AN EXTRAVAGANZA AMIDST WANT
To day is the third day of the Mahamastaka Abhisheka at Shravan Belagola to the mono lithic statue. This is once in twelve years extravaganza. When I watch the event I always have different thoughts. When I see the multi colored water coursing over the statue, I admire the beauty of it. I am awe struct by the granduer of it. I go back to the visionary who carved the monolith with such perfection and with what confidence he would have started the project. The stone standing alone in the wilderness must be a daunting edifice.
That apart, I also feel hurt when so much precious liquid goes waste. Is it a show of wealth? (I am told that the first pot to pour on the statue's head cost more than a Crore rupee). Could this money could have been given for a worthy cause? But there is another stream of thought, that this money would not have come but for the event. This money may ultimately go back to the community but scatterred among so many. So which is better? have these relegious bashes and enjoy the gung-ho feeling of money power.
In our society we have these extravagant events which do hurt the sentiments of the feeling soul. One more event is in the offing in Bangalore. They call it celebration. It is Sri Sris bash. I am sure the money will pour and all the event managers will line their pockets. Every one involved will pat each others back and have a beatific smile and think they are inches from the moksha. But just for a minute imagine this scenario. Sri Sri announces the cancellation of this extravaganza and says the money collected will go to serve the poor for their needs and improving their life situation. All speeches can be e-mailed to Guruji's ID. I doubt whether any money would come in such a scenario.
So the moot question is do we need all these events so that money is distriduted in the community.
That apart, I also feel hurt when so much precious liquid goes waste. Is it a show of wealth? (I am told that the first pot to pour on the statue's head cost more than a Crore rupee). Could this money could have been given for a worthy cause? But there is another stream of thought, that this money would not have come but for the event. This money may ultimately go back to the community but scatterred among so many. So which is better? have these relegious bashes and enjoy the gung-ho feeling of money power.
In our society we have these extravagant events which do hurt the sentiments of the feeling soul. One more event is in the offing in Bangalore. They call it celebration. It is Sri Sris bash. I am sure the money will pour and all the event managers will line their pockets. Every one involved will pat each others back and have a beatific smile and think they are inches from the moksha. But just for a minute imagine this scenario. Sri Sri announces the cancellation of this extravaganza and says the money collected will go to serve the poor for their needs and improving their life situation. All speeches can be e-mailed to Guruji's ID. I doubt whether any money would come in such a scenario.
So the moot question is do we need all these events so that money is distriduted in the community.
2 comments:
Isn't waste realtive. If a symbolic action assists us in connect with our concept of the divine is that really a waste? Isn't it wonderful that we can all see things differently, live in some many different places and with different ways yet still all be in the same world.
Happiness is only a thought away.
With love,
Susan
http://toltecinsights.blogspot.com
I agree with you Susan. The waste is relative. But living in a country where poverty is a reality, the thought does come about when one sees the wealth literall going down the drain. Philanthrophy as a divine cause is well taken. But divine cause as acommercial activity takes the sheen out of the divinity.
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