Written during 2003-04, edited 2 May 2011, 01:14 AM
How I looked at different Religions
I was born as a Hindu, I am a Hindu, and I wish to die as a Hindu.
I found my Isht'Dev Shri SiddhiVinaayak Gan’Pati wherever I went - be it a temple, a mosque, a church, or a synagogue.
I went inside a Mosque in Shaarjaah with my Pakistani driver Malik and prayed there sitting by the side of him. In the house of Tanzaanian_Omaani Hamoud Hamdoun bin Muhammad, I had my meals from the same huge plate, as Muslims traditionally do, practically as one of the members of his family. I shared his grief visiting mosque with him after the death of one of his close relative.
I had been present at a mass held at a Catholic Church in Mumbai. I heard the sermon given at a Protestant Church in Canada. I visited Jewish Synagogue in Mumbai. I attended meditation at Buddhist temple in Canada.
I did so being a Hindu who believed:
- God is One
- people perceive Him differently
- every one is free to follow his/her chosen path.
In a make-believe world of Religious Equality
A Hindu does not think in terms of "my God is the only true God and all other gods are false gods" like a Jew, a Christian or a Muslim thinks — a fact that I had not aware of until I studied Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures years later. Therefore, in those days, disregard where I lived—be it Hindu BhaaratVarsh or Muslim Middle East or Muslim Far East or Christian West—I looked at all religions equally.
I never felt any difference between a Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian when I hired throughout my career Hindus, Muslims and Christians. It was purely a question of who appeared to be the best suited for the job on hand.
I was not yet organized to think in terms of religious divides because I was ignorant of religious teachings of different religions. I lived in a make believe world of religious equality.
I had not yet learned the bitter truth because I had not yet felt the need to study different religions myself. I had remained happy simply believing those who taught or preached or wrote that all religions are equal and they all teach love and peace! I did not know that they did so out of their profound ignorance about other religions or, to protect their own vested interests.
Face to face with Reality
Much later in life I sat down to study the teachings of different religions and discovered how well those teachings reflected in the thought process and real life conducts of their followers.
To my dismay I uncovered how each religion shaped the history and the current events. I noticed a direct correlation between the religion, history and current events. The message was loud and clear: we can ignore these findings only to our detriment.
As long as I remained unaware of these facts, I remained happy. Once I faced the truth, a storm arose at the horizon of my emotions. By the time peace regained around the volcanic eruption, a lot was left behind.
No affiliations
I am not a member of any organization, political party, or religious order. I do not wish to be one because I do not wish to be tied down by organizational compulsions.
I am a writer, not an activist, and I would want to remain that way until a call comes from within to change my course. I do not wish to attend any public meeting of any kind until then.
However, I do realize that धर्म Dharm' cannot be re-established with recourse to governing power. And therefore, some day, I may enter public domain, not for me but for recreating Hindu Raashtr'.
But that will happen
- only if no other leader demonstrates, by that time, definitive ability to lead the Hindus and take due care of their interests
- only if Naaraayani Ma Bhav'Taarini wants me to take up that role
But probably not before the end of current decade. As I have emphasized in my writings over and again that nothing happens before Time. The time has not come yet. It could probably be by the end of current decade, i.e., 2020.
(grayed out paras were added on 2 May 2011, 01:14 AM and edited on 3 Dec 2011, 05:46 PM)
Demise of Personal Ambitions
By the Grace of Shri Naaraayan my personal ambitions and worldly desires have been fulfilled, and I do not seek any thing in return for my time and labor, not even recognition. For this reason, I wish to stay aloof and stay focused at my work alone.
For whom my works are
My work is meant only for those people who understand its value. For other people it is simply garbage. I have no desire to waste my time and energy debating with such people and convince them.
Not many people will appreciate the significance of my works until the water reaches up to the neck and the threat of drowning becomes imminent.
Nevertheless, my work has to go on with total dedication by surrendering the outcome of my efforts to the sole discretion of my Aaraadhya Shri Naaraayan. Today, this is my "worship".