A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
75 Gokhale, Gopal Krishna<br />
The Vedas speak <strong>of</strong> 33 gods: 11 assigned<br />
to the earth, 11 to the heavens and 11 to<br />
the region in between. They address<br />
Agni (fire), Sürya (sun) and U•as (dawn)<br />
as devas; they also contains hymns to<br />
Indra, described as powerful protector<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ÄRYAN people, who is exalted<br />
above other gods as the one who creates<br />
and delivers. There is also the statement<br />
that ‘although Indra is one, he is called<br />
by many names’.<br />
In the Upani•ads the role <strong>of</strong> the<br />
devas recedes into the background: they<br />
are not seen as important for reaching<br />
the transcendental consciousness in<br />
which ultimate fulfilment was seen.<br />
Buddhists and Jains too devalued the<br />
position <strong>of</strong> gods to merely innerworldly<br />
agents, useless in the pursuit <strong>of</strong> nirväæa<br />
or kaivalya.<br />
During the GUPTA renaissance, and<br />
with the rise <strong>of</strong> Puräæic <strong>Hinduism</strong>, some<br />
gods emerged as major figures: Brahmä,<br />
Vi•æu and Ÿiva (the TRIMÜRTI),<br />
representing the cosmic forces <strong>of</strong> creation,<br />
sustenance and destruction. Not<br />
only were these ïÿvaras (‘lords’) seen as<br />
<strong>of</strong> the utmost importance for the existence<br />
<strong>of</strong> the universe and the protection<br />
<strong>of</strong> their worshippers, they also were<br />
seen as muktidätä, i.e. givers <strong>of</strong><br />
LIBERATION/salvation. Worship <strong>of</strong> gods<br />
(PÜJÄ) became an integral part <strong>of</strong> Hindu<br />
religion. With the construction <strong>of</strong><br />
genealogies <strong>of</strong> gods and the developing<br />
belief in multiple bodily descents<br />
(AVAfiÄRAS) the number <strong>of</strong> gods and<br />
goddesses increased dramatically.<br />
Along with the <strong>of</strong>ficially sanctioned<br />
worship <strong>of</strong> a great variety <strong>of</strong> manifestations<br />
<strong>of</strong> Vi•æu, Ÿiva and Devï, at the village<br />
level the worship <strong>of</strong> autochthonous<br />
deities continued and was augmented<br />
by the worship <strong>of</strong> local gods and goddesses,<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten the spirits <strong>of</strong> departed<br />
members <strong>of</strong> the village community who<br />
had revealed some extraordinary powers.<br />
Most Hindus choose one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
deities as their i•fla devatä, their ‘wishgod’<br />
or personal deity, who becomes the<br />
focus <strong>of</strong> their piety and worship. The<br />
fact that different people choose different<br />
i•flas makes for a unique kind <strong>of</strong><br />
polytheism: while remaining loyal to the<br />
deity <strong>of</strong> their choice, most are convinced<br />
that it is one <strong>of</strong> many manifestations <strong>of</strong><br />
the ultimate power (BRAHMAN) and that<br />
ultimately there is only one Supreme<br />
God, whose true nature is beyond<br />
human powers to comprehend. Most<br />
Hindus are worshippers <strong>of</strong> one God,<br />
whom they consider creator, sustainer<br />
and redeemer and to whom they<br />
address their petitions and prayers.<br />
They usually respect other gods, <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
considering them a manifestation <strong>of</strong><br />
their own God. They will repeat<br />
MANTRAS to a great many devatäs,<br />
whom they believe to be the guiding and<br />
presiding powers <strong>of</strong> natural and cultural<br />
phenomena.<br />
Godävarï<br />
Major river in South India, whose<br />
banks contain many sacred places.<br />
Godse, Nathuram (1912–49)<br />
Former member <strong>of</strong> the RÄÆTØÏYA<br />
SVAYAMSEVAK SANGH, who assassinated<br />
Mahatma GANDHI out <strong>of</strong> a conviction<br />
that Gandhi had been too friendly<br />
towards Muslims and was responsible<br />
for the great suffering <strong>of</strong> millions <strong>of</strong><br />
Hindus after the partition <strong>of</strong> India in<br />
1947. He was apprehended on the spot,<br />
tried, condemned to death and hanged.<br />
Gokhale, Gopal Krishna<br />
(1866–1915)<br />
Important early Hindu reformer and<br />
promoter <strong>of</strong> religious nationalism. At<br />
the age <strong>of</strong> 19 he joined the Deccan<br />
Education Society in Poona, taking a<br />
vow <strong>of</strong> poverty for 20 years in order to<br />
devote himself to educating his fellow<br />
countrymen, at the Fergusson College,<br />
established by the society. In 1905 he