Seeing
the on-going proceedings at Mahakumbh, Sangam, Allahabad, the largest human
gathering at one place anywhere in the universe, one is convinced about the
megs-ness of the basic foundations which have stood the test of time but it’s
also agonising that some issues have been grossly misunderstood. A rationale
mind finds it extremely difficult to comprehend the irrationality of faith. Bathing
polluted water of Ganga water leading to moksh”or liberation of soul from the
cycle of life and birth (the ultimate aim of seeker in Hindu (Santan
Dharam)’seems quite unbelievable. That so many learned, celebs and rich are
attending could it be a superstition or blind faith or following a ritual.
Wonder if any one genuinely believes in it. But the number of people attending
put one on the horns of dilemma of belief or irrationality of the mega event.
But the bottom line appears to be that believers have immense faith and forces
a borderline believer to rethink about the complete issue from rationality and
faith aspects. I would like to go by faith as our frontiers of exiting
knowledge may not be complete, thereby limiting the scope of rationality
manifesting as serious errors of judgement.
It would be fair to presume that some
way down the times the basic foundations of Sanatan Dharam were overtaken by
rituals. Rituals are important part of all religions of the world. But the aim
of rituals is akin to a child going to Pre/Nursery classes before going to
school. This trains the child the basics about the way of school. Thereafter he
progresses periodically till he reaches his final destination. Baths, conch,
garlands, sindhoor, incense sticks, idol worship are akin to nursery or pre
nursery training with the aim of leaning the way of religion. As per the Hindu
(Sanatan Dharma) it involves living value based life as useful member of the
society, simultaneously spiritually, progressing towards divinity through
numerous means. The terminal aim is divinity or moksha or unification with the
originator. Somewhere the religion for
majority is stuck at the nursery/pre nursery level, that is, rituals and
somehow expecting the terminal aim without striving for it. This just cannot
happen. Since one cannot graduate by continuing at nursery for equal amount of
time similarly rituals cannot and will not deliver divinity. As the oldest,
most liberal and founding father of all religions of world, the Santana Dharma
is in decay for masses. The reason may be two fold one is the non-accessibility
of ancient books in the language people understand. So the interpreters have
taken charge and force rituals through fear of Gods and show a way of
appeasement by through the medium of rituals. Second reason is little or no
evolution of religious thought through scientific experimentation or
intellectual discussion. Old wisdom must give way to new, that’s the rule of
life, and somehow this mighty religion has failed to keep pace, leading to
other religions taking off by negating the ills which made the religion sickly.
Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism and modern day Radha Swami and large number of
sects teaching Raja yoga/Kundalini way of mind control and unification, having
huge followings others are the modified version of Santana Dharma.
Most
of the believers follow the philosophy of my way the right way and do not care
about the religion collectively as moksha is individual business. This perhaps
is a defeatist approach and major reason of the rituals taking charge and
basics forgotten.
What
needs to be done?
Accept
collective responsibility for awareness and change.
Discussions
during satang’s or other meetings about the basic thought and what’s wrong.
Social
responsibility for uplifting the poor, feeding the hungry; cleaning the filthy
temples,
Religious
leaders lead the social charge towards rivers cleaning; afforestation; saving
girl child; planting trees etc. All these have religious sanctity and would be
followed once positively connected with faith. Kar seva akin to Sikhsim is a
great way of social integration and volunteering labour for a great cause.
Remove
touchabilty from society and make it inclusive. Religious leaders have the
moral authority to enforce this.
Wisdom
of yoga/nature cure/ Ayurveda, Vedic maths and other experiential wisdom of Trans
dental nature are subjected to validation as ascribed by the modern science.
Swami Ramdev is doing a great job on this front.
Teach
own lore and Indian religious/societal values in schools.
Knowledge
and mind has been our forte. There is a need to inculcate martial arts/physical
fitness through indigenous non equipment heavy games/sports.
Need
to regain our position as the world leader in knowledge manifesting it as
smart/soft power.
Need
to scientifically validate the power of mantras and other indigenous teachings
and wisdom.
Need
to have research foundation experimenting with indigenous medicines and herbs.
The
religion akin to other religions has been hijacked by radical elements with
limited but vocal and visible following. The majority is either silently,
helplessly watching or could not care less. This is leading to collision course
with serious ramifications for everyone. Unless there is concerted effort to
rejuvenate the religion and tuning the basic thought and validating the ancient
knowledge with modern scientific means; a glorious religion will be dissipate because
of inaction of the believers. Once the lead is taken over by the genuine
leaders then things will fall in place as the inclusivity; logic; rationality
and tolerance will become the harbinger of interaction thereby uniting the
fragmented society. We all need to push, cajole the people towards this direction so lets make a difference
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