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Hindus should restart worshipping Indra
- Thread starter ThunderRD
- Start date
It matters to those of the "My way or the highway" school of thought.
I have no problem with someone wanting to go with Indra as supreme. If that's how you interpret it, than it's all good. What determines one's Hinduness, IMHO, is behaviour as much as belief. Since internet forums are a pathetic place to discuss or view the former, we pretty much have to take someone's word on belief. I welcome all Hindus into our brethen, including those who would have me excluded.
Kalidas
Well-Known Member
I don't think any of us do. Our problem stems from him trying tell some of us whom we worships is wrong and that we should worship his way, not okay with that.
There are several individuals and a couple of sects that are very prone to doing that, yes. I agree so far. In fact I even respect their right to call me out as worshiping an inferior God, or being a simple man who only worships Siva because he can't see the true light of Krishna or Kali or Indra or whatever. It's just that I prefer to walk away rather than turn around and start an argument by telling him he's wrong. it does nobody any good, and gets both sides ire up. surely we are not here to ire people. If someone wants to get riled on their own, that's up to them. I see no point in adding fuel to their fire of low self-control.
This morning at our temple we had some noisy visitors. It was right during the main puja, and there are signs at the door to remain quiet, especially during puja. There were only 4 of us there worshipping when these 6 people came in. They were obviously unfamiliar with the protocol of a quiet South Indian temple, and I believe someone local was showing his out of town friends our temple. Or maybe they were just coming for a first time look. It was obvious they weren't about to show us any great respect, so they wandered about, pointed at sanctums, discussed 'who the hell' this God was, and basically mocked our entire style. The priest seemed mildly annoyed, and I know for sure if certain people in our community were there, there would have been a huge scene. Fortunately there wasn't. But guess what? They just left, and they won't be back. They're welcome to do that, as they weren't spitting at us, or walking around with shoes on or anything like that. But yes they were rude. So we all had 5 minutes of quietly observing rudeness and we watched them go, and maybe Ganesha even blessed them on the way out. On the other hand it could have been a scene.
If and when you go to India, you will encounter some rude people, whether it be in hotels, or car drivers ... whatever. You want to pick a fight with every single one?
Kalidas
Well-Known Member
Hhmmm good point. Oh an sorry that happened.There are several individuals and a couple of sects that are very prone to doing that, yes. I agree so far. In fact I even respect their right to call me out as worshiping an inferior God, or being a simple man who only worships Siva because he can't see the true light of Krishna or Kali or Indra or whatever. It's just that I prefer to walk away rather than turn around and start an argument by telling him he's wrong. it does nobody any good, and gets both sides ire up. surely we are not here to ire people. If someone wants to get riled on their own, that's up to them. I see no point in adding fuel to their fire of low self-control.
This morning at our temple we had some noisy visitors. It was right during the main puja, and there are signs at the door to remain quiet, especially during puja. There were only 4 of us there worshipping when these 6 people came in. They were obviously unfamiliar with the protocol of a quiet South Indian temple, and I believe someone local was showing his out of town friends our temple. Or maybe they were just coming for a first time look. It was obvious they weren't about to show us any great respect, so they wandered about, pointed at sanctums, discussed 'who the hell' this God was, and basically mocked our entire style. The priest seemed mildly annoyed, and I know for sure if certain people in our community were there, there would have been a huge scene. Fortunately there wasn't. But guess what? They just left, and they won't be back. They're welcome to do that, as they weren't spitting at us, or walking around with shoes on or anything like that. But yes they were rude. So we all had 5 minutes of quietly observing rudeness and we watched them go, and maybe Ganesha even blessed them on the way out. On the other hand it could have been a scene.
If and when you go to India, you will encounter some rude people, whether it be in hotels, or car drivers ... whatever. You want to pick a fight with every single one?
It happens with the North-south divide. Rare, but it happens. I was not that surprised. So we tolerate. So I will tolerate, or at least try to.
Mystics don't argue.
Atman
Member
Funny you should mention that, as both Brahma and Indra though rarely worshipped in India now, are still two of the most popular gods in the Buddhist country of Thailand. I would definitely like to see a renewed interest in their worship amongst the community of greater Hinduism.But, I must ask: are you Western born? We Westerners, due to Abrahamic cultural influence, often take an interest in Lord Indra and Lord Brahmā.
Can you tell me where in India is the temple of Indra ?
skepticalseeker613
Member
They say that Shiva is a continuation or incarnation of Indra. But no matter what deity you see supreme it all leads t the ultimate reality(Brahman).
Just who is this 'they' that you speak of?
Namaste, all.
Quick intro: I am a member of HDF, but was unaware of this forum's existence until I discovered it by this thread. This is my first post here, and I will try to read and (hopefully) contribute in the future as I become more familiar with the site.
Vinayaka: the view that Indra is Shiva has appeared in several places, most notably in the work of David Frawley (specifically, his text Arise Arjuna, the part entitled The Unity of the Vedic and Shaivite Religions). One of Frawley's students, Durgadas, has also discussed Indra and Shiva in an essay called Forms of Indra and Shiva in the Vedas. (Unfortunately, I cannot post links yet because I'm a new member here, but both texts are available online, and can be found by searching the chapter titles.) I also read a book a while back that discussed Indra and his relationship to both Shiva and Krishna in this matter of "evolution," but I can't recall the title immediately; if there's interest, I will search for the reference and provide it.
I hope that this thread continues; Lord Indra is my ishta-devata. I've no wish to "convert" anyone to his worship, but it's rare that he is mentioned in conversations, and I always feel pleased when he is discussed.
Quick intro: I am a member of HDF, but was unaware of this forum's existence until I discovered it by this thread. This is my first post here, and I will try to read and (hopefully) contribute in the future as I become more familiar with the site.
Vinayaka: the view that Indra is Shiva has appeared in several places, most notably in the work of David Frawley (specifically, his text Arise Arjuna, the part entitled The Unity of the Vedic and Shaivite Religions). One of Frawley's students, Durgadas, has also discussed Indra and Shiva in an essay called Forms of Indra and Shiva in the Vedas. (Unfortunately, I cannot post links yet because I'm a new member here, but both texts are available online, and can be found by searching the chapter titles.) I also read a book a while back that discussed Indra and his relationship to both Shiva and Krishna in this matter of "evolution," but I can't recall the title immediately; if there's interest, I will search for the reference and provide it.
I hope that this thread continues; Lord Indra is my ishta-devata. I've no wish to "convert" anyone to his worship, but it's rare that he is mentioned in conversations, and I always feel pleased when he is discussed.
Namaste, all.
Quick intro: I am a member of HDF, but was unaware of this forum's existence until I discovered it by this thread. This is my first post here, and I will try to read and (hopefully) contribute in the future as I become more familiar with the site.
Vinayaka: the view that Indra is Shiva has appeared in several places, most notably in the work of David Frawley (specifically, his text Arise Arjuna, the part entitled The Unity of the Vedic and Shaivite Religions). One of Frawley's students, Durgadas, has also discussed Indra and Shiva in an essay called Forms of Indra and Shiva in the Vedas. (Unfortunately, I cannot post links yet because I'm a new member here, but both texts are available online, and can be found by searching the chapter titles.) I also read a book a while back that discussed Indra and his relationship to both Shiva and Krishna in this matter of "evolution," but I can't recall the title immediately; if there's interest, I will search for the reference and provide it.
I hope that this thread continues; Lord Indra is my ishta-devata. I've no wish to "convert" anyone to his worship, but it's rare that he is mentioned in conversations, and I always feel pleased when he is discussed.
Is this your blog " about arjun " ?
I hope you know the appearance of Goddess Kali. She is black-faced and black-bodied. She has bulging eyes. She always has a tongue sticking out and has ferocious look on her face. On top of it she wears a garland of human skulls. Don't get offended by my above statements. I am not passing any remark on Kali. I am just describing her appearance.
What I find surprising is how can anyone imagine such an appearance of Divine ! It also surprises me when you think "she represents all the attribute of the divine to me in a nice neat package".
You describe yourself as Shakta i.e. follower of Shaktism. Followers of Shaktism consider "Adi Shakti" to be supreme and worship God in female form. Goddess Parvati herself is Adi Shakti and all Goddesses like Durga, Kali, Santoshimata, Ekvira, Ambabai and all "Gram-devatas" i.e. village Goddesses are her forms.
You must be knowing Goddess Shachi who is Indra's wife and also the Goddess of happiness. The concept of Adi Shakti has its roots in worship of Shachi. The Sanskrit word "Shakti" i.e. energy is derived from root "Shak" which itself is derived from "Shach". And Shachi literally means energy i.e. personification of energy.
