God's Presence in the Image

The figure in the shrine of this temple happens to be a goddess instead of a god. For the Hindus believe there is a Supreme Being, whom they call Brahman, who is One and who fills the whole universe. It cannot be He or She. But just as the ocean in the polar regions gets frozen into icebergs of a definite shape, so Brahman can become apparently crystallized, and appear in any shape -- human or animal, male or female, young or old. If you ask why God should bother to do this, the answer is that it is just for the sake of the devotees. In whatever shape you as a worshipper prefer to see Him or Her, in that shape God appears. As Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita. "In whatever way men worship Me, in the same way I fulfill their desires."

This image is Durga, the Divine Mother, who has ten arms! With her is Shiva, the King of Yogis, hermit of the mountains, smeared with ashes and deep in meditation. In another temple may be Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and beauty or Saraswati, goddess of learning, who is revered by all the boys and girls when they go to school, or Vishnu who usually takes human form. All these forms of God come from far back in the history and folklore of India, but each has its meaning . The arms of the Mother, for instance, hold weapons to protect Her children from evil powers; but they also stand for Her love which reaches everywhere. Ganesha has the head of an elephant to symbolize his qualities of patience, strength and wisdom.

Through these symbols you will try to remember God. You may keep His statue or picture, decorated with fragrant sandal paste, in your locker at school, and even in your motor car. And you will lovingly recall the stories told by Grandmother about the gods and goddesses, and look forward eagerly to the sacred festival days which honour each.