Religiously yours
It is rare that I attend any religious gathering that goes by the name of Satsang. And I will tell you why. It is not to do with the huge crowd or the distance between me and the Godman. It is not to do with the chadhawa (donation) they expect.
I have my fair share of Satsang at home or in the homes of friends and relatives when Santhi Path or Satyanarayan Katha is organised. We still invite the Pujariji though there is the option of playing a CD.
Here is how it goes. The Pujari keeps himself busy performing the rituals and chanting slokas from the scriptures that are badly pronounced. Then he goes with the ritual of narrating stories. All this time while I keep mumbling with him or trying to be attentive, but my mind keeps wavering to and fro like the pending work to be attended, calls to be made, who is doing what and so on. I try to justify this wavering by convincing myself that there is nothing new, same stories that get repeated on every such occasion. The worse is when we are told if we do not do this or that we will be punished.
After the Puja is over, the eagerness to fill the food plates before others do it, the meaningless words of praise of each others' presence, complimenting each other on the fine clothing and accessories, jewllerie, and finally saying good bye not forgetting to appreciate Pujariji in person for his wonderful recitation of slokas and conducting puja.
The large gathering are more complicated. Preparations have to be made to reach in time, occupy seats close to the Dias. Then the rush to grab the prasadam. Lots of distractions. And not forgetting the hassle of returning home. All this and the wavering mind makes it an exercise into futility. I would still take the risk but I know I will not put into practice what was preached. No one will. Not even the preacher. What is the use if we have to behave the way we are.
My doubts are further get strong by the fact that nothing much has changed because of and in spite of the past and present preachers. On the contrary, human values have gone down.
This has been confirmed by the heads of Gita Press at Gorakhpur, home of UP CM Yogi, publishing religious books for the last 90 years, that includes multilingual Kalyan Magazine.
It is rare that I attend any religious gathering that goes by the name of Satsang. And I will tell you why. It is not to do with the huge crowd or the distance between me and the Godman. It is not to do with the chadhawa (donation) they expect.
I have my fair share of Satsang at home or in the homes of friends and relatives when Santhi Path or Satyanarayan Katha is organised. We still invite the Pujariji though there is the option of playing a CD.
Here is how it goes. The Pujari keeps himself busy performing the rituals and chanting slokas from the scriptures that are badly pronounced. Then he goes with the ritual of narrating stories. All this time while I keep mumbling with him or trying to be attentive, but my mind keeps wavering to and fro like the pending work to be attended, calls to be made, who is doing what and so on. I try to justify this wavering by convincing myself that there is nothing new, same stories that get repeated on every such occasion. The worse is when we are told if we do not do this or that we will be punished.
After the Puja is over, the eagerness to fill the food plates before others do it, the meaningless words of praise of each others' presence, complimenting each other on the fine clothing and accessories, jewllerie, and finally saying good bye not forgetting to appreciate Pujariji in person for his wonderful recitation of slokas and conducting puja.
The large gathering are more complicated. Preparations have to be made to reach in time, occupy seats close to the Dias. Then the rush to grab the prasadam. Lots of distractions. And not forgetting the hassle of returning home. All this and the wavering mind makes it an exercise into futility. I would still take the risk but I know I will not put into practice what was preached. No one will. Not even the preacher. What is the use if we have to behave the way we are.
My doubts are further get strong by the fact that nothing much has changed because of and in spite of the past and present preachers. On the contrary, human values have gone down.
This has been confirmed by the heads of Gita Press at Gorakhpur, home of UP CM Yogi, publishing religious books for the last 90 years, that includes multilingual Kalyan Magazine.
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