The gods are not psychological tools but cosmic forces, energies, powers that stand behind the various workings of the cosmos. Since these forces are not mechanical but conscious sharing something of the One Divine Consciousness, they are therefore beings and not just impersonal energies. If we look at creation in an unbiased manner and see how wonderfully it functions creating beauty and order through the apparent play of Chance and randomness, opens new possibilities through the doors of destruction and evolution, then the existence of such conscious powers become a cosmic necessity. The Rishis were scientists of the Spirit and its occult energies and powers and had discovered the ways to come in contact with these forces and seek their active help to make earthly life better in every way.
Of course now we have lost that knowledge, not fully but largely. Physical and psychological Science are recovering it slowly but in different ways. They tap the forces but do not acknowledge anything outside man and his brain but this is a limitation of understanding. Take for example self healing. It is often attributed to faith and without a doubt it is true. But how does faith heal? The Rishis will say that faith is one of the means that brings us in contact with these benevolent cosmic forces and facilitates their working. If it worked only in humans then we could possibly think (though this too would be erroneous) that it is just a tool to feel supported. But then how do animals heal, plants communicate with each other, matter releases its latent possibilities through evolution? All is a wonder or the play of cosmic forces whose way of working we do not understand and hence find it miraculous!
Affectionately,
Alok Da
