(nearly 400 words)
The other evening I travelled in a government bus from Yeshwanthpur to the Majestic Bus Stand (Bangalore), a half-an-hour drive. The bus passed through Malleswaram and Seshadripuram, two old habitats with a rich tradition of scholarship and religious fervour. I encountered several places of worship on the way on either sides of the road.
A young man, in his early thirties, sporting a small round vermillion mark on his forehead and a talisman on his neck sat by my side in the window seat. He had an overstuffed travel bag on his lap. He wore a sweater. Probably he was going to Majestic area to catch a night train or bus to go out of town.
In another seat was one more young man in his early twenties. He was well built. He had his top two shirt buttons open, probably to exhibit his manliness – a la Salman Khan style (now further popularised by Sharukh Khan as well). He wore three rings on his right hand and a rather long talisman on his neck. He had a macho look on his face.
You will agree that both these men had contrasting personalities.
But I observed one common trait in them. Whenever the bus passed by a temple their right hand would rise; its fingers would touch one cheek, then the other, then the forehead, then the chin in quick succession. Simultaneously their both eyes would close for fleeting seconds, and their lips would utter an almost silent prayer. This process repeated itself at least half-a-dozen times (as many temples on the way).
I wondered why they performed the act which I have described above.
· out of sheer habit; something imbibed from their parents or grandparents since their childhood?
· out of fear of God? (why should one fear God, the merciful and compassionate, I thought further)
· were they asking for a boon from the God so that their immediate missions become successful?
The thought of asking them these questions did cross my mind, but then I decided against that; it was politically incorrect to do so; it was also fraught with dangers. Reaching home quickly and in one piece were more important than these issue, I quickly and wisely decided.
S .Gopal
..keying in is better than idling
June 20, 2008 at 6:19 pm |
hi
I was going through your writings (i can t consider it as articale) was a surprise for me being in Hindustan and i have come across people like you
.Are asking this questions with innosnce are ponting out on the believes of the people in Hindustan and the culture.
What ever religion you are in understand one thing HINDUISM is not a religion ,
Its a culture based on TRUTH , SANATANA DARMHA and way of living.
Don t point out the cultural habits of HINDUSTAN and feel pround that you are one among them who have prserved the cultures from the foreign cultures who doest know their FATHER R MOTHER.And in the state of NO FAMILY and their society is ruined and are in search of change.
Don t sit in Hindustan and comment on the people come out and see the difference and the reality where you are living.
And using the word TALISMAN.ARE YOU TRYING TO CONVICE FORIGNERS
(A Talisman is a small amulet or other object, often bearing magical symbols, worn for protection against evil spirits or the supernatural)
Here in foreign contries these peoples are fenetic and belevies in devils and evels
also do you know that small kids aged between 12 14 are street rowdies and also murder people with out knowing them as they feel like play
We don t need to take appointments with my family to see and to celebrate
fathers day my friend
Respect the culture and don t bother about people what they carry with them (overstuffed travel bag on his lap)you have written . Please do bother about what u can do to your family and society from your pockets
STYA MEVA JEYATE
wE ARE THE ONLY CULTURE WHO CAN VISIT MANDIR , CHURCH AND MASZID IN THE ENTIRE WORLD ,BUT NOT VISEVERSA
HOPE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND AND NOT OFFENDED BY MY COMMENTS