A new post after two weeks! I was thinking deeply as to what my next post should be on. But nothing reached my mind.
And let me also explain why I chose this particular topic or what made me to choose this topic.
As I was getting bored during my 35 km long and tiresome bus journey from my college campus to my place, I had no other go but to watch the outside world out through the window.
And when the bus was just crossing Padur, [near Kelambakkam], my eyes chose something different to look at. And that was the sight of a few people engaged in a social practice. “TOTALLY DIFFERENT” I would say! And that was going on my mind till I realized that, my stop was not too far away and it was time for me get down! And when I was taking the road from my stop to my house, I decided to write a blog!
A blog, on the incident that really made me think as to why those people where indulging in such activities! Activities that they claim would fulfill their master’s [GOD] wishes!
And I tell you, it is just not possible to narrate what they were doing, but all that I can do is to show you a picture which is similar to that. And here it is:
That sight really brought mixed thoughts into my mind. And I really could not bear, seeing them “hurting themselves”, in the name of religion and in the name of God.
But am sure that people reading this blog of mine are likely to think that I am an Atheist! NO!!! Let me clarify that here. I do believe in God! And I also feel proud for the same because one who believes in God also loves Science. After all science is just a tool used to explain the term “GOD”!
All that I can say about that is that they [the villagers] did not find time to realize that God does not expect all that from his devotees! Causing trouble to oneself will definitely not please God. And such activities and practices will only lead to their hospitalization! And God is also not cruel to impose such rules for His devotees to follow!
All that he expects from us is to be a sincere devotee and only that! There are so many ways by which we may “IMPRESS” Him. We may feed the poor, we may contribute money to charitable trusts, and we may respect our elders and follow their footsteps. According to Vedas, a man has to spend at least 1/16th of his income for charity. And so God is really impressed when we follow all these. So what is the need of punishing ourselves?
Having created this wonderful world, He knows all the difficulties that each person faces. This is evident from the following incident [in Mahabharatha] i.e. Vidhurar was so happy to see Lord Krishna in his house. He almost forgot everything around him. Firstly, he took a deep glance at Lord Krishna, starting from His feet, the two holy feet which takes care of all the suffering of human beings.
And then he decided to serve Lord Krishna with whatever that was available with him. But he had only bananas! And so he offered bananas to him. Vidhurar was asked by Him as to what he would request to Him after serving him with bananas, and the reply from his side was “to eat some more!” And that is what I would call devotion! And Vidhurar having lost his mind completely was giving the fruits’ skin, instead of the fruit, and Lord Krishna was extremely happy to take them too!
God knows who his true devotees are! It is said that when you become his true devotee, he becomes your devotee!
So, I appeal to all viewers to refrain from such activities. Instead we can work on things such as helping the poor, supporting a poor child’s education etc. Lets be His devotees! Let’s praise His creation! Let’s appreciate nature and worship him! After all, that’s all he expects!
- ∫.∫rikrishnan