Thought 57: Religious Karmas in Hinduism

Every Hindu religious form of worship is generally connected with the Bhuuta (Upaadhi) of a Devataa or a Deva – and it is known as Anushtaana Karma (or simply Karma). There is also another form of worship, called Upaasana. Upaasana is generally connected with the Sakti in the Bhuuta, which is a Devataa or Deva - and it is known as Devatopaasana.

It is common in Hindu worship, either at home or in a temple, to perform Puuja with chanting of Slokas and/or sacred Naamas in praise of the Ishta Devataa (favourite god), using flowers, camphor, Agarbattis (incense sticks) during this procedure and wearing clean and washed clothes. If the Puuja is done at home, the idol of the Devataa or Deva (representing his Bhuuta) is kept on a pedestal in a clean place in a room. This kind of Puuja, which is performed following strictly all the stipulations of the Saastras is called the Anushtaana Karma (or simply, Karma). Here, the worship (Karma) invokes the Bhuuta (matter) and the entire thing is a ritual, which is mostly done with the physical body and the limbs of the worshipper. This kind of worship is recommended for the beginners (Mandaadhikaari)

The Upaasana is done mostly with the mind – and invariably by uttering a Mantra. There are several Mantras such as the Panchaksharee Mantra (Om Namssivaaya), Ashtaaksharee Mantra (Om Namo Naaraayanaaya), Dvaadasaaksharee Mantra (Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya), Panchadasaaksharee Mantra (A Mantra with 15 Beejaaksharas invoking goddess Lalitaambika) and so on. The Upaasana silently addresses the Sakti (a Devataa or a Deva). Upaasana is done by more enlightened devotees (Madhyamaadhikaari)

Those who do the daily Karmas as enjoined in the Saastras (Niyatam Karmas) – generally do so mechanically. When done in this manner, it is known as “Anushtaana Karma”. Such persons follow all the rules and regulations as stipulated in the Saastras and they are afraid to deviate even a wee bit from those rules and regulations. Suppose, for instance, this devotee is delayd at work and is not able to start the worship at the appointed time; this causes a big worry to them. If a devotee misses to chant the Vishnu Sahasranaamam (one who has a program do that every day) on a particular day due to some difficulty, he becomes very uncomfortable; some persons get so worried that they cannot even sleep. Fear is the main motivator for this kind of worship. Worship should not be based on fear – it should be based on love (Bhakti). One need not fear god. He never punishes his devotees for their omissions and commissions with regard to worship.

The persons who perform the Anushtaana Karma daily, following all the stipulations of the Saastras, are typically very proud about the way they do their Anushtaana Karma; they are exceedingly egoistic and highly arrogant persons; these traits used to reflect clearly in their interaction with other persons, who do not do these Karmas in the same meticulous way that they used to do. I knew one such religious person, who used to be in the Administrative service in Andhra Pradesh. He used to get upset whenever any one opposed him - even on trivial issues; he used to frequently threaten them with “Saapam” (religious curse), which the ancient Rishis resorted to (rarely of course) - to punish the evil persons, whenever they did some harm to good persons.

Even those, who do Upaasana, also impose unnecessary limitations on themselves because of fear or prejudice. For instance, those who follow Vishnu and Chant Vishnu Mantras (such as Mahaa Mantra or Akshtaakshari Mantra) do not chant Siva Mantras (Panchakshari or Mahaa Mrityunjaya Mantra) and vice versa. The Sakti worshippers only believe in Sakti worship (Lalitaa Sahsranaamam) and no other worship. For such persons, who are locked on to one Devataa, if another Devataa comes to mind, it is sacrilege. Thus, they impose unnecessary limitations on themselves and get bound by their Upaasana. They do blindly and mechanically whatever they are doing - because of fear and prejudice. Such persons also feel proud and highly egoistic about the way they do their Upaasana. They feel that they are great and look down on all others who do not do what they do.

Thus, people, who do these Karmas or Upaasnas in the above mentioned manner, lead an egoistic and selfish life. Ego and selfishness are not good; they are evil. They are the worst pollutants in the mind.

The next thought is about “The cause and effect principle in Creation”