People wonder why in this day and age some people in the world including the Hindus still worship the Sun. I say, why not? It makes perfect sense. If you are a student of science like me, then you most likely believe in the Big Bang and evolution. There was this Big Bang! Some of the energy-matter continuum became our Sun. Some of the Sun became our earth as the gaseous mass cooled. The primordial hydrogen through fusion turned finally into a variety of substances like oxygen, calcium, iron, etc. etc. Some of that gaseous matter evolved into water. Unicellular and then multi-cellular organisms appeared from the same substance. Plant life and animal life evolved from more basic forms of existence. More complex life forms evolved. Finally, you and I sitting on both ends of the Internet, are communicating across the Internet and calling the very substance dumb, from which we originated. How can that substance be dumb from which we have evolved? The same consciousness, which is within us has to be present in the Sun and in all universe. The Upanishad says "Prajnanam Brahma" meaning "Brahman is pure consciousness". Then it also says "Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma" meaning "All this is consciousness". We are conscious. We are part of the earth. Earth is conscious. Sun is conscious. Our life on earth depends on the Sun. I see nothing wrong in expressing our obeisances to the Sun. We are quick to show our gratitude to a person who saved our life. Why cannot we express our gratitude to the Sun, who selflessly making our life possible?
The Sun has occupied the place amongst the five great divine powers (pancha devas) for the Hindus and justifiably so. In fact Hindus see Brahman (existence-consciousness-bliss) or loosely speaking God in all existence. Next time you see the Sun, try to ponder on its supreme blilliance, its enermous power and majesty. Lord Krishna in Gita says, "I am the brilliance (tejas) in the Sun (Aditya)." Can you think of a better way for the earthlings to perceive the power and existence of God other than through the Sun?
A popular Hindu prayer to the Sun is "....Oh remover of darkness (ignorance), I bow to you."
No comments:
Post a Comment