KEEP THE FAITH

A few days back I was watching a movie called Robinson Crusoe, there was this one particular scene in which Robinson meets Friday and he decides that he will teach him English. So after six months or something, he is in a dilemma how to teach a nomad about god. So he tells him, God is the curator, the almighty that has gifted us life and everything we have is a gift from above. Friday draws a diagram of an alligator on the ground and tells him, alligator is there god. They worship him n that’s why they offer him with human sacrifice to keep him happy. Robinson gets angry and tells him that, that is blasphemy and he will go straight to hell. Friday say’s I don’t like your god. He tells him to show him their god and he will show you kanga (the alligator). At this Robinson is dumb founded and rests his case.

My bringing up has been such that my parents have never forced me into being a ardent follower or reciting mantra’s and sloka’s like my cousin’s used to. Because I remember when I was small, we had these yearly trips to my cousin’s place on occasions like diwali, bhau bheej, durga pooja and many more. This was a time when all the aunt’s used to show off what their boys where capable of. One used to start by telling her son, beta , ya time kai shikla tu ( what have you learned this time) and he used to start like a parrot by saying , shubham karito kalyanam…………… ( I only rem the first three words of that slokh). And the other used to start by saying something other. Then it was my turn. Everyone’s eye’s looking at me and I dunno a single thing. I used to say sheepishly I dunno. All the aunt’s used to turn to my mother and say “Kai ho, tomhi kai shikwat nahi ka” ( you guys don’t teach him anything or what). I Don remember what my mother used to say but this was the scene every time our families had a get together.

Every time I used to say to myself, next time I will show you guys, but once we left the house, so was my resolve. So I never got the chance to pay back. Then there was this new subject in school called socials I think. In it we were taught about our religion, some sloka’s, and then we were thought gayatri mantra. Most of the guys knew about this, but it was new for me. It had a strange powerful charisma about it that one can’t ever forget. I remember when my parents had to go out and I had to stay home at night, I used to get sleep only by chanting the gayatri mantra. It makes you and your soul at peace, calms your disturbed mind and relaxes you. What is the reason behind it, I donno the reason, but there are many things that can’t be explained by logical thinking.

Like how shiva was able to consume deadly poison, how ganpati was able to do the great things he did, or how jesus was able to reincarnate and cure the sick. This may sound derogatory but if sachin was to be born during that period and there was the game of cricket then m sure, 2000 years down the line, we would have a temple of sachin and would worship him like all the other gods. What I feel is human’s need a hero to sublime the aberrant facts of life. Like the UFO sightings, no one has a clue what is its origin. But the evidence of their existence has been found in the oldest of manuscripts ever written by humans.

Why anything extraordinary or unexplainable or unthinkable is termed as acts of god. Why can’t be it fate or coincidence or whatever. But we are so used to leave everything on god that it plays it on our mind subconsciously. It’s all changed for me from the time I have met my love. The time I met her, I was going through a rough phase and I had no hope left what so ever. This was the only quality she didn’t like about me that I was not so much of a believer. She used to comfort me by saying, don worry sonu everything will be all rite. Nothing bad happens to good people. That time I didn’t care much but she used to take me sometimes for mass or to visit Mount Mary. The first time I saw that statue, I was stunned by the beauty of the statue. I had no idea this kinda art could be seen in India let alone in Mumbai. It was nearly as impressive as the statue of JESUS with open arms at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Before that moment I used to pray at temples, for the good results of my exams. But at that moment, seeing her pray I just couldn’t help asking god to keep her always happy no matter what. That was the first time in my life I think I prayed apart from myself. It feels so good that there is a higher figure that can look after you and the people you love.

And slowly even I started doing well again, I felt I was back on track, and it was all because of the support of my love and by god’s grace. And when I cleared all the semesters, I took her to siddhivinayak on my birthday. That was a great experience too, cuz it was the first time, she had visited a temple. We sat there for some time; talking about our marriage, and children, as in what religion will they follow. I told her that I would leave that decision for them to choose just like my parents never forced me into anything.

Then the time came when she was going through rough phase regarding her job. She couldn’t get into what she had hoped for and had to take up something which she didn’t like. As a result she wasn’t comfortable over there and she had to face many problems. Then it was my time to comfort her, saying everything will be all right, have faith, and have patience. That four or five months were like hell for her as well as me, cuz I had to take the brunt of her mood swings but I knew this was just a passing phase and anyways if a person is not there when someone needs you then what is the point in being in a relationship. This is where we both compliment each other and as predicted she got into a corporate and everything was once again rosy enforcing our faith in almighty once again.

I believe that god is one, and it’s not necessary that you have to perform rituals just to please him. I feel god resides in our hearts and love and compassion is his language. I donno whether god exists or not but more important is having faith in him. Trust him with all your heart and you won’t ever be disappointed.