idols and photographs of Swami Dayanand Saraswati in their yagyashalas, community halls and offices, and pay due regards before these symbols.

The followers of Islam are against idol-worship; but, paying reverence to the sacred black stone at Kaba, by kissing it, is essential for making their holy pilgrimage to Makka-Sharif complete.

So, the rectangular sacred black stone is for them, what a round, smooth black idol of Shiva is for a Hindu - a sacred symbol of God.

Every religion has its holy symbols and rituals of worship.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 28)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy) 

We discussed today the meaning and philosophy of the gross manifestations of Lord Shiva as described in the Puranas.

A large number of stories and descriptions are also available in the texts that lucidly illustrate the great teachings and philosophies of the other incarnations and manifestations of Hindu Gods.

There lived about 33 crore people on the Indian subcontinent in the Vedic Age. They were the true devotees, spiritually enlightened, virtuous men and women, who, because of their divine characteristics were revered as 33 crore devatas on this earth.

If we had tried to search and grasp the truth behind the teachings of the Puranas, and put into practice the Vedic philosophy, we also would have been like those pearls of the human society, and would have gloriously accomplished the divine purpose of our life.


We are lucky to have been born on this sacred land, which once upon a time was the Land of gods.

It can and should still regain its glory, if we, the devotees, the worshipers of the Vedic (Indian) Philosophy, sincerely adopt its values, and attempt towards spiritual elevation of our conduct, and refinement of the ambience around us.


Divine beings generate love, peace, beauty, piety, bliss and prosperity wherever they go. You should also adopt and expand such qualities.

I wish you all the success in your endeavors to proceed in this direction.

Thank you for listening with patience.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 27)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy) 

Be Blessed by Shiva's Grace:

The Almighty God of Hindu religion, for whom we observe fast on Shivaratri, perform japa, ceremonial worship, sacred ablution (abhisheka), and what not, can't He, the Omnipotent, destroy all evils and eliminate our adversities?

Can't He help us in our progress?

He indeed can and He will, if we are His deserving devotees.

He loves all of us and wants to bestow all His grace upon us; but it is our infirmities, our vices that hinder or limit the flow of His blessings.

His grace is like the water-laden clouds.
(The clouds shower the treasure of rains, without discrimination, wherever they fall)

But how much water a pond or a pot would collect from the rain, depends upon its own capacity.

If we deserve, we will surely be blessed by Shiva's enormous generosity.

His blessings will continue to grow, as our abilities, our merits increase, and we shall get everything that a true devotee of Shankar deserves.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 26)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy) 

The word "Shiva" in Sanskrit means highest good.

Lord Shiva (Shiva) is the presiding Deity of eternal, auspicious well-being of all creation.

But we, the so-called worshipers of Shiva, never even think of global good.
(Forget about global, we don't even attempt to expand the narrow domain of our selfish interests, and engage ourselves in altruistic service and upliftment of the needy around us).

We keep chanting "Om Namah Shivaya", but don't bother to know its meaning; in reality, 'Shiva' is far away from our lives.

We don't even know what is the true well-being of our soul or our own life, and how to attain it?

The japa (rhythmic chanting) of Shiva's name will bestow blessings if "Shiva" (Highest Good) is embodied in our attitude, aspirations, thoughts and deeds.

It is time we realize that worshiping only the external, gross form is no better than not doing anything at all.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 25)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

The very purpose of moorti puja (idol-worship) in Indian Culture is to enable the masses to access and imbibe the teachings and inspirations of divine emanations.

Every idol, every symbol of God's manifestation represented here is indicative of some important teaching related to the spiritual evolution of human consciousness.

Today, I gave you the example of Shankar (Shiva) in this context, and tried to explain the principles, the occult implications of His worship and devotion.

Unfortunately, we often get engrossed in worshiping the gross form, the idol of God, and consider the performance of some customary rituals, chanting of some prayers etc. as all that is required for His devotion.

Even if we have read or heard about the occult significance of the symbols of divine manifestations, we don't seem to remember anything. We just want to take shortcuts and regard ourselves great devotees simply by symbolic worship.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 24)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

The Sanskrit word for devotional worship is "Upasana", which literally means sitting nearby.

Sitting near the fire makes us feel warm.

Similarly, sitting near God should inspire us with His attributes.

Sitting in the closed vicinity of a powerful source of energy would bestow the associated significant effects on us only if there is a linkage, a direct connection between the source and the beneficiary.

A piece of wood becomes fire only when it sacrifices itself in the fire nearby.

This is how "upasana" brings the desired results only if the devotee sets a live linkage of his inner self with the Deity of his worship. For this, he has to discipline and mold himself as per the inspirations of his God.

We, the aspirants of the blessings of Lord Shiva, should also consciously and ceaselessly attempt at transforming ourselves according to the ideals of His manifestation.

We should endeavor to open our third eye (that means, awaken our intuitive insight and pure intellect).

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 23)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

When a sincere devotee of Lord Shiva seeks refuge under His grace, he first inspects his own character and conduct, to check whether or not he measures up to the virtuous standards with respect to the philosophy of Shiva.

The human-like image of Lord Shiva is a kind of an ideal model for the true devotee.

A potter makes a pot in the desired design by processing and fixing the clay into an appropriate mold.

The devotee should also try to mold his personality, his attitude, his thinking, his life, etc. as per the ideals of his Deity.

Our worship and devotional practices have no meaning without commensurate endeavors of refinement and improvement in our thoughts, behavior and deeds.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 22)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

You all might have read a story in the holy Ramayana or in some other Shastric scripture, which mentions about Kamadeva being burnt into ashes due to the opening of Shiva's third eye.

Kamadeva had once tried to sinfully entice and influence Lord Shiva. Then, Lord Shiva just opened His third eye. The divine radiations emanating therefrom, instantly burnt the gross body of Kamadeva.

Have you ever thought about the truth behind this mythological anecdote?

It conveys the fact that the insidious force of erotic thoughts can be instantly checked and eliminated if our discerning prudence is awakened.

The opening of the third eye means awakening of our sagacity and creative activation of our inner wisdom.

The third eye is subtly located in the third dimension inside our brain.

It teaches us to look into the deeper aspects of every phenomenon, every thought and every experience.

Our ordinary eyes (the two eyes on our faces) see only extrovertly; they can only show us our materialistic gains and losses, or the worldly affairs, in the limited peripheries of our interactions. The needs of the body or the sense organs are easily seen by them.

But there is a third eye, which opens inward - It enables us to look deeper into the sublime folds of mind, and shows us the world of inner peace, everlasting happiness and absolute truth.

This is the eye of foresight and clairvoyance.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 21)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

The Third Eye:

The three eyes of Lord Shiva are often the focus of mythological interpretations and mystic curiosity.

Representation of His manifestation in human-like form should have shown only two eyes like the normal humans have.

Is the third eye mere allegoric depiction?

Or, does it signify some hidden facets?

In fact, the third eye symbolizes the source of sagacity - pure, discreet wisdom.

This center in the human body is hidden subtly in an endocrine gland inside the brain, right behind the position (on the forehead) where the third eye of Shiva is depicted.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 20)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)  

If we look carefully and ponder over it, we will find that innumerable teachings are hidden in Lord Shiva's manifestations, as we see Him in the temples and religious stories.

We often find His depiction in human-like form, with a coating of ash on his body.

If we knew the righteous attitude of life and the ideal mode of living, the importance of this ash-coating would have been crystal clear to us.

Many of us put the bhasm (ash) of the sacred fire of yagya (agnihotra or homam) on our forehead with great reverence.

But do we know the meaning of this religious ritual?

The most important implication of smearing bhasm on any part of the body is to recall the Vedic teaching of "Bhasmantaka Goum Shariram" - this body is going to become (a heap of) ash one day.

That means, this body might either get mixed in the soil or water, or fly like the dust particles with the wind. This physical body of ours, which we are so proud of, and are so much attached to, is going to be crushed (with the soil) beneath others' feet one day.

If we are His true devotee, the bhasm on Shiva's body should constantly remind us of this ultimate reality, and therefore keep us away from the ego and attachments that arise because of our mistaken identity with the physical body.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 19)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy) 

A home and a crematorium are alike for a duty-bound, altruist person, who has acquired pure knowledge.

Such a wise man knows that this moment he is living comfortably in the house, but any other moment he would be no more, and his body would rest in peace in a crematorium or a graveyard; then he will have new life, and a new home, and so on.

Today's life would be tomorrow's death, which would again turn into new life some day. This is how the cycle of life continues.

Life and death are like the relay games of day and night.

Then why should we be scared of death?

Rather, we should remember it, to make our life more meaningful, more useful, more enlightened every day.

This is another significant teaching of Shiva's Philosophy of Life.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 18)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

What else have you read or heard about Lord Shiva from the scriptural descriptions?

That He lives in the marghat (crematorium)!

Why should He do so?

Well, this again is a symbolic depiction.

It teaches us that we should always remember death. We get so engrossed in the worldly affairs that we almost forget that death could knock at our door any moment, and then we will have to leave this world instantly.

We seem to remember everything else, but this bitter reality of life. If we had remembered the absolute fact that we had to die some day or the other, our attitude towards life would have been different.

In that case, we would have cared for what we ought and what we ought not to do?

We would have been more alert towards our duties.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 17)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

A Bull (named Nandi) is said to be the mount of Lord Shankar (Shiva).

Why?

What does it imply?

Well, a Bull is known to be an assiduous animal.

Any laborious, industrious human can become Lord Shiva's favorite, irrespective of whether he is an Indian, British, French, or anyone else. We all know that God helps those who help themselves.

The Bull symbolizes strength, courage and hard work in our (Indian) culture.

If you want to become a devotee of Lord Shiva, you will have to be courageous, and depend upon your own wisdom and endeavors. No one will open the doors of progress for you. You alone will have to come forward and initiate your ascent in the desired direction.

Do you know who rides on a buffalo?

Shanichar!
(Saturn, as described in the Puranas).

A buffalo represents lethargy, dullness and escapism from labor or hard work. It can never be the mount of Lord Shiva.

Shiva likes the ever energetic, assiduous Bull, Nandi.

The latter is described in the Puranas as the vehicle of Shiva (in human form). Shiva takes care of it and loves this pet.

You and I should also try to cultivate the qualities of this Bull; this is what God wants His devotees to be like.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 16)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

What is the meaning of your worship and devotion if you don't learn anything from the truth, from the philosophy of your Deity?

You will just continue to perform some rituals, keep crying and praying at His feet without any improvement in your life.

Remember that Shiva does not need your flowers and other offerings of worship.

Your devotion is real only if you adopt its philosophy in every aspect of life.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 15)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

Implications of Scriptural Depictions: 

The scriptural descriptions narrate the simplicity of the wedding ceremony of Shiva and Parvati.

He did not go after big people or Gods of heaven to join the wedding procession.

Rather, he took the ghosts and the palitas along.

As praised in the following hymn of the Ramacharit Manas -
"Tanu Kshina Kou Ati Pita, Pavan Kou Apavan Tanu Dhare"
(Those with ugly, horrifying and diseased bodies were also among Shiva's Baraatis (participants of the wedding procession)).

Shiva had taken due care of even the deprived and downtrodden.

We should also broaden our hearts and pay attention to those scorned by the society.

If we cannot get rid of our hatred, fears and prejudices, we can never enjoy the sense of bliss and fulfillment, the devotees of Shiva deserve.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 14)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion) 

The images of Lord Shiva that we see in pictures, depict Him wearing a garland of skulls, and with dreaded cobras dangling around his neck.

The intimate company of deadly poisonous snakes reveals the secret of divinity, which is  love everyone; it can turn everyone, even the venomous cruel cobra like foes, into good friends. See, even the cobras live so amicably with Him! We should understand, and adopt this philosophy of a loving and fearless attitude.

The presence of a garland of skulls on the Lord's chest reminds us that the face, which we identify ourselves with, for which we feel so proud, and remain engaged in decorating and taking care of, is only a structure of bone. That is its sole reality.

We remain deluded and cheated by the covering of flesh and skin around it; not only that, we use cosmetics and what not, upon that skin, to make our face look beautiful.

But have we ever thought about its reality?

Just remove the illusive covering, and the fact will be obvious for everyone to see.

The garland of skulls conveys that we should not let the falsehood, and the associated silly attachments, cover up our Real Self.

We should learn this important lesson while worshiping Lord Shiva or sitting at His feet.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 13)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)  

Today, when the whole world is living under great difficulties and threatening challenges of one kind or the other, it is all the more important that we take shelter at the feet of the ultimate Savior - God Shiva, and pray that the moon of piety, peace, balance and equanimity on his head, may also inspire patience and serenity in our minds.

We should pray to him to bless us with inner peace, patience, endurance, and courage.

Instead of begging for worldly attainments (as we usually do before any deity), had we prayed for divine inspirations before the infinitely generous Lord Shiva, we would have really acquired real peace and happiness in life, and lived gracefully like a true devotee.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 12)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)  

Look at the great achievers in human life; they have faced great challenges without losing patience. Those who get anxious, or do not have a stable mind, cannot do much; they easily get tensed up, or nervous, and fritter away their energies and talents. A calm and cool mind alone, can contemplate deeply and think rightly. An agitated mind is not dependable. It often triggers one to do what one should not have done; it tends to think erroneously and even immorally.