It is of great interest to analyze the relationship between dreams and ancestor worship, which in turn, evolved into religions.
Man dreams. His sleep pattern is intimately linked with his ability to dream. The events played out in the sleep are far greater in number and variety than the actual happenings in the wakeful state. We forget almost all the dreams we have. But some of the dreams, especially those we have had just before awakening, linger in our memory with astonishing clarity, very often filling our wakeful state that follows with foreboding or anticipation.
Imagine the case of a clan chief who was loved, respected and feared by men and women of the clan. One day he dies. During his life time, he had certain unquestioned prerogatives. For example, he could select the prettiest of the women in his clan as his wives. Or, the heart or liver of the animals hunted down by any member of the clan would have to be submitted to him. These organs of a killed animal were thought to have special powers in increasing a man’s prowess or manliness.
A few days after the death of the chief, one of the younger men, who aspire to be the chief, persuades one of the former wives of the chief to sleep with him. Besides, in the hope of becoming as powerful as the deceased chief, he eats the heart of a boar he manages to kill.
In the following night, the man has a dream. In his dream, the old chief appears before him, angry and shouting, wielding a stone axe. The man wakes up paralyzed with fear. He is certain that, though dead and buried some invisible and perhaps more powerful and knowing self of the chief survives after death. He decides to appease the old chief with suitable atonements. He takes his new wife to the place where the old chief lies buried, and offering flowers and fruits, begs pardon for the inadvertent show of disrespect.
For a while, there is no trouble. But one night, the chief appears again and threatens him. The new chief (he has become chief by now) visits the burial site of the old man again and pays his offerings and obeisance and comes back peaceful and satisfied.
His wife and children and fellow members of the clan accompany him and his awe and devotion spreads in the clan.
Exaggerated tales of the deceased chief’s valour, wrath and blessings begin to circulate not only among his people but also in neighbouring communities with which the clan has social contact.
The new chief also dies, but his devotion to the old chief survives. In a century, the burial site has become a pilgrim centre, and there is small temple there. In another century, the old chief becomes a local deity.
Idols of the chief are made depicting his exploits in love and war. His wife or wives are also deified. Hymns in praise of the god are composed and sung. Tales of favours received through the devotion to the god are numerous. Before going to war or on a mission of love, the blessings of the god are sought.
Philosophers write copiously about the modes and importance of worshipping the god and the metaphysical interpretations of the various rituals and incantations – a religion is thus evolved itself.
Man dreams. His sleep pattern is intimately linked with his ability to dream. The events played out in the sleep are far greater in number and variety than the actual happenings in the wakeful state. We forget almost all the dreams we have. But some of the dreams, especially those we have had just before awakening, linger in our memory with astonishing clarity, very often filling our wakeful state that follows with foreboding or anticipation.
Imagine the case of a clan chief who was loved, respected and feared by men and women of the clan. One day he dies. During his life time, he had certain unquestioned prerogatives. For example, he could select the prettiest of the women in his clan as his wives. Or, the heart or liver of the animals hunted down by any member of the clan would have to be submitted to him. These organs of a killed animal were thought to have special powers in increasing a man’s prowess or manliness.
A few days after the death of the chief, one of the younger men, who aspire to be the chief, persuades one of the former wives of the chief to sleep with him. Besides, in the hope of becoming as powerful as the deceased chief, he eats the heart of a boar he manages to kill.
In the following night, the man has a dream. In his dream, the old chief appears before him, angry and shouting, wielding a stone axe. The man wakes up paralyzed with fear. He is certain that, though dead and buried some invisible and perhaps more powerful and knowing self of the chief survives after death. He decides to appease the old chief with suitable atonements. He takes his new wife to the place where the old chief lies buried, and offering flowers and fruits, begs pardon for the inadvertent show of disrespect.
For a while, there is no trouble. But one night, the chief appears again and threatens him. The new chief (he has become chief by now) visits the burial site of the old man again and pays his offerings and obeisance and comes back peaceful and satisfied.
His wife and children and fellow members of the clan accompany him and his awe and devotion spreads in the clan.
Exaggerated tales of the deceased chief’s valour, wrath and blessings begin to circulate not only among his people but also in neighbouring communities with which the clan has social contact.
The new chief also dies, but his devotion to the old chief survives. In a century, the burial site has become a pilgrim centre, and there is small temple there. In another century, the old chief becomes a local deity.
Idols of the chief are made depicting his exploits in love and war. His wife or wives are also deified. Hymns in praise of the god are composed and sung. Tales of favours received through the devotion to the god are numerous. Before going to war or on a mission of love, the blessings of the god are sought.
Philosophers write copiously about the modes and importance of worshipping the god and the metaphysical interpretations of the various rituals and incantations – a religion is thus evolved itself.
No comments:
Post a Comment