So, we had some good
movies in the last couple of years like OMG and PK that touched upon
religion and the chaos around it. While things still continue to
remain the way they are, it surely was a wave of change. A change
that made people think rationally.
As a child, I have
grown up seeing my Dad pray religiously two times a day. More than
anything I love his devotion and discipline to do so everyday without
fail. We have a pooja ghar in our house and do visit various temples
like most other Hindus would.
What is common in
the pooja ghar at my house and the temples outside? It is the Idol or
the picture that we know as God since our childhood that is
worshiped. And what is different between the two ? Or for that
matter, what is the difference between the idol at temples, the
custom made pooja ghar in each house and the idols displayed in
shops. Where is your GOD ? Whom do you bow before and do you bow with
equal devotion in front of all?
Well, think about
it. How do you feel when you enter a temple ? Calm, peaceful and
positive. But these vibes are stronger at a temple than our pooja
ghar. I wondered why ... and the answer was not difficult. It is the
faith and belief of many who visit the temple everyday and the
chanting of mantras which are so synergistic... that elevate the
positive vibrations of the temple. No wonder why people go from Kashi
to Tirupathi to fulfill their mannats.
At this point, I
have a question. What if my parents showed me an image and told me as
a child that this is God. I would have believed it easily. So
basically it the game of beliefs.
God is our highest
potential and we pray in order to untap this potential. The reason we
have idols or images is to make it easier for us to understand and
relate to the otherwise the 'nirguna' and 'nirakara' i.e. someone without
any attributes or shapes and form. God is the life that we see around
and the universe that we live in.
Before an Idol is
worshipped in temple, there is a ritual called 'pran pratishta' that
is done by the priest. 'Pran Pratisha' means infusing life into the
sculpture of stone. The irony is... we the small speck in this
universe try to imitate God into an idol using mantras and rituals
and in turn bow before it. Really there is no need to do this. You
already have a full fledge miracle with life infused in it. Is it
hard to guess ! ? It's YOU and every human being around you.
So where are we
going in this discussion. My point is, there is God in each one of
us. And you should not be surprised by this statement. The universe
by it's nature of increasing entropy is moving towards more chaos. The
coming together of so many factors to form something as constructive
and as intelligent as a human in this universe itself is the highest
form of God around. And our life is an opportunity to reach that
highest potential and awaken the God is us.
You may well begin
your day by being grateful to have got a human life. Thank the Food you eat and Mother Earth and the Sun. Untangle your
chaotic self. Try listening to the silence between your breathes.
Keep anger, worry and greed at bay throughout the day. Love your work
and live your life with passion. Be the beaming smile to make
someone's day and be the helping hand for someone in need.
Your gratitude to
yourself every morning is like your prayer to God. And what is more
relateable than your own human self and yet there is so much to
discover each day. You are the most unique and custom made temple
with a living soul within that accompanies you everywhere. Make
it your one stop temple for all your mannats. Good thoughts will keep
your temple clean and the God within you will inspire everyone
around. Even as our our body ages and goes back to earth with time, your
soul is immortal and continues it's journey. Good deeds are always left
behind and continue to do what you did during your lifetime. Where is
your God ? End the search here to begin a new journey now :)
