In this chapter I highlighted the importance of symbol in our life and how we prefer to use Indian symbol both in our worship and life. But we never impose any uniformity in this also and acknowledge the diversity of their use and need in various parts of India. I not only prefer but also insist ‘decentralizing and localizing’ them according to the need of each mandali. In all this not the forms but only the meaning is important for us recognizing the fact that we need the forms in order to convey the ‘content’. However considering the various interpretations given in various sampradayas and regions even in using them is not an easy walk for us. Though I insist using the regional language in our worship and performing ceremonies, sometimes we use Sanskrit as it gives some richness to our worship. But I never insist on using only Sanskrit
In discussing symbol I highlighted that it is not universal; importance of native symbols; though some fundamentalists oppose the use of Hindu symbols in Christian worship, being Hindu bhaktas of the Lord we use them as it is our birth right as Hindus. At the same time while use some native words and symbol it also creates some controversy and taking the example of ‘maha-prasad’ I shared about it and how we try to resolve it. .However we never use symbols and our Hindu forms in worship and life cycle events as a strategy with some hidden agenda. Then I explained various symbols that we use in our worship and ceremonies like ‘Kumbam, yellow rice (akshada), coconut, sandal paste, banana and milk as elements in Maha-prasad (communion), taking arati, using oil lamp, incense sticks.
In life cycle ceremonies (samskaras) after highlighting their importance I explained some ceremonies like: shaving head, naming, thread ceremony, marriage, death etc. As Muktiveda never prescribes any kind of uniform ritual for all of us to follow, we encourage the bhaktas go as per their family and community tradition in performing them.
In order to save the space in the blog I shared only the summary and those who want to read kindly contact me. Thanks.