Harsh Gupta | From editor’s desk | I’m a Hindu, a proud one.
Recorded history tells that Hinduism, a way of life, a faith, a religion is at least 5000 years old.
Pan globe, it would be quite an observation for future generations to make that how many religions survive that long.
The reason behind the long journey of Hinduism and its survival is its unique tendency to introspect and to evolve. This is possible only if there is tolerance in religion. It was in fact the tolerance in Hinduism which gave birth to few of the best religions ever.
Here it would be in place to share that Akbar, the omnipotent emperor tried to create a new religion, Din-e-ilahi but couldn’t stand the might of Islamic fundamentalist.
Admittedly Varna-Pratha/ Cast system was also the reason for the emergence of new religions but the main factor would always be tolerance.
Now, here is the catch ! Very convincingly I feel that this tolerance has gone too far. We see mushrooming of numerous babas, gurus, self-styled godmen who operate in a very clandestine manner. They have allocated TV channels from where they give pravachans (spiritual speeches)
Most of the speeches of these ‘omniscient’ babas don’t teach anything which one already doesn’t know. They have this modus operandi which is rather similar to criminals in organised sector, the lawful criminals or u may call them the Divine Dons as they use spirituality and divinity as their tools to exploit the gullible. It’s strange that in our religion we can mock Gods but we can’t point finger at these godmen even if they are in jails with rape/ murder charges. Some are even convicted. Their nexus with prodigal politicians, bureaucrats and business magnets is for anybody to see. What we can gauge here is a ‘spiritual mafia‘.
Birthday bashes are celebrated of some of the gurus in the most lavish ways ( lavisher the celebrations, more the ‘spirituality’ ) in five star hotels by the page 3 lutyens. Social media is there for the invitations.
As miracles, there would be blessings of nectar, honey or chhuaras (dry dates). Well if the miracles are at the disposal, why not something worthwhile for the society, why something which would eventually cause diabetes !
Women fall for these gurus sooner than men and men follow the suit for obvious reasons.
Even Bhagwan Ram is addressed as Shree and we have a guru with kajal laced eyes as somebody Shree Shree.
Imagine a guru prescribing ‘somosa with chutney, aur phir kripa ho jayegi’. This may sound laughable but it is something very sad and serious. They thrive on vulnerable people’s miseries and problems. They indulge in crimes such as rapes, murders, land encroachment etc. These godmen are very powerful and mighty. Unimaginable money is at their disposal. Needless to mention the help of politicians and bureaucrats.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This power goes to the heads of these babas and they indulge in different crimes, some are jailed and some are fortunate to remain free but the blind faith of their followers remains unchanged.
I strongly apprehend blind following such gurus would only grow with rising miseries and problems. Lackadaisical and indifferent attitude of powers that be is only fanning the fire.
No human being is worth worshipping, I repeat no human being is worth worshipping and no human being worth his salt can come between you and your God. Because you may be ignorant of the proper mode of worship but He is not of giving blessings.
So you don’t need any middle man as godman. Introspection of the matter is must. This small write-up may not be a renaissance but if it stirs your soul, it’s purpose would not be defeated.
