Hinduism and Computers *
by Namdev Nirakar

"What happened ?", asked Ashok.

"I go to the temple with my parents and we worship all these idols. But I do not know why ?", She asked.

"We will talk about it. But I see that you have a new computer.
Are you are going to give me a demo now ?", asked Ashok.

"Sure, I have already powered it on. This is the monitor, this is the key board, and this is a mouse", said Eesha.

" It doesn't look like a mouse, except for the thin tail like chord it has", noted uncle Ashok.

"Yes, that is why it is called a mouse. You can control and operate the computer with it. You see all these small pictures, these are all different programs. These pictures are called 'icons' and you 'click' on them to start that program", Eesha informed.

"How interesting! Just like in your computer, the Hindu 'icons' or idols in the temple or in homes are also symbolic of higher values. These icons also relate Hindu history. Just as the symbol of a pair of scissors on your computer is symbolic for for 'cut' operation and the icon of 'glue bottle' is symbol 'paste operation, or a paint brush or a spray can are symbols for paint or spary operations, so are Hindu icons representative of values a person should aspire for and symbolic of the Hindu history. Let us take example of Ganesh, the 'God of beginings' with an elephant's head riding on a mouse", Ashok said.

"Yes, I wanted to to ask you about Lord Ganesh. How can he ride a mouse ?", asked Eesha.

"A mouse is tiny, and can go every where without anyone noticing it.  It can be everywhere, but yet very small. Just like our mind. We don't know where mind is located, and it seems to run everywhere", Ashok replied.

"So a mouse represents our mind!", Eesha concluded (**).

"Correct!, and when Ganesha, the Lord of beginings rides on this mind or controls it, then you can advance spiritually. Just as you use the mouse to control and utilize the power of the computer, you must control and use the mind to realize your power", Ashok explained.

"But why the elephant head for Ganesha ?", she asked.

"Ganesha represents many things. His wide elephant ears show he is 'Bahushruta'- widely knowledgible, and the ear's winnowing basket like shape represents ability to separate essence from the fluff. Elephants of course are known for great memory and intellect, hence the large head.

Even now one cannot find a robot which is capable of lifting something very heavy (weighing a ton), and at the same time being capable of precisely lifting a tiny pin. But an elephant's trunk can lift and uproot huge trees, and also sift and pick up a blade of grass. So a trunk represents a sense of discrimination (Vivek) between gross (JaDa) and subtle (sookshma). His small eyes represent ability to keep an 'eye' on tiniest matter", said Ashok.

He continued, "Also the story of Ganesha's birth goes as follows :

'Ganesha was created by his mother Parvati out of her 'sweat'. When Shiva, the supreme Lord came, Ganesha refused to acknowledge Shiva.  So Shiva removed Ganesha's human head and upon Parvati's urging replaced it with an elephant's head. Let us look at the meaning of this story:

When we work hard and accomplish something, we say "I have built this with my own sweat". So accomplishments result from sweat and hard work, but usually that increases our ego. We say "I did this". We even forget God. So in order to progress on spiritual path, this 'ego ahamkar must be chopped off and replaced with an elephant's head with the qualities of knowledge, memory, sense of discrimination, sensitivity."

"That explains about symbolism, but what about the history?" asked Eesha.

"The Greek historians around Alexander of Macedonia's (also called as Alexander the Great) time describe during his invasion of frontier kingdoms of India in 327 BCE, his attack on Mousikanos. Later the King of Mousikanos revolted against Alexander and was punished. Mousikanos is Greek description of a Sanskrit word 'Mooshak' or mouse in English.

Thus Mooshak were a people. Similarly a coin dating 165 BCE of a King of neighboring Bactria, called Dimitrius by Greek historians, shows a unique headgear, that of an elephant's head. Around that time most Greeks in the region had adopted Hinduism or Buddhism. Hence a possibility of his being a Ganesha follower exists. It is also possible that Ganesha's unique form was used by the rishis to absorb into the Hindu fold the then Greeks with similar headgear", Ashok replied.

"Very interesting, but why do we have all these different symbols or icons? " Eesha asked.

"Eesha, in school you are being a student, on the play ground you are a player, you are a sister to your brother, a daughter to your parents, and so on. Do you act as a student with your parents ?

"No."

So are there many Eeshas. No. Similarly different icons in Hinduism represent a different aspect OF THE SAME God.

His (or Her) creative aspect is called as Brahma, the preserving aspect is called VishNu and the destructive aspect is called Shiva and so on. You have the SAME computer which has a spreadsheet program, a word processor program and communication or print program, and you use the same computer but use or invoke a different 'aspect' or click on a different icon as you need. Similarly Hinduism represents different aspect of the SAME God that you 'click' on to develop particular ability", Ashok said.

"Do you know when the computers initially came they did not have the icons. Then the 'knowledgeable' programmers used 'long strings' of commands. But it became difficult for common man to use. Hence the graphic representation or icons came in. Similarly, in the begining Hindu rishis wrote hymns called Vedas, which do not have icons. But later on icons were used so common people could learn and 'click' on this knowledge", he added.

"Like me ?" Eesha asked.

"Yes, like you and me", Ashok replied.

"Ironically, even most Hindus get cought up in the rituals and do not go beyond them. If you offered garlands and flowers to computer without clicking on the icons, will you get a get any benefit ? Of course not ! Unfortunately, most people mistakenly consider those who do ritualistic worship as 'devotees'. Just as by using a computer you improve your efficiency and skills, 'clicking' on the true devotion will improve your life."

"So Eesha, you now know that Hindu icons are symbols and represent different aspects of the SAME God. They also represent various attributes that we must develop. By clicking on the 'true' Bhakti or devotion and not just ritualistic devotion, you can develop and utilize the great power within." Ashok concluded.

"Of course there are are those who reject symbols completely and erroneously brag that they are being modern." He added.

"That would be like rejecting the computer itself", Eesha added.

"So now let us get on with the computer demonstration" they both said.

Please note that usually there are multiple (3 to 7) meanings and
interpretations for most Hindu literature and all these meanings are
VALID AT THE SAME TIME.

References for Ganesha's history -
1.Invasion of India by Alexander the Great as depicted by Arrian,
Plutarch, Justin etc, by J.W.McCrindle
2.The wonder that was India by A.L.Basham (for the Bactrian Coin )