creating the creator
Posted on 8/17/2005 Post Comment -
In the beginning nature reigned supreme. Human beings were only bit
players in the vast open air theatre, easily intimidated by thunder,
lightning, swirling, dark and deep rivers and storms unleashed by
powerful winds. Going to work, namely hunting or gathering a couple
of fruits and tubers, was a major hassle as no one was quite sure of
how to avoid ending up as dinner for the numerous wild animals that
roamed about.
Man being man, must have consulted his woman, in the dark
confines of his cave and then, announced to his cronies that he has,
on his own, discovered God, who else, but Nature herself. Thus,
the Sun, that provided life-giving light and warmth, came to occupy a
very high place, the Wind came to be revered for power, water for its
sustenance and the earth became a Goddess. This particular form of
religion continued for a couple of centuries when civilization
turned cave dwellers into members of large socities who were able to
clear the forests and start cultivation. Improved weapons were able
to kill or drive away the wild animals. Nature was finally conquered
and God assumed human form and traits.
This transformation is quite clear in Hinduism. The Vedic Aryans
worshipped "Mitra" (Sun) and "Agni" (Fire) among a host of
nature-related Gods. In the later Vedic age, however, Gods with Human
form like Vishnu, Shiva and female deities like the various
manifestations of Shakti (literally means power--so now you know who
wields the real power) became popular. The icons of nature like the
Sun and others gradually got relegated as minor deities.
However, nature still reigns supreme. She is able to send
earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons and tidal waves as the occasion
demands and there is nothing much that man or God could do about
such phenomenon.
But then, why do we need a God? It is quite comforting to know
that some all powerful being is generally looking after us. May not
exactly save us from a major calamity but all religions do show a
path of living life according to a certain norms and become an
integral part of civilisation.
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