Re: Does Lord Shiva answer?
Originally Posted by
Mystical Soul
Hello everyone
I was reared in a religion where we were directed to place our prayers of petition before God no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
Does one also place petitions before Shiva and Ganesha? I hear people mention "boons" which I figure are blessings from God, but do we ask, or just praise and in the praise, God will know our wants and hence answer if we are worthy?
In case this question seems trite, in some traditions I hear people frequently mention how God made "this or that" happen (as in divine intervention for healing, employment etc), but I seldom if ever hear it when talking God in Hindu dharma.
Peace
Namaskar,
I have read this question before and people usually have differing views about it. The question is much more complex than it looks.
Shiva answers to what sort of "demands"?
Shiva answers to prayers of what sort of people? Everyone or selected few?
What is the nature of intervention? Direct or indirect?
Is asking anything to Shiva justified in itself? What about selfless devotion (devotion which comes from internal love and not for material gains)?
In my personal opinion, nobody can answer the question with absolute conviction. I don't know if direct intervention is possible or not. However I do believe indirectly millions of people have gained by Bhakti (devotion). One way is that devotion to God purifies our self and thus gives us a feeling of well being. For many materialist or deluded people, bhakti can work on principles of auto-suggestion (bhakti can act as placebo). There are still other ways in which devotion to Shiva can help people.
Personally speaking, I love Shiva and Parvati and that feeling itself gives me a lot to live for.
When the light has risen, there is no day, no night, neither existence nor non-existence; Siva alone is there. That is the eternal, the adorable light of Savitri, - and the ancient wisdom proceeded thence (Svetasvatara Upanishad IV-18). :)
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