BABA: Tell me; what ails you, young man?
BHAKT (Overwhelmed to see ‘his Baba’ paying attention to him): O! Baba! Baba, Baba, Baba! You are divine! Nothing is hidden from your supreme power!
BABA (Basking in his glory): I know. But, still tell me what bothers you son?
BHAKT: Babaji, its regarding my job. It’s been two years; I am not finding any sort of a job. What do I do, Babaji? Mujhe raasta dikhao.
BABA: Why did you not come to me two years before?
BHAKT: It’s entirely my fault Baba. I hadn’t heard of you and your chamatkaars.
BABA (Taking a mental note of regulating his publicity procedures): What sort of chutney do you prefer with your samosas?
BHAKT (Taken aback but still trying to look grave): Red chutney.
BABA: Aha! There you go! Take the green one next time and all your problems will be solved. Kripa bani rahegi! Next please.
Reading this conversation shouldn’t shock one as religion is becoming more of a business these days. Unlike the older days when a simple temple was all one needed to worship, fashionable temples have become more of a trend today – the bigger the temple, the more the worshippers. What one does not realize is that donations made to a needy/beggar is more effective than those made for making the temple’s architecture more striking. One of the most popular of traditions in India is the one where people offer or rather pour milk on a shivling. The paradox of the situation is elicited when one sees hungry beggars sitting right outside the temple, which no one notices.
The problem is not with the religion or worshipping God, but one should not let somebody else to tell them how to pray. It’s your feeling and only you know how to express it better. So, these empty practices like removing one’s shoes outside the temple or folding their hands in a particular manner or sitting in a particular manner should not be given unnecessary importance. One can pick any religious texts for reference but this is a fact that, there is only one language that the almighty understands and that is the language of love and benevolence.
On a visit to my college, His Holiness the Dalai Lama pointed out to an interesting practice. He mentioned how people in India worship Ganesha, Krishna, and Shiva and then they engage in corrupt practices. His point was that if one wants to engage in such practices then he should only worship money. This is another problem with religion and the way its carried out by certain figures of authority called ‘Babas’ – the putting up of a charade. Off late our country has witnessed a certain amount of popular Babas being exposed. There are Babas in our country who get politically involved, sit down for dharnas and then they run off wearing women’s clothes. This particular Baba doesn’t escape from making political statements now and then. We also have Babas who have molested and raped young girls for “God” knows how many years.
The point being made here is that by bluffing millions of people, these so called Babas are constantly found playing with people’s sentiments. In a sense it is also the society’s fault which, after a certain point of time starts revering the Baba and the God is left somewhere far behind. On a parting note, I’d like to quote a famous French philosopher who makes a statement about a perfect religious man –
“Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-posessed, has faith and is pure; and if he doesn’t hurt any living being, he is a holy man.” – Denis Diderot.
Dear Sir,
Thanks for sharing such a good views but one thing like to address that the near by places or surrounding also effect with the temples.
We are live example, as we stay in Ramesh Nagar – Part of West Delhi. Earlier there was temple name as Hanuman Mandir – 9 BLock located on the side of Colony. In just a few years the temple or mandir authorities has increased their surface area in such a way that from 100 yards now it is approx 1000 yards .
I like to address the below problems which was faced by local person or who lives nearby to the temple
1. Parking – Any visitor can park their problem with thought that this parking is for local resident. If you say something , their reply is simple wait for 2 min we are just coming from Temple. The local resident person has to keep something to secure their parking area.
2. Encroachment of Public Property – Authorities are not aware or not want to intervene in to the debate that these temples are capturing the public property like next to our temples there were 2 parks or playing area for children , now a day these two parks converted in to temple. So your children cant enter to play in that area . I believe that these properties is belongs to India Government. But Temple authorities behave their own .
3. Noice pollution – As there are lots of murties or god idols situated they used to do all major functions in the park with the high volume from 6 pm and ends till 11 pm or 12 pm , in spite of the surrounding peoples are comfortable or not . Could be other local residents children are having exams or not feeling well but they do with any botheration.
Every day used to do work ship with full volume .
4. Security – As temple is nearby so this becomes big problem that you can not close the colony gates in the afternoon so there is no security or safety . Any person can enter in the afternoon and can damange any person.
We have faced 4 times accident and no action has been taken.
I believe the above points can be consider to the other localities so that they should stop immediately once they see any temple try to capture. Or any body can help us to get rid of this problem .
We need to have simple and noise free living . can any body help.
Your serious suggestions are welcome .
Any authorities can take action will be highly appreciable.
Thanks
Navi Ahuja