Decline of Hinduism in India – 3

 

Second part is here.

“Thank God! I have read two books.” I thought after watching Om Swamiji’s video in which he shared the list of his favourite books. Under fiction category at number 3 and 4, he mentioned ‘Somanth’ and ‘Vashali ki Nagarvadhu’ by Acharye Chatursen which I have read many years back.

Almost two decades back when I started reading books, I first picked up short stories by Munshi Premchand and read almost all the stories written by him. One day, I shifted from stories to novel. Which novel authored by him I picked up, I could not recall now but I could not finish it because of too much elaborate description of poverty. On my mother’s recommendation, I started reading ‘Vashali ki Nagarvadhu’ by Acharye Chatursen. I liked his writing style and I went through almost all of his works including stories and novels. I could recall only a few names now like ‘Somnath’, ‘Vayam Rakshameh’, ‘Dharamputra’, ‘Takhte Taus’ and ‘Badi Begam’. Three incidents from his life are very famous which I am sharing here.

Before writing ‘Somnath’- a book about Somanth temple Acharye Chatursen sought an appointment to meet the famous Gujrati author, politician and lawyer ‘Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi’ who has recently published the book ‘Jay Somnath’ on Somnath temple. It was quite popular book at that time. Acharye Chatursen requested him to share the material on Somnath temple with him as he also wished to write a novel about it. He bluntly refused. Acharye politely requested again. This time the reply from the other side was rude. He felt hurt, came out of the office and decided that I would write such an excellent piece on Somnath temple that people would forget that K.M. Munshi has ever written a novel about Somnath temple. With extraordinary efforts, Acharye Chatursen made his determination come true. I had read both the works and Acharye Chatursen’s work is just amazing.

Once, Acharye Chatursen went to see his friend. When they were chatting, a young boy of near about six years of age came close to him and wished him ‘Namaste’. He noticed that boy was very weak, malnourished, had gloomy face and grey hair at such a tender age. He told his friend to feed the boy daily with ‘Amla ka murabba’. After six months, he visited his friend again and inquired about the child. The friend laughed and said, “As you enter the house the boy came near you to wish in between his play was the same guy.” Achaye Chatursen was surprised to see a total transformation of the child, he was now healthy, fit, had glowing face and with pitch-black curly hair. Acharye was also a famous Ayurvedic doctor.

He was married four times and all his famous works ‘Somnath’, ‘Vashali ki Nagarvadhu’ and ‘Vayam Rakshameh’ were written after his fourth marriage. I am not concluding here anything. ;) He had a ‘Loh Lekhani’ meaning an iron pen as he had boldly written about the ancient India, historical fiction and brutal truth about the repeated invasions on India. Have you ever come across any mention of Acharye Chatursen in any textbooks from first grade to Ph.d level? His name had been wiped out from the Hindi literature because of his bold writings supporting Hinduism.

Surprisingly, the great devotional work of great poets like Govind Swami, Vidyapati, Brahamdas, Keshvacharya, Puran Singh, Priyadas, Nabhadas, Gadhadar Bhatt, Gopal Bhatt Goswami, Govardhanacharye, Govinddas, Narharidas, Chaturbhujdas, Dhruvdas, Nanddas, Nagaridas, Nagaridas (Haridasi Sampradaye), Nahi Nagaridas, Vallabh Rasik, Biharindev, Madhavdas Jagannathi, Madhuridas, Rooprasik, Vitthalvipul Dev, Shivdeen Ram Joshi, ShreeBhatt, Sarasdas, Sevak (Dhamodardas), Hariram Vyas, Harivyasdev, Hitharivansh etc. have been wiped out from Hindi textbooks. The bhakti poetry is that which expressed love, devotion and deep affection towards God. Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and other deities are focused in such poetic works. It articulates spiritual love that engages both emotion and intellection. It helps in breaking attachments and in annihilating ego. It also does the revival, reworking and recontextualization of ancient customs. But, unfortunately our young generation is being deprived of deep love and affection for not only God but also friend –friend, parent-child and king-servant which resulted in emotional problems at tender age. They are taught dohas like ‘Pothi padh padh jag Mua, Pandit Bhaya na Koi!’ which infuse a feeling of impertinence for our scriptures. Therefore, no liking to read Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, Bhagwat Gita, Ramayana and other works by great saints and sages. Sometimes, mere one line can act as a tiny bomb causing enormous damage and devastation to a system of beliefs.  

Pic : Pixabay

Decline of Hinduism in India - 2

First part is here.

Only one laughed loudly, the rest of the disciples in the hall were silent.

In a discourse, Om Swamiji was narrating about a video, which went viral about Ramleela played by AIIMS students. The students group acted as Ram, Lakshaman, Sita and Shorpanakha. In the skit, they used absurd language to address Lord Ram and Lakshman. They mocked at various scenes from Ramayana and made fun of Hindu deities. Moreover, Shorpanakha said to Lakshman, “Tu chez badi hai mast mast....” In the video, the audience clapped and laughed. And something similar happen when one disciple could not control her laugh on this mockery. Like the rest of the disciples, I was sad and angry at the same time.

While surfing on social media, we daily come across so many videos, clippings and jokes that directly or indirectly make fun of our deities, saints and sages. Like that disciple we consciously or unconsciously make a grave mistake of laughing at them. We can either make fun of our respected deities, sages and saints or can seek their blessings. Both cannot happen simultaneously. In Bollywood movies, this trend is more prevalent. In the second chart depicted by Swamiji the decline of Hinduism was shown from 1951 census. Are Bollywood movies responsible for this decline? We pay for tickets to watch movies, which unconsciously drag us away from our culture and heritage in the name of humour.

There is sharp decline after the T.V. became the most important member of our homes. In most of the T.V. serials, the jokes are targeted at our deities and depiction of our saints as wrongdoers who have all the vices. Consequently, filling the viewers’ hearts with hatred and disrespect for them. Tantriks are presented as addicts and womanisers instead of kind and compassionate beings. Saint Narad is presented as a muckraker instead of the great devotee of Lord Naryana who constantly chants divine name. We all know that Ram is maryadapuroshotam, with divine qualities and an obedient son who willingly left for the exile just to obey his father’s words. Rather he is depicted as a cruel person who banished his wife to forest with no valid reason. Lord Shiva is represented as a consumer of bhang. His simple living style and intense meditation practices are not highlighted.   

Dear readers, which was the last movie or T.V. serial you saw which filled your heart with love and devotion for our deities, saints or sages? I recollect the famous scene from Bahubali movie in which Prabhas lifted Shivlinga. So, it is better to watch Tollywood movies than Bollywood movies. ;)

To be continued ....

Third part is here.

Pic : Pixabay

Decline of Hinduism in India -1

The foreigners’ gang laughed but my heart cried!

One of the jolly person in the group commented that Swami Sivananda said, “An ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory!” after writing more than 300 books. They all giggled on his intelligent joke. The person who cracked this joke was a great hath yogi who could practice toughest of yoga asanas holding them for quite a long time, he could do difficult mudras and bandhas with great ease, he was voracious reader, he was very kind, intelligent as well as truthful, he was good looking and above all he was happy-go-lucky person. My intuitive mind told me that despite of all his yogic qualities, he would never be able to grow spiritually by following the path of Hinduism because he mocked at the greatest saint. It was our last day at Sivananda Ashram. Later I came to know that he shifted to Buddhism.

Swami Sivananda said in Guru Bhakti Yoga, “Don’t cut jokes with Guru. If you cut jokes with him (gradually) you will lose reverence for him and you will feel equality with him.” In Siphon, a U-shaped tube is used to cause a liquid to flow upward above the surface level of reservoir to the lower level of the surface then the reservoir from which it came only by the gravitation pull. The liquid flows from higher level to lower level. If the level is equal then it does not flow. Same is with Guru Disciple relationship wisdom, knowledge, spiritual powers and Grace of Guru flow continuously if the level between the two is not equal. We always touch Guru’s Feet never shake hands with Him, right!

I am fun loving person who has the habit of cracking jokes all the time, therefore, to keep the Guru Disciple bond intact I have never commented on any of Om Swamiji’s post although I have written 164 posts on osdotme till now. Even in personal meeting, I constrained myself to speak as less as possible and to convey my meaning in the least possible words. I firmly followed Swami Sivananda’s words, “A sadhaka should not cut jokes before his Guru however great he (sadhaka) may be.” I try my best to never make fun of any saint, never crack jokes on my Guru’s post and under no circumstances pass any humorous comment in His presence.

To be continued....

Part 2 is here.

Pic : Unsplash

My Spiritual Experience in Dream

“It is so difficult to do this task, Swamiji!” I complained. “I do not get the time to sleep neither at night nor in the afternoon. I am sleep deprived most of the time.”

In March 21 Zoom Satsang, Swamiji assigned a task to us, “I just need to make some change in the pattern in your life. Actually, I give you a choice, either you go to bed 40 minutes early, or you get up 40 minutes early every day, no matter what.” I was going through a very hectic schedule at that time where there was no room to either get up early or go to bed early. However, to obey His command, I had to make some adjustments in my daily routine, and I slashed my sleeping timings by 40 minutes. I decided to wake up early by 40 minutes every day to do some extra chanting. As a result, I did not get enough sleep and I was sleep deprived most of the time.

One day, in my dream, I saw Om Swamiji in ochre robe, and I complained to Him about my present situation. I told Him that this task was difficult for me to do because of my jam-packed time schedule. He listened to my grievances patiently. He smiled. And as we all know, His smile can do wonders!

Yay! I did the task obeying Him like a true disciple.

Pic : Pexels

My Little Effort to Transform Someone’s Life

Will Mother Divine’s vahana (mount) lion come to shake hands with me on the last day of Sadhana?

This thought came to my mind after reading Sadhvi Vrinda Om’s blog on Sadhana App website where she had mentioned that an owl came to her balcony to kill pigeon on the last day of her Sadhana of Ma Lakhsmi. Seriously speaking, I was sure that a lion could not arrive as I live in a high rise building in a densely populated area. Mostly I had experiences after doing three-four sadhana to the last day of Sadhana. Somewhere in between it can happen anytime; I had to be just watchful. Before reading Sadhavi’s experience, I was totally unaware of the fact that a spiritual experience could take place even in the outside world. I thought that it could be experienced with only closed eyes. This time the Devi I was worshipping did not manifest but I was watchful in my external world that something would happen.

Since the past few days, water from RO water purifier was dripping from the bottom. I kept using it, ignoring the leakage. After two days, it stopped working. I was left with no other option but to call the company to send a repairing mechanic.  

The repairing mechanic instructed, “Madam, send the location of your house and the photo of the product.” I shared the information with him on WhatsApp. When he did not arrive at the appointed time, I called him. “Madam, my mobile is running low on battery, and it could shut down anytime. Please tell me the name of your society and your house number.” I waited and waited for some more time. He arrived 45 minutes late.

He thoroughly checked the parts and told me that all the parts needed to be repaired except the RO motor. I asked him to repair all the parts as I did not have the enough funds to buy a new one for me and it should be repaired immediately as water in my locality was highly polluted. He started changing parts with a lightning speed. He completed it. But there was leakage of water from the filter. He checked it again and did the needful so that it might not leak. Still water was dripping. He was taking more time than usual with the result that my prayer time was delayed. At 8:15 pm, I asked him to wrap everything in the next 15 minutes or come again tomorrow morning.

“I cannot come tomorrow.” He replied. “Tomorrow is my wife’s death anniversary, so I have to do some rituals.” To put a check on my temper I started talking with him. In the conversation, he told me that last year his wife died of cancer within one year of tying the nuptial knot. He took a loan of 30 lakhs to spend on her treatment. Out of which10 lakhs he repaid, and 20 lakhs was remaining. He started earning at a very young age and spent all his savings on his wife’s illness and in helping his in-laws. I paid him a one-month salary as a tip to help him to repay his loan.

I realized that he was tensed, depressed and was surrounded by negative thoughts related to his wife’s illness and death. He had a strange cloud of thoughts that if he got married again his dead wife would haunt him and would spoil his new married life. He stopped the leakage, assembled all RO parts and left my house within the next 15 minutes.

After finishing my prayers around 11:30 pm I checked RO. It was working fine. I went to sleep. At 1:30 am I went to the kitchen to drink water before starting my morning prayers. I was a bit surprised to find that RO water was leaking from the same place.

Next day, when he came, it was my last day of Sadhana. I had prepared prasadam. I offered him ghiya ki kheer. He ate it. Devi, Herself blessed him!

Till he was working on RO, I was working on him. I talked to him for more than an hour, convincing him that he would be married soon, all his miseries would end, and he would be able to live a happy and prosperous life. I tried my best to drag him out of his gloomy past memories. I told him that I could only help the genuine seekers who had prayed to God and cried hard for help. He said, “Yes that is true. I had prayed to every deity, saint and sage I had known.”  

In Ramcharitmanas, Ma Sita prayed to a particular form of Mother Parvati before Swayamvara. Mother blessed her “Sunu Siye satye ashish humari, pujahein man kamna tumari (सुनु सिय सत्य असीस हमारी। पूजिहि मन कामना तुम्हारी॥) Ma Sita was married to Lord Ram. The form of Mother Parvati whom Ma Sita worshipped; I was doing Sadhana of the same deity – Ma Katyayani!

“Soon he will be debt free and married!” I blessed and prayed for that repairing mechanic in my heart. I knew Ma Katyayani had sent him to my house so that I could absorb his pain and could transform his life. Om Swamiji says, “When a sadhak prays with fervor, he/she becomes the divine in that moment.”

Soon after he left my house RO was dripping again, he had to visit my house repeatedly to rectify it. Till now, he had visited my house thrice, but the situation was the same. But I felt that Mother Divine wished that I must bring a change in his life and frequent leakage of RO was just an incident so that he must be given a dose of positivity of my powerful words time after time so that he could breathe properly in a fresh air of happiness.

It was the most beautiful spiritual experience of my life when I wanted to absorb the pain of a person who was suffering for no fault of his own. It was my tiny effort to transform his life.

My feelings are now his healing!

Pic : Unsplash

From Raw Mango Speech to Ripe Mango Speech

“Ma, you forget to put the leftover food in the freezer.” I said in a bit louder voice to my mother. “I cooked the food to eat and not to waste.”

“It was hot, so I did not place it in the freezer, later I forgot and as I was damn tired, so I slipped into the dream land.” She clarified.

I went into my prayer room to do the next set of chanting. When I came out of the room after one hour or so I went to my mother’s room and said to her, “In the dinner, have the soup. Last time you did not even taste it and the whole bowl of soup I had to finish as I did not want to waste the food.”

“Do you do prayers in the prayer room, or you keep thinking that when you come out you will talk rudely to me about this or that topic?” My mother inquired.

“Do not make excuses like a kid. Have the soup.” I said or rather ordered and went again in my prayer room to do meditation.

I could not focus on Devi and realized my mistake that although I did not mean to hurt her, but my loud voice and rude words did it. At my workplace, most of the people spoke Haryanvi, which is a lath mar language. To show my authority, I spoke to them in a high volume. Unconsciously, it has become my habit to speak loudly. My raw mango speech that was like a sour mango immediately needs to be replaced by a sweet tone as ripe juicy mango. I must apologize to Ma to maintain a good focus on MA.

I hurriedly completed my prayers and went to my mother’s room and said to her, “Sorry, I should not have spoken to you harshly rather I must have spoken to you just like Swamiji speak - softly, gently and mindfully.” I took a deep breath and continued, “Ma, please have the soup which I prepared for you with so much love and care.”

“It will be a miracle if you learn to speak soothingly like Him.” She said with a big smile on her face.

Sometime later, I peeped into her room. Surprisingly found that she was having the soup instead of regular glass of milk.

Pic - Pixabay

The Himalayan Rat(s) in My Life

“Rascal!”

“Scoundrel!”

“Bastard!”

Mr and Mrs Rat lived above my flat and quarrelled on pretty issues every now and then. Most of their fights were decided based on who could abuse more brutally, more loudly and more times. Coincidently their fighting time and my meditating time clashed.

Whenever they started shouting in their top voices, my mind would become curious to know the reason for their fight, the reaction of the baby rat - whether he was on mamma's side or papa's side, who was going to be the winner — Mr or Mrs Rat, to know whether the fights were action-packed or not, I had to focus more on sounds coming from the top.

Until I realized one day that I was meditating on them rather than on my deity. Slowly and gradually, I accepted that they were nuisance rats in my spiritual life. They caused obstruction in my concentration and distracted my mind every now and then. I had to learn the art of completely ignoring them. More importance I gave to rats, the more they jumped. The more I ignored them, the more they became quiet. I learnt with practice to pay no attention to noises coming from the rats’ house whether they were loud songs on T.V. or the abuse or the verbal clashes.

With my progress on the spiritual path, I became more sensitive to loud sounds. I found the loudspeakers were irritating. I consider them the worst invention done by humans. In the deep corner of my heart, I always wished that they should be banned permanently. My flat was situated close to a temple in which loud mantras were played every morning and evening.

It was also adjacent to a park where loud music played during Navratri for dandiya. I could not interpret the connection between the songs ‘Hat ja tau pachchhene’and ‘To Brazil’ being played for dandiya. Maybe it was more about dancing on beats than about the words of a song! The shopkeepers on the roadside put up loudspeakers to lure customers and boost their sales, which was jarring and harmful. I lived close to two marriage palaces so the loud noise from band baja and DJ could not be avoided during the marriage season.

Some daring neighbours played loud music on weekend nights in ‘No loudspeaker’ time between 10 pm to 6 am. During festive seasons, most of the time a low sound from far off kept hitting the glass windows. The residents in the nearby houses were very religious; they frequently did ‘Mata ki Chauki’ and ‘Jagran’ in which whole night katha vachak (storyteller) or sangit mandali (group of singers) sang or spoke loudly with loud music on loudspeaker. Is their God deaf?

The loudspeaker is a big Himalayan rat in my life, which I had to handle diligently to proceed on the spiritual path.

Earlier, as soon as the loudspeaker started playing music, I got irritated and disturbed. I used to tightly close all my doors and windows as well as draw all the curtains so that the sound did not reach my sensitive ears. Sometimes I could not sleep the whole night because of loud sounds from loudspeakers, which disturbed my next day's routine. Once I contacted a security guard and requested him to stop the music in ‘No loudspeaker’ timings. But who listened to a security guard? I contacted the police. I must confess that Bollywood police are more punctual than Indian cops are. It came after the function was over and all the stage decorations and tents were dismantled. 

The corona period was a very peaceful period of my life as there were no loudspeakers playing deafening music. During that period, I could do sadhanas as if I was meditating in a Himalayan cave — so serene and so calm was the environment.

As the corona restrictions were lifted, the loudspeaker again started causing a nuisance to me. First of all, I trained my mind not to be irritated if loud noise was coming from anywhere at any time. Secondly, I tried to focus on the object of my meditation ignoring disturbing music. Thirdly, I could concentrate on my meditation not entirely but mostly without being affected by parody songs.  As Om Swamiji says, “I can focus my mind regardless of what was going on around.”

Instead of saying “Alexa, stop the loudspeaker!”, I ordered, “O’ my mind, turn a deaf ear to the loudspeaker!”

Picture : Pixabay