Business of Faith

In Hinduism, Heart is declared as the resting ground for Faith. Faith, has a great significance in Hindu culture. Faith, also known as Shraddha in Sanskrit is the central pillar to spiritual practice. Faith depends upon neither proof nor reason but belief in something that you feel is true. May be this aspect of faith or blind faith creates an enduring fascination for hordes of people in India towards Godmen and their miracles.

Blind faith, as proven many a times in India, knows no religion or class. Pop up dargahs under trees, a saffron cloth tied to an idol in the middle of nowhere are the symbols of flourishing business of superstitions in India. Even India’s upper class are obsessive followers of Godmen, as if they need constant re-assurances of their wellbeing - fingers full of rings, adding vowels to their name and dropping them at an astrologers scare.

India’s politicians are again at fault here. They are the ones who legitimize this Godmen by bringing them in the public domain by taking their blessings and attending there extravagant shows. Politicians have right to follow their faith but it should be kept private. The moment it becomes public, the faith turns into superstition, the followers become vote banks and devotion becomes a lucrative business.

I don’t feel bad for the elite class who spend their fortune at a jeweller or donate it to a Godmen, but it hurts when poor become victim of this heinous crime. It feels even worst when women and underage girls are raped in the name of religion. It’s a pity that modern, globalized, educated, cultured India is still obsessed with a fellow human being, who portrays him/her selves as a supreme being by doing outlandish things.

We are a nation that prides in its culture, heritage and education but all of this comes with a caveat…we are ridiculously superstitious!! It’s high time we find faith within over selves instead of immature spirituality based on superstitions and rituals offered by Godmen.