In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the discussion on “Punya-Kshetras” and why is it important for us to visit them. We’ve viewed this point from a different perspective of the present-day condition of various temples in our Bhaarata Desha. Of course, there are certain temples that are well-maintained and there is also a huge rush of devotees flocking to these temples every day. Moreover, funds for regular maintenance in these temples aren’t really a problem. However, the problem comes for several other temples in various places across the country, be it Vishnu or Shiva temples, that are in almost a dilapidated state, crying for attention! There are several “Punya-Kshetras” across India which have enormous significance in them, but unfortunately, the world doesn’t know about it because of lack of awareness and adequate marketing activities to propagate the significance. Because of this, the number of devotees who visit such temples are very less in number, and as a result, the temple lacks funds even for regular maintenance and for performing regular Pujas.
Moreover, the other challenge that we face in our Bhaarata Desha is that many temples come under the control of the respective state governments. This can be a double-edged sword – Some temples that come under the ambit of the government are well-maintained, but there are a massive number of temples that are crying for attention! The problem is complicated when the political parties that form governments in the states are anti-Hindu in nature! Some state governments in India and some listless political parties are openly and vehemently propagating against our “Sanaatana Dharma” and are indulging in insulting our age-old traditions and practices. All this is done in the name of “Secularism” in India! Will the same political parties / governments have the guts to do the same to other religions and their places of worship? They would not! People like us who are ardent followers of the “Sanaatana Dharma” have systematically been “soft targets” for such political goons for several years now! These goons run amuck and unleash their anti-Hindu activities in various ways by creating rifts between societies and communities within our Sanaatana Dharma.
Of course, I’m not denying the fact that our “Sanaatana Dharma” is extremely diverse all across the country with an enormous number of caste systems, communities, societies, etc., but having said thus, it doesn’t mean that we are different in any way! Even though we might hail from different communities or whatever, we’re all beads strung together by Bhagawan in doing selfless “Seva” to Him and to all living beings. All of us are equal and all these so-called “differences” that these useless political parties try to create are only to score cheap political brownie points and cheap publicity, and nothing else. Let us think of it in this way – If someone has to talk about any topic, be it science or politics or religion, etc. he / she should have the complete knowledge about the subject in hand, isn’t it? For instance, if I’m writing this blog on “Mahabharata” every day, and if all of us, readers are reading through and understanding the content of it, all of us together know the subject thoroughly, don’t we? Only if we know the subject in and out, will we become eligible to talk or criticize about it, isn’t it? Rather, if we do not know about the subject fully, it is better to keep our mouths shut! This is what certain political goons aren’t doing! These goons are either half-baked in their knowledge, or a complete “zero” in their basic understanding about our “Sanaatana Dharma”. Thus, without knowing the subject thoroughly, who are these stupids to even open their mouth?
Moreover, if these so-called secularists are anti-Hindu in nature, why are they running our temples when they come to power? Shouldn’t they be giving the rights and ownership of the temples to the respective “Aadheenams” or other spiritual organizations that can run them more efficiently? If these so-called law-makers are truly secular, why don’t they take churches and mosques under their control? Why is this rule applicable only for our temples and not for other places of worship? Of course, I’m not demeaning any religion here, but demeaning “Sanaatana Dharma” and using this narrative to promote other religions for securing vote banks is what I’m criticizing here! Just because certain political leaders get the mike in their hands and a stage to stand on, would they be talking senseless crap about our Sanaatana Dharma? Therefore, my humble request to these listless half-baked political leaders is – Please go back to your drawing board, take some books about Sanaatana Dharma practices and traditions, read them thoroughly, do some research on it, before taking the mike in your hands! This would be beneficial, both for you as well as for citizens of this country. Just because you’ve to gain political mileage, do not take “Sanaatana Dharma” as a hostage! Let me be very clear here – Irrespective of whatever political ranting that these half-baked politicians do, our “Sanaatana Dharma” would continue to exist forever! Nobody can even think in their wildest dreams of destroying our great “Sanaatana Dharma”! Hence, as ardent followers of “Sanaatana Dharma”, let us not get misled by these half-baked politicos!
So for today, let us understand this fact, and let us make it a point that we continue visiting as many temples as we can, across our “Bhaarata Desha”. Let us make sure that we “hand-hold” temples that are crying for attention. Let us help these temples in whatever way we can, so that the “Nithya-Pujas” here are happening as prescribed. Let us take this pledge amongst us as we move forward from here on! We shall wait till the next episode to continue our discussion forward! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 