Symbols and Substance

Children of "Hindu" parentage born and raised outside of India often question the symbols and rituals of their heritage. This book is in response to their questions. In this book, I take up a few of the Hindu pantheon of Gods and rituals and explain the philosophical meaning behind each. There are quotes from the original sources that explain the philosophical meanings and one comprehensive essay on meditation. Vedic Hindu tradition says that the Almighty is ONE, by whatever name we call IT. It concedes that ordinary men and women need an object to focus on. It recognizes that most of us, particularly children, cannot meditate on a Formless, Absolute, Brahman. In order to help grasp the formless Brahman, the wise sages of India gave many forms to the formless. Elaborate stories (puranas) were created around each one of these forms (gods) hoping that different forms will appeal to different personalities. It is reasonable to start prayers and meditation at the altar of one's favorite deity with form, but the aim is to go beyond the form to the formless, from the Symbol to the Substance.