Air is all pervading. However, we depend on a fan or other mechanism to feel the air. In the similar sense, God is all pervading. But, we need a mechanism to perceive ‘Him’. God is ‘seen’ by the activity He does. There are 5 primary forms through which He carries out certain activities. That is how we can perceive Him.
Bhagavad Githa, 9th chapter, 4th sloka says:
maya: thatham idam sarvam
jagad avyaktha mu:rthina: |
mathsttha:ni sarva bhu:tha:ni
na cha:ham the:shv avastthithaha ||
The all-pervading form of God (avyaktha rupam) is not perceivable by us. Fortunately for us, the same God exists in perceivable forms (vyaktha rupam). Of the five perceivable forms, the most perceivable form is the Deity (vigraha or archa murthi) form. Vedas describe God’s presence in the following five forms:
- Paramapadam/Vaikuntam/Para Vasudeva: He can be seen, when we attain Moksha (liberation from the cycle of karma driven bodies):
- Vyuha Vasudeva: Is responsible for planning. i.e., Srishthi (Creation: the macro-form), Sthithi (Protection) and Laya (Bringing down to micro-form) of the world.
- Avatara (Vibhava) Murthi: He had come down to us taking a form that we can see, relate, connect to such as Rama, Krushna, Kurma, Matsya, Varaha, Narasimha etc.
- Archa: Murthi: The deity form of worship.
- Antarya:mi: The life force within each of us keeping us alive in this body, and responsible for moving us to another body based on our karma.
Archa: form is not to be treated as a mere iconic representation of The Divine. The form is no less than Him and has to be treated as Himself. He may not speak, eat or talk to us as like the way we conduct with each other. But He binds to the rules of the body he chooses to dwell in. The deity form is a form where He chose to use an alloy or a metal to be his body. The alloy or metal does not talk. And so He does not talk. However, since He accepted it to be His form. He connects to you through the Manasu(Heart).
Venkateswara Swami pledged that He will be available to us in Sila: Rupam, the Deity form. We have all gathered here to perform a beautiful service, Kalyanam to Venkateswara Swami.
This Kalyanam (the divine wedding) lowers our burden of karma (unlike the wedding between two people, which increases the load of work)! His companionship with Amma (the embodiment of compassion) is a blessing for us. This union allows God to be soft on us despite the several mischiefs we may have done.
Swamiji beautifully explains to all the audience gathered at Sri Vyuhalakshmi Sametha Venkateswara Swami Kalyanam being celebrated as part of 7th Bramhotsavams of the temple in Srinagar Colony.
As part of this auspicious service, we pray Vishwaksena to aid us from any obstacles that may come in the process. Later, perform పుణ్యా:వచనం, షోడ:శోపచారాలు to Sudarashna swami. After ప్రోక్షణ, (a way to cleanse ourselves with the touch of the water used in the divine service of Sudarsana Swami, the divine discus in the hands of God), we get the eligibility to perform this divine kalyanam. Then we are all set to take part in divine communion.
– From the discourse of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami
-Sri Vyuhalakshmi Sametha Venkateswara Swami Kalyanam
