Significance of Material
Synonyms: Substance, Fabric, Matter, Component, Item, Element
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Material'
In Hinduism, "Material" denotes worldly aspects contrasting with spiritual essence. It encompasses the temporal and physical realm, which sannyasis strive to renounce, emphasizing the importance of detaching from worldly attachments to seek divine connection.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) That which is temporal and worldly, as opposed to the spiritual or eternal.[1] (2) Things related to the physical world, which sannyasis learn to renounce or detach from.[2]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) Referring to worldly or physical aspects, which should not be equated with the spiritual essence of bhakti and divine association.[3]
The concept of Material in local and regional sources
Material encompasses all existence, including divine entities, urging individuals to worship the intangible spirit. In contrast, orthodox Vedic believers reject the notion of God or soul, identifying solely as material and spiritual beings.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Everything is this, including God sitting on a throne, and the individual should worship the spirit, and not something that they can understand.[4] (2) The strictly orthodox believers in the Vedas did not believe in God, the soul or anything of the sort, but that they were the only beings in the universe, material or spiritual.[5]