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Raghothama Rao Gaariki, Thank you for your comments. I believe in not have hatred ness or any kind of evil thoughts on fellow humans whichever religion they follow. Every human being has the right to select his way of life. Based on humanity, only a person can suggest or express his choice along with reasons to a fellow person - which could be a worldly thing or divine matters. A person wants to buy a thing, will try to research which one best suitable for his requirement, gather information from known people as well and finally decides according to his choice. I believe in sharing, discussing the guidelines of our religions in the light of authentic sacred texts but not on individual scholars opinions. Finally every one's aim to be successful on this worldly life as well as once our aatma left this world. Vedas are one of oldest existing sacred texts. Every human who is searching the truth can study them and gain true knowledge from it and judge the modifications in it due to ageing. Muslims, Christians or followers of any religion with true intention of finding the truth - can read, try to understand, adopt the true messages from it. i believe these sacred texts purpose is only and only to guide whole mankind (irrespective of color, caste, race, status, wealth..) and show them the straight path . No single person, sect or group can take them in their control and prohibit its true message to other fellow human beings. Here one thing should be dealt with care - a human being should only read its content, try to understand but not try to modify it by adding or deleting parts of the sacred contents from any of the sacred texts of any religion or hide partially, lock them in safe place inaccessible to common people. Since its going against the very basic purpose - providing guidance to mankind. Hope you agree with it. I prefer all of our old sacred texts should be available to every interested person; it should be encouraged to study them as part of our regular life so that we can adopt the good teachings from them, avoid the things prohibited in them. Now days due to scientific advancement, it can be achieved easily. Original script along with translation into well known languages - can be achieved with dedication and efforts to make available to the mankind the true message of the Creator sent as guidance through DIVYA VAANI or other divine methods. You said in Hindiusm ..... What�s the correct meaning of Hinduism - in the light of HOLY BOOKS like Vedas. Whether this word mentioned in any one of it in its original language ? What i understood from the available translations quoted already. Even your words coinciding it shudhama poapvidham = He is body less and pure, 'there is no WORLDLY FORM' its from Metaphysical which is without any form, then how can a worldly form given ? from where the idols came into existence and way of worship? Let me know any proof from sacred texts describing the shape or physical form of CREATOR of the whole existence (but not various avtaars or lesser GODs). Its for my knowledge but not criticizing. 'Sanskrit is such a language which won't get into those brains which are not blessed.' it means .... If look at the statistical data of how many people can read, write, and understand it in its original form? Any part of the world where it exist lively if so why only countable locations but not a language of major part. Language is for all mankind , not for a specific caste - if other caste listen or touched should not be punished at all. The reason what i feel is over protection took away its status from public life. I cheered when had seen the recent news of AP Governor inaugurated a Vedic university in Tirupati. Its a great step to re -activate the Sanskrit language, such great language should be taught in our schools as a compulsory subject. Once learned the language the people can read the sacred texts in its original revealed language and truly understand the way of life, without depending on misinterpretations. As you mentioned you are not agreeing with what Mr Satya Ram prasad said, some other person may not agree with both of you or one of you and so on. Instead of depending on personal opinions, the right way of finding the Truth is - should search the sacred and Holy texts of the religion. The people may express different opinions immediately about a sloke of the sacred text. It may be correct or wrong since its only his/her opinion. But the original one, always gives the same true message to every one whoever read it - based on our level or capability we understand it. To make our understanding perfect we should do put further efforts. Once we read, share/discuss the understandings with open mind, truthfulness, honesty which guides us the way of greater and perfect knowledge. Instead of blindly following what was taught by our parents, elders, society, state, each and every individual of all religions ( could be Christianity, Hindiusm, Budhism, Jainism, Islam ...) should research his/her religion in the light of reality, facts and practicality with the help of their original revealed sacred Text. Is he/she sure of which belief can save from hellfire, punishments face by aatma once died or not? Since this worldly life is a test period and there is no chance to make the corrections once died, one should think, research carefully and listen to his inner voice and adapt it. CREATOR of whole mankind and universe does always wish every one should live in a way acceptable to Him, but He never force any of us , Once send us guidance through sacred texts, noble humans, He has given us choice to select the right path or ignore which is the real test. Those who adapted his guidelines only successful. The common facts which repeatedly said in several sacred texts from oldest to newest which ever name people has given to that religion, always calls us to worship the One and Only Creator of the whole existence is alone and unique, no sharing in divine ship. In this series of sacred Texts Vedas stood first due to its aging by some scientist�s opinion. Part of it still announce its original message and part of it modified since responsibility of protection was left to the people themselves. But last and final sacred text of this series was announced in itself that its protection was not leftover to mankind instead was well protected by THE CREATOR Himself and same time its available to each and every individual whoever interested without any restrictions. Its a live example to us as a excising one without a single letter change since its revelation, major part of world still using its language in their daily life. It repeated the original true mess gages of earlier sacred texts it it and guiding the mankind to follow the TRUTH and true way of worship. Finally appreciate if you can read the meaning of the following sloka and its authenticity, let me know if any mistakes in it. 'Andhatama pravishanti ye asambhuti mupaste' 'They enter darkness, those who worship the natural elements' (Air, Water, Fire, etc.). 'They sink deeper in darkness, those who worship sambhuti.' [Yajurveda 40:9]7 Sambhuti means created things, for example table, chair, idol, etc. Moreover the brahma sutra of Hinduism says - 'Ekam Brahm, dvitiya naste neh na naste kinchan' 'There is only one God, not the second; not at all, not at all, not in the least bit.' Let us pray to the Owner of the Knowledge, Guidance and Creator of Universe - 'Lead us to the good path and remove the sin that makes us stray and wander.' [Yajurveda 40:16] 'the Lord of whole existence, The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (the Day of Resurrection),You Alone we worship, and You Alone we ask for help (for each and everything).Guide us to the Straight Way ,The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger ,nor of those who went astray.' The Holy Quran Chapter 1 : 3-7 If you read the pray of Yajurveda and The Quran, both looks similar. Truth in whichever text, also same and unique without duality or doubts, one should be careful only about modifications in it. Best wishes, Kareemullah

Posted by: Mr. Kareemullah Mohammed At: 19, Aug 2006 5:01:05 PM IST

SATYA RAMA PRASAD KALLURI gaariki, Welcome brother, I respect your openions and sincerely admit, i am not a scholar of vedas, i am studying it now. Its not just copy and paste, i learned this sloka by memory, i can recite it without seeing and its meaning. On this journey whichever skolas comes infront of me, trying to share with knowledgeable persons. But very few responded with authentic replies. First sacred texts like vedas, upanishats, bible, quran should be available to be read by all human beings or not? If its a guidance for mankind, its great knowledge should be available to everyone. A human being should be able to search the truth through thes authentic texts. Hajj : Islam (literal meaning peace / self submission to The Creator) is based on THE HOLY QURAN and Sunnah ( teachings of last and final prophet peace and blessings be upon Him) Any act if its been ordered by above two authentic sources is only valid. Clarification on its authenticity - Since more than 14oo years THE HOLY QURAN exist in this world without a single letter added, deleted or changed from its original form , even all translations uniquely stick to it. Second Sunnah - teachings of last and final Prophet peace and blessings be upon him, is the one and only human in the history whose words, acts, openions, life style (personal and public)recorded in detailed based on eye witness of several followers presented around him at that time. Hajj is one of act of worship, annual gathering irrespective of race, color, gender, nation, age, status, power.. in simple cloths (males wrapped in just two white sheets of cloth), in the same way as mentioned in THE HOLY QURAN and Sunnah. No additions, deletions, modification in its way of worship, time of worhsip, place of worship since its been ordered 1400 years ago. Its helping people around the globe to understand each other, different cultures. During Hajj,by living three days in simple tens, standing under open sky day long seeking forgiveness, spending whole night under open sky helps to understand how one should share others pain and helps to understand how the poor living around the world without even a shelter. Moreover its roots track back to answer the call given by Prophet Abraham peace be upon Him. Whereas Urus, or peerla pandaga - doest have any authenticity, its not at all proved in authentic sources - THE HOLY QURAN AND SUNNAH. Your Information of idol worship : As i said earlier, i prefer only information based on authentic sacred texts. Let me know how many sacred texts are authentic first of all ? Like 4 vedas namely yajurveda, saam veda, rig veda,... , Can you please quote the name of each sacred text -revealed to whom or written by whom in which period ? Really it will help me to increase my knowledge. Next - after you had quoted srutulu - given the explanation of Sankarulavaaru. Brother, i like to get first information only based on authentic sources like sacred texts, openion of scholars may vary from one to another but not the sacred text which was truly claimed its been sent to guide the humanity. Please write down the tatparyam of your quotes. YOur last sentence - initial stages worship to idols is wrong, what aboutlater stages? no need of idol for concentration in later stages, right. Then a person who worship without idol is of higher state of saadhana. your words mean muslims worship without idols already attained this higher state of saadhana. Again i look forward to get the exact quote from any of listed sacred text to prove this sentance - in initial stages, idol worship is not wrong .... Ms Kiran gaariki, Its nice to know your openion. Please note that i am not against any religion, only emphasising on reality and trying to findout the truth path - we should know the authenticity of what we are doing, which way we worship, which way we live ? A person who search the truth and follows it, will be better than a person who followed it blindly under some influence of surroundings. Brahma Sutra : 'Ekam Brahm, dvitiya naste neh na naste kinchan' 'There is only one God, not the second; not at all, not at all, not in the least bit.' Thus only a dispassionate study of the scriptures can help one understand the concept of God. O Creator, who created all of us, guide us to a straighpath which is acceptable to you and protect from all distrated and diverted wrong paths. please dont surprise - this pray also from sacred texts of Hinduism, you can quote the sankskrit text of it. subhakankshalato, kareemullah

Posted by: Mr. Kareemullah Mohammed At: 16, Aug 2006 5:59:56 PM IST

Mr. Kareemullah, Now I understood that it is very difficult to convince you, since you are not open-minded. 'A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.' If at all God exists, He cannot be separate for you & me. Why should anybody take advice from you or from me that He should be called by so & so name only, He should be worshipped with shape or without shape etc. proposals? This is the height of preposterous thinking. You are going on quoting Sanskrit stanzas out of context - one after another. Now I understood that it is futile to discuss with you. I do not want it to become an argument. Any way, pursue your mission with zeal. Time will decide as to how many takers will be there for your way of thinking Thank you.

Posted by: SATYA RAMA PRASAD KALLURI At: 15, Aug 2006 9:28:41 PM IST

Mr Satya Rama Prasad Kalluri, We have to co-exist peacefully and there is no other go. This is the great sentence from you. In my view this is what every civilized, God fearing human should wish. But in practice the things are different. Why? If we analyze the reason, it could not be because of any one group or sect. The analysis based on truth discovers fault on both sides - yes, it may be more on one side and it could be less on opposite. But a true and matured one not only protects himself from the wrong and tries to protect his fellow group too by guiding towards truth and helps to adopt but surely not by force. It�s quite natural, when a calamity happens, every one try to save others irrespective of religion, color, sect, caste. status... Similarly while building a healthy society, this unity also should be maintained with high responsibility, affection, respect of others views. Then only peace and harmony will be established. History proved several periods of such peace and harmony right from recent years Its influence making us to lose our cultural values like our belief of every day is mother�s day, and every day is father�s day but one�s a year. Are we still serving our parents and elders with great respect like our parents did with theirs? Can we guarantee it from our children similar attitude when their time comes? When a best teacher teaches the students, he tries completely to transfer his knowledge into them. The student with serious efforts will surely satisfy the teacher but may not guarantee his/her passing of exams. It�s purely based on the syllabus the teacher selected to teach, whether it complies with examination board or not and then respective responsibilities of the student and the teacher. Some times different teachers teaches different syllabus due to some sort of gain or selfishness and each claim it is the only authorized one, all others false. Some times even though teacher has a correct syllabus, it might have damaged or part of it lost. It increases the confusion of the students. At this point if the student is clever, he will do the research thoroughly and try to join the teacher who complies with examination board syllabus. So he will attend the examination confidently, will find the question from what he was taught. That time if the student came know that the questions are not from what was taught, how great teacher might be, wasted the whole time with that false teacher, has no chance except be failed. Student himself will be responsible for his failure in exam due to his wrong choice. Now if the student is clever, even though he knows, the teacher is best in teaching, he will try to find out whether subjects taught by him are according to the syllabus or not. Once he finds difference he will try to find the true teacher since his ultimate aim is to pass the exam but not fail. Here what we are following is the syllabus of our religions taught by different Prophets, avtaars, rishis, Gurus,Priests .. and so on. We find different teachers with different syllabus. Many of syllabuses lost their originality due to aging or selfish scholars/teachers. Still every one claims it is only the true one. Now a clever student, he should try to find out from authentic sources the right syllabus the one without effected by time and still in original form since its revelation, without a single error and the syllabus of each teacher tested with it whether comply or not. Here fairness and honest should be given top priority without any kind of influence of teacher. Then only student can find the teacher who is teaching according to authentic syllabus. Then once he finds out which is the correct syllabus, he will try to help his close friends also showing his research results -but without any force on him to accept it. A clever friend agrees to see the research work and try to use his own intelligence to find out the truth and then he will be thankful to his friend and both will lead the successful path. On the other hand, if he thinks, why should help my close friend, let him get his time wasted and fail in final exams, will not he losing a chance of saving his fellow human? How far is he fulfilling the friendship rights? Coming to 'worship' - It varies from one beleif to another and also its way/mode. The final success of worship means its acceptance by the GOD to whom it is directed. Its a lengthy topic. a small hint i will mention here - a quote from UPANISHATs TEERTHE DAANE TAPO YAGNE KAASHTE PASHAANE KEESADA SIVAM PASHYATHI MOODHATMA SIV DEHE PARISHTITAHA Meaning - searching the GOD in religious pilgrims(a mode of worship), daanam - donations to poor (a mode of worship), meditation (a mode of worship), sacrifice(a mode of worship),wooden statues(a mode of worship),stone statues(a mode of worship) is a kind of ignorance whereas GOD exist in the heart itself.

Posted by: Mr. Kareemullah Mohammed At: 15, Aug 2006 8:40:53 PM IST

Mr. Kareemullah, As I said earlier, each of us is born in a particular region and due to many sociological reasons, one religious tag or the other has been 'imposed' on us. This apart, we are 'mentally conditioned' by our parents, teachers/preachers and people surrounding us. All this leads to a 'Holier than thou' syndrome, which is not desirable at all. We have to co-exist peacefully and there is no other go. Same is true with eating habits too. At this moment, I am in USA for a short visit. Practically, every food item being served here is alien to me and hence I am unable to relish most of the items. Then, can I declare that it is inferior to my typical South Indian, that too vegetarian food? Again, once I go back to my place, shall I glamourise this way of eating and start extolling all the things done by these people? They have got their own way & I have got my own way. Ultimately, the quality of a pudding lies in its eating. So, let us not compare different modes of worship. What is important is 'worship' but not 'mode'. To drive home your point, you did not hesitate to drag EVR (Periyar) also, who rejoiced in using all primitive & barbarious methods to denigrate idol worship. I do not think that he did all this out of love for Islamic religion. His agenda was different!

Posted by: SATYA RAMA PRASAD KALLURI At: 15, Aug 2006 0:39:09 AM IST

For Vaana varsham - Sorry, if my views hurt you, but request you to find out the reason whether its lies in any of my statements or anywhere else... Human being may not be perfect - the one who corrects himself on the life journey only can reach destination in a acceptable manner. Mr kareemullah, 1. whtz ur problem?.... Kindly let me know what problem you found in me. i respect your openions about me and if you detect any problem in me - but one thing you should judge like a mirror which displays every thing (good and bad) of our face without a single error. Till now i am Based on facts that i did not have any problem in me - note that its based on the facts without just allegations. I welcome you, and your suggestions which may correct me further and remove any evil if exist in me. 2. Its k if u like ur religion and if u have faith in ur allah....But dont talk like a islamic fundamentalist.... Can please explain what is fundamentalism, who is fundamentalist both dictionary meaning as well as your openion on the word fundamentalist? Islam teaches to respect every religion and every human being - note that i am saying Islam. The followers of the any religion - could be learned people who read their sacred texts, understand and implement in their lives, could be just by birth belong to that religion and never had seen, touched or read their sacred text. So there is lot of difference in the basic level of their own religion's knowledge between these two types of people. It reflects on his life style and also he/she will be known based on it. Example we come across several times a panditji, an imaam, a guruji, a priest, a bishop - who is a religious scholar and every one respect him based on his knowledge as well as his virtues. But every one dislikes a person who spreads evil based on religious name - he could be of any religion. His evilness may be be due to ignorance or due to over smartness. Ignorace could be removed by teachings but oversmartness - takes him further away from true path, since he dont accept any good word, only fixed his mind for false propoganda, publicity, never tries to know the truth. If a muslim spreads evil, i never like him, Islam teaches what is evil and what is not , even after learning it if he is not acting on it he is not a true follower of the religion. 3.i hope still ur an indian...May be right now ur staying in some islamic country,but dont forget ur roots... Thank you for your suggessions, make note I am Indian not only by birth, also i will never surrender my passport to get other nationality leaving our great nation.Its given me education, it built the base of my career, and finally upon reaching another country how can one forget it and simple adapt other so called developed nations citizenship? You said correctly i am an indian, and will be indian till death without rejecting my indian passport and adapting green card, yellow card... Being Indian, i participate for growth of our country but not just forever left it giving priority to self, and own family. I love to work hard for my countries prospects, i pay tax only to my country with the aim of its full development. Being a visitor of my country every year, there is no question of forgetting my roots. Its not like once in five years or once in life time visiting India on indian visit visa, even though of Indian origin. some people with pride declares their passport of so and so country and hide indian national identity. 4. u beleive in ur god,dont bring bull shit reasons for criticizing other religions...why r u sooo much interested in this topic...just becoz its some how related to hinduism r wht?...if some brainless guy started this bull shit discussion abt idol worship,wht happened to ur commonsense,dont u have brain....u started writing some crap in a public site.... please read again all the comments posted, let me know where i made any wrong statement ? If its really wrong, i apologies truely by hurting you and others. This is the site, where we can share our views with due respect to each other. Should be with patience and good will. I beleive every good,act, thought has to be answered once died, dont like to spoil my future by just unnecessary statements which increases the separation of humanity, develops hatredness. 5. Ur talking abt allah....loll...He shud guide us??...wht a joke...A person who taught violence,u want that person to guide the world....lolll...everybody can c the reason for instability in world,its just becoz of the followers of ur so called god allah.... Can you justify your statements. Muslims present on this world since long time and ruled major part of the world for a great time. History witnessed the greatfulness of Islam. i agree during this course some bad muslim rulers also happened to exist. But overall peace of world - was not at all disturbed. All your allegations are based on current media false propogonda every one knows it. You have to search the truth but dont blindly accept the false statements of irresponsible leaders as well as media. Being an educated you are responsible for your intelligence but not on blidliness. Several statements comes immediately after a tragedy its done by so and so , but where is the proof ? after years and years cant able to announce the reports of incidence - why? incapable of searching the truth ? But the people who went to search the truth like the famous british reporter who was caught by Afghan talibaans before the its attack, prisoned for couple of weeks, released and reached London, then publicly embrassed Islam as her religion. If she comeacross allegations are true, why she accepted Islam ? Since i guess you are in US, and limited only to US media fox news, feeling unaware of facts, not using your intelligance to separate the truth from allegations, and blindly beleiving what you watch on little screen, instead focussing on open sky which is beyond the horizons. 6.My sincere suggestion is dont get soo excited abt criticizing other religions...if u beleive in something go ahead and keep on beliveing in that...but dont try to talk abt others faith...I know just becoz ur a follower of allah,u hate hindus,thats by default,everybody knows that...but dont show ur grudge openly in public sites like this....so please use ur brain... Searching the truth - always should not be restricted to a single religion, if i am muslim i should ask myself why am i muslim, what about other religions saying about the true path? Does Islam guaruntees success of this world life and life after death or not? Is there any other religion which is better than Islam ? How to know the true path - is only based on its sacred texts and its teachings. Being a truth seeker i have to search all of the religions around me and select the correct one but not just based on my birth following family tradition or culture. I am always open to listn from other religions and several times i asked my friends to know from their sacred texts. Please correct yourself - i never hate hindus or follower any other religion instead i respect them, confidently i stick to my statement since i speak every day and share my views with differnt religious people. This public site is to increase our knowledge, based on healthly contributions. The philosophy is the category which discusses various thoughts of human life, Creator, Creation ... I dont think i have quated on a wrong site and wrong category - if its so, the web moderator might have advised me and stop my posting. I received confirmation of approval. Its for all not only for me or any perticular one person. I respect every ones openions and express my openion without any intention of hurting others. 7. I hope ur allah gave u some brain and commonsense...pls end this shit over here...May ur allh guide u in right direction lol.... Its the goodness of the CREATOR OF WHOLE UNIVERSE that he has not only given whole mankind a brain and also allowed to act upon his own wish even it is against Him. I always pray not only for guidance of right direction but also to prevent me from wrong and distracted directions as well. Also I pray every human being should be guided to true path and get protected from all forms of evil. as you said, its a public forum, would like to share your views with open mind and fairness. If you wish, you can contact on my email mohd_kareem@yahoo.com regards, varsham...

Posted by: Mr. Kareemullah Mohammed At: 14, Aug 2006 9:01:41 PM IST

Mr kareemullah, whtz ur problem?....Its k if u like ur religion and if u have faith in ur allah....But dont talk like a islamic fundamentalist....i hope still ur an indian...May be right now ur staying in some islamic country,but dont forget ur roots...u beleive in ur god,dont bring bull shit reasons for criticizing other religions...why r u sooo much interested in this topic...just becoz its some how related to hinduism r wht?...if some brainless guy started this bull shit discussion abt idol worship,wht happened to ur commonsense,dont u have brain....u started writing some crap in a public site.... Ur talking abt allah....loll...He shud guide us??...wht a joke...A person who taught violence,u want that person to guide the world....lolll...everybody can c the reason for instability in world,its just becoz of the followers of ur so called god allah.... My sincere suggestion is dont get soo excited abt criticizing other religions...if u beleive in something go ahead and keep on beliveing in that...but dont try to talk abt others faith...I know just becoz ur a follower of allah,u hate hindus,thats by default,everybody knows that...but dont show ur grudge openly in public sites like this....so please use ur brain... I hope ur allah gave u some brain and commonsense...pls end this shit over here...May ur allh guide u in right direction lol.... regards, varsham...

Posted by: Mrs. vaana varsham At: 14, Aug 2006 6:43:49 PM IST

'vishnu' means 'sarvavyaapi' - all pervading/spreading through/surrounding. It has been derived from the dhaatu (root) 'vish`' In many of the Hindu systems, idol worship is meant for a beginner. This is in fact said to be desirable and hence in Geeta, a beginner is advised to start with 'sagunopaasana' (worshipping that Force with some attributes (in other words 'Moorti pooja', which facilitates concentration.(Geeta Chapter 12, SlOka 5 sagunopaasana vs nirgunopaasana - the former is easy and the latter is diificult.) 'Ekam sat` vipraa bahudaa vadanti' means the same God is called by different learned men by different names. He 'need not' be called by one and only by one name. If any body insists that He (God) should be called by one & only one name, it is the height of his/her ignorance and intolerance. This is so because different cultures/civilisations/geographical parts/castes/sociological groups over longer periods have been habituated to worship God with different names and different forms. What about the 'Holy Cross' symbol? Do not Christians treat it with a lot of reverence? I know a lot of Muslims devoted to the digit '786' and also the photo of Holy Mecca. Is not all this an indirect worship of a symbol, if not an idol? Then, 'pratima' in the context mentioned by the author of the article means 'measure/extent' but not 'idol' ( Refer Vaman Apte or any other Standard Sanskrit-English Dictionary for different meanings of this word.) Finally, I hope that all this should not lead to any unnecessary controversy. Each religion/sect has got its own way of worship. This does not mean that other systems are meaningless. Take the quadratic equation x2 - 5x + 6 = 0 It has two different values (roots), viz. 2 and 3. If one person says that 2 is the only answer and the other insists that 3 is the only correct answer, both of them are right as well as wrong!

Posted by: SATYA RAMA PRASAD KALLURI At: 13, Aug 2006 3:22:54 AM IST

Thank you brother for posting the question. how and why idol worship is wrong? The Yajurveda contains the following prayer: 'Lead us to the good path and remove the sin that makes us stray and wander.' [Yajurveda 40:16]8 We should first findout the route of idols - how came to existance and whether supported by our authentic scriptures or just entered in our method of worship. Best thing to start is searching it in our sacred texts. Sincerely my true intention all of us should be saved from the punishment of HELL and enter into heaven, our worship to be accepted by the TRUE GOD, who is the one and only owner of this whole universe. Answer THE VEDAS Vedas are considered the most sacred of all the Hindu scriptures. 1.The following verses from the Yajurveda 'na tasya pratima asti 'There is no image of Him.' [Yajurveda 32:3] 'shudhama poapvidham' 'He is bodyless and pure.' [Yajurveda 40:8] 'Andhatama pravishanti ye asambhuti mupaste' 'They enter darkness, those who worship the natural elements' (Air, Water, Fire, etc.). 'They sink deeper in darkness, those who worship sambhuti.' [Yajurveda 40:9] Sambhuti means created things, for example table, chair, idol, etc. The Rigveda states in Book1, hymn 164 and verse 46: 'Sages (learned Priests) call one God by many names.' [Rigveda 1:164:46] The Rigveda gives several different attributes to Almighty God. Many of these are mentioned in Rigveda Book 2 hymn 1. Among the various attributes of God, one of the beautiful attributes mentioned in the Rigveda Book II hymn 1 verse 3, is Brahma. Brahma means �The Creator�. Translated into Arabic it means Khaaliq. Muslims can have no objection if Almighty God is referred to as Khaaliq or �Creator� or Brahma. However if it is said that Brahma is Almighty God who has four heads with each head having a crown, Muslims take strong exception to it. Describing Almighty God in anthropomorphic terms also goes against the following verse of Yajurveda: 'Na tasya Pratima asti' 'There is no image of Him.' [Yajurveda 32:3] Another beautiful attribute of God mentioned in the Rigveda Book II hymn 1 verse 3 is Vishnu. Vishnu means �The Sustainer�. Translated into Arabic it means Rabb. Again, Muslims can have no objection if Almighty God is referred to as Rabb or 'Sustainer' or Vishnu. But the popular image of Vishnu among Hindus, is that of a God who has four arms, with one of the right arms holding the Chakra, i.e. a discus and one of the left arms holding a �conch shell�, or riding a bird or reclining on a snake couch. Muslims can never accept any image of God. As mentioned earlier this also goes against Svetasvatara Upanishad Chapter 4 verse 19. 'Na tasya pratima asti' 'There is no likeness of Him' The following verse from the Rigveda Book 8, hymn 1, verse 1 refer to the Unity and Glory of the Supreme Being: 'Ma cid anyad vi sansata sakhayo ma rishanyata' 'O friends, do not worship anybody but Him, the Divine One. Praise Him alone.' [Rigveda 8:1:1]10 'Devasya samituk parishtutih' 'Verily, great is the glory of the Divine Creator.' [Rigveda 5:1:81]11 The Brahma Sutra of Hinduism is: 'Ekam Brahm, dvitiya naste neh na naste kinchan' 'There is only one God, not the second; not at all, not at all, not in the least bit.' Thus only a dispassionate study of the Hindu scriptures can help one understand the concept of God in Hinduism. The Upanishads are considered sacred scriptures. The following verses from the Upanishad allude to the inability of man to imagine God in a particular form: 'Na samdrse tisthati rupam asya, na caksusa pasyati kas canainam.' 'His form is not to be seen; no one sees Him with the eye.' [Svetasvatara Upanishad 4:20]4 'Na tasya pratima asti' 'There is no likeness of Him.' [Svetasvatara Upanishad 4:19]3 'Ekam evadvitiyam' 'He is One only without a second.' [Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1]1 'Na casya kascij janita na cadhipah.' 'Of Him there are neither parents nor lord.' [Svetasvatara Upanishad 6:9] The Hindu Pundits and Scholars agree that the Vedas and other Hindu religious scriptures prohibit idol worship, but initially because the mind may not be matured, an idol is required for concentration while worshipping. After the mind reaches higher consciousness, the idol is not required for concentration. Some pundits while trying to convince me regarding idol worship said that in standard one the student is initially taught to worship God by concentrating with the help of an idol but later on when he graduates he no longer requires the idol to concentrate while worshipping the God. A very important fact to be noted is that only if the fundamentals of any particular subject is strong, then only will he be able to excel in future for e.g. A teacher of mathematics in standard one teaches the students that 2 + 2 = 4 irrespective whether the student passes school or does graduation or does a Ph. D. in mathematics, the basics of 2 + 2 = 4 will yet remain the same, it will not change to 5 or 6. In higher standards the student, besides addition may learn about Algebra, Trigonometry, Logarithm, etc. but the fundamental of addition will yet remain the same. If the teacher in standard one itself teaches the fundamentals wrong, how can you expect the student to excel in future? It is the fundamental principal of the Vedas regarding the concept of God that He has got no image, so how can the Scholars even after knowing this fact keep silent at the wrong practice being done by people. Will you tell your son who is in standard one that 2 plus 2 is not equal to 4 but 5 or 6 and only confirm the truth after he passes school? Never. In fact if he makes a mistake you will correct him and say it is 4 and not wait till he graduates; and if you don�t correct him initially you will ruin his future. May ALLAH guide all of us to the straightpath which leads success of this worldy life as well as next life.

Posted by: Mr. Kareemullah Mohammed At: 12, Aug 2006 5:32:08 PM IST

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