Now coming to your question, you main question is about idol worship. It is the qualities that are worshiped by the hindu. The vedas also are thoroughly opposed to idol worship, but what you have seen in hindu temples is not idol worship but rather deity worship. Yajurveda chapter 32, verse 3 na tasya pratima asti there is no image of him it. They talk about god, nature, man, morality, the ultimate reality of human experience, what happens after death, external life of joy and an overflowing vitality, internal mental struggle in every man between good and evil. Fate of idolaters worship at trees knowledge, of god shrines oaks then you will know that i am the lord, when their slain are among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, under every green tree and under every leafy oakthe places where they offered soothing aroma to all their idols. They are the original scriptures of hindu teachings, containing spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of life. Although many reformers in past like adi shankracharya, guru basava, guru nanak, sant kabir, dadu, raja ram mohan roy. But where are the great many quotes in the various scriptures about idol worship. Aug 21, 2012 hindus do idol worship which is condemned in abrahamic religious books like the holy quran, the holy bible and the holy torah. The philosophical maxims of vedic literature have stood the test of time, and the vedas form the highest.
But i am a human being and i believe its my duty not to make the general public illiterate about our scripture get the idea that vedas are against idol worship. We invite lord or consciousness into them with mantras. In hinduism there are many words to describe the nature of god, and we will refer to them as the need arises, but in this regard, the most. When i questioned my parents that vedas are against idol worship and why do we still practice it, my mother scolded me saying we are supposed to do it.
Clarifying confusion regarding socalled idolworship. Are you aware of the fact that idol worship is prohibited. Hindus do idol worship which is condemned in abrahamic religious books like the holy quran, the holy bible and the holy torah. You have misinterpreted many of the scriptures you quote. As far as i am concerened hinduism has not one book but many books and just by going through one line and spreading a rumor that idol worship is banned in hindusim doesnt suit. Among other factors, it was believed to be a means for manipulation of the ordinary masses by the priestly castes to keep the power in their hands. In abrahamic religions, namely judaism, christianity and islam, idolatry connotes the worship of something or someone other than god as if it were god. Hindus do worship idols, but so do christians, jews and even muslims. I am giving answer based on vedic philosophy only that what vedas say about idol worship. 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. Come and let the light of thy face, free from fear and evil, shine upon us. If you worship an idol as god then a person is wrong in their worship. Jul 05, 2010 other texts based on vedas elaborate this subject of religion or dharma in greater detail and so do many other mantras of vedas.
Yes it is true as per logic and reason as written in satyarth prakash, chapter 1, 11 and 12 written by swami dayanand saraawati who established aryasamaj that idol worship is sin and it is root cause of so many evil and holds good of all the religion because then wedont worship actual god. Idolatry is the worship of an idol or cult image, being a physical image, such as a statue, or a person in place of god. When i questioned my parents that vedas are against idol worship and why do we still practice it, my mother scolded me saying we are supposed to do it as our forefathers did it, the next day i. To those who are not familiar with it, image worship is the practice of ritually worshipping god or hindu divinities in image form. Sruti is the vedas, and smriti means derived from the vedas. My question is the hindu pandits and scholars, agree that the vedas, and other hindu religious scriptures prohibit idol worship, but initially because the mind may not be matured, therefore an idol is required for concentration while worshipping. The following are only few references, you may find many more once you go through it. Sikhism on idol worship sikhiwiki, free sikh encyclopedia. We invoke the presence of god from the higher, unseen worlds, into the image so that we can commune with him and receive his blessings. There is no reference to worship of idols in the vedas. Interestingly the ancient books of hindus crititicize idol worship. Why do people worship idols even though they are banned in.
Idol worship is the extension of yagna which is allowed in vedas. It is a declaration of simple faith in the universal presence of god. You do pooja to not please the supreme, but to make yourself more worthy for her. This method of puja worship is recommended to give devotion a concrete focus. The idols of rama, sita, lakshmana, krishna, venkateshwara, ganesha, laxmi and many innumerable idols are worshipped all over the world by hindus. Whatever you experience in this world is through five senses. Except for the abovementioned investigations, no learned in vedas says that vedas do have or present idolatry, but that idolatry is not allowed by vedas. Vivekanandas explanation on idol worship and many gods. But according to vedas rig veda, yajur veda, sam veda atharva veda idol or murti worship is prohibited in their religion and on the contrary, worship of one god alone is allowed. Preference is given to manasika pooja which means a person who wish to worship any god, need to assume gods image in his mind and concentrate on that god and worship in his mind manasika. Similarities between hinduism and islamhinduism facts.
As literature they form the oldest piece of recorded human experience on earth. Idol worship is the easiest form of worship for the modern man. If idol worship is a sin, muslims are greatest idol worshippers. Idol worship murthi puja or image worship in hinduism refers to the worship of the names and forms murti of god, any divinity or reverential person such as a guru or a saint.
Some of the other excellent elaborations on dharma are found in taittriya aranyak 7. Idol worship not allowed in hinduism vedas and upanishads, somebody tell this donkey rogi aadityanath. First of all i would like to say that i am not an expert on deity worship. Yajurveda vedas are the most sacred amongst all the hindu scriptures. Sep 26, 2011 hinduism idol worship is not prohibited. The puranas and the agamas give descriptions of idolworship both in the houses and in the temples. Was he not a idol worshiper when he was respecting the photos of his parents. Donations to the poor are considered as a good practice in both hinduism and islam. Nov 19, 2012 idol worship forbidden in hindu scriptures q. As for hindus are concerned, they do not worship idols. Thus this hymn mentions the idolatry which is further described in puranas. In these monotheistic religions, idolatry has been considered as the worship of false gods and is forbidden by the values.
Q when ishwar is niraakaar shapeless, why do you recommend saakaar pooja so called idolworship. The idea that vedas are agianst idol worship is an interpretation of arya samaj from the vedas. Idol worship may refer to worship of a cult image or an object that is venerated as the representation of a deity. Nov 27, 2012 no idolatry in vedas western indologists dr vivek arya swami dayanand was first scholar in modern times to proclaim that idolatry or worship of god in forms of idols is not sanctioned in the holy vedas. Why idol worship or image worship is justified in hinduism. So long as you think it is an idol you have not got it. 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 at his own. But if you worship god through an idol then that is good. No idolatry in vedas western indologists dr vivek arya swami dayanand was first scholar in modern times to proclaim that idolatry or worship of god in forms of idols is not sanctioned in the holy vedas. I would also like to say that i very much enjoy temple visits because of the divine feeling that one gets when going to temples. The name of swami dayanand comes first in people with such thoughts. We often jump into professing to others before we have completed learning ourselves.
Idols can be made of any material, with or without any shape. Acharya priyavratha vedvachaspati gives the same opinion about this. No doubt it is prohibited in all holy books like vedas, upanishads, talmudh, bible and the quran. That is the difference between idol worship and deity worship. The vedas collectively form the scriptural authority for everything. No idolatry in vedas western indologists vedicvoice.
Review except for the abovementioned investigations, no learned in vedas says that vedas do have or present idolatry, but that idolatry is not allowed by vedas. Jan 11, 2018 he has also written about 50 compact expository books on the secrets of the veda suktas, revealing the deeper meaning of veda mantras. A symbol is absolutely indispensable for fixing the mind. An introduction the following are some references from hindu scriptures. According to vedas, idol worship is not allowed for hindus. The vedas are considered the earliest literary record of indoaryan civilization and the most sacred books of india. In idol worship, you also invoke the power of devotion, which according to the bhagavadgita, brings the devotee closer to the deity who is hidden in the idol and strengthen their relationship. Where is the written do not worship idols in the geeta. The prayer beads that muslims use resemble hindu jap mala. Ones sincere attitude of service to the lord and strict adherence to the rules of the scriptures are the essential ingredients that make deity worship vastly different from worship of an ordinary idol. Hindus do not worship a stone or metal idol as god. Idols are made up of clay, water, air, sky, and fire.
They get habituated to idol worship as their belief keeps growing strongly. The philosophical maxims of vedic literature have stood the test of time, and the vedas form the highest religious authority for all aspects of hinduism and are a. Dec 14, 2007 as far as i am concerened hinduism has not one book but many books and just by going through one line and spreading a rumor that idol worship is banned in hindusim doesnt suit. Early vedic period 1500 bc advent of aryans aryans means of high birth age of rig veda vedas means to know superior knowledge aryans were generally referred to people who spoke indo aryan language sanskrit society was mainly male dominated. No scripture explicitly rejects idol worship, including vedas. The practice dates back to the indus valley period 5000 bc. Mark that it is god that is worshipped in the form of the idol and not the idol as god. I would ask our hindu brothers please refrain from such rumours better read all the vedas upanishads before believing in one sentence. The hindu pundits and scholars agree that the vedas and other hindu religious scriptures prohibit idol worship, but initially because the mind. During the brahmana period, a new form of worship surfaced in which all human needs such as food, drinks like soma, grains, clothes, incl sacrificial an. Tasya na partima asti god cannot be represented by an idol i come from a branch of hinduism which does not worship idols. There is not even a single line in the vedas or puranas that support idolworship.
Idols or temples or churches or books are only the supports, the helps, of his spiritual childhood. Thus if great learned men use the best vedic quote, come down to us, rudra, who art in the high mountains. If the form one worships is merely imaginary, then ones worship is whimsical idolatry. There is not even a single line in the vedas or puranas that support idol worship. Vedas do not speak about idol worship and avtarwad. The help of an idol is sought by the hindu to make it more simplified. The passages about idolworship that have been quoted at the beginning are from an article titled superstition and indians by n.
He has also written about 50 compact expository books on the secrets of the veda suktas, revealing the deeper meaning of veda mantras. Vivekanandas explanation on idol worship and many gods theory of hinduism filed. When an idol is made by the hindu, he assigns certain qualities to that idol. Jan 30, 2010 in hinduism idol worship is not prohibited. Apr 01, 2017 q when ishwar is niraakaar shapeless, why do you recommend saakaar pooja socalled idolworship. But i guess you are unaware of the fact that what you state as a fact is an illformed opinion based on limited learning through improper translations. Reasons for idol worship in hinduism hindu website. Vedas, transmigration, heaven, hell, idol worship, hinduism. Some activities like putting the palms over the face after namaz are similar to yoga. When simple piece of painted paper invokes so much love and respect, idol consecreted with due pratishhta should invoke reverse to that great lord that is symbolized in that idol. Saakaar pooja is an honest and effective way to reach that supreme.
Is it true, idol worshiping prohibited in hinduism. Idol worshiping is not prohibited in vedas, but considered as least kind of worshiping. Apr 20, 2010 yes it is true as per logic and reason as written in satyarth prakash, chapter 1, 11 and 12 written by swami dayanand saraawati who established aryasamaj that idol worship is sin and it is root cause of so many evil and holds good of all the religion because then wedont worship actual god. Hinduism is known for image worship or idol worship murthi puja. That is why after completion of festive period, they throw away the same idols without any emotional attachment. Jan 30, 2020 the vedas are considered the earliest literary record of indoaryan civilization and the most sacred books of india. Assalam alaikum, this is yaseen ahmed i am a software engineer by profession. Tasya na partima asti god cannot be represented by an idol i come from a. This method is possible to only those who have a lot of meditation practice, and those people are mostly be saints or rushi. Those who condemn idol worship are just half baked jivas.