VISHNU PURANA

Description

What is Hinduism ? . We have to clearly understand the pantheon of hindu gods to understand Hinduism . Even the most educated persons are confused about the hindu gods and as a result , there is not much prominence given to hindu religion . As a result the hindu religion is divided on different caste basis . Each caste catches hold of certain gods and have established their own path of tradition and worship . First confusion is introduced by the English translation of the word GOD . There is no equivalent of word GOD in any of the Indian languages . The Vedic word DEVATAS are referred to natural forces , divine powers and is not equivalent to word GOD . The word devatas AS MENTIONED IN THE VEDAS are referred to air (VAYU) , fire (agni) , water (aapah) , earth (pruthivi) , space (aakaash) , twin gods ashwins (gods of health , beauty and balance) , rudra (god of justice) , wealth (Lakshmi devi) , knowledge (devi Saraswathi) , strength (pushan) , death (yama) , SUN (SURYA) , INDRA (CHIEF OF GODS , who also causes rains) , etc prajnya (Vishnu) , prana (VITAL FORCE) , ATMA (SOUL) . All these gods are who constitute this universe and who also constitute the bodies of living beings on earth . Subsequently any number of gods have come into worship depending on hopes , desires and fears of people . Contemplation and worship of these gods bring respective results over which they preside . The hindu religion is very clear that one and only supreme Power that is the source of all creation , even of gods or devatas , is PARAMATMA . This is emphatically declared in PURUSHA SUKTA IN ALL THE VEDAS . PARAMATMA , the unbounded eternal supreme power who is omnipotent , omnipresent , omniscient is called by many names such as SRI HARI , NARAYANA , PARAMATMA , BHAGAVANTHA , PARABRAHMA . PARAMATMA IS THE CONFLUENCE OF PRANA , PRAGNYA , KNOWLEDGE , BLISS (VITAL FOCE – CONSCIOUSNESS – KNOWLEDGE – BLISS) , which no other god possess as its sole power . The spark of this supreme divine enters into human beings as SOUL . THIS SOUL IS ALSO CALLED ATMA .THIS ATMA WHEN UNBOUNDED AND IS SUPREMELY PURE IS PARAMATMA . This PARAMATMA the cause of creation , sustenance and dissolution is unknown , cannot be known by any means . This is ONE AND HAS NO SECOND SIMILAR . All the gods serve the supreme ATMA , at all levels . The aim of hindu religion is liberation , moksha , the release of ATMA which has entered the body as SOUL to return and merge with unbounded supremely pure PARAMATMA . The impurities that cause the ATMA to enter the body and be called the SOUL is due to ignorance (maya or illusion ) and attachment to the world of objects in the form of desire . Total devotion and surrender to the PARAMATMA by the EMBODIED SOUL brings out this liberation from embodiment and repeated births and deaths . This supreme Godhead PARAMATMA has three faces , the faces of creation BRAHMA , the face of support and sustenance of the world VISHNU and the face of dissolution MAHESHWARA . Brahma has no form and is only creative energy . Vishnu is the God that supports and makes the life what it is from birth to death . Vishnu takes many forms and is the god of consciousness that makes the illusory life appear real .Maheshwara is worshipped in the form of Linga , who is the source of peace and bliss that resembles only state of death . Shivas residence is verily cremation ground . It is Vishnu who has pervaded everywhere and makes the life joyful and helps liberation of embodied SOUL . Review: Poor quality book in terms of table of contents. - I haven't read the book fully. It's table of contents are not well organized unlike other books. I returned the book in Kindle after my purchase however my request has not been accepted and I am not let known as to why the same has not been accepted. The table of contents is the first impression of a book. First impression is not good impression as regards this book. I hope quality issues may arise in respect of the book.