India is a land of diversity. I often find myself explaining to people how diverse we actually are.
Out of the multitude of languages, cultures, religions and beliefs, what interests me most is how we are able to maintain our secularist nature.
For over years, countries have fought over a religion or two. We have over 35,000 gods in the Hinduism sect. The magnitude of the coexistence is indeed awe-inducing.
Having thought about this subject several times over, I do not consider myself a devout practitioner of any particular religion. I was born a Hindu and that is what I have grown up with. But never have I experienced peace in any temple or Hindu shrine. Ever.
My belief is that religion does not equal to commerce. It should never.
There are enough and more of the affluent who give to religious institutions of their own will. Muslims even have an annual amount they must give – the zakat. Why must these institutions instill fear in people to give, then?
Yes, I have recently watched the Bollywood flick O.M.G.
And I am very inspired that Indian film-makers have tread into this territory. I am also very impressed with the disclaimer. The movie was not around an atheist, it was about believing in the right things.
I have a problem with institutions that amass public wealth in the name of God which then fattens bank accounts of already stinking rich priests, self-declared-saints and all of their pretentious cousins. I despise them.
I visited Orissa’s renowned Jagannath Temple with my family a few years ago. It was the most disturbing experience ever. There was price-wise categorisation of devotees. The INR 100 line, the INR 500 que and the exclusive patrons who would pay INR 1000 to pay their respects. The maddening crowd almost caused a stampede and the priests in their saffron robes were controlling the masses with sticks from a raised platform. Cattle are treated better. My mother almost suffered an asthmatic attack and my grandfather hurt his knee. I swore to never go back.
I have been to a number of other such places where the rich get a better look at the gods, can stay longer and get blessed more fervently. If there is a God, I don’t think he/she agrees with this.
I believe that there is a supreme power. Being of the race of Aryans and having read a little of the Bhagwad Gita, I believe that religion is karma. As you sow, so you shall reap.
So why bother not eating meat on Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays, when you secretly wish you could? Why the fear?
I don’t presume that the Lord loves me any less because I don’t visit temples, don’t believe in fasts, don’t indulge in elaborate religious practices to please the Gods.
It is my faith that if I am a good person, love with all my heart, help those who are lesser fortunate than me and give without thinking twice – its as good as a prayer.
And when my heart is not at peace, I go to non-commercial places like a few Gurdwaras I know or the Aurobindo Ashram. These places allow me to sit in a corner, shed silent tears, pray my heart out without being asked to spare a dime.
Here, one day someone might find the elusive divine.