Hindu Religious Studies 21
Gods, Goddesses and Puja
We know that Ishwara is one and second to none. He has unlimited
power. His virtues are endless. He is the father of this world. He has no
form or shape. He can assume any shape at any time, although He has
no form. He comes down with some special virtues or powers. Then
He becomes corporeal. The deities are physical expressions of Ishwara.
It means, they are physical expressions of the special virtues or powers
of Ishwara. The strength of Ishwara is easily reflected in gods and
goddesses. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi,
Ganesh are different forms of the same Ishwara. Gods and goddesses
own powers of special kind. For example, Brahma creates things. The
creative power of Ishwara is in Brahma. Ishwara's power of
nourishment is in Vishnu. The destructive power of Ishwara is in
Shiva. Similarly, Durga is the goddess of strength. Goddess Lakshmi is
the owner of riches, while goddess Saraswati stands for knowledge.
Agnideva is the god of burning. Ishwara embodies the combined forces
of all gods and godesses. The Vedas is our first Holy Book. Then the
Holy Book called 'Puranas' was written. These Holy Books contains
the expressions and powers of gods and goddesses. Gods and
goddesses are pleased if they are offered puja. Ishwara is pleased if
gods and goddeses are pleased.Puja means adoration or prayer or worship. It also means special
adoration of some physical form of Ishwara with flowers, water and
other ingredients. In fact, we worship the same Ishwara, if we worship
different gods and goddesses. According to Gita, those who worship
gods and goddesses, worship Ishwara in the real sense.Gods and goddesses have miraculous powers and glory. They can do a
thing very easily, what men cannot. For example, Saraswati is the
goddess of knowledge. Men acquire knowledge by the grace of