Hindu Religion: Deity Worship Explained

In Hindu religion, deity worship is practiced. I mentioned deity worship in my last article, Body, Mind, Spirit: How to Live a Full Life, and I feel further explanation is needed to highlight the importance of this practice. In the West, the closest explanation of this practice is that of the Catholic practice of praying to saints for different attributes; such as, praying to St. Anthony as the matchmaker saint and for retrieving lost articles.

Hindu Religion

The Hindu religion is known for celebrations and sacrifices to hundreds of gods and goddesses. However, this religion still believes in one God, KRSNA. As I understand it, KRSNA has set up an hierarchy which involves the gods and goddesses, much the same as saints in the Catholic religion. And it is understood by many that angels perform different functions for the welfare of all.

Spiritual Meditation

Through spiritual meditation upon a deity, healing happens as a by-product of spiritual advancement. Each god or goddess represents different attributes the devotee wishes to acquire. The Bhagavad Gita and other Vedic scriptures relate experiences and applications of deity worship.

Once one is involved in daily meditation, the addition of deity worship often provides further enhancement to this practice. Within the Hindu religion, families often worship a particular deity for a lifetime.

Meditation Benefits

The benefits of meditation are well-known and some are outlined in my meditation article. It is understood the deeper meditation, the deeper healing happens. I personally recommend keeping the focus on God or KRSNA, as one meditates for the best benefits.

For excellent information on how to meditate, refer to this website, whether a beginner or seasoned practitioner. And for excellent information on the progression of meditation, the book, God: The Architect, describes each level one reaches through meditation.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses

From the Srimad Bhagavatam, "One who desires to be absorbed in the impersonal brahmajyoti effulgence should worship the master of the Vedas and one who desires good progeny should worship the great progenitors called the Prajāpatis. One who desires good fortune should worship Durgādevī, the superintendent of the material world. One desiring to be very powerful should worship fire, and one who aspires only after money should worship the Vasus." And the list goes on and on.

I hope this article helps clarify deity worship and assists the addition of this practice for spiritual meditation. We can learn from all religions and thankfully, deity worship is well-documented in the Hindu religion.

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Sources:
God: The Architect
Srimad Bhagavatam

Hindu Religion: Deity Worship Explained copyright 2010