Hinduism is like a Doctor, prescribes , but it leaves it to the individual to choose. as Hinduism is highly individualistic.
There are thoughts from the Vedic Times which include Atheism of Charvaka,Materialism.
One is left to choose what suits him the best.
Even the Vedas have Karma Kanda(Details of Duties),Gnana Kanda(Path Of Knowledge)
There is no recommendation of Idol Worship in The Vedas.
This was a later development.
All this had such an effect that people were following innumerable Gods and Goddesses,Minor Deities.
There were no system of worship.
To add to this muddle was the influence of Mimaamsa Philosophy which spoke of only Karma Kanda , with no reference to God.
Then there was Buddhism and Jainism advocating Godlessness, Nireswaravada.
Sankaracharya came and reorganized the systems of worship.
As indicated in my earlier post, they are six in number,
Ganapathyam, The Worship of Loed Ganapathy,Ganesh.
Ganapathy is referred to in the Vedas and we have Ganoponishad
This has been given priority by Sankaracharya.
Next is Soumaaram, Worship of Lord Suryanarayan, the Sun God.
Surya is called’ ‘Prathyaksha Brahma’ ‘The Visible God’
One tidbit on this.
The concluding portion of Sandhyavandan , which is performed daily, was not found in the original text.
‘Nama Savitre Jagadeka Chakshushe…Kesavam Prathi gachchathi”
This was included by Lord Krishna, when he performed the Grahana Tharpan, when it was not due and was taught to Yudhishtir>
Kaumaaram, Worship of Lord Subramanya,
Lord Subramanya is not mentioned in the Vedas.
But Skanda is mentioned, this later became Subramanya.
The meaning of the word Subramanya is The Best Brahmin , Brahmin being the one who realized The Reality,Brahman, for it was Lord Subramanya who explained Pranava , Om,to Lord Siva.
Saivam,Woship of Lord Siva.
Lord Siva is not mentioned directly n the Vedas, but Rudra is.
In the Rudra Prasna the moola Mantra of Lord Siva is kept secretly in the Namakam in the middle of the eleven Anuvaakas, that too in the middle of the sloka
‘Nama Sivaya Ca, Sivadhrayaca,’
Saktam, Worship of Goddess Uma ‘Parvati’
Shakti is worship is mentioned elaborately in the Vedas by referring in the Durga Suktham,Sri Suktam,Neela Suktham.
One important reason that Sakthi worship is considered superior is the fact that the word UMA contains all the letters of the Pranava, OM
‘Akaaram, Ukaaram and Makaaram”
Vaishnavism, Worship of Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu is mentioned in the Vedas.
The term Vishnu means ‘ one who supports’, from the word ‘Jishnu’, supporting.
Vishnu is considered to be an Amsa a part of Naranayana,
Narayana means one sets example for Men as to How to Live ‘Nara Ayana’for Men How to Live(path)
Another meaning is ‘ one who Lies in Water”
The we have Purusha Suktham, which many people take it to refer Lord Vishnu.
It is not.
Purusha Suktham refers to and explains Universal Evolution and Cosmic Principles.
Thus we have Purusha Suktam,Narayan Suktham and Vishnu Suktham, each denoting a different, yet One Entity.
Thus the Six Systems of Hindu Worship was organised by Shankaracharya.
However there are more Deities and they fall under the Category of Minor Deities, Town”Village Deities .
I shall post about this later.
Related articles
http://ramanisblog.in/2013/06/16/six-gods-to-worship-sankaracharya/
- Who Is Lord Siva, Nirvana Shatakam (ramanan50.wordpress.com)
- Necessity of God In Yoga,Sutra 21 22 23 (ramanan50.wordpress.com)
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