Path through God with attributes
Question
Respected Sir, i tend to be more inclined towards attributefull God. Idol worship, reading Ramayan,Mahabharat & ancient stories of rishis & righteous King, practice of virtues makes me more devoted ,.keep the real purpose of life alive & away from materialism.
Please advice on the other activities that I can include to tread this path more effectively. Thank you
Answer
It does not matter whether one worships the Almighty as 'Saguna' (Lord manifest with form) or 'Nirguna' (formless Supreme). What is required is to be absorbed in HIS thought alone, following which the mind eventually becomes still and goes into Samadhi.
What is most important however is never to mistake the form worshiped itself to be God but to be devout to that Supreme power which works through the idol or photo. It is not the idol or a photo of God which is of value but the power of THAT Supreme being which works through these that alone matters.
To achieve the same one should perform Sadhana (practice) to annul the 'Ahamkara' (Ego) which stands between the 'Manas' (mind) and the Atman (self or Lord). This much is the purpose behind the Yogic practices & lifestyle. Nothing more.
Continue with your path of devotion with honest and unbroken Brahmacharya. Without Brahmacharya, no path towards Enlightenment can succeed. It is an absolute must. With time and consistent practice, the mind will eventually absorb itself in the Lord through meditation.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)