Page 43 - Sahaja_Jan-Feb_2021

Outlook
Pachu Menon
EULOGISING A CHARADE
For seekers on the
spiritual path who
come from distant
lands to learn the
inner science of
spirituality, the
ashrams, the yoga and
meditation centres
help them enrich their
life with inner
contentment and bliss.
pachumenon@yahoo.com
Delving into the lives of saints and ascetics, Indian history
has been replete with stories of their unwavering devotion to
God and divine ways.
But it is the pioneering ways of some at bringing about
radical changes in the society and liberating the countrymen
from the shackles of ignorance which stand out as epitomes of a
selfless life led in the service of God.
It has been such an approach towards life which has endeared
them to their followers. Exemplifying the concept of simple
living and high thinking, they have been able to touch the lives
of people and to some extent eradicate many of the social
malaises that flourished in those eras.
Service to humanity is service to God! How sublime it
sounds!
With the country having to thank the countless holy men who
left an indelible mark on the society over the decades through
their works and teachings, one would have thought that India is
rid of all the social evils that plagued it over the centuries.
However, as a land of mystics and mysticism, India continues
to maintain its position at the very top.
For seekers on the spiritual path who come from distant lands
to learn the inner science of spirituality, the ashrams, the yoga
43 P\phcn þ s^{_phcn 2021
and meditation centres help them enrich their life with inner is quite disconcerting. Yet, their followers do not tire of going steeped even more in ignorance. The
contentment and bliss. head over heels to please them. country thus saw a sudden surge in
The Sandhya Aarti on the banks of the Ganges carried out Mere Sai - Shraddha aur Saburi, a Hindi serial being aired on teachers who were more than willing
with all the religious fervour associated with it exemplifies the Sony Entertainment television every day from Monday to search for the elusive.
importance the country has given to religious tourism to Friday narrates the story of Sai Baba of Shirdi. Blatant commercialization of the
promote these unique attributes of its spiritual heritage and The mendicant - Fakir, he is called by his detractors – is to the laymen soon had spiritualism
showcase it to the outside world. shown teaching the villagers the virtue of honest living. Ever heights by the self-anointed Godmen
In a land where rishis and yogis have been inviting awe for available for his followers in their time of need, he comes industry!
centuries now, it is but natural that spiritualism too will attract across as a saintly figure who educates the villagers on the There has never been an iota of d
similar reactions. nuances of simple living. quite a few of these spiritual guru
However, though all religions emphasise spiritualism as “He taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, of being a God’ that has been taken
being part of faith, it is said that one can be spiritual without charity, contentment, inner peace and devotion to God and these highly revered ‘masters’ whic
being religious. Guru.” over their very personae.
With the ‘stress’ factor playing a major role in modern day A far cry from the ‘holy men’ of today who are conspicuous From an acharya to a Bhagwan …..
life, many people seek spirituality as a great way to seek by their opulence, Sai Baba’s life was a saga of frugalities. Not cumbersome for these claimants to o
comfort and peace in their life. for him the glitter of gold and the clinking of silver pieces. It is nevertheless difficult to g
reverence of their followers turns
Giving the right mix of religion and stress-busting ideas, the Seemingly a simple beggar, dressed in torn clothes and
modern society is witnessing the ‘revival’ of spiritualism which having no need for any material item, Sai Baba took food from does. In all vanity the religious t
is thriving on a grand commercial scale now and seems to be people making rounds of the village of Shirdi with his begging are God incarnates with an earthly
world. Over a period of time, it al
bowl.
attracting countless followers purely for the ‘divine’ aura that is
built around the ‘founders’. crowned with a tiara of gold and bedecked with costly gems. challenging to convince their follo
The statue of Sai Baba at his shrine at Shirdi is now however
It is averred that whenever the w
Gods have given way to these spiritual leaders and such has
been their charismatic presence in the country’s religious The vulgarly rich representation of the great soul today is a deeds of the sinners, God incarnate
firmament that every second Indian in recent times is besotted travesty of what he really stood for. cleanse the world of such debaucher
by some guru or the other - and swearing by them too! But then that is how the bhakts these days want their deities Is it the charisma of these Godme
to look like – not in rags, but in their lavished magnificence! tapping on to the religious uncerta
As much as their awe-inspiring holy ‘feats’, the surge of people which attracts disciples in
exposes belying their claims to holiness continues to haunt a Yet seen from a broader perspective, Sai Baba’s teachings
Ironically, instead of dispelling
country of imbeciles who seem to see divinity even in these served to throw a rigorous challenge to social norms prevalent admirers, the Godmen through their
accusations.
The aristocratic demeanour and mannerisms that describes then. put the fear of God in the minds of
Despite the impediments along the way, when a man
the current corps of spiritual leaders is a throwback to the rigid dedicates himself to the betterment of the society and brings way they intend bringing men closer
According to the scriptures, a gu
years of caste discrimination which dissuaded holy men then to about a drastic change in thought perceptions of its members guides his disciple through wisdom
mingle with the commoners.
through his singular efforts and in a selfless manner, he will
The recent instance of a high-flying spiritual guru showing forever enshrine himself in the minds of the people. journey.
But how appropriate is it to acco
his disinclination to share food with leaders of other Baba’s miraculous achievements have given him a saintly status human who cannot do without the com
Though he has never pined for name and fame, Shirdi Sai
communities when they gathered on a common platform for a
function is indicative of the intolerance for other faiths that among his followers. world, and yet preaches the virtues
continues to persist in the religious realms of the country even Conversely, even though temples dedicated to the great life in pursuit of the divine to hi
after years of efforts to abolish such prejudiced views on
More than spirituality, what the
holders of other beliefs. prophet continue to mushroom all over the country, it is members is a strong commitment towa
however difficult to gauge the relevance attached to Sai baba’s
Appealing to people to shun vile customs prevalent, what the
sages and seers of ancient India achieved through their sermons teachings in the modern times. health and clean surroundings. Just
godliness, a healthy body and a hea
and other social commentaries then is being categorically The evils that he wanted to uproot from the society have abode of Gods.
denied all relevance by the plethora of spiritual teachers who returned with a vengeance that is shocking. Superstitions and But such topics hardly feature in
blind faith have made man more vulnerable to the guiles of
adorn the religious scenario in the country today. tricksters. who prefer the mysteries of the rel
Besides the luxuries they claim as perks of an exalted status, With the Almighty and his mysterious ways continuing to with.
the holier-than-thou attitude maintained by these spiritual gurus baffle him, man’s so-called journey to self-realization has been Why is this charade being eulogis