Saraswathi Statue in USA

[london swaminathan]

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Click on picture to enlarge it. A 16 foot tall Saraswathi statue was installed in Washington DC.

“The statue symbolises values that parallel key principles of Indonesia-U.S. relations”
Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, has gifted an imposing 16-foot-high statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of education and wisdom, to Washington DC.
The goddess’ statue, on top of a lotus, stands tall a block away from the Indian Embassy in front of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.


Hindus constitute just three per cent of the Indonesian population. A little over a mile from the White House, the statue is yet to be formally inaugurated, but has already become an attraction for city residents and large number of tourists who visit the city every day.


“Devi Saraswati is one of the Goddesses in Hinduism, the primarily practised religion among Balinese people in Indonesia, which itself is the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country. Yet, her representation at the Indonesian Embassy was not decided out only of any religious grounds, but more on its symbolised values that parallel with several key principles of Indonesia-U.S. relations under comprehensive partnership, in particular education and people-to-people contact,” a spokesperson at the Indonesian Embassy told PTI.


The construction of the statue began in mid-April, and was built by five native Balinese sculptors led by I. Nyoman Sudarwa, who wrapped up the job in five weeks.

From The Hindu 10[SUP]th[/SUP] June 2013

Read my earlier posts:
Sanskrit Inscriptions in strange places
Hindu Wonders in a Muslim Country

 

[amala]

How absolutely lovely. Before I read it I thought it may be a gift from India, but really pleased to see that its from Indonesia. Very unexpected. Having said that, one of the most pleasantly surprising things I witnessed on holiday to Jakarta many years ago was the "Arjuna Wijaya" statue. in the middle of a busy Jakarta road!


http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...sm1UdLQBLKb0wWw_oCoAg&ved=0CDIQ9QEwAA&dur=363


http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...sm1UdLQBLKb0wWw_oCoAg&ved=0CDIQ9QEwAA&dur=363

 

[Brahmanyan]

Honouring Hindu Gods is not new to Indonesia. Some years ago Bank Indonesia brought currency note of value Rupiah 20000 with the picture of Ganesha printed on it. Predominantly a Muslim Country, Hinduism is still practiced by 3% of Indonesians mostly in Bali and Kalimantan region, which they call Agama Hindu Dharma .


Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[P.J.]

The Churning of the ocean of milk is depicted by a Crafty sculpture in Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Jamie - Life....Every minute and second counts: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) - Churning of the Milk Ocean

 

[P.J.]

Hindu deities have made their way into the US postal department.

Hindu gods on US postage stamps - Oneindia News

 

[kunjuppu]

let us not get overtly joyous here re hindu deities in usa stamps.

stamps now, in canada, and in many western countries, can be made to order. you can have your own photo and make a stamp out of it and it is legit.

recently DMK guys in chennai were boasting that austria (!) honoured MK with a stamp...and a lot of the உடன்பிறப்புகள் bought the story hook line and sinker

 

[P.J.]

kunjuppu Sir

You are right,

US 'stamps' on Hindu deities spark debate

 

[renuka]

I sometimes wonder do we really "own" any of the "Hindu Gods" that we need to actually feel excited to see other Non Hindu countries displaying statues or symbols of Hinduism.

We can look at this in 2 ways:

1)We Hindus are always seeking "approval" of Non Hindus for anything and everything?

or

2)We can look at all form of Divinities as Universal not the sole property of India/Hindus alone and Divinities belong to the Universe.

Saraswati need not be seen as a Hindu Goddess of Knowledge but she can be seen as the Deified Icon of Knowledge hence no man/woman/country or religion can claim ownership to her.

I think that is what is echoed by Sanathana Dharma that one can NOT claim ownership over anything.

 

[Raji Ram]

Get your face on postage stamps in India!! :thumb:

Now, your picture could also be a stamp on the letter you send to your dear one. India Post will introduce

"the facility of converting personal photographs as legally valid stamps" in Chennai. The personalised stamp

will have two parts - the currency part and the photograph - detachable from each other. You can choose

these backgrounds: zodiac signs, flowers, Taj Mahal, Panchatantra tales, trains, wildlife and aeroplanes.

You may submit your photograph or get photographed at the post office for no extra cost. You get a set of

12 stamps of 5 denomination for 300, but only after police verification that may take one week.

So.......... spend Rs. 300 and get 12 stamps worth Rs. 60 in return! (This happiness costs Rs. 240 only!)

Source: Say cheese: Your face is now on a stamp

P.S: I don't want to get smashed on my photo at the post office!! :smash:

 

[prasad1]

I sometimes wonder do we really "own" any of the "Hindu Gods" that we need to actually feel excited to see other Non Hindu countries displaying statues or symbols of Hinduism.

We can look at this in 2 ways:

1)We Hindus are always seeking "approval" of Non Hindus for anything and everything?

or

2)We can look at all form of Divinities as Universal not the sole property of India/Hindus alone and Divinities belong to the Universe.

Saraswati need not be seen as a Hindu Goddess of Knowledge but she can be seen as the Deified Icon of Knowledge hence no man/woman/country or religion can claim ownership to her.

I think that is what is echoed by Sanathana Dharma that one can NOT claim ownership over anything.

Well written post.
You are absolutely correct. There are no Hindu oe non-hindu God. The idols are specific to a culture, so the idols are cultural specific.

 

[amala]

Posts no 8/10 :Well I was more amazed than excited when I saw the displays in Thailand and Indonesia. I can't help it. Must be really dull a life with some people always putting a dampener on everything! and being so cynical and pessimistic.

 

[prasad1]

Posts no 8/10 :Well I was more amazed than excited when I saw the displays in Thailand and Indonesia. I can't help it. Must be really dull a life with some people always putting a dampener on everything! and being so cynical and pessimistic.

Dear Amalaji,

What is wrong with my post#10.
Idols are cultural specific, and we identify ourselves with a culture, and proud to see it being appreciated by others. I too feel good to talk about India, Indian culture, Indian religion, Indian cuisine, and any thing Indian.
Why is that a damper.

At the same time idols alone are not God. My definition of God is universal and is not religion or culture specific.
What is wrong with that statement?

 

[london swaminathan]

Dear Renu

People belonging to different cultures install staues. Evey culture, race, political parties do it. Why?
Just to sustain the memory of good work they have done or to inspire to follow such greats.
London is full of statues. A year ago I started another blog for Londonstatues.wordpress.com
But I have not uploaded lot of statue pictures around London.

Now look at the Saraswathi statue in this background.
Aa americanised Hindu child may ask his /her parents tomorrow what the statue is?
or any other inquisitive person may ask the same question.
They get an opportunity to learn more from such statues.
There is some use when it is outside temple, particularly in a foreign country.

Gigantic Hindu statues of mythological characters in Thailand, Indonesia and other places serve a purpose.
But it is true that Hindus have a weakness for appreciation from White skinned men, that too in English language.

 

[renuka]

Dear Renu

People belonging to different cultures install staues. Evey culture, race, political parties do it. Why?
Just to sustain the memory of good work they have done or to inspire to follow such greats.
London is full of statues. A year ago I started another blog for Londonstatues.wordpress.com
But I have not uploaded lot of statue pictures around London.

Now look at the Saraswathi statue in this background.
Aa americanised Hindu child may ask his /her parents tomorrow what the statue is?
or any other inquisitive person may ask the same question.
They get an opportunity to learn more from such statues.
There is some use when it is outside temple, particularly in a foreign country.

Gigantic Hindu statues of mythological characters in Thailand, Indonesia and other places serve a purpose.
But it is true that Hindus have a weakness for appreciation from White skinned men, that too in English language.

Dear Sir,


I have no problems with any statue being installed anyway but the usage of the terminology "Gigantic Hindu statues of mythological characters" makes me some what uneasy in the sense by using the word Hindu God and now as you say Mythological(that means there is some doubt of even of existence)..I feel we are limiting God to a religion and a community.

We can just say Saraswati,Vishnu,Shiva etc without attributing any to a religion or community.

Going by the name itself Saraswati means Essence of Self which is in fact a neutral terminology sans religion.

The concept of God as in Brahman is actually beyond comprehension so when we say Hindu Gods or Non Hindu God it just does not seem right and we are just putting a lid over Divinity and confining Divinity in a small space of our mind.


When we "Indianize" God or "Hinduize" God we are actually removing the Universality of God.

Frankly speaking we need not designate a religion to God.

BTW you also said:

But it is true that Hindus have a weakness for appreciation from White skinned men, that too in English Language

Yes I fully agree with you.

So I am not going to appreciate this line in English but say it in a Non English Language.

भवतः लिखितं सम्यक् अस्ति

 

[Raji Ram]

............. We can just say Saraswati,Vishnu,Shiva etc without attributing any to a religion or community. ........

Dear Renu,

Not every person is broad minded as you are! I have seen some vaishnavites NOT visiting any saivite temples or

say the name of saivite Gods, leave alone singing or chanting the God's names!! In general saivites pray both Shiva

and Narayana with equal bhakthi. There might be some exceptions. So, how can you expect Hindu deities to just have

their names without attributing to any religion / community?

Hindus often throng the Velankanni temple but none form that religion will ever visit any Hindu temple to pray!! :nono:

 

[renuka]

Hindus often throng the Velankanni temple but none form that religion will ever visit any Hindu temple to pray!! :nono:

Dear RR ji,

I will tell you a funny incident.

I am sort of unable to "pray" in a church.

When I was small I went to a church and got very scared when I saw the statue of Jesus where He was crucified on the cross.

I felt scared and ran away screaming.

Then as an adult I had to attend a Christian Wedding once at a Church and when I looked at the statue of Jesus crucified on the cross I felt so so sad that He must have gone through so much pain and I fainted in the church.

So till today I do not enter any church cos I really can't pray there..I feel too sad for Jesus.

 

[Raji Ram]

This cross is cool Renu.

Source: Mar Thoma Cross

 

[amala]

I have prayed and still sometimes go in the very awe inspiring St Pauls, Westminster Cathedral just to sit. Its very peaceful during non mass time. Its quiet and less chaotic than a temple. And there are times when I want/need that. There are other times when I crave the chaotic hulabaloo of my temple. I must confess that till today I've never prayed in a mosque though!

 

[tbs]

hi
i used to go to church /regularly....when i was in mylapore...my younger days i used to go to new year midnight mass in st thomas cathedral

at santhome....next day morning prayer luz corner pillayar kovil...even when i was studying veda patasala...i like to visit church

regularly... I must confess that till today I've never prayed in a mosque though! . same like amala....

 

[amala]

Sometimes churches are very quiet and peaceful kadha TBS garu?

 

[Nara]

... I have seen some vaishnavites NOT visiting any saivite temples or

say the name of saivite Gods, leave alone singing or chanting the God's names!! In general saivites pray both Shiva

and Narayana with equal bhakthi. There might be some exceptions. ....

Mrs. RR, I may be wrong, but I think Lingayats worship only Shiva/Linga, not any other deity.

There is logical explanation why Tamil shaivites pray to all deities but the Sri Vaishnavas pray only to Vishnu, albeit both starting from an irrational premise that there is an Ishwara and he cares for human beings. I don't want to get into an argument about the premise, but would like to present the explanation for SV exclusivity in praying for your consideration.

Tamil Shaivites are invariably followers of Adi Shankara and therefore subscribe to the Advaitic vision of the world. Under this outlook, all deities are mere reflections of the one nirguna Brhmam and its equivalent Sagnuna Iswara. Therefore praying to any of the myriad deities amounts in reality to praying to none other than the same Saguna Iswara. Thus, no problem praying to Shiva, Vishnu, Jesus, or whomever.

However, Sri Vaishnavas believe in Vishitadvaitam that teaches all are real. Shiva, Ganesha, Parvati, etc., etc., are all real deities, but the supreme one is Sriman Narayana and only Sriman Narayana can offer ultimate salvation, i.e. mukthi. They further believe that only mukti is of lasting value to be desired and everything else that may seem desirable is fleeting and must be discarded. In as much as only mukti is to be sought and only Sriman Narayana can grant you mukti you need to pray only to Sriman Narayana. Only if you seek something other than mukti, something a true SV shouldn't do, one needs to pray to other deities.

One may ask, how about one who seeks both mukti and some material goals. The answer SV acharyas give for this is a true SV will realize that compared to mukti everything else pales to mere dust.

BTW, Lingayats also follow a sort of Visishtadvaitam but with Shiva/Linga at the helm, thus exclusivity of Shiva/Linga worship.

There is lot more explanation of this position and it gets very technical and tiresome, so I won't bore you with all the details.

I offer this only as an explanation. In as much as I don’t subscribe to the premise behind this explanation, namely, there is a god who cares for human beings, I find the arguments about broadmindedness in praying quite hilarious.

best, Dileepan

 

[Raji Ram]

Dear Prof. Sir,

Thanks for your post! I too know about the fanatic saivaites!

And this song is for you.

kallai mattum kandaal

P.S: I filtered the horror of the scenes with my hands and peeped through gaps between my fingers!! :fear:

 

[tbs]

Sometimes churches are very quiet and peaceful kadha TBS garu?

hi
avanu......

 

[renuka]

kallai mattum kandaal

Dear RR ji,


I fail to understand the movie Dashaavataram...It implies as if the Vaishanava Priest and his wife were reborn as Kamal the scientist and Asin.

You see in his previous life in the movie Kamal the priest gave up his life and drowned with the Vishnu statue but in the present life as Kamal the scientist he is an Atheist.

Does not make sense right???

So I really wonder why the movie was sort of implying that the priest was born again as the atheist??

 

[Raji Ram]

Dear Renu,

May be Kamal wanted to show that atheists are one step ahead of theists!

This will make a few of our forum members happy! :lol: