Shw Kumar: you Thanx again for so much knowledge and your blessing. I am getting eye opening knowledge. Now avtar, Murti puja, and some ritual are completely in contrast with GOD`s formless personality. Trinity is also not GOD (but possessed godly power).they have also done mixed up works whereas GOD is above the shakels of KARMA.-100% right but as suggested that all names Agni, Vayu, Surya, Chandrma, Brahma,Vishnu, Mahesha, etc. are names of GOD. It clearly means GOD because so many names, it further means GOD has so many images irrespective of visible or non-visible. Worshipping them means worship of formless GOD. But it means still we are not worshipping formless GOD because all said deities have visible form (like agni , sun , chandrama, brahma,vishnu,mahesha,indra)these are deities/devta (or not
diety/devta but still having visible form). It means we are worshipping these forms or deities in the name of formless GOD. Still we are worshipping devi devta.and if we say we worship formless GOD but through these names still names are given to agni,vayu,indra or all othrs which are having visible life .same is done in other shastras or puranas. Please suggest here? If GOD is formless then how he could have so many names in fact he should be nameless? And if no then why we are giving these so many names to GOD.and please advise me what’s the difference between worshipping of formless GOD through shiva or agni..(deities) or through their idols which also means worshipping to formless GOD? Even visiting temple is a good practice because it keeps us religious and being religious is also a first requirement of going toward formless GOD?even every formless thing need space to stay. So religious mind assume GOD also reside in temple. Please advise here? I am asking all these questions to clear myself because I am applying all these practice which really help me concentrate on only one and formless GOD.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. Yes, please. God has number of names but He remains one. For example- Water which is matter is one but has several names like water, pani, Jal, aab etc. God has unlimited qualities based on which the names of God are there. But it never disturbs His oneness.
Yes, God as I told has unlimited qualities which are ever unchangeable. Secondly, it is natural phenomenon that He is omnipresent and thus resides in every matter of the world like stone, man, women, animal, birds etc., that is why, one can say that God has many images but you see, the images have different qualities other than God. Images are prakriti made and get destroyed whereas God is immortal, etc.
So, images cannot be worshipped say all four Vedas. Yes, Agni, vayu etc., are deities but are prakriti made and get destroyed one day whereas God is swayambhu i.e., not made from any matter and no matter can be made from God. As regards Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh. These are names of formless God, based on His qualities. For example- Brahma means most supreme and only God is most supreme in the universe. So, His name is Brahma. Vishnu means omnipresent. So, only Formless God is omnipresent. So, His name is Vishnu etc. So, name to worship the God has been stated by God Himself in vedas and that is- Om. So, we should not do self- made name-jaap of the God. For example- Yajurveda mantra 40/15 States “Om krito Smar”. Meaning being, Oh! aspirant, do the name jaap of God-Om.
God is not nameless because the said Yajurveda mantra has stated His name. We are giving so many names to God either based on Vedas which are true or self-made names of God which are false. Formless God is not worshipped through shiv or agni. He is worshipped based on Vedic eternal education like name-jaap of God, daily agnihotra/yajyen and practice of ashtang yoga philosophy, say all four Vedas. In this regard, I paste my relevant answer.
Idol worship is not mentioned in Vedas
If an aspirant will concentrate over mouth of idol then for sometime he will concentrate on chin, nose, head etc., but concentration on one point will not be achieved. Secondly, Vedas do not preach to concentrate outside the body. Yog shastra sutra 3/1 also states, “DESHBANDHASYA CHITTASYA DHARNA” i.e., concentrate on a point of body like agyachakra, tip of the nose or heart. So we cannot go against the ved-shastras. Yes, idol worship has been started within two thousand and five hundred years. That is why, Vedas do not tell for idol worship but if people desire, they can go ahead.
Pictures, drawings etc., may not be considered idols but it is an art and not worship of God. We must know that knowledge of Vedas emanates direct from God and idol worship has been made by human beings. So now we have to decide whether we obey God or human beings. If we still follow the path made by humans then no problem, one must go ahead. On the other hand, follower of Vedas must continue his own path.
In four Vedas, the media to realize the God has been stated as –
Study of Vedas under guidance of acharya which is a real media and as mentioned in the Vedas, one has to follow the preach mentioned therein viz., performance of Yajyen, name jaap of God , regular contact with learned acharya of Vedas, ashtang Yoga Practice under his guidance etc. The said media is stated by God Himself in Vedas. Man, an artist, clay and every matter right from straw to sun, moon, air, space etc., is the creation of God. It thus concludes that we have to worship and realize the creator and we must not be attracted towards creation. Attraction is the task of senses, perceptions and mind which is destroyed but the creator is immortal. No other media is stated in Vedas except the human body through which the said worship is done by a Yogi, Rishi-muni or aspirant.
Vedas-shastras state that God is omnipresent and according to Yajurveda mantra 40/6 it is true but other mantras state that God is “Ninnaya” that is hidden in the universe and we have to locate the hidden God and not the visible, non-alive matters of the world.
T.V., radios etc., all articles are man-made and controlled by some mechanism. And examples of man-made mechanism are actually not applied on Almighty, omnipresent God. Any mechanism, for example- rocket launching , launching of satellites etc., involves the mind of a man and mind has limited power otherwise mind could have searched the hidden Almighty God also but Vedas state that mind, intellect , senses etc., have limited power and God is beyond imagination , beyond description, beyond calculation. That is why, our ancient Rishis, Rajrishis practised Vedic path that is did practice of Ashtang Yoga Philosophy, Yajyen etc.
As such they exercised control over mind, intellect, senses etc. A Yogi when makes the mind dead etc., and forgets even himself (soul) then he realizes the God. This eternal Vedic path of Yoga philosophy has been very well preached by Rishi Patanjali in his Yog Shastra.
God is not a matter to be seen with eyes. So how can He be seen alone in everything with the destructive eye?
Ego is not one-sided matter. If there is ego, neither a formless God is realized nor difference between idol or formless God is established. It is ego that most of the people respect the idol worship as well as formless God’s worship mentioned in Vedas but when an aspirant follows the Vedas, his mind becomes stable, then he only accepts worship of formless God and not others. Whereas, the worshipper who worships idol, he accepts formless God also i.e., he cannot ignore Vedas and can not accept one path alone. We must deeply think over it that why is it so?
God being formless has not preached regarding any of His substitute or symbol, so the aspirant who knows Vedic philosophy accepts the God’s preach accordingly. When God in four Vedas, has not stated about His mark or representative then how the follower would accept the same? Vedas have been preaching the formless worship as quoted above eternally whereas the worship of idol has been made for the last about two thousand five hundred years ago by the human-beings. So there is difference of worship of formless God and idol.
Idol worship is the worship where the sentiments and emotions of heart are involved and all the said involvements are man-made as well as destructible. How a mind/intellect having limited power can dig out the Almighty, formless, hidden God from the creation? God is Almighty i.e., He has unlimited powers whereas soul who is being assisted by mind, intellect and senses etc., has limited power.
Yajurveda mantra 1/5 and Rigveda mantra 3/56/1 states that even God cannot transgress His rules. So how can God be transformed according to our emotions and be forced to accept our sentiments which are not according to His laws of nature.
All Vedas state that His laws of creation remain unchangeable. So there is no value of our sentiments etc., contrary to His rules and regulations. In the said Rigveda mantra, God strictly states “that all mountains, seas, rivers and even the Yogis who have realized Him (God) are incapable to change His rules and regulations and the way of worship etc.” So our self-made worship, emotions and sentiments etc., are of no use until these are according to Vedas.
As regards flag, yes it is invaluable not only for soldiers but for countrymen as well. However, the flag of each country is different. Will any other countryman sacrifice his life for our Tiranga? We, the Indians are enough to sacrifice our lives to maintain the dignity of our adorable Tiranga. So flags are different, the countries being different but God is one and only one for entire universe. So worldly example in the matter of formless, Almighty God is not applicable, please.
Also the matter of image being very clear to the devotee when it speaks to him in his own language of devotion, forces a learned man to say that the said speech between his mind and soul is worldly speech and even destructible whereas when a Yogi realizes God, he is completely unable to speak, hear, see, smell, eat, think etc. In this connection, the description of Yog shastra sutra 4/30,31, 32 pertaining to Dharmamegh Samadhi refers.
Yes, only currency notes are valuable. Similarly the Yogis –like Yogeshwar Sri Krishna Maharaj, Sri Ram, Vyas muniji, Guru Vasishth, Atri Rishi, Patanjali Rishi and the present Yogis-Rishis –Munis who have realized God, following the Vedic path are valuable. The stamp of beloved God is everywhere that is in sky, water, vegetation, in each living being etc. But as far as worship is concerned then the follower of Vedas only worships formless God who creates, nurses and destroys the universe, alone being Almighty. He is Almighty, therefore, He doesnot need any assistance from anyone.
This is never forgotten that the image has been brought from Jaipur etc., so if one can worship an image then why can’t one worship all pervading, omnipotent, omniscient, merciful God, who is the source of everything, who is eternal, unchangeable, life of life and soul of soul etc. Why do we change Him from being unchangeable to changeable idol?
Practice makes man perfect. So the beginner will get the sanskar (effect) on his chitta of idol worship and the same will never be omitted again. Secondly, according to the Vedas idol worship is not authentic. You see, there is no shape of soul. Atharvaveda mantra 10/8/25 states that size of soul is less than the tip of hair i.e., soul is the minutest matter which remains unseen. But when an aspirant tries to know about the soul, he knows based on qualities. We know about a person according to the description of his qualities- good or bad. Accordingly, we know Ravanna, King Harishchandra etc., based on their bad and good qualities respectively. So is the case of formless God. God has given His description/His divine qualities in Vedas only. After studying the Vedas, we first know the God based on Shabda Brahma i.e., Ved mantras. Thereafter, when we worship Him according to Vedas, we attain Samadhi and realize Him. This fact has also been mentioned in Shantiparv of Mahabharat wherein Bheeshma tells Yudhishthir that Oh! Yudhishthir, he who gets perfection in ved mantras first, then he realises God.
When Formless, Almighty God has not stated in any Ved about the idol worship then how will He be pleased by idol worship? Yajurveda mantra 32/3 states “NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI” i.e., God cannot be measured. So there cannot be any idol of God because He is immeasurable. However, if people get peace in following idol worship, they may continue. Here I am only discussing the fact of Vedas.
Touching of hand and body etc., is materialistic matter which can only please mind, intellect through skin but it can’t be quoted in respect of Formless, Almighty God.
Whole world can be considered as the body of God but in reality God does not have body because God is alive whereas world is non-alive matter. So God is separate and world is separate. God remains immortal whereas world is destructible.
The image will be destroyed one day but not God. When there is no body of God then how will we be able to offer flowers, sandal wood paste, food etc., to Him.
Yajurveda mantra 40/8 states God to be the purest and He needs not to be purified by bathing, changing clothes and applying sandal wood paste etc. It is an idol or body of human-being which requires purification again and again.
External form of worship will strengthen the idol only because we will be singing, describing the attributes of idol/creation and not to Formless God. If we in the beginning are not able to judge the true, divine qualities of formless God then our love and faith will remain unstable.
Such aspirant will only feel nearness to the idol and not formless God who is already within him and who already resides the nearest to the soul i.e., within the soul.
We will have to study the Vedas which state that idol worship is not permitted by God. Yet, if an aspirant wants to worship an idol then I am telling again and again that he can go ahead at his own. On receipt of your e-mail, I am giving answer based on Vedic philosophy only that what Vedas say about idol worship. Vedas do not speak about idol worship and avtarwad. However, people are free to go ahead on their own and do whatever they like.
When I will see any art which is liked by soul through eye, definitely it will be admired and the scene which is disliked will be ignored. So if many people admire the idol of Ganesh sitting on conch, admiration is natural. As far as Vedas-shastras and other holy ancient books written by Rishis are concerned in the worship of formless God, spirit has no concern. Neither spirit exists nor has any concern with the worship of God.
So in the end I again say that he who wishes to worship idol, he may go ahead at his own. I have only told Vedas’ views on the matter of idol worship on receipt of your this particular e-mail.
Again, My blessings to you.
Dinesh: I want to say mantra aum namah shivya, aum brahma devai namah, aum namah narayana. What time should I say what will I get by this?
Swami Ram Swarup: In this connection, I would advise you to contact a local pujari of shiv mandir, please. Because, I’m the follower of only Vedic eternal knowledge wherein only a formless God who creates, nurses and destroys the universe is worshipped.
Lalit: Om agne na ya su pathaa raa ye as maan vish vaani deva vayu naani vid vaan, yuyo dhya smaj juhu raan meno bhoo yish thaam te nama uk tim vidhema.
Please explain the meaning of this mantra. How can we learn to pronounce correctly these mantras? In this regard I would suggest that swamiji could bring out an audio cd that would have 50 mantras of greatest importance with their meaning in Hindi and English. This is very important as not everybody of us due to time constraints or other reasons are unable to come to Vedmandir. It has great significance because we can start chanting these mantras and offer ahutis while doing havan.
Swami Ram Swarup: OM AGNE NAYA SUPATHA RAYE ASAMANVISHWANI DEV VAYUNANI VIDWAN,
YUYODHYASMAJJUHURANNMENO BHOOYISHTHAM TE NAMA UKTIM VIDHEMA.
( Yajurveda mantra 40/16)
(Dev) he who gives all happiness (Agne) who is remembered first amongst all or who remains always first thereafter the creation starts i.e., God (Te) yours (Bhooyishtham) utmost (Namah) with respect (Uktim) praise (Vidhem) do (Vidwan) Oh! Knower of all knowledge/wisdom (Asmat) from us (Juhurannam) cruelty (Enaha) of sinful deeds (Yuyodhi) keep away (Asman) to us (Raye) to get wealth (Supatha) by pious path (Vishwani) all (Vayunani) the superb knowledge (Naya) please give.
Meaning –
Oh! God you give us all the happiness. We praise you with utmost humility and respect. Oh! Knower of all knowledge (Vidwan) kindly keep us away from cruelty and all sinful deeds. Kindly provide us with superb knowledge through pious path to give us the wealth.
Idea –
After getting human life, the soul confronts two types of paths named as “Shreya” and “Preya”. “Shreya” means true path/right path/pious path and “Preya” means bad path/sinful path. The soul has several qualities out of which one is of “attachment/to make contact”. After taking birth in human life, as mentioned above, soul confronts two paths out of which he attaches to anyone. God has also blessed humans with mind. So the pure minded, good person always makes contact with or follows ‘Shreya’ (pious path) and impure minded person makes contact with or follows ‘Preya’ (sinful path). Thus, the pious person by following the Vedic/religious path under guidance of an Acharya always does pious deeds and the other indulges in sinful deeds because he does not go to any learned Acharya of Vedas and Yoga philosophy to take pious advice for a long, happy life. When the pious person takes advice of Acharya and listens to Vedas and spiritual preach, does Yajyen, name jaap and practice of Yoga philosophy etc., he discharges all his moral duties regularly and thus the pious, true qualities are originated in his heart and mind day by day, he then becomes pure. The bad/sinful impressions or influences of previous lives’ bad deeds on the mind are destroyed. Then we actually do the real worship of God with our pure heart. Therefore, we pray to God to give us pure mind to follow right path as per above quoted Yajurveda mantra.
It is fundamental law of Vedas that first of all Vedas are listened from a learned acharya, then only pure pronunciation is uttered. However, nowadays scientific method can be used i.e., if you’ve no time to come here then a Cd containing chanting of Ved mantras with correct pronunciation can be sent. Now, I shall try to prepare audio Cd of the same, as per your requirement. You can send your postal address to send the Cd to you.
