Dr. Kuldeep Singh Jammu
Apparently they identified 330 million different natural phenomenon and/or forms of energy and represented as different gods. So it seems the ultimate goal was to understand the universe and its working.
Classical Hinduism seems to have evolved when Adi Shankaracharya united many different streams and cultures and sects evolved from Vedic religion. This coincides with decline of Buddhism in India.
Adi Shankaracharya found it necessary to modify the traditional religious practices in Vedic religion and make is simpler and easier to identify with common masses. He authorised murti-puja i.e. worship of God sculptures so the people can easily identify different forms of god. He combined all different ideas and cultures under the single umbrella of Hinduism.
The teachings from Puranas became the core of Hindu religion with the guidance of Vedas, Upnishadas and other Shastras. Many figures from Ramayana and Mahabharata (representing incarnation of Gods) like Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, etc. became popular worship idols.
The concept of Moksha (liberation) seems to have evolved during the transition from Vedic religion to Hinduism.
God in Guru Granth Sahib Ji: The Sikh Holy Scripture describes the characteristics of God. Throughout 1,430 pages, Guru Granth Sahib Ji describes and praises God. The opening of the scripture tells us about the description of God: “God is One. He is the Supreme Truth. He the Creator is without fear and without hate. He is immortal. He is neither born and nor does He die. By Guru’s grace shall He be met.
Chant And Meditate on His Name. In the beginning, He was the Truth. Throughout the ages, He has been the Truth. He is the Truth now and He shall be the Truth forever” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 1).
The most important aspect of being a Sikh, is to understand that, there is one endless God. He is indescribable, inestimable, indubitable, infallible, intangible, imperishable, immutable, immortal, immaculate, immanent, unconquerable, unique, formless, fearless, deathless, timeless, ageless, compassionate, omnipresent and creator of all. “There is only the One Supreme Lord; there is no other at all. Spirit, soul and body, all belong to Him; whatever pleases His Will, comes to pass” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 45).
God loves everyone. Sikhs believe there is no one superior to God. Furthermore, Sikhs believe that God created all beings, animals, birds, creatures, including humans. When the first great Guru, the founder of Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave this definition to the people who believed differently in God, they were surprised and they asked him, who told you this and how did God come in existence? The great Guru explained that God Himself gave him this information. God has always been present. The concept of time is very worldly. There is no time, beginning or end when it comes to God. This is very hard to understand for us humans because we are used to the concept of begin and end with time.
People further asked Guru Nanak Dev Ji about what does God look like? The great Guru preached that God is formless. God is beyond gender and shape. “He has no form, no shape, no colour; God is beyond these three qualities. One understands Him, O Nanak, with whom God is pleased” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 283). God has no body, He is the greatest Spirit of all and our soul is a part of Him.
The main difference between Sikhism and some of the world’s other religions is that there are people who worship Jesus and believe Jesus is God, some people worship Buddha and believe Buddha is God. The Sikh Gurus themselves said that they are not to be worshipped. They expressed very clearly not to worship anyone except God.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji even put it in harsh words and said, “Those who call me God will fall into the pit of hell. Consider me as a humble servant of God and have no doubt about it.” He wanted to be very clear that He is not God and should not be worshipped. One should only worship the One Almighty Lord.
God in SHEERism: SHEERism, Society Health Environment Education Research the new philosophy advocated describes existence of God in form of “Universal Energy”.
Evidences drawn in favour are as- [1] Whole universe has common origin including Earth Planet; [2] Energy from Heavenly Bodies exert influence on Earth planet; [3] On Earth planet God Energy exists in form of living and non-living form; [4] Non living form of energy exists as physical [radiations] and chemical both inorganic and organic and biochemical the DNA in all organisms be that plants, animals including man and microorganisms; [5] All forms of living energy interact and collectively with non-living form of energy; [6] All organisms have the energy capable of reproducing the next generations thus ensuring continuity of life.
(Concluded)
