Dayananda & Ramkrishna: Thoughts on Idol Worship By: G. MannThe concept of God, gods, and goddesses in Hinduism is such a complex kaleidoscope of philosophies and origins it would be futile to admit of any simple explanation. In the same nature, we see the vast numbers of idols that have come to represent it. Throughout the ages God has been transformed into countless forms in the Hindu pantheon. He/She has been sculpted, painted, aniconicized into symbols and has been represented in nature. However, in doing so, many believe that Hindus have unknowingly transformed the religion into polytheistic form, as one Indian theist states," (That) polytheism sways the men of this religion (Hinduism)..." (Kapoor 61).If this is so, then it could be viewed that because of the idolization of countless gods and goddesses, Hindus have lost their connection with one true impersonal God. Therefore Hinduism is not monotheistic, but a "lower form of worship" (Kapoor 61). It shall be shown that philosophers such as Swami Dayananda Swami stood firmly against the act of idol worship and had tried to (and succeeded) in many ways to rekindle Vedic Hinduism in the form of the Arya Samaj. While other philosophers such as Sri Paramahamsa Ramkrishna was in no rejection to the act of idol worship and felt that all the spiritual texts led to only one God. From this essay, arguments from both Dayananda who had represented the Vedas and Ramkrishna who chose no particular text, will be examined and ultimately it shall be decided whether iconic worship is at all needed in Hinduism.God almighty according to Hinduism, is the ultimate Reality behind the universe and all the diverse objects, activities and events therein. All laws of nature, all forms of energy, space and time are nothing but the manifestation of God (Balakrishnan 1). Therefore it seems inconceivable to portray God of any form or attribute, to do so would be to depose such an omnipotent being. T...
