Author: V Ramaprasad
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 26, 2001
Jagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathy
of Trivandrum recently in Mumbai to bless devotees at the Rama Dasa Ashram
at Badlapur. He had earlier visualised the construction of a magnum Hanuman
prathishta at the same site.
Swamiji says that it is very difficult
for a common man to practice spirituality. In his attempt to give this
spirituality he conducts various religious functions wherein vedic mantras
are chanted, both by trained devotees and the common man.
Swamiji is non-sectarian and allows
people of all sects and religions to attend his functions. He refutes the
charge that Hindus are fanatics. He stresses on the need for human values
and humanity. He says that the classics in Indian religion are non-violent
in nature, and this non-violence has to be explained by religious leaders.
He says that Hindu books are fragmented,
and most people don't even know that the primary book of Hindus are the
Vedas. He explains that Hindu texts became fragmented from the time of
Veda Vyasa, because Veda Vyasa gave the four Vedas to a disciple. Swamiji
stresses that the Vedanta is one and the same for all. He also says that
even Western Scientists accept their Hindu dictum.
He says consciousness is fundamental
to understanding of religion. He criticises religious manipulators, and
explains that even a small country like Wales has a rich family and cultural
tradition. He says that India has become a holy land for Muslims. Elaborating
on religious manipulation Swamiji points out from a book that he read,
"Om Namah Shivaya" has been interpreted as "Let all die". In another work
he noticed that a Christian Crown has been given to the Deity Ayyappa.
Talking about religions he said
for Muslims and Christians, religion is important but for Hindus community
life and politics is more important. He says for Hindus, calenders do not
revolve around holymen or avtaars but only God. He states that equality
exists in India both in religion and politics.
Talking of Hindu religious holidays,
he says that Thursday is the correct holiday for Hindus because it represents
Guruwar, and Hindus have high respect for and worship Gurus. For hint there
are five Gurus for every Hindu and they are the Mother, Father, Teacher,
Elder Brother and Spouse. He criticises the writing of negative religious
books, and gave examples of books written about Kalki avtaar of Vishnu
and a book written in English about the Sorrow Of Rama. He says this is
against Indian ethos.
Talking about animal sacrifice in
places of worship, he emphatically states that it is wrong and what people
sacrifice is their own ignorance and not innocent animals.
