Written by London Swaminathan
Date: 21 September 2017
Time uploaded in London- 21-10
Post No. 4232
Pictures are taken from various sources; thanks.
Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “men create the Gods after their own image, not only with regard to their form, but also with regard to their manner of life.
In Genesis 1-27 (Old Testament, Bible) we read,
Then God said, let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.
God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
In Hinduism, it is said
In the Vedic period man feared Gods
In the Brahmana period, man subdued Gods
In the Upansihad period he identified himself with God.
In the Tamil Veda Tirukkural, poet Tiruvalluvar says,
“A man who leads an ideal life in this world
will be ranked amongst the Gods in the heaven
–Tirukkural 50
Rama and Krishna fall under this category.
Dr S M Diaz comments on this Kural
Seneca on Mercy book 1 recognises virtue itself as the most fitting reward for the virtuous but still asks, Have I of all mortals — been chosen to serve on earth as the vicar of the Gods? Similarly, in Book-1 on Providence, Seneca says, Between good men and the Gods there exists a friendship brought about by virtue. Seneca therefore goes half the Valluvar way.
Adi Shankara says, “Though all difference has ceased to exist, I am thine, O Lord, not Thou mine. The billow is of the sea, not the sea of the billow.”
There is interesting story about man becoming God:
The fortress of Sanoda in Bundelkhand was built by Raja Chatar Singh about 265 years ago. His son Raj Singh, soon after the fortress was completed, was killed in an attack upon a town near Chitrakot, a famous place of pilgrimage. He had a temple and tomb erected over his remains. Sometimes after someone suffering from a sickness went to the tomb one night and said that if Raj Singh would cure his illness he would make offerings to him at his tomb for the rest of his life. After that he never had another attack and was very punctual in his offerings. Others followed his example, until now he is recognised by the people of that part of India as God.
We have such examples throughout India.
It is not restricted to one religion alone. In Catholic Christianity hundreds of saints are recognised as miracle performers. People visit their shrines and expect miraculous cures for their problems of diseases. In Sufism, we see Muslim saints who are worshipped. In Hinduism, also all the saints are worshipped and their birth days are celebrated with Puja and offerings.
Hero Stones in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu and adjacent places Hero stones are placed in the road junctions and they are worshipped. The hero stones were erected for those who sacrificed their lies for others, particularly killing a tiger, or saving a village from an attack.
In Karnataka and Rajasthan, Pattinis, women who sacrificed their lives were worshipped. Thus India has 1000s of God like men or people who are elevated to divine status.
–Subham–
Tamil and Vedas 
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