Murtis and many names; understanding Paramatma's manifestations — 7 lessons.
📖 4 min read · 3 worked examples · 4 practice questions
Who is Paramatma? Let's find out. Paramatma is the Supreme Soul. That means He is the one who gives life to everything. All living things come from Him. In Kenya, many people worship Paramatma. There are Hindu temples in Nairobi and Mombasa. People go there to pray and learn more about Him. Paramatma has many names. Each name tells us something special about Him. For example, Ishvara means 'The Lord', and Bhagavan means 'The Blessed One'. Also, Prabhu means 'Master', and Atman means 'Inner Self'. Paramatma is our Master and He lives inside us. Today we learned that Paramatma is the Supreme Soul, He is the source of life, He is worshipped in Kenya, and He has many beautiful names. Try to remember one name for our next class!
Class, let's learn something beautiful. Paramatma is a special word that means God, the one who is everywhere and in everything. At this — each name of Paramatma tells us something special about God. Isn't that wonderful? Every name is like a little gift that shows us a different side of who God is. Here is Krishna. The name Krishna means 'the all-attractive one.' That means God is so wonderful that everyone and everything is drawn to Him — like a magnet! Next is Rama. Rama means 'the source of joy.' So when we think of God as Rama, we remember that all happiness comes from God. God is the one who fills our hearts with joy. Here is Shiva. Shiva means 'the kind and powerful one.' So God is both gentle and strong at the same time! Like a loving father who is also very brave. Here in Kenya, in our Hindu temples in Nairobi and Mombasa, people sing these names in prayers and songs. When you visit a temple, you might hear people chanting 'Krishna, Rama, Shiva' — and now you know what each name means! Remember — all these names are special. They help us know God more and love God more. Whether we say Krishna, Rama, or Shiva, we are calling out to the same loving Paramatma who cares for each one of us.
Let's talk about why having different names for Paramatma helps us. Think of it like this... Each name shows a different part of Paramatma. Just like a window shows you a different view outside, each name shows you a different side of God. When we call Paramatma 'Merciful,' we see His kindness. When we call Him 'Creator,' we see His power. All these beautiful names are like windows that help us know Him better. Here in Kenya, we also use different names when we pray. Maybe you call God 'Mwangi' or 'Ngai' in your language. Using these different names in our prayers helps us feel closer to Paramatma. It's like saying 'thank you' in Swahili and also saying 'thank you' in English — the feeling is the same, but each word makes it special in its own way. Many names help us connect with Paramatma. Whether you are in Nairobi, Kisumu, or Mombasa, we all worship the same Paramatma! We just use different wonderful names to show our love. Always remember: One Paramatma, many wonderful names! Each name is a beautiful gift that helps us love God more. Each name is a gift — it helps us love God more. Great job learning with me today, everyone!
Let's learn about the name Krishna with an example. This example will help us understand the meaning. Krishna means 'all-attractive' — He charms everyone. At this flower. It attracts us with its beauty. In the same way, Krishna attracts our hearts. He is like a beautiful flower, a playful child, and a wise teacher. All of these show that He is all-attractive.
Our second worked example. This is Rama – the Joy Giver. The name Rama means 'one who gives joy'. Isn't that a lovely name? It also means someone who is pleasing and kind. Rama is known for his kindness, bravery, and compassion. He always helps others. Think of Rama like a smiling friend who always makes you happy. That's the kind of person he is. Can you think of someone in your life who always makes you smile? Maybe your mum, your dad, or a friend. That person is like Rama – a joy giver.
Our third example. This time we learn about Shiva. The name Shiva means 'the auspicious one' or 'the good one'. When we say 'Shiva', we are really saying 'the good one'. Isn't that a beautiful name? In Kenya, when you meet a kind person, you might say they have a good heart. That is a little like what Shiva means. Shiva is often shown as a yogi — that means someone who sits quietly and meditates. He is also a protector. He keeps the world safe. You can see pictures of Shiva in Hindu temples here in Kenya, like the ones in Nairobi or Mombasa. Here is something wonderful. When we feel safe and happy — like when we are with our family or playing with friends — we are experiencing a little bit of Shiva's goodness. That is how he shares his good nature with us. To remember: Shiva means 'the good one'. He is a yogi and protector. When you feel safe and happy, you are feeling a tiny piece of Shiva's goodness. Great job, everyone!
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