Page 80 - Hinduism

CHAPTER VIII WORSHIP
Ardent bhakti cannot rest satisfied with silent meditation and upāsanā especially when it overflows and expresses itself in the form of tears, tremors and trance and as bridal mysticism. Vedic offerings to gods are reinterpreted as Vedāntic offerings to Brahman. Brahman is beyond space and time and is formless. But He has a formless form of His own to respond to the needs of the worshippers and their prayers and praise. Though bhakti is for bhakti’s sake, the worshippers often pray for earthly and celestial boons and Bhagavān, as Providence, answers -their prayers. Contemplation on the inner self is supremely desirable but it is not what is actually possible for the average man of common sense. He wants something concrete to fix his mind upon. In His infinite mercy and love, God descends into humanity as arca or idol. Arca is not metal or stone symbol but is the permanent incarnation of God and the concretion of His krpā. In arca God is easily accessible to all at any time or in any place. God-hunger for man is more than man's hunger for God and as arca, He longs for communion with the devotee whom He regards as His very ātman or self. Bhakti and worship or pūja are the inner and the outer expressions of man's love of God. In His infinite love, He comes down and the mystic
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