Monday, October 15, 2007

Faith and Way of Life

Theists follow different faiths. Faith may be crudely described as that attribute in an individual who believes in an Almighty who is omnipotent and omnipresent and rever and fear that super-power. Major faiths like Hinduism, Christianity,Budhism, Islam are in existence - some for thousands of years and some for hundreds. There have been later faiths like Sikhism, Jainism, etc. offshoots of existing faiths. Apart from these, there have been cults like Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj,Puttaparti Saibaba Worship, Nirankari, etc. in India and many abroad, which cannot be classified as separate faiths. Many faiths and cults have come up due to the process of reformation that was attempted by enlightened souls and a few by certain charismatic individuals aggrandising themselves. These faiths/cults have not only been giving spiritual solace but also dictating the way of life - as an individul and as a part of society.

But, the question today is whether faith should continue to dictate the way of life in our changed times which changes were not foreseen by the 'seers' of yore. No doubt some acceptance to change has crept in like rejection of 'Varna Ashrama Dharma' in Hinduism, that the world is spherical and not flat in Christianity, etc. But there are innumerable aspects of our life, individually and collectively, in all faiths which are still dictated by faith quite irrationally and followed to letter.

Especially in the context of Secularism and Pluralism, where modern organs of State follow certain precepts which should ideally be sweepingly uniform irrespective of the faiths of individuals, which should reign supreme, the article of faith or the injunction of the State?

We have been and are facing religious intolerance. Not only between two religious but of intra-religious variety too. Examples could be between Vaishnavites and Saivites within Hinduism during medivial times, between Roman Catholics and Protestants, between Shias and Sunnis, etc. If we analyse the differences which cause this friction, we can easily discern that the reasons are certain practices or due to fight for hagaemony (of power and/or pelf). Rarely, they are for spiritual reasons.

Today the consequences of inter/intra-religious intolerance have reached disastrous proportions. It is time to ponder and separate way of life from faith because the most visible trigger is the way of life and and not the spiritual espousal. A person who has the spiritual wisdom and goes through the scriptures himself, will always accept pluralism. It is only those who impose their tyranny on the masses, with a particular way of life, which is the most visible symbol, do not accept pluralism. In a country like India, if pluralism is not inculcated and tolerated, we are doomed.

The State has a responsibility in this and should exercise its might in discharging this responsibility.

ponder...

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

The Riddle of Yaksha

One of the significant episodes in Mahabharata is the 'Yaksha Prasna' where the question and answer session between Yama and Dharma Raja (father and son) is narrated. Yama queries as to what is the most astounding thing in this world, and Dharma Raja replies that persons grieving for the dead is the most astounding thing as death is inevitable and the person grieving has also to follow.

This may be relevant for those times, may be.

But today do we grieve a person's death? or the material loss it has created? In other words do we grieve one's absence or the absence of the comforts that used to accrue from the person's living?

People routinely say 'so and so's death is an irrepairable loss or the void cannot be filled. They may be literally true. If a pensioner dies, there is a permenent loss of income. If a grandparent dies, the loss is of an unpaid and dependable baby-sitter.

So today's grief may be more natural and truthful though for different reasons and since a reason valid is there, this grief may not be astounding anymore in our times. I don't know what will be Dharma Raja's answer will be today.

Ponder...

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

LAND OF INDIRAMMA AND RAJIV GANDHI

Andhra Pradesh, or, the three pieces of it tenuously held together for the time being is truly a land of milk and honey. Free electricity, free houses, free land (thanks to Communists all it takes is wear a red shirt and plant a flag), abundance of land at prime places for SEZs for throw away prices, mega irrigation projects, plenty of rains (Varuna has joined Congress), Kubera is expected to join Congress. All this is due to the blessings showered on this land by Indiramma and Rajivayya.

All these achievements cause envy. Hence, reports like Gautami, Jegurupadu, Konaseema and Vemagiri sitting on top of gas reserves not being able to generate a single MW due to starvation of gas. Don't believe them. They are in cahoots with the opposition. They will be taken care by raids and demolitions; Courts can have thier own opinion.

Now we are going to have one more blessing. Rahul Gandhi! With his success in the Assembly elections in his home state under his belt, he is the Messiah who will further escalate the fortunes of the Congress and the State soon.

People say that there is only one Ordnance Factory at Yeddumailaram that too in a moribund state. Dont believe this also. All lies. This state has several Ordnance Factories. Go to Mecca Masjid or Laser Show or Gokul Chat for proof of existence.

Telugus have no history of their own. They have no heros. No icons. Dont despair. Indiramma and Rajivayya have made good this vacuum.

Ponder....