Religion

Religion is an amazing and surprisingly simple topic. People will often argue against me by perhaps granting me amazing but simple, now that whole conversation will get a little complex, so I'll put a end to all the 'haters' right now. Religion is the devotion of the concsious self to divine and sacred beliefs; religion is only complex when people attempt to compare religions or when they attempt to analyze the faith or test its logic. People will often over-think this simple and beautiful subject and turn it into an something its not (No disrespect to people that analyze religion without losing sight of the beauty), but even the people that over-analyze this radiance of magnificence are participating in a religious doctrine of their own. These people, most likely, believe in themselves more than in any story they've heard or any miracles they've either seen or heard of. Their passion is through their hearts, and they attempt to follow their own rules and logic while drawing their conclusions; in Jainism, "each soul is an autonomous unit struggling for salvation in its own way" (New Anthology, 30).
Some Find Their Salvation through Love


This is an interesting concept, and the beauty of it is that it's simple. We can analyze for day on end, but it's just one sentence, and therein, the beauty amplifies. I love finding beauty in religion, even the ones I don't know too much about or don't believe in. I've always been interested in why there were seven days in the week. In hindi, Sunday is called "Ravi-Var" which means that this is the day (Var) of the Sun (Ravi), and my oldest brother (Ravi) is actually named after the almighty Surya-Dev (Sun God). What a coincidence it is that my brother is bright, amazingly bright; if his intellect could be emitted as light then he would glow a bright-golden like the sun. The kind of golden that makes you relax, like in our meditation the other day. So, this Sun-talk reminds me of a famous quote from supposedly God himself. I believe his exact words were, "Let there be light" (New Anthology, 114). I was intrigued, a 'wee' bit more investigation, and I found this (New Anthology, 115):

[God] rested on the seventh day after all the work he had been doing. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.

So the seventh day was the holy day that was blessed by God after he had worked for seven days; the work that started with His permission which allowed light to exist (similar to the Hindu concept of the Surya-Dev without whom there can be no light). This analysis makes me smile because it implies that my brother has been blessed by God; he has a supernatural/divine blessing that will shield him from evil and guide him towards the light. This is most definitely beautiful, and it has the shine of the beautiful gold which shines in the sky.

The Radiant Glow Carries Spiritual Meaning in Numerous Cultures


The very thought of gold is electrifying (also in a financial perspective)! Many people reference it; take Virgil and the fourth Ecologue. He writes, "With a new breed of men sent down from heaven... the golden race arise" (New Anthology, 123). This is further significance of how gold is sacred/holy/divine, basically spiritual in religions along with art forms such as poetry. Here again, we can draw a reference to Hinduism, but let's change the theme up a little. Take this line from the same Ecologue, "Justice returns, returns old Saturn's reign" (New Anthology, 123). This is a deep connection to astrology as Saturn in many cultures such as the Greek, Roman and Hindu culture is attributed with Justice. I'm Hindu so I like to relate to material I'm familiar with; Saturn, in Hindu Astrology (the study of which is Jyotish-Vidhya), is called Shani, appropriately named after Shani-Dev. Shani-Dev is a very respected figure in the Hindu religion, but he is often blamed for the mis-fortunes of many because in the astrological belief, the position of Saturn at the time of your birth will have an effect on you for the remainder of your life. Shani will put you through a varied track of tests which is somehow directly related to the time your were born and the position of the planets. Interestingly enough, Shani is supposedly fair and just in his trials and strict as well; almost as if he's a judge in a court. He upholds the law but has the power to interpret it differently from case to case. Virgil relates Saturn to justice which is symbolic of Shani-Dev!

Saturn and Shani-Dev, the Planet of Justice


This whole essay probably sounds a little long winded but realize that these connections and realizations happen at an immensely rapid pace. Basically the time it took me to realize this beauty is the same as the time it takes me to take three breaths. 1-2-3. Bam! Everything I just said went through my head again. It happens at the speed of light, and the golden rays just radiate around me as well. The beauty is epic and poetic. Hope the beauty of religions is realized as amazing due to so many different and varied ideas represented in different cultures, different environments, in a surprisingly similar fashion. The ideas are simple, and that makes the religion simple. As the Jainis believe, one must struggle for salvation through their own methods. I seek to shine, but I guess that's everyone. But to shine is to inspire, and I would hate to shine by myself. I was inspired by the beauty and simple magnificance of the sun (and my family). So now, I seek to shine and inspire.

We Are Powerful Beyond Measure!