33 crores Hindu Gods
From: Venugopal Kaikulath (venu1005@hotmail.com)
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 5:39:51 PM
To: ashokjai@sancharnet.in; ashok@wonder-cures.com; atsingha@vsnl.com
Dear Ashokji,
I have read your article wherein you question the Hindu worship of 33 crores Gods. It is obvious to anyone who understands the highest teachings of Hinduism (Advaita) that everything there is and there is not is of one essence, call it God or whatever. Since the experience that is readily available to us since birth is the multiplicity of things in the world and our being separate individuals, the spiritual teaching seeks to take us to our essence, which is the essence of all. So you could say that Hinduism is the movement from multiplicity to one, oneness, all-ness and nothingness. A scripture written long ago at a time when there were probably only 33 crores humans in the world, has exclaimed the 33 crores gods that we are who exist and is verily worshipful, for we are the essence. This is the purport of the '33 crores Gods' exclamation in a Hindu scripture.
Regards
K.Venugopal
From: Venugopal Kaikulath (venu1005@hotmail.com)
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 6:01:48 PM
To: haindavakeralam@yahoogroups.com
I have read your article wherein you question the Hindu worship of 33 crores Gods. It is obvious to anyone who understands the highest teachings of Hinduism (Advaita) that everything there is and there is not is of one essence, call it God or whatever. Since the experience that is readily available to us since birth is the multiplicity of things in the world and our being separate individuals, the spiritual teaching seeks to take us to our essence, which is the essence of all. So you could say that Hinduism is the movement from multiplicity to one, oneness, all-ness and nothingness. A scripture written long ago at a time when there were probably only 33 crores humans in the world, has exclaimed the 33 crores gods that we are who exist and is verily worshipful, for we are the essence. This is the purport of the '33 crores Gods' exclamation in a Hindu scripture.
Regards
K.Venugopal
From: Venugopal Kaikulath (venu1005@hotmail.com)
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 6:01:48 PM
To: haindavakeralam@yahoogroups.com
Hindus and 33 crores Gods.
There are many who mock at the concept of 33 crores gods worshipped by the Hindus. My take on this is that it is obvious to anyone who understands the highest teachings of Hinduism (Advaita) that everything there is and there is not is of one essence, call it God or whatever. Since the experience that is readily available to us since birth is the multiplicity of things in the world and our being separate individuals, the spiritual teaching seeks to take us to our essence, which is the essence of all. So you could say that Hinduism is the movement from multiplicity to one, oneness, all-ness and nothingness. A scripture written long ago at a time when there were probably only 33 crores humans in the world, has exclaimed the 33 crores gods that we are who exist and is verily worshipful, for we are the essence. This, I take it, is the purport of the '33 crores Gods' exclamation in a Hindu scripture.
There are many who mock at the concept of 33 crores gods worshipped by the Hindus. My take on this is that it is obvious to anyone who understands the highest teachings of Hinduism (Advaita) that everything there is and there is not is of one essence, call it God or whatever. Since the experience that is readily available to us since birth is the multiplicity of things in the world and our being separate individuals, the spiritual teaching seeks to take us to our essence, which is the essence of all. So you could say that Hinduism is the movement from multiplicity to one, oneness, all-ness and nothingness. A scripture written long ago at a time when there were probably only 33 crores humans in the world, has exclaimed the 33 crores gods that we are who exist and is verily worshipful, for we are the essence. This, I take it, is the purport of the '33 crores Gods' exclamation in a Hindu scripture.
Regards
K.Venugopal
To: haindavakeralam@yahoogroups.comFrom: devinder.thakur@btopenworld.comDate: Sat, 7 Jul 2007 21:00:08 +0100Subject: [haindavakeralam] Fw: Worship 330 Million Gods
----- Original Message -----
From: Devinder Thakur
To: swamijyoti ; Krishen Kak ; Ashok T. Jaisinghani ; Arvind Mallya ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain
Cc: unitedhindufront@hotmail.com
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: Worship 330 Million Gods
HINDUISM PAINTED BLACK
Dear All,
I have revised my views about the question recently asked by Shree Ashok Jaisinghani about the worship of 33 crore gods. I think you will soon agree with me that Shree Ashok Jaisinghani is less of a sinner than he is sinned against. His question would simply appear to be benign.
I have just finished reading a review of a book "An Analysis of Hinduism Studies in America." and am about to obtain a copy as I think it will make both an interesting as well as an indignant reading. Interesting , because it exposes the fallacious interpretation by American scholars of Hinduism, its numerous facets and their manifestation in ways that are beyond the ken of some. Indignant, because these interpretations demonise, distort. and degrade Hinduism.
For several decades now the white, Judeo/Christian 'Scholars' of various schools of South Asian studies in US have been anthologising HINDUISM. However, in the last few years Indian scholars have taken them on and the result is this volume under review. Hinduism is 'interpreted' with a degree of hostility Bhagwat Gita is dismissed as a 'dishonest book promoting war.; Ganesha's trunk is a 'limphallus, his large belly and love of sweets are proof of Hindu male's enormous appetite for oral sex. Besides, Swami Ramakrishna Padmahamsa is called a paedophile who molested the young Swami Vivekananda. The bindi is interpreted as a drop of menstrual fluid.
Various incidents narrated in Hindu scriptures are explained in Freudian terms and so the fight between Shiva and Ganesha is an episode of Oedipal conflict. These scholars have not only received awards, but their books are also prescribed as readings in American colleges and universities. Their Hindu phobic views have also gained respectability in mainstream America.
In these days when India is resurging as a global power "Invading the sacred" sets out to expose the systematic undermining core icons and ideals of Indic culture and thought. The editors explain that these debasing images of India, its culture and civilisation are not just in the realm of academia nor the result of personal biases and prejudices of a few; they are also in the realm of institutionalised mechanisms. These images shape popular perception in America. For the vast Indian Diaspora's younger generation in America indeed in India too these interpretations are at vast divergence with all that they have known about their culture and civilisation and religion.
As S N Balagangadharan of University of Belgium, one of the contributors in this book says," Our experiences are being trivialised , denied, distorted and made inaccessible by someone else's experience of the world. You have the feeling of moral and ethical wrongness because such situation is neither justified nor justifiable.
One is made to think that apparently, there is only one way of experiencing the world, the Western way.Countering this insidious campaign against Hinduism by 'talking back' was one of the way of meeting challenge in view of the struggles of the Blacks,women,gays and so on. The present book is one such 'talk back'.
The question to ask here is this What is the Hindu Diaspora doing to correct this wholesale institutionalised maligning of our religion and culture. Rather than see everything through the prism of Hindu/Muslim feuds, perhaps we now ought to look at this rather serious problem right under your noses.and at our door steps.. Regards Devinder Thakur
----- Original Message -----
From: Devinder Thakur
To: swamijyoti ; Krishen Kak ; Ashok T. Jaisinghani ; Arvind Mallya ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 7:51 PM
Subject: Re: Worship 330 Million Gods
Dear All,
This would appear to be a wild and irresponsible statement quoting some unidentified group of Hindu fundamentalists simply designed to provoke reaction.
I should dismiss this as a frivolous question verging on ridiculing the Great Hindu religion. Regards Devinder Thakur
----- Original Message -----
From: swamijyoti
To: Krishen Kak ; Ashok T. Jaisinghani ; Arvind Mallya ; Devinder Thakur ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 1:53 AM
Subject: Re: Worship 330 Million Gods
ATJ is obviously a 'habitual bullshiter'. If he does not remove everyone immediately from his mailing list, I suggest, all should block his ID.
----- Original Message -----
From: Krishen Kak
To: Ashok T. Jaisinghani ; Arvind Mallya ; Devinder Thakur ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain ; SwamiJyoti
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 7:29 AM
Subject: Re: Worship 330 Million Gods
Another non-issue being made into an issue.
ATJ, please remove me from from your mailing list.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ashok T. Jaisinghani
To: Arvind Mallya ; Devinder Thakur ; Dr Krishen Kak ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain ; SwamiJyoti
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 6:34 AM
Subject: Worship 330 Million Gods
How can Hindus Worship 330 Million Gods & Goddesses?
The Hindu fundamentalists insist that there are 33 crore or 330 million Hindu gods and goddesses, and the Hindus are supposed to worship all of them. Can the Hindus really worship so many gods and goddesses? Is it possible for the Hindus ever to worship all the 330 million gods and goddesses when the names and other details are not known even to the great Hindu gurus and scholars?
Are the names of all the 330 million gods and goddesses written anywhere in any Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads or other Hindu holy books? How can the Hindus ever worship all the 330 million gods and goddesses without their names and other details being known to anyone? It is just impossible.
Can any Hindu scholar prove that there are 330 million Hindu gods and goddesses by giving the names of all of them? I am ready to give Rs 3,30,000 (three lakh and thirty thousand ruppees) to anyone who can show me even one copy of the Veda, Purana, Upanishad, or any other old or new book or directory which gives the full list of all the 330 million Hindu gods and goddesses. I have never heard anyone claiming to know about any book which gives a list of even 10,00,000 names of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Do the Hindu gurus and scholars even know how many years it will take just to count 330 million one by one? So how can any Hindus worship 330 million gods and goddesses?
Sincerely,
Ashok T. Jaisinghani.
Editor & Publisher:http://www.wonder-cures.com/http://www.nutritionist-no-1.com/http://www.sindhikalakar.com/E-mail: AshokJai@Sancharnet.in Ashok@Wonder-Cures.com atsingha@vsnl.com
To: haindavakeralam@yahoogroups.comFrom: devinder.thakur@btopenworld.comDate: Sat, 7 Jul 2007 21:00:08 +0100Subject: [haindavakeralam] Fw: Worship 330 Million Gods
----- Original Message -----
From: Devinder Thakur
To: swamijyoti ; Krishen Kak ; Ashok T. Jaisinghani ; Arvind Mallya ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain
Cc: unitedhindufront@hotmail.com
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: Worship 330 Million Gods
HINDUISM PAINTED BLACK
Dear All,
I have revised my views about the question recently asked by Shree Ashok Jaisinghani about the worship of 33 crore gods. I think you will soon agree with me that Shree Ashok Jaisinghani is less of a sinner than he is sinned against. His question would simply appear to be benign.
I have just finished reading a review of a book "An Analysis of Hinduism Studies in America." and am about to obtain a copy as I think it will make both an interesting as well as an indignant reading. Interesting , because it exposes the fallacious interpretation by American scholars of Hinduism, its numerous facets and their manifestation in ways that are beyond the ken of some. Indignant, because these interpretations demonise, distort. and degrade Hinduism.
For several decades now the white, Judeo/Christian 'Scholars' of various schools of South Asian studies in US have been anthologising HINDUISM. However, in the last few years Indian scholars have taken them on and the result is this volume under review. Hinduism is 'interpreted' with a degree of hostility Bhagwat Gita is dismissed as a 'dishonest book promoting war.; Ganesha's trunk is a 'limphallus, his large belly and love of sweets are proof of Hindu male's enormous appetite for oral sex. Besides, Swami Ramakrishna Padmahamsa is called a paedophile who molested the young Swami Vivekananda. The bindi is interpreted as a drop of menstrual fluid.
Various incidents narrated in Hindu scriptures are explained in Freudian terms and so the fight between Shiva and Ganesha is an episode of Oedipal conflict. These scholars have not only received awards, but their books are also prescribed as readings in American colleges and universities. Their Hindu phobic views have also gained respectability in mainstream America.
In these days when India is resurging as a global power "Invading the sacred" sets out to expose the systematic undermining core icons and ideals of Indic culture and thought. The editors explain that these debasing images of India, its culture and civilisation are not just in the realm of academia nor the result of personal biases and prejudices of a few; they are also in the realm of institutionalised mechanisms. These images shape popular perception in America. For the vast Indian Diaspora's younger generation in America indeed in India too these interpretations are at vast divergence with all that they have known about their culture and civilisation and religion.
As S N Balagangadharan of University of Belgium, one of the contributors in this book says," Our experiences are being trivialised , denied, distorted and made inaccessible by someone else's experience of the world. You have the feeling of moral and ethical wrongness because such situation is neither justified nor justifiable.
One is made to think that apparently, there is only one way of experiencing the world, the Western way.Countering this insidious campaign against Hinduism by 'talking back' was one of the way of meeting challenge in view of the struggles of the Blacks,women,gays and so on. The present book is one such 'talk back'.
The question to ask here is this What is the Hindu Diaspora doing to correct this wholesale institutionalised maligning of our religion and culture. Rather than see everything through the prism of Hindu/Muslim feuds, perhaps we now ought to look at this rather serious problem right under your noses.and at our door steps.. Regards Devinder Thakur
----- Original Message -----
From: Devinder Thakur
To: swamijyoti ; Krishen Kak ; Ashok T. Jaisinghani ; Arvind Mallya ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 7:51 PM
Subject: Re: Worship 330 Million Gods
Dear All,
This would appear to be a wild and irresponsible statement quoting some unidentified group of Hindu fundamentalists simply designed to provoke reaction.
I should dismiss this as a frivolous question verging on ridiculing the Great Hindu religion. Regards Devinder Thakur
----- Original Message -----
From: swamijyoti
To: Krishen Kak ; Ashok T. Jaisinghani ; Arvind Mallya ; Devinder Thakur ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 1:53 AM
Subject: Re: Worship 330 Million Gods
ATJ is obviously a 'habitual bullshiter'. If he does not remove everyone immediately from his mailing list, I suggest, all should block his ID.
----- Original Message -----
From: Krishen Kak
To: Ashok T. Jaisinghani ; Arvind Mallya ; Devinder Thakur ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain ; SwamiJyoti
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 7:29 AM
Subject: Re: Worship 330 Million Gods
Another non-issue being made into an issue.
ATJ, please remove me from from your mailing list.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ashok T. Jaisinghani
To: Arvind Mallya ; Devinder Thakur ; Dr Krishen Kak ; Dr S Sharma ; VHP DELHI HQS ; Ramchander Homma ; Om Nath Garg ; Narsi L S Narasimhan ; Sandhya Jain ; SwamiJyoti
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 6:34 AM
Subject: Worship 330 Million Gods
How can Hindus Worship 330 Million Gods & Goddesses?
The Hindu fundamentalists insist that there are 33 crore or 330 million Hindu gods and goddesses, and the Hindus are supposed to worship all of them. Can the Hindus really worship so many gods and goddesses? Is it possible for the Hindus ever to worship all the 330 million gods and goddesses when the names and other details are not known even to the great Hindu gurus and scholars?
Are the names of all the 330 million gods and goddesses written anywhere in any Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads or other Hindu holy books? How can the Hindus ever worship all the 330 million gods and goddesses without their names and other details being known to anyone? It is just impossible.
Can any Hindu scholar prove that there are 330 million Hindu gods and goddesses by giving the names of all of them? I am ready to give Rs 3,30,000 (three lakh and thirty thousand ruppees) to anyone who can show me even one copy of the Veda, Purana, Upanishad, or any other old or new book or directory which gives the full list of all the 330 million Hindu gods and goddesses. I have never heard anyone claiming to know about any book which gives a list of even 10,00,000 names of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Do the Hindu gurus and scholars even know how many years it will take just to count 330 million one by one? So how can any Hindus worship 330 million gods and goddesses?
Sincerely,
Ashok T. Jaisinghani.
Editor & Publisher:http://www.wonder-cures.com/http://www.nutritionist-no-1.com/http://www.sindhikalakar.com/E-mail: AshokJai@Sancharnet.in Ashok@Wonder-Cures.com atsingha@vsnl.com
I do not deny the existence of God. Only, I do not accept that God is something that is separate from us. It is what we are, in essence. If we posit a God separate from and outside us, it is only as a matter of convenience to grasp the idea of Godhood. But eventually we would have to realize that we have within us the power of the ultimate and we would have to awaken to the divinity that we are. Believing is not enough, we have to realize. The Semitic religions have done the greatest harm stunning man’s spiritual search into mere believe. Actually, except for the Advaitic teaching, all religions are at the level of idol worship. In the Hindu tradition alone the seeker is encouraged beyond idols. To both Christianity and Islam it is blasphemy go beyond idols. Which is particularly ironic in the case of Islam because it claims to be dead against idol worship.
2 comments:
Once we agree upon the concept of existence of God as creator, protector, discipliner and destroyer, probably number will not make much difference. God may have infinite number of attributes and calling the God in 33 crore or even infinite names with one name for each attribute becomes logical. In Vishnu Sahasra Nama there are 1000 names. The real question is not even the existence of God. It is: Is winning hisher favor possible through religions, prayers and worship?
ramayanayb.blogspot.com
I do not deny the existence of God. Only, I do not accept that God is something that is separate from us. It is what we are, in essence. If we posit a God separate from and outside us, it is only as a matter of convenience to grasp the idea of Godhood. But eventually we would have to realize that we have within us the power of the ultimate and we would have to awaken to the divinity that we are. Believing is not enough, we have to realize. The Semitic religions have done the greatest harm in stunning man’s spiritual search into mere believe. Actually, except for the Advaitic teaching, all religions are at the level of idol worship. In the Hindu tradition alone the seeker is encouraged beyond idols. To both Christianity and Islam it is blasphemy to go beyond idols. Which is particularly ironic in the case of Islam because it claims to be dead against idol worship.
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