Page 13 - WIS - Eng

Introduction

India is puëya-bhümi (a sacred land). It is a land of culture and
worship, of millions of temples, of spiritual thought and practice,
and of yoga and meditation. India is the land of Lord Räma, Lord
Kåñëa, and the Bhagavad-gétä, a land to which, for eons, pilgrims
have come in search of the Absolute Truth.

Although times have changed, the spark of Vedic culture still
flickers in the hearts of India’s people. Millions still bathe
reverently in the holy Gaìgä, and millions still celebrate Çré Kåñëa
Janmäñöamé. Recitations of Kåñëa-lélä and Räma-lélä still remain
popular, sometimes attracting lakhs of listeners. Even in the midst
of their busy lives, most Hindus still begin each day by offering
dhüpa (incense), dépa (lamp), and puñpa (flowers) to their iñöa-deva
(worshipable deity). To be born in this holy land is a privilege, a
divine opportunity for growing and living with God.
Yet, India’s vast variety of temples, worshipers, and rituals can be
bewildering. Some worship Lord Gaëapati to remove all obstacles
in their endeavors, others worship Lord Çiva and Goddess Durgä
for material opulence, students supplicate Goddess Sarasvaté for
knowledge, while still others pray to Hanumän for protection and
strength. And some simply say, “Worship and respect all, for all
gods and all paths are one and the same.”
Most Hindus believe that by satisfying Vedic gods and goddesses
the worshiper will attain the Absolute Truth, which they consider
to be ultimately impersonal. This widespread assumption is
likely caused by not properly understanding the complex Vedic
descriptions thereof, or not understanding the principles
underlying çästric rituals. However, the Bhagavad-gétä (the
essence of all the Vedas) clearly teaches that there is one Supreme

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