News in recent times has been challenging the very fabric of beliefs and tenets of Hindus. One can argue for and against such events. The fact remains that the practitioners are at the receiving end on several matters from the non-believers, judiciary, and legislation side. It is not a case of legality which is put forth here. I believe that many of these events are triggered because of the problems within. Most of them are created to satisfy one\’s ego by different subgroups within the Hindus.
The root cause lies in the fact that the “learned group” today do not understand the basic tenets of Hinduism. Rigveda says
एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्त्यग्निं यमं मातरिश्वानमाहु:॥
The first part of this line means truth is one, but they are known differently.
All forms and formats are acceptable in Hinduism. The flexibility provided has got misunderstood by most. There is a difference between flexibility and convenience. The texts and scriptures have provided for flexibility, not comfort.
The differences in the form of worship and practices are defined in various texts and scriptures of Hinduism. There are several sources of these practices.
Also, there are practices come into reckoning based on followers of various saints. For example,
- Followers of Ramanujacharya and Vedanta Desikacharya have differences in their practices
- Daily Rituals followed by different Mutts are different
These are examples of flexibility in religious practices.
The religious leaders have forgotten that “Tarka” (Arguments) in our shastras were for healthy reason. They were a source of the learning process. They were not for satisfying one’s ego.
Unfortunately many practitioners and “leaders with incomplete knowledge” do not understand and take their internal fights to the public domain. Some examples are listed below. There are many such instances by different Mutts and Spiritual Leaders
- A very famous and long drawn case was relating to the type mark to be applied in the temple elephant.
- Two “scholarly” people fought with each other on TV to discuss whose subsect is better.
- Pontiffs go to court over the appointment of position in a Mutt.
- Recently the Madras High Court has banned, until further orders, the recital of the Tamil Prabandam at a temple in Kancheepuram following a dispute between two groups.
The scholars and pontiff must think on and provide answers to the following questions:
- Why fight over different practices, when everything is acceptable to God?
- Why one’s Ego should hurt while accepting and permitting to practice their own way?
- Can they cite anything in Vedas and other ancient text that prohibits another way of worshiping?
- Can they rise above board and come out of their egoist approach towards others’ practices?