A faithful guide to believers
September 29, 2023
  • Circulation
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Organiser
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • G20
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • International
  • More
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Politics
    • Vocal4Local
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Special Report
    • Culture
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • Education
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
MAGAZINE
No Result
View All Result
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • G20
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • International
  • More
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Politics
    • Vocal4Local
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Special Report
    • Culture
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • Education
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
Organiser
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Bharat
  • World
  • G20
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Culture
  • Defence
  • International Edition
  • RSS in News
  • Magazine
Home Bharat

A faithful guide to believers

Manju GuptaHindu Gods and Goddesses, Stephen Knapp, Jaico Publishing House, Pp 208, Rs 225.00 BELIEVERS of different faiths, other than Hinduism, often ask why there are so many gods and goddesses in it or in the Vedic culture for that matter? There are generally two ways that followers of the Vedic tradition view the Vedic divinities. Some feel that the Supreme is not

by WEB DESK
Oct 1, 2012, 12:28 pm IST
in Bharat
FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegramEmail


$img_titleManju Gupta

Hindu Gods and Goddesses, Stephen Knapp, Jaico Publishing House, Pp 208,  Rs 225.00
 BELIEVERS of different faiths, other than Hinduism, often ask why there are so many gods and goddesses in it or in the Vedic culture for that matter? There are generally two ways that followers of the Vedic tradition view the Vedic divinities. Some feel that the Supreme is not a being but an impersonal force from which everything is created and treat it “like the great Brahma effulgence.” They usually think that all the Vedic divinities are but different forms or representations of the same Supreme or Absolute Truth.
Thus it does not matter whether a person worships Shiva, Krishna, Ganesha or Murugan or any other Vedic gods or goddesses because they all represent the same Absolute Truth or God in various forms. Then there are others who feel that Absolute Truth is ultimately a personality. They hold the view that it does make a difference in which of the Vedic divinities you worship because they offer varying blessings and results from such worship, so each one of them has a specific purpose to serve.
This book by Stephen Knapp, who has studied the major Vedic texts and practiced yoga and Eastern teachings for over 40 years, opens possibilities and potentials of the Vedic tradition and shows how it caters and fulfils the spiritual needs and development of Hinduism since time immemorial. It also explains the nature of the Vedic divinities, their purposes and powers and the way they influence and affect the natural energies of the universe. It also shows how they can assist us and that blessings from them help our spiritual and material development and personality, depending on what we want. The divinities include Krishna, Vishnu, the other avatars along with Brahma, Shiva, Ganesha, Murugan, Surya, Hanuman as well as goddesses like Radha, Durga, Saraswati and Lakshmi. We thus find explanations of their names, attributes, dress, weapons, instruments, the meaning of shivalingam and some of the legends and stories associated with them.
Talking of Krishna, the author says that he is the one from whom everything originates or that he is the Absolute as stated in the Katha Upanishad. He quotes from various religious texts like the Bhagawad Gita to justify this belief. He calls it a ‘mistake’ of those persons who think “Krishna is namely a representation of something higher, which is often mistaken for the impersonal Brahma.” It is the Taittriya Upanishad that explains this and the Vedanta Sutras say, “He is completely and totally spiritual for He is the Absolute Truth.” The Absolute Truth is “He from whom all else manifests.”
The avataras of Krishna are also expounded upon, like the Kumaras or four sons of Brahma, Varaha, Narada Muni, Nara and Narayana, Kapila and so on.
Lord Vishnu is described as the all-pervasive Lord who expands into everything. He represents sattva-guna. Brahma represents the mode of rajas, passion, in which the propensity of creation is found. In this way, the author goes on to describe Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, the other goddesses like Lakshmi, Saraswati, Gayatri, etc. followed by Ganesha, Murugan and Ayypappan before coming to the demigods.
By reading this book, it is not difficult to comprehend how each of the various divinities of the Vedic culture have particular characteristics and blessings that they offer those who show respect or worship them. They all have specific purposes. Ultimately they are “one Supreme Being that oversees everything and is the source of all,” concludes the author.
(Jaico Publishing House, A-2 Jash Chambers, 7-A Sir Phirozshah Mehta Road, Fort, Mumbai-400 002; www.jaicobooks.com)

ShareTweetSendShareSend
Previous News

A story of innocent lives caught in the Naxalite crossfire

Next News

A new title from the celebrated author of the 1970s Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Related News

‘Ayushman Bhav’ campaign: Over 1.5 lakh Ayushman melas organised since September 17

‘Ayushman Bhav’ campaign: Over 1.5 lakh Ayushman melas organised since September 17

Assam: 3 forest officials including DFO held on bribery charges

Assam: 3 forest officials including DFO held on bribery charges

World Heart Day: Healthy heart means a healthier life

World Heart Day: Healthy heart means a healthier life

Tamil Nadu Governor R N takes a veiled attack at Udhyanidhi and says that Sanatan Dharma is “indestructible”

Tamil Nadu Governor R N takes a veiled attack at Udhyanidhi and says that Sanatan Dharma is “indestructible”

Manipur CM Biren Singh’s house in East Imphal attacked by mob;security stepped up at his residence

Manipur CM Biren Singh’s house in East Imphal attacked by mob;security stepped up at his residence

India taking steps to eliminate trans-fatty acids from national food supplies: WHO

India taking steps to eliminate trans-fatty acids from national food supplies: WHO

Load More

Comments

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Organiser. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.

Latest News

‘Ayushman Bhav’ campaign: Over 1.5 lakh Ayushman melas organised since September 17

‘Ayushman Bhav’ campaign: Over 1.5 lakh Ayushman melas organised since September 17

Assam: 3 forest officials including DFO held on bribery charges

Assam: 3 forest officials including DFO held on bribery charges

World Heart Day: Healthy heart means a healthier life

World Heart Day: Healthy heart means a healthier life

Tamil Nadu Governor R N takes a veiled attack at Udhyanidhi and says that Sanatan Dharma is “indestructible”

Tamil Nadu Governor R N takes a veiled attack at Udhyanidhi and says that Sanatan Dharma is “indestructible”

Manipur CM Biren Singh’s house in East Imphal attacked by mob;security stepped up at his residence

Manipur CM Biren Singh’s house in East Imphal attacked by mob;security stepped up at his residence

India taking steps to eliminate trans-fatty acids from national food supplies: WHO

India taking steps to eliminate trans-fatty acids from national food supplies: WHO

Delhi: School van driver Mohd Azhar arrested for sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl

Assam: Mentally challenged girl gangraped in Bhuragaon, three arrested including a woman Murshida Begum

Mineral production records impressive 10.7 per cent surge in July 2023

Mineral production records impressive 10.7 per cent surge in July 2023

Gujarat: Salon owner Mohd Mohsin brutally attacked north-east woman; CCTV footage goes viral 

Gujarat: Salon owner Mohd Mohsin brutally attacked north-east woman; CCTV footage goes viral 

Nagorno-Karabakh Region: Separatist leader from disputed area threatens ‘erosion’ of territory in 2024

Nagorno-Karabakh Region: Separatist leader from disputed area threatens ‘erosion’ of territory in 2024

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Cookie Policy
  • Refund and Cancellation
  • Delivery and Shipping

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • North America
    • South America
    • Europe
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Defence
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Business
  • RSS in News
  • Entertainment
  • More ..
    • Sci & Tech
    • Vocal4Local
    • Special Report
    • Education
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Law
    • Economy
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
  • Subscribe Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Circulation
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Policies & Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Refund and Cancellation
    • Terms of Use

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies