Hinduism : Part-8.

Monotheism and Polytheism Reconciled

Part-8.

A jeweller makes numerous ornaments like ear rings, necklace, watch chain, bracelet, ring etc. having different outer shapes and names.

But it is seen that the one precious metal gold alone has assumed these distinct forms to fulfil different functions or serve different purposes of the wearer.



Take another example.

A father of a family, he may be a professor in a college where he is also the Vice-Principal.

When he goes to the college he wears a distinct formal style of dress as required by his status and position as a college professor and an official in his administration, while at home he is relaxed in informal type of dress.

Moreover, he is no longer regarded as a professor or treated as a Vice-Principal.

He is now Daddy to his children.

He is husband to the mother of the children.

If his old father and mother are living with them, he is a son to them.

He is regarded as a brother if his parents have other children besides him.

He is Sri. Narayana the neighbour to those who are living in the neighbourhood.

He may be a member of the local Rotary Club.

He may also be a councillor in the town Municipal Committee.

He may also be serving on the Jury at court.

Now, do you have one person here or do you have ten different and separate persons?

Think about this.

When he is at home his little daughter might wish to sit upon his lap.

The youngest child might demand to be carried upon his shoulder and given a ride.

But when he is participating in a town council Committee Meeting such things are out of question.

When the same person is in the court acting upon the Jury with ten other colleagues, a college student has no access to him to ask an academic question regarding his lessons.

For, he is quite a different person in court.

Yet, in the midst of it all there is only one and the same person whose personality partakes and participates in various functions and roles.

This is called a case of unity in diversity, a case of variety upon the basis of oneness.


Sri Swami Chidananda

To be continued  ......