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Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion
Documents the Hindu belief in the spiritual component of all human activity and looks at Hindu beliefs and practices, daily worship experiences, and ways of meeting God
268 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 6, 2018
Preface
“Sports take us out of flaccid reality and into the undeniable charm of game and fantasy.”
Chapter One: Concepts of Hindu Devotion
* Every morning, millions of Hindus worship both Goddess Ganga, who is also the river, and Surya, Sun God.
* The One (Supreme deity, Brahman) is the absolute complement of opposites: masculine & feminine, water and fire, dark and light, wrong and right.
* Daily rituals involve water
* Hinduism diverse, hundreds or thousands of subcultures
* The Absolute manifests itself & its powers through the Gods and Goddesses. Each deity has their own corresponding rituals. Each Hindu only worships a few deities that are personally relevant
* Three primary sects: worshippers of
- Shiva aka Devi (Creator & Destroyer of all Existence)
- Vishnu (Protector or Preserver of the Universe)
- Shakti (Pervasive Feminine Principle, Dynamic Power)
Vishnu always accompanied by Lakshmi, or 2 Goddesses Bhudevi & Shridevi
Shiva ... Parvati
Lakshmi – Prosperity, Fortune
Bhudevi – Earth, Fertility
Parvati – Childbirth
Hanuman, Rama, Durga, Kali – Battle, Strength, Power
PUJA: ceremonial act of showing reverence to a God/dess through prayer, ritual.
* Devotees worship sculpture/painting/icon as the God/dess him/herself. “Images are created as receptacles for spiritual energy; each is an essential link that allows the devotee to experience direct communion with the Gods.”
* “Darshan” seeing and being seen by God. Brings peace and blessing to Hindu devotees, and through it miracles occur.
* Hindus worship singly or in small family units. Most sacred rituals take place in the home or temples/shrines tt may be visited anytime from early morning to late night.
Dharma: supreme law of righteousness, the belief tt there is undeniable pattern to which all existence must adhere. Guidelines set by Gods and sages in ancient texts Vedas
Karma: action. Law of cause and effect. Doctrine of absolute responsibility. Linked to reincarnation
Chapter Two: Elements of Worship
* Tuesday: Mariamman's day
* Every day, the image of a God/dess is washed, adorned with sacred substances, dressed, bejewelled, garlanded before she may be seen by the public.
- Substances: honey, milk, yoghurt, sacred ash, sandalwood paste, turmeric, vermillion (kumkum), panchamrita
* "Any water used in a shrine is considered mystically transformed into Ganga."
* Concept of Reciprocity: devotee's life is enhanced by the gifts they bestow on the deities
- Flowers: marigold, rose, lotus, hibiscus, jasmine, tuberose
- Annual festival of patron deity is auspicious time to give more significant gift: garment or jewellery
- Fire is essential in all Hindu rituals. Ghee auspicious. Camphor bright cool flame tt leaves no ash. Followed by dispersion of water.
Chapter Three
* Deity worshipped by a family/clan is kuladevata.
Hindus make periodic visits to ancestral home also to reestablish contact w household deity
Some subcultures have method of transferring sacred energy in terracotta pot of water, then transfer spirit into another image (sculpture, painting, print)
* Each devotee worships ishtadevata chosen for personal reasons
* tulasi (sacred basil) is believed to be an incarnation of Lakshmi
Chapter Six: Deities on Parade
* Most temples have secondary image for each primary deity, utsava murti, usually cast in bronze for processions during festivals
Chapter Eight: Healing
* Temple at Ochira in Kerala. Sacred trees
* In Hinduism, both good and evil are viewed as divine.
- Sitala Goddess of Smallpox, Provider of Good Fortune, Protector of Children (Mariamman in S. India)
Place special rice cakes over diseased body part. Light wick in the middle to draw out negative energy
- Cobras (Nagas) are divine agents of healing.
Manasa Goddess of Snakes
- Healing comes to those who deserve it. Selfless dedication to duties, good karma, acts of virtue clear a path for healing energy
VRATA: fulfilling a vow to God/dess, a regular action to purify body/mind and demonstrate piety. E.g. fasting, intense prayers one day a week. Usually not demanding
Failure to honour this commitment results in divine retribution.
More exacting vrata might include long pilgrimages, fire walking, body piercing
* Possession by deity / spiritual trance is common.
Some people make vows to be possessed if their request comes true
“Sports take us out of flaccid reality and into the undeniable charm of game and fantasy.”
Chapter One: Concepts of Hindu Devotion
* Every morning, millions of Hindus worship both Goddess Ganga, who is also the river, and Surya, Sun God.
* The One (Supreme deity, Brahman) is the absolute complement of opposites: masculine & feminine, water and fire, dark and light, wrong and right.
* Daily rituals involve water
* Hinduism diverse, hundreds or thousands of subcultures
* The Absolute manifests itself & its powers through the Gods and Goddesses. Each deity has their own corresponding rituals. Each Hindu only worships a few deities that are personally relevant
* Three primary sects: worshippers of
- Shiva aka Devi (Creator & Destroyer of all Existence)
- Vishnu (Protector or Preserver of the Universe)
- Shakti (Pervasive Feminine Principle, Dynamic Power)
Vishnu always accompanied by Lakshmi, or 2 Goddesses Bhudevi & Shridevi
Shiva ... Parvati
Lakshmi – Prosperity, Fortune
Bhudevi – Earth, Fertility
Parvati – Childbirth
Hanuman, Rama, Durga, Kali – Battle, Strength, Power
PUJA: ceremonial act of showing reverence to a God/dess through prayer, ritual.
* Devotees worship sculpture/painting/icon as the God/dess him/herself. “Images are created as receptacles for spiritual energy; each is an essential link that allows the devotee to experience direct communion with the Gods.”
* “Darshan” seeing and being seen by God. Brings peace and blessing to Hindu devotees, and through it miracles occur.
* Hindus worship singly or in small family units. Most sacred rituals take place in the home or temples/shrines tt may be visited anytime from early morning to late night.
Dharma: supreme law of righteousness, the belief tt there is undeniable pattern to which all existence must adhere. Guidelines set by Gods and sages in ancient texts Vedas
Karma: action. Law of cause and effect. Doctrine of absolute responsibility. Linked to reincarnation
Chapter Two: Elements of Worship
* Tuesday: Mariamman's day
* Every day, the image of a God/dess is washed, adorned with sacred substances, dressed, bejewelled, garlanded before she may be seen by the public.
- Substances: honey, milk, yoghurt, sacred ash, sandalwood paste, turmeric, vermillion (kumkum), panchamrita
* "Any water used in a shrine is considered mystically transformed into Ganga."
* Concept of Reciprocity: devotee's life is enhanced by the gifts they bestow on the deities
- Flowers: marigold, rose, lotus, hibiscus, jasmine, tuberose
- Annual festival of patron deity is auspicious time to give more significant gift: garment or jewellery
- Fire is essential in all Hindu rituals. Ghee auspicious. Camphor bright cool flame tt leaves no ash. Followed by dispersion of water.
Chapter Three
* Deity worshipped by a family/clan is kuladevata.
Hindus make periodic visits to ancestral home also to reestablish contact w household deity
Some subcultures have method of transferring sacred energy in terracotta pot of water, then transfer spirit into another image (sculpture, painting, print)
* Each devotee worships ishtadevata chosen for personal reasons
* tulasi (sacred basil) is believed to be an incarnation of Lakshmi
Chapter Six: Deities on Parade
* Most temples have secondary image for each primary deity, utsava murti, usually cast in bronze for processions during festivals
Chapter Eight: Healing
* Temple at Ochira in Kerala. Sacred trees
* In Hinduism, both good and evil are viewed as divine.
- Sitala Goddess of Smallpox, Provider of Good Fortune, Protector of Children (Mariamman in S. India)
Place special rice cakes over diseased body part. Light wick in the middle to draw out negative energy
- Cobras (Nagas) are divine agents of healing.
Manasa Goddess of Snakes
- Healing comes to those who deserve it. Selfless dedication to duties, good karma, acts of virtue clear a path for healing energy
VRATA: fulfilling a vow to God/dess, a regular action to purify body/mind and demonstrate piety. E.g. fasting, intense prayers one day a week. Usually not demanding
Failure to honour this commitment results in divine retribution.
More exacting vrata might include long pilgrimages, fire walking, body piercing
* Possession by deity / spiritual trance is common.
Some people make vows to be possessed if their request comes true
September 21, 2022
This was a good book which would take me to a life a practicing hindu, actually not 'a practicing hindu' but many practicing hindus and would show me what they do every day and what are the reasons for doing so.
For example I learnt about
1. the tilak in foreheads
2. the importance of river Ganga
3. the fact about trinity i.e Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma
4. that any Hindu can follow any God
5. some famous Hindu religious sites
6 and about various types of poojas and hawans
but the book didn't tell me more about the relation of gods among them like who is Parvati, Durga, Ganesha and are these gods interconnected in anyway? I even didn't learn anything about Mahabharat or Ramayan in this book. The book did give some references to bhagwat Gita but it didn't tell about more books of Hinduism and that's what I was looking for in my first Hinduism related read that's why I am giving it a 3 star review.
I hope someone would tell me more about the questions I have in comments.
For example I learnt about
1. the tilak in foreheads
2. the importance of river Ganga
3. the fact about trinity i.e Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma
4. that any Hindu can follow any God
5. some famous Hindu religious sites
6 and about various types of poojas and hawans
but the book didn't tell me more about the relation of gods among them like who is Parvati, Durga, Ganesha and are these gods interconnected in anyway? I even didn't learn anything about Mahabharat or Ramayan in this book. The book did give some references to bhagwat Gita but it didn't tell about more books of Hinduism and that's what I was looking for in my first Hinduism related read that's why I am giving it a 3 star review.
I hope someone would tell me more about the questions I have in comments.
August 1, 2017
Thorough and approachable account of Hinduism beliefs and it's place in Indian culture. Always amazed that a beautifully unique, traditional, and spiritual culture like this still exists in our modern world. The pictures and stories interwoven within Hinduism explanations were beautiful. I want to go back!
April 26, 2020
Awesome read and good explanations of Hindu Devotion. Lots of respect to the Hindu's for their great dedication
September 23, 2020
A wonderful introduction to Hinduism. The photographs are amazing.
January 24, 2025
Would much rather have read a native Indian point of view
February 23, 2017
Very interesting. Loved the explanations and pictures.
April 5, 2015
This is a fantastic introduction to Hinduism - it's written with an obvious love for the subject, and moreover in clear, engaging language that's easy to read and understand. It's also comprehensive without being encyclopedic, to boot. And all that said, there's also the photos that the author took, most of which are beautiful and quite intimate, to illustrate what he describes. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Hinduism!
January 16, 2009
This book provides insight into what sometimes seems an impenetrable religion. The photographs are breathtaking, and the prose highly readable, and indeed inspiring in the level of empathy and understanding it conveys. Essential reading for any visitor to India who wants to achieve some insight into the culture of the sub-continent.
June 17, 2011
This is one of the best books I've read about Hinduism. It is about Hinduism as practiced by everyday Hindus. The book really helped me understand more about what is important and why it is important to my Hindu husband and his family. The pictures are also very nice and show Hinduism as it is practiced in many different parts of India, not just one area.
May 21, 2007
Beautiful photos and a good introduction to Hinduism.
April 30, 2008
Highly recommended for both text and pictures. Anyone interested in Hindu worship should investigate this moving book.
January 20, 2009
Beautiful book with good, basic explanations about Hinduism. The pictures are breath taking.
May 9, 2011
How the rituals and million+ gods are interwoven in Hindu culture and society for last 5000 years.. Pretty interesting read.
July 28, 2011
I love this book. It is an enjoyable read, the pictures are great, and there is a lot of info in this book. There are so many interesting little bits of information, and I learned a lot!
January 24, 2016
It gives a good general overview of Hinduism and its doctrine. The artwork is also excellent. Stephen Huyler really captures the personality of Hinduism in this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews