Do Hindus Really Worship IDOLS? The Hidden Symbolism of Puja.

Hindus don't worship idols; they worship God, Ishwara, in many forms, including forms of stone or metal. Consecrated deities in temples are used to pray to God like you use a phone to talk to a distant friend. In this video, the sixteen steps of puja performed in temples is explained, along with kumbhabhisheka (temple consecration), prana prathishta (deity invocation), murti sthapana (deity installation), and symbolism associated with mandira (temple), garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum), prakara (walkway), gopuram (gateway), etc.
Swami Tadatmananda is a traditionally-trained teacher of Advaita Vedanta, meditation, and Sanskrit. For more information, please see: www.arshabodha...

[@siebelneel]

Swami's metaphors really explains complex things in as simpler language as possible

[@carolinesgarden1673]

This is Awesome teaching! I left christianity as in "the church". I found that as a whole they donot follow teachings of Jesus. I have found all the the sages teach the same lesson of Love, and universal consciousness of creation. Western culture, to me has distorted the universal laws taught by the great Masters.

[@Sudeevarma]

Western cultures died long time ago, It was Replaced by Semitic Christianity

[@KakashiHatake-sw2sy]

@@Sudeevarma Now that I think about it , I have to admit you are right !.

[@chipmunk4928]

With due respect, find and do the best you can find in your own or any religion.

[@MauricioSmith1991]

Caroline's Garden John 14:6

[@rockingrishi1407]

Vedanta for you my brother. Read Vivekananda literature and work for your liberation and welfare of the world.

[@glorytoramajaishriram2768]

India is one place where they went into elaborate systems of idol-making. This has been misunderstood by other cultures as worshiping some doll as a god. No. Here, people are very much aware that it is we who create the shapes and forms. If you look at it from the standpoint of modern science, we know today that everything is the same energy, but everything is not the same in the world. This energy can be like an animal or this energy can function like the Divine. When I say “the Divine,” I am not talking about you as a being. I am talking about the body itself. The physical body itself can be transformed into a Divine entity if we just reorganize our systems in a particular way. Hindu is a cultural identity, not a religious identity. In the Hindu way of life, the only important thing in human life is his liberation. For example, between the full moon day and the new moon day, each of the fourteen nights are so different. Today, we live with so much electric light, so you don't know the difference. Suppose you lived on a farm or in a forest where there was no electricity, then every night would be very different because the moon comes up at different times and it has different shapes and forms. But it is the same moon. It is not a different entity. The same moon has different impacts at different times. Just a little rearrangement, see what a difference it has made. Similarly, if you re-arrange the energy system in the body, this body which is just a mass of flesh right now, can become a divine entity. The whole system of yoga is oriented towards this. Gradually, if you give it sufficient attention and practice, you will see that this body is no longer just craving for self-preservation and procreation, it has become something else altogether. It is no longer just a physical entity. Though it is physical, though it is biology, it need not be limited to the physical. It can function and operate in a completely different dimension. Its very presence can become different. It is from this context that many yogis who made their bodies in a certain way, allowed people to worship their bodies. They themselves would not be there in the body, but they let people worship their body because it has become like a divine entity. It is a reorganized energy - completely engineered. The Hindu Way of Life One fundamental thing that I would like to clear up about the Hindu way of life is, with the Hindu, there is no “ism” because it is a geographical and cultural identity. Anyone born in the land of Indus is a Hindu. There is no particular belief system, god or ideology which you can call as the Hindu way of life. Whatever you do in this culture is Hindu. You can worship a man-god and be a Hindu. You can worship a woman-god and be a Hindu. You can worship a cow and be a Hindu. You can worship a tree and be a Hindu. Or you don’t worship anything and you can be a Hindu. Hindu is a cultural identity, not a religious identity. In the Hindu way of life, the only important thing in human life is his liberation. Mukti is the only goal. The Science of Idol-Making There is a whole science of idol-making where a certain form is created with a particular material and energized in a certain way. Different idols are made in different ways where they relocate or rearrange the chakras in certain places to make them into completely different possibilities. Idol-making is that science through which you manifest the energy in a particular way so that your quality of life can be enhanced. The temple was not created as a place of God or a place of prayer. It was created as a place of energy where everyone could go and make use of it. Temples in India, were built as a very deep science. They were not created for worship. When I say temple, I am referring to the ancient temples. Most modern temples are built just the way you build shopping complexes. Temple building is a very deep science. If the basic aspects of the temple - the size and shape of the idol, the mudra that the idol holds, the parikrama, the garbha griha, and the mantras used to consecrate the idol are properly matched, a powerful energy system is created. In Indian tradition, no one told you that if you go to a temple, you must worship and give money and ask for something. This is something that people have started now. Traditionally, they told you, if you go to the temple, you must sit for a while and come. But today you just touch your bottom to the floor and run away. This is not the way. You are required to sit there because there is a field of energy that has been created. In the morning, before you go out into the world, the first thing you do is you go sit in the temple for a while. This is a way of recharging yourself with very positive vibrations of life so that you go into the world with a different perspective. The temple was not created as a place of God or a place of prayer. No one was ever allowed to lead a prayer. It was created as a place of energy where everyone could go and make use of it. 🙏

[@manikandaswamy3619]

Being myself a Hindu .. I went through this just as rituals without very much thoughts and questions......this explanation was very insightful ...

[@nnita385]

Turn to Jesus Christ!! The true Lord and Savior who died on the cross for your sins so you can be forgiven. He was sinless but bore the sins of the world on the cross thats how great God's love is for you. He doesn't want any to perish but that all will come to repentance. He calls all sinners to repent and must be born again. Baptized in Jesus name and filled with Holy Ghost. The wages of sin is death Jesus Christ beat death on the cross and rose from the dead the 3rd day and ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the father and will Judge the living and the dead. Whoever is in sin is a slave to sin but Jesus can set you free from your sins of idolatry and worshiping false God's. Whoever the son sets free is free indeed. Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Peace be with you and may the Lord guide you in all truth for the truth shall set you free in Jesus name.

[@sulaimanazizi7850]

@@nnita385 Come to the worship of the One God and stop worshiping people and things, the God of Abraham, the God of Moses, the God of Jesus and the God of the last prophet.

[@jaydutta7711]

@@sulaimanazizi7850 That one God is not even a God, it's a Ghost calling himself as god when in reality He = the Ghost Allah is also a creation of supreme almighty God. Period!

[@sulaimanazizi7850]

@@jaydutta7711 brother you can either call him supreme almighty God, Allah or another Pure names but he is one and only☝️. He has no Sculpture, no images according to your Hindu scripture , bible and Quran.

[@jaydutta7711]

@@sulaimanazizi7850 It's a WRONG info brother. According to our Hindu scriptures like VEDA and Upanishads the God has an eternal transcendental divine image, which is not created nor be destroyed. Our God is infinite, he has *no limit of his presence.* Meaning that he can be omnipresent with being invisible or can be present with a form or Avatar as his wish. He is not limited to any state. Calling the God formless is an INSULT to the God as per our religious scriptures, because you are limiting the God by saying it. Understand?

[@osvaldoluizmarmo7216]

Fantastic, no words to praise.

[@janetownley]

Until now I had only had vague ideas about Hindu worship. I learned so much from this lesson!

[@vivsworldtrip]

YEAHHHHH im sooooo happy your back! you are brilliant & have taught me so much on vedanta. i am so thankful you are sharing all your wonderful knowledge with the world. the world needs to hear from you! PLEASEE PLEASE keep making more videos. Im loving all of them! :)

[@anamikaabaddha1159]

Excellent speech and explanation regarding the concept behind worshipping symbols and idols. Thanks Swamiji

[@srinivasansundarum6326]

Rituals were performed in early Hinduism to create a visual object to concentrate and meditate. Then when the priest class created an industry out of it with help from monarchies. we started creating massive temple structures. These are phenomenal human achievements architecturally. But kingdoms have gone bankrupt in this pursuit with very poor treatment of the slave class who were used to build these structures. This happened in early Catholism too. To build large massive mosques also is a form Of business. A Arab nomad can pray under a date palm tree in the desert. He doesn’t need massive mosques. It is sad that even Buddhism is subscribing to gold guilded larger than life Buddha statues completely.

[@bns3543]

Being Hindu...I am learning from you clearly...... thank you

[@SarahLorenz]

I went on a pilgrimage to Arunachala in February and attended at Poojas. Finally you gave me the possibility to understand what and why we were do it. 🔱🕉️☀️

[@mmzddx96]

Amen to all of this! I am a Christian, and I have found this to be true. There is indeed one God whom we simply refer to by many names, many attributes, and worship in many ways -- something a lot of people don't always know. Only the open-minded can understand, I have found. This is a pretty deep concept to grasp, and those who insist on being bigoted and close-minded think this particular standard way too high for them. Truthfully, I have always been on a quest for knowledge -- I have this fierce determination to find out the real truths about every faith, and to separate myth from fact as a farmer separates the chaff from the wheat...this beautiful video made my day. Thank you so much, Swami Tadatmananda. Love and respect.

[@loneyhearts]

Thank you for explaining Hindu worship rituals!

[@Lukiman60]

Your explanation in this video about God who prevails in all things really enlighten me. Thank you and my respect to you, Guru Swami Tadatmananda.

[@sushilashukla1289]

Pranam. The murti is a means of devotion. We not praying to the stone. We pray through the murti to visualise God. Why criticise? Each one's belief is in the ONE GOD. We don't convert anyone while others do. No obligation to Hinduism. Many ways to follow. Proud hindu. Born as one and will die as one. Pranam from South Africa

[@chrisoketch2313]

You are lost come to true God

[@sushilashukla1289]

Hi Chris Oketch. What do you mean? This should not concern you how Hindus pray. Mind your own business.

[@sushilashukla1289]

Which God is true.? Depends on your belief. Don't criticise. Each one's belief is different whatever makes you happy.

[@beingspiritual201]

What a fantastic line "Hindus don't pray to the deity they pray to the god through that deity." 8:32

[@tzadik36]

It takes a robust Divinity to be recognized in multifarious forms: fragile divinity cannot be approached thus!

[@LokiLoki]

"fragile divinity" :)

[@douglasswinerd4187]

Robin... i thought in the hindu belief. All religions worship the same exact god. So u stating "fragile divinity cannot be approached thus" states that your one god is fragile. Cause all roads lead to the same god right?

[@tzadik36]

@@douglasswinerd4187 When there is no non-Ged, no number - not even one - is valid: see Sefer Yetzirah 1:7. Although the Vedic descriptor is "One without a second", the One is OneSelf, the Self of all selves.

[@Servant-Of-Al-Qudus]

Surah Al Iklas

[@tzadik36]

Fragile divinity has to be protected by the concept of شرک ; in the case of a robust Divinity there is nothing that is "non-God" anytime or anywhere, and therefore even the possibility of شرک does not exist.

[@tashilhamu4510]

These videos are so soothing and healing and the background music too and swamijis voice

[@rahulpaturkar1425]

The point to be noted that only Hindu scriptures says so. Abrahamic goons have more exclusive teachings on this!. Abrahamic teachings can't not reach to the lofty heights of spiritual teachings in the Vedas!. Humble request please don't try to bring Abrahamic philosophy to the same level as the Vedas!!. Shubham bhawatu!

[@ingridcanales8165]

Gracias, Swami Tadatmananda🌟, siento gran alegría✨, al recibir sus lecciones💫. Mil gracias, por los subtítulos en español⭐. Cariños sinceros desde Chile.🍁💖🍁💖

[@brandonwilliams3788]

This channel is simply too good, I appreciate your insights

[@binahg3779]

Man you are such an inspiration just to see a white guy like you take on our culture of the way you have and done what you’ve done with it and to see how you’re so real and the way you teach is so amazing I wish I was closer to where you were so I could come and take in the light that you’re giving off me I am in southern Ontario maybe if you come up here to give a talk sometime you let me know but I definitely binge watch your videos all the time and you have taught me a lot of game

[@BiancaTallarico]

Wow I didn't know about that temple on the Poconos. I'd love to go up there and do a meditation session on Brahma and non-dualism. Loving Adveinta Vedanta. Found this on my journey through first encountering Buddhism and contemplating the nature of my existence and death.

[@adityarajan592]

As a Hindu I do not accept that Hindus worship the same God as that of Christians, Muslims and Jews. That God is an individual, a person named Yahweh, he is not all pervading, the bible and Quran do not teach that Yahweh is present in all things, all things are not sacred, in fact they teach the whole world is profane and sinful because of the sin of Adam, Yahweh is outside the physical universe. Yahweh punishes people for not worshipping him by burning them for eternity in hell, Ishvara does not do this, Yahweh is easily angered and calls for genocide on an ethnic basis, Ishvara does not do this. In Hindu scripture, when Ishvara slays someone, even an enemy, that person is granted moksha, whereas Yahweh burns his enemies for eternity, the contrast could not be greater in my opinion.

[@Queenie-the-genie]

I love lisyening to you Swamiji, because you re such a calming presence. Thanknyou!

[@saundaryasingh5530]

True, Ishwar is everywhere so he saved prahlad as narsimha coming out of pillar similarly we get medicine from plants and minerals as analogy 🙏🙏

[@ShazilKhan-f8h]

Why does ishwara needs to be worshipped through the means of idols

[@Kypshakyogi]

I have heard that in Hindu temples not only statues but also energy which can transform you. Is it true who've been in real concecrated temples? I am former muslim now considering myself as agnostic but i very like Hinduism especially Yogi Shiva Mahadev

[@_S.D.P_]

Yes, it is true that you can feel posotive energy at temples. It depends on person to person, but it can relax your mind.

[@AshwinSriram]

I went to a temple (inside an ashram) in Thiruvanamalai, South India. It is a temple consecrated by Ramana Maharshi in the ashram where he lived. If you spend enough time there you will feel a certain vibe - my mind went quiet in that place (like my mind went into meditation mode on its own without me doing anything). Certain temples if they are consecrated well can bring a calming effect on the mind. They have certain energies that reside in that space. In Hindu Dharma, the goal is to purify the mind (attain a Sattvic mind) so everything that is done (whether it is yoga or worship or whatever form of sadhana) is ultimately to reach the end which is peace of mind (or stillness of mind). It is that stillness of mind which allows one to perceive the Truth of Atman (Supreme Consciousness).

[@nitinbull8720]

Steve job,jukerberg many other great personalty blessed by energy of temple built by neem karori baba ,read steve job ,jukerberg

[@corneliusoswald6139]

@@AshwinSriram sanatan dharma (hinduism) is unclear on female infanticide and mistreatment of female orphans and female children. therefore hindu god is unclear on those thing. such kind of God is false God. Beside, Sanatan dharma taught son more valuable than daughter, contribute to female infanticide. In sanatan dharma, life of an adult man more valuable than life of a baby girl and life of a female children

[@icevoss9917]

Energy comes from the earth, the metals, it can also come from spirit beings, good or bad. This idol worship is a deception from the fallen Angels called demons, lucifer the deceiver

[@_That_which_is_not_]

In order to sustain the positive energy inside the temple , the priests perform different kind of rituals every single day . Thats why there's no holiday for temple In Hinduism, it wont allow any source of negative energy to get inside the temple, because it should be kept pure for the devotees to get maximum benefits mentally and physically. That's why Hindus never do cremation in the surroundings of temple.

[@s.dilipkumarsingha6494]

Pranam to Swamiji. Thanks lot for the immensely valuable message. For Hindus, Sound, Sign, Symbols and forms are considered to be the mediums communicating the existence of the ultimate reality of the Universe which is invisible and un-audible. All living beings communicate their feelings through sound or vibrations (we call it language). The Letter signs, we use to write communicate feeling and mathematical signs communicate logic. Likewise, Symbols also communicate the ideas/feeling and logic. Hindu believes - all forms in the universe are manifestations of That Existence, which is invisible. When That Ultimate Reality is manifested/projected in forms, dualities in the forms interact to each other (negative and positive). We call it " Leela" ("Play" - in English) of that Invisible Source. That is - we all belong to One Being and One Being is manifested in trillions of forms. For a beginner (mind at sub-conscious level) in the spiritual path, Symbolism is very important . The ignorant mind impose that Supreme Divinity on that particular symbol and try to find that connectivity through intelligence, devotion/Bhakti. Hindu believes that everybody in the world is free to choice their own way/path/prayer form. So, in Hindu any type of prayer is valid. To communicate or to educate the sub-conscious mind, Hindu considers "Metaphorism, Personification of all Cosmic Forms and Story Telling of their interactions/ Leela thereby communicate the Dharma (Constitutional Laws of the Government of Universe). Thus to Hindu, every religions and every forms of prayers in the world are valid. Hindus never criticize them. Rather, we, Hindus respect and promote them. . . . Big Pranam to Swami ji.....................from Shillong, Meghalaya (North Eastern India).

[@corneliusoswald6139]

sanatan dharma (hinduism) is unclear on female infanticide and mistreatment of female orphans and female children. therefore hindu god is unclear on those thing. such kind of God is false God. Beside, Sanatan dharma taught son more valuable than daughter, contribute to female infanticide. In sanatan dharma, life of an adult man more valuable than life of a baby girl and life of a female children

[@tintunbirha]

For all those who think Hindus worship lifeless statues, may I say that when a community of Hindus construct a temple and put a statue in it, it is not ready to be used as worship point. The statue has to be put thru' a ritual called " Pran prathishtta", meaning somewhat giving life to the diety. It is only after that the temple is ready for use where divotees come and with offerings( fruits, sweets, flowers etc) and silently ask for their wishes, forgiveness, or give thanks for wishes fulfilled. While giving their offerings the state their names; gotra etc for the priest to recite while offering.

[@ayeshasaeed3140]

Is no need to have idols which maybe represent on God to pray to them,Because YHWH GOD Himself said in one of His 10 commandments, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven, or in any thing that is in the earth; and you shall not serve them" Ameen 😊

[@TharsyanJaderuby]

And that's the problem with belief systems my friend. Every religion has its own ideas on the source of creation and have different beliefs practices traditions and philosophies. So please keep yours to yourself.

[@blingbling54321]

Yeh your opinion... your book.. your belief .. why do u people always try that stunt u just pulled huh?

[@beautifulmelanatedgoddess2299]

so you believe suffering is part of some great plan that has been devised and is a test for humanity? But how do you prove that and how do you know and how do you prove that God is answering your prayers or listening to what you are saying y? You claim it's your spiritual journey that you are walking with a God or God's but you can't back this claim up or prove that a God or God's that you believe in the existence of to exist?Is it just personal experience and emotions you feel that would make you think that a God or God's are real at all? how do you know it is a reliable experience and not just something that is imagined or hallucinated or fabricated , or that you are having a religious experience and that you are interpreting it that way because it's just your perception and that you just want to interpret it that way? How do you know that you are not just seeing or hearing things that you feel are right or true in your mind that are not there you might just believe because you imagine or think that he is their but it might just all be a lie and not exist at all with 100% certainty.how do you know that this experience is with 100% certainty accurate truthful repeatable and testable? Free will clearly doesn't exist because if it did then what you claim to exist like God or God's would not know the future. Also please don't use the Euphemism that a God or God's that you claim to exist works in mysterious ways just because you can't answer my question because if you just state this you will then have to back it up by evidence which you won't and never will be able to prove with absolute certainty. How do know that A God or God's that you claim to exist are capable of any emotions? How do you know that A God or God's that you claim to exist does or doesn't answer your prayer/ how do you know that with absolute certainty that he does answer your prayers or that he is real that Agod or God's you claim to exist is capable of emotions with absolute ly 100% certainty with no doubt s. That's is no empirical evidence for God.

[@corneliusoswald6139]

@@TharsyanJaderuby sanatan dharma (hinduism) is unclear on female infanticide and mistreatment of female orphans and female children. therefore hindu god is unclear on those thing. such kind of God is false God. Beside, Sanatan dharma taught son more valuable than daughter, contribute to female infanticide. In sanatan dharma, life of an adult man more valuable than life of a baby girl and life of a female children. Another ridiculous thing is in hindu culture, a man who live not far or with wife's parents consider as lack of honor despite he intend to help wife take care and look after wife's parents till died.

[@TharsyanJaderuby]

@@corneliusoswald6139 lol 😂 half baked knowledge is very dangerous honey. You are judging with what the people do compared to what religion teaches. Your definition of Hinduism is just based on social behavior. And that too is bigoted. You're confused with Hindu culture with indian social culture. Don't forget that they are many different regions and culture all over the world, and India and Hinduism, are too complex and too diverse. So you can't just make that assumption without clarity and genuine understanding. From the culture that i came from, both male and female are honored equally, if there's a girl born we consider it to be "A Lakshmi is born", and we have more celebration for girls than boys. So don't say things by just picking one indian culture which is practiced by specific indians and don't mix too much or compare with indian sociology and Hindu Theology, mythology and philosophies.

[@bayanalkelany8107]

Please please please put english subtitles for this video, thats will help me to translate it, i want to translate it to Arabic, its very important, your explanation is amazing! All humans worship the same one, the sourse of creation, we may call this source God or krishna or allah or shiva or aloooot of names, the meaning and the soul of all religions are one and same , the differents are in names ,languages and symbolisims, but the truth is there hiding behind all these names , languages and symbolisims, btw there are some muslims as (ismailiyen, alawiwen) believe that the god appeared to humans in a human form, the same as shiva, krishna, rama, and believe that the one god (the source of creation) has appeared to all humanity in many languages and countries, from hindu culture as shiva and others, to muslim culture as imam ali, and they believe that all texture or holy books have many meanings, first meaning is on the surface of religion , wich is interesting in utter words and make rituals, and the most majority of people (all peple) are interesting just in this surface, the other meaning are beyond the word and behind the lines, they are going deeper and deeper from the surface of cycles (surfaces of religions, cycles of life and death or samsara) to the center point of the existence, the zero, as imam ali said iam the point, for sure most muslims and abrahamic religions misunderstanding the great hindu culture because they are in the surface, they live in the illusion, and they hate and kill the other muslims who i talked about, a terrible violence have been cometed upon alawieen and ismaileen and to all those who say: all is one, god is one, religions are one, dfifferent are made by our illusions, god may appear to any one in any country, in any language, and if u want to know the truth, u must kill, not kill people as the stupids thought, but kill your own illusion, kill your inner enemy to get to the point, the source, the atma, the brahman, rahmaan, those who said this in my country have killed and structured for more than thousand of years, in Syria, my country, the terrorist who hate all sufis and all alawiyeen, ismailien, doroz, etc, the terorist have killed thousands people in the name of allah, there are villages and small cities near Lattakia that most of its people are alawiyeen, they have been killed all, hundreds of families , women, children, saw the most terrible structure ways and have been killed by the criminal revolutioner who fight our syrian army, sorry for long comment but i really wanted indians to know that not all muslims are criminal like those, those who live in the surface, in their illusion, they kill every body even in same religion and even their countries sons.. The true human love every body, and wish the best for all, and i really wish to those who live in the surface, the illusion, from any religion or country or language , i wish that they wake up, and see the truth,

[@bayanalkelany8107]

And sorry my english language is bad, love you swami ji , all respects and love to you from syria, i wish i learn sanskrit, i didnt find any one know this language in syria, please upload more videos, my love to you and to all great india 💓

[@divyarathor9992]

@@bayanalkelany8107 Thank you for sharing your understanding of God, and educating us about the beliefs of a few other sects of Muslims - which few people know!

[@nitinbull8720]

@@bayanalkelany8107 do you know in Syria there was mittani civilization ,which was indian civilization ,language of mittani civilization was sanskrit

[@venkata1683]

You can click CC to see autogenerated English subtitles

[@corneliusoswald6139]

@@nitinbull8720 sanatan dharma (hinduism) is unclear on female infanticide and mistreatment of female orphans and female children. therefore hindu god is unclear on those thing. such kind of God is false God. Beside, Sanatan dharma taught son more valuable than daughter, contribute to female infanticide. In sanatan dharma, life of an adult man more valuable than life of a baby girl and life of a female children. Another ridiculous thing is in hindu culture, a man who live not far or with wife's parents consider as lack of honor despite he intend to help wife take care and look after wife's parents till died.

[@bharat7917]

"Hindus possess a unique theology, a theology that describes Ishwar (God) having created the universe from Himself, from his own body so to speak. The Vedic scriptures present Ishwar as saying "May I become many?". Those same scriptures teach that Ishwar is the fabric of existence, the fundamental material out of which the universe is woven. The universe is made of Ishwar, like a pot is made of clay."

[@iknowimcool2514]

There are many way to Live life in Hinduism ..!! If you are a emotional, love seeker kind of person you definitely will turn to krishna / Narayana ..!! For example Meerabai , chatanya mahaprabhu. Or If you are obsessed for knowledge, a spritual kind of person..!! You definitely worship Shiva ..!! Like Adi Shankaracharya Or If you are seeking prosperity , wealth etc then only a mother goddess /Shakti can fullfill such desires ...!! So we can say many gods don't mean division of god rather it's a division of your emotions , division of your nature. Vaishnavists and shavist call their supreme being Shiva and Narayana respectively this implies non duality of Ishwara..,!!

[@jayman732819]

Hari Om Guruji, soo blessed to be able to view your teachings

[@aymenrajaa]

Very informational, thank you very much for the explanation. I think the cat story can be applied to other rituals in other religions too. Would you mind elaborate on the meanings behind the high reverence towards cows in India. Thanks in advance.

[@FireWithinCosmosaicSEA]

As the priest chanted i had to perform pooja.. I didnt want God to get offended 🌷😅

[@KakashiHatake-sw2sy]

You are mistaken , how can god get offended ?.

[@FireWithinCosmosaicSEA]

@@KakashiHatake-sw2sy Im not sure. That is out of my realm of contemplation.. I suppose, in the same way its considered an offence to not fast on Ekadasi? :) I also didnt want god to leave because puja wasnt performed while the mantras were being uttered. Even though i have been studying Advaita vedanta I still find the path of ritual and bhakti helpful :)

[@KakashiHatake-sw2sy]

@@FireWithinCosmosaicSEA Rituals and Bhakti won't serve any purpose ,other than making Hindus dumb and gullible and eventually leading them to their demise along with the cultures and traditions of India [ its evident from the history of this country ].It's the 21th century , it's time for the Hindu intellectualism to rise ! , you should take part. By including that 'fear of God ' in your life , you are mixing Abhramic and Dharmic views [ that are exact opposite ] and that's not a good thing.

[@FireWithinCosmosaicSEA]

@@KakashiHatake-sw2sy this is your own opinion sir. A good character and faith through bhakti is how Ishvara is shown in human alone. There's no argument. Because Righteous action and SINCERE Love for the Divine IS ONLY Good karma. If one cant find this surrender to God or Goddess, in the self then its clear that the person is of a lower nature. Rather than awakening. He is submersed and drowns in the material world of attachment and suffering. Logically. :)

[@కృష్ణప్రియ-స3ధ]

@@FireWithinCosmosaicSEA Excellent reply. Without attitude and in a humble manner. Pleaed to read your reply to vidyasagar yadav. My pranaams to you.

[@rognex]

"Eko Brahm dvitya nasti" (There is only one Truth, Brahman), We Hindus worship the same all pervading Brahman in every form. Because the entire universe is but manifestation of the same Brahman.

[@newzade1]

What doea ‘praying’ mean? Why do they worship? When Bhrahman is nothing but consciousness.

[@KhiladiTraveller]

You are my guru ...thanks swamyji🕉️🙏

[@sourav338]

Thank you swamiji for enlightening us with proper puja rituals and meanings 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@RCh.1]

thanks for sharing 🙏 finally the cat mystery is solved 🐈

[@jeroenjansen2709]

😁😺

[@Susilia-fn2yu]

So well explained. I find this guru to be different bcs he has only one agenda, to explain this beautiful way of life, such humbleness. Tq somuch. Learning everyday.

[@ahmadpuadabubakar9258]

The Muslim pray straight to God the creator of the world without any intermediary or idols. Because the idol is hand made meterial which do not understand anything.

[@sandy99797]

If you need to worship god without any symbols or images you need to reach certain level of consciousness and very few people reach that level otherwise you need a symbol or image or anything that represent or remind you of god

[@TharsyanJaderuby]

If God created us in His imagination why is it a problem to imagine Him back in the ways we wanted through his own creations? Panentheism explained this well.

[@sk-pg8zd]

It's not about praying listen to the video property.. looking divinity in every thing.. in inanimate or animate things..

[@VarunSharma-pp5rg]

How do you know that you are praying straight to God?

[@blingbling54321]

rofl. yeh sure. what was again the direction in which you place your carpet? rofl. we could also argue about this but of course you will have your own bullshit explanation lol

[@karennielsen7696]

Thanks so much I never knew this I'm going to look into this more information think I'd like to become one

[@KakashiHatake-sw2sy]

Don't become one , why don't you just try to be YOU ( but without any identity ).

[@KakashiHatake-sw2sy]

no don't convert!.

[@karennielsen7696]

@@KakashiHatake-sw2sy why? I know who I am but than😊

[@KakashiHatake-sw2sy]

@@karennielsen7696 By becoming one of us , you'll be taking an identity . And that identity might make you blind . So, much so that you even start trying to legitimise even the bad deeds of your fellow people , just because of an identity. These are my 2 cents though . Do whatever you like .

[@karennielsen7696]

@@KakashiHatake-sw2sy thanks so much for that it gives something to think about

[@007witharvind]

Swami ji I am eagerly waiting for your new program. Your teaching is mind opening, life changing. I love you.

[@tabletalk33]

These explanations are wonderfully clear! I wish I had learned these things a long time ago! Many thanks, Swami, for doing this excellent service of teaching us in such a simple but thorough way. Now I understand these things for the first time in my life! I am very grateful for your tireless efforts in bringing us the light of sacred education where there was only the darkness of ignorance before.

[@prathameshpatil1061]

We worship God in all forms, in human, animal, rivers. i.e.nature

[@jeffreycabanellas8113]

Swami I have followed your teachings for quite some time and appreciate this explanation of devotional objects.But I must say that I just can not see anything sacred in a material object although I have a statue of Nataraj Shiva that l can only see as an abstract symbol and no more.

[@user-ml1mr1ls2y]

Think of this as a photo of some of the dear family members for example your grandma's photo. The photo itself doesn't have a value for me ,it's just paper. But for you you,it might evoke gond memories of love & care. That is what devotees see in Idols & objects of worship.

[@thomashoppes8594]

What is the difference between Ishvara and Brahma? It seems that Vishnu is also the "being" from which all the universes are born. Why the different terms? I am sure I am not the only one confused by this.

[@BugsBunnyFansClub]

Mind won't do but heart will do. Cry for him like a baby does for his mother, and HE will reveal himself.

[@waltercloud59]

One and the same yet different, is a Consept that would call for imagining that One perfect Guru ishvarrah exists and Hi's capabilitys include personal incarnations, as well as teaching the extremely qullafid aspiring yogies scholars mystics and such. In this way you can understand that Oneness in divinity does'ent mean one & the same individual. i.e. becoming one with God energetically does'ent mean you become God, but it does mean that in every practical or spiritual way you are worthy of being honoured as an extension of divinity. Some more so than other's. But all but The Head God are extensions or expansions of The One Head God. However, An graven image or ideals," is by me defined as general items such as Rats or Dogs or fish Statchues or just any tree. Amy image without any connection to any specific recognizable individual or "Personality. That is why the Nativity scene are not just Statchues.

[@waltercloud59]

E

[@Ve_z-n7f]

All belong to Brahman (infinity) the "forms" and names subject to change.

[@AryaJagat]

Namaste Ji, So the simplest answer for this that I can give is, why do we call Donald Trump a President? His name is Trump, right? Because his name is Trump, but his work is of President. Similarly, God has many many names that us humans can not even count. Those names depend on the jobs he/she does and his/her characteristics. For example, one of the names of God is, "Nyaaykari" Made of 2 Sanskrit words, Nyaay (Justice), and Kaari (Doer), meaning doer of justice, and in Hinduism, we believe that the prime Justice is done by God according to our Karma. Another name of God is "Om" Which has many meanings, but the most common one is "the protector of all". Similarly, Bramha is the creation of all, Vishnu is the sustainer of all, Mahesh is the destroyer of all, Arush (my name) is with no anger (Almost all Indian Hindu names are names of God). Hope this helps.

[@Decoder-One]

Pranam Swamiji, dhanyavad - Namaskar Om Namah Shivaya Om Shanti 🔱 Shanti 🔱 Shantih 🔱

[@hpatuan]

Thank you for sharing your acknowledgment.

[@unnibabu]

Thank you, Guruji, for this valuable lesson. The animated stories and your soul-soothing voice make this video one of the best spiritual experience online.

[@FireWithinCosmosaicSEA]

Very true! 🙏🏼🌷☺

[@corneliusoswald6139]

@@FireWithinCosmosaicSEA sanatan dharma (hinduism) is unclear on female infanticide and mistreatment of female orphans and female children. therefore hindu god is unclear on those thing. such kind of God is false God. Beside, Sanatan dharma taught son more valuable than daughter, contribute to female infanticide. In sanatan dharma, life of an adult man more valuable than life of a baby girl and life of a female children

[@navinsharma2389]

reply to @nn who asks you to turn to Jesus; @@nn turn to christianity because the saviour Jesus can guide to become mass murderers, genociders to eliminate the races, slave traders, looters, robbers, killers, rapists. Because all these sins will be taken care of by Jesus.

[@Biscuit-Loves-All]

have you even listened to what swami ji has said?

[@ForeverCosmic3]

There's many gods & goddesses, but there's only one supreme god. 🕉🕉🕉

[@kakkik3756]

And which of those Is yours?

[@sahilsingh6048]

​@@kakkik3756parmatma Bhraman , rest of are his own dofferent forms

[@kakkik3756]

@@sahilsingh6048 well they all handmade and looks ugly

[@anthonyacevedo4233]

Or hindu

[@marcmaclellan3503]

Very refreshing they should teach this to every one at a early age? as with understanding actions .You come from a different place. Maybe wisdom takes hold.

[@9lavender]

Another beautiful, educational video. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.

[@icevoss9917]

Why do you worship idols made out of stone, made out of wood, gold or silver? Yes they have eyes but can't see. They have ears but can't hear. They have a mouth but can't speak. Why then do you worship them???

[@fndngnvrlnd]

I'm so blessed to be born in the holy land of Bharatvarsh.

[@dinodany]

God lives in us why we need phone or wifi ....God is omnipresent i don't even worship statue of Jesus because it's simply man made object or stature yajurveda 32,:3 3:32 40:8,9

[@TharsyanJaderuby]

the wise man explained about 28 minutes and you still learn nothing? How disappointing. and No need to point out cherry picking verses from Vedas on idol worship, they all referring to NIRGUNA BRAHMAN. Not about a specific deity or how one should worship but the infinite and oneness expression of BRAHMAN.

[@Biscuit-Loves-All]

let me explain the idol shall be depicted as the phone we call and talk to eachother on the phone you think we are just talking to the inanimate and voiceless phone we talk to someone through the phone now one more time but idol is as idol we worship through the idol to god what you see is worshipping the idol we are merely worshipping through the idol, not to. A connection to god how would you talk to far away family without a phone Connection how would you access the internet without a router Connection how would us hindus worship to god without the idol Connection See? Simple as that! Now I hope you understand. ❤

[@paulinetayloe9988]

I think Catholics and Hindus are similar but different ways to practice it.

[@reallywicked1]

Another excellent lesson for his disciples or for the whole world . Hari Hi OM!

[@SuperAanonymouss]

iam so sorry sir, your explanation doesn't seem so strong. God is one and to respect the name of God we cant simply assume he in many form for example stone, or even human waste... and God is Almighty no need middle things for us to worship to him. Worship and phone call are not same thing and cant be use as analogy

[@TharsyanJaderuby]

If God is almighty and powerful and able to do anything, why can't He manifest into forms (muurti) and represent Himself in these physical manifestations for us to see Him? I know worship and phone call are different things but the idea is the same. If you actually watched the entire video you should have understood the overall concept of muurti worship.

[@anonymousanonymous5971]

@@TharsyanJaderuby as far as i know that is a faith to believe in God. Imagine What will happen if all human debate his religion is correct then suddenly tomorrow God appears him self and telling that religion is wrong and this is right ? Is it make any sense?

[@TharsyanJaderuby]

@@anonymousanonymous5971 Yes, you are correct. Fighting or debating in the name of religion and God is unnecessary. 'Religion' is man-made, and none of the prophets or messangers attempt to create religion. Their teachings are important. Jesus never promoted Christianity. Muhammad never asked to spread Islam. Buddha delivered his philosophy but never created Buddhism. And non-of the Hindu deities ever promoted religion but a way of life. Religion was necessary for a better lifestyle, but when the religious beliefs became too obsessed or corrupted, then people have to do something about it. If we need a good society and grow our relationship we must keep own beliefs or practices to ourselves and begin to think what's best for our current society and upcoming generations. Instead of fighting in the name of God. All religious faith are different yet we are not realizing that we are relating to the same reality (God) but in different ways.

[@juniordev4190]

You started with the wrong assumption. How do you know that there is one god or many god?

[@castelessaastik4655]

Energy can't be created can't be destroyed ,it only change form

[@lascronicasdeeva]

I loved the cat story, very instructive!

[@jeylful]

Your voice is perfect for these videos. And the videos are perfect, not too short and not too long. Are not too dense or too light. Thank you Swami Tadatmananda

[@ajantagogoi3986]

Swamiji 's shooting voice make me understand some matters which I never know before ...he delivers such a way that it becomes ..simple ,understandabl., ,

[@saundaryasingh5530]

Namaskar. Good work, many of us know and many do not know and some people just criticize due to their ignorance but the essence is we respect everything and everybody as Ishwar is everywhere. Thanks 🙏🙏

[@corneliusoswald6139]

really? sanatan dharma (hinduism) is unclear on female infanticide and mistreatment of female orphans and female children. therefore hindu god is unclear on those thing. such kind of God is false God

[@Balharbor28]

And what if Hindus worship idols. Who is hurt by that. Or is anyone a lesser being from what hindus do. Ask the jewish rabbinate if Hindus worship idols and are polytheists. They will tell you they made a mistake in their understanding and apologised to the hindus for their misunderstanding.

[@eileeenbaraza8378]

But God said you pray directly to Him. For me the statues is a big NO.

[@tc2334]

Adds another layer when you finally learn murti worship developed as a result of ancient Greeks interacting with Indians 2000 years ago.

[@johnalmas3536]

Thank You.

[@wordscapes5690]

Yes, they do. And that’s good, because the idol is a murti that is precious and worshipful.

[@ajengrisnayunisa7242]

Wow i never knew that hindus believe in one god.. Such a good new knownledge Thank you

[@anthonyacevedo4233]

Puja bring me a beutyfull asian women in my life to marry

[@realitymedia9211]

No religious scriptures depict a God who runs a heaven filled with virgins who would then entertain devotees with eternal sexual bliss as in Islam. So, the naration that Hindus worship the same God as that of the Christians and the Muslims, cannot be considered a valid statement. Sorry to say this. But that's how the Islamic scriptures differ. As a person who has learnt Arabic and the Islamic scriptures along with the hadiths and the tafsirs, I am compelled to make this statement.

[@TharsyanJaderuby]

Because Hinduism is Pluralistic (mixture of different beliefs, practices and philosophies) while Abrahamic Religions are strictly monotheistic.

[@ganesanmuthiganesanmuthi5356]

Idol mark location to pray Stone idol, stone first appeared then soil, later all around the idol appeared. That spot atmostphere is purified with herbs, refreshed with scented snd coloured flowers, so the symbols are lessons for humans like tools for protection, education, cultivation, culture, arts,etc. But prayer is to paramathma or almighty. Nonhindus to disgrace or ignorance say it as praying to god. The nonhindus must not claim having knowledge of the depth of hinduism. God is the energy of nature that hindys has given names also called devatas there 33 in total.

[@mahadesharya6975]

The Ritual of Pranaprathistana distinguishes a Moorthi from a doll. Right swamiji?

[@damasantiasa7049]

Thank you guruji for more information

[@rajdeepbanerjee6202]

Really I was searching for a guru like you, you have cleansed my process of thinking and answered many questions which no one could answered

[@balakrishnanramaneyah4921]

Pranams swamiji for your excellent and insightful discourse.Our deep gratitude🙏

[@chidindubrightotuka2566]

My the God of the bible remove the scales on your eyes. You are making the costliest mistake of your life while misleading yourself and people who pay attention to you.

[@TharsyanJaderuby]

What?

[@RG-ki9mf]

Being a Christian i see where i am right

[@shivarajacharya5917]

Koti Koti dhankyawad what a great educational video. Thank you swamiji

[@ghislainehubbard2792]

That's lovely

[@chanakyagan]

you are a treasure unto yourself

[@waldwassermann]

There's nothing wrong with idols as long as it is remembered that all is one that that one's purpose is love.

[@gurnamsingh6408]

Absolutely stunning......

[@prodali00x]

Dont worship material as god bible tod us

[@TharsyanJaderuby]

Okay then now abandon your material body because your real self is your soul. Why faking out your existence with this fake body of your while your real self is the soul alone?

[@kcmag1k]

One of the best sessions on Hinduism!

[@corneliusoswald6139]

sanatan dharma (hinduism) is unclear on female infanticide and mistreatment of female orphans and female children. therefore hindu god is unclear on those thing. such kind of God is false God. Beside, Sanatan dharma taught son more valuable than daughter, contribute to female infanticide. In sanatan dharma, life of an adult man more valuable than life of a baby girl and life of a female children

[@mickeyFin7]

Jeremiah 10-2-15

[@theera5145]

Thanks Swami, your videos are great and I enjoy watching them.

[@tzadik36]

Pronaams!🙏

[@sunilnamadevan5858]

Swamiji, Great Video..Thanks 🙏🙏

[@shamala-vk6ut]

Thank you guruji for beautiful explanation

[@ashissaha7334]

I am very very fortunate to explore you Swamiji through KZbin, through your videos many many doubts have been cleared.God makes you available to me,I am blessed, Pronam Swamiji.

[@joevenlejarso6454]

Indeed,God made all things. but not all things is God

[@rudigerk]

To be more precise from the Standpoint of Advaita Vedanta. God or Brahman is the only Reality, the "All" is not, it is just an Appearance in Brahman. Just like when you dream at Night, everything you experience in the Dream, the People, the Room, Things that are there and all that is going on + you that seems to be participating in the midst of it. When you wake up, you realize it was all imaginated in your Mind. Or like a Rope that, in the Darkness, because of Ignorance, is mistaken for a poisoneous Snake. When was the Snake born, when did it die? No the Snake didn't exist to begin with. It appeared out of illusion, out of misapprehension of Reality. Similarly it is with Brahman and the World.

[@Biscuit-Loves-All]

let me explain the idol shall be depicted as the phone we call and talk to eachother on the phone you think we are just talking to the inanimate and voiceless phone we talk to someone through the phone now one more time but idol is as idol we worship through the idol to god what you see is worshipping the idol we are merely worshipping through the idol, not to. A connection to god how would you talk to far away family without a phone Connection how would you access the internet without a router Connection how would us hindus worship to god without the idol Connection See? Simple as that! Now I hope you understand. ❤

[@srinivasansundarum6326]

Rituals were performed in early Hinduism to create a visual object concentrate and meditate. Then when the priest class created an industry out of it with help from monarchies. we started creating massive structures. This happened in early Catholism too. To build large massive mosques also is a form Of business. A nomad can pray under a date palm tree in the desert. He doesn’t need massive mosques. It is sad that even Buddhism is subscribing to gold guilded larger than life Buddha statues completely against Buddha’s teachings.

[@RamdasMexcellence]

Excellent explanation that details everything. Usage of metaphors make it easy to understand and appreciate. Thank you

[@nikhileshchitnis]

Very nice explanation 👌👌

[@codewalters]

I appreciate your reply ... but for an ordinary Hindu. Which make up most of India ... they do worship idols . I dont think they understand the complex explanation you gave that it was ade that way .