Who created God? or Is it our own invention? It is an age-old question that has plagued all those who like to think about the big questions.
Just last fortnight, I visited Puri, Orissa for the pilgrimage to Jagannath temple. As much as it was spiritually "satisfying" for my parents I was irritated with the chaos and mayhem created by 'pandas' there. I was wondering if indeed visitors are able to offer their prayers in peace. It is after all every Hindus long cherished wish to do their 'char-dham-yatra' but was that the only purpose or the reason lies in creating another money spinning business in the name of God? Is God our own creation? may be I don't know and neither do I have the patience or time or inclination or competence to read and understand the philosphical content of all the books on the subject. But, here was this craftsman on the Grand Road - famous for the 'Rathyatra' conducted here every year, focussed on giving final touches to idols. His frentic fingure movement was a feast to watch and I was still wondering if he created the God!! Shy of me taking his photos he asked me 'Babu, humari photo kyun le rahe ho?' I told him, I never saw any one creating God to which he replies 'Babu, murti nahin banayenge to ghar kaise chalayenge aur bhagwan to haathon mein hai to khana khila raha hai.. humara to bass itna hi kaam hai'
Soon I realised why do we say 'Apna haath Jagannath'. I guess it is very important to be focussed and do our duty religiously.. rest shall follow. I guess I learn some thing from him.
Just last fortnight, I visited Puri, Orissa for the pilgrimage to Jagannath temple. As much as it was spiritually "satisfying" for my parents I was irritated with the chaos and mayhem created by 'pandas' there. I was wondering if indeed visitors are able to offer their prayers in peace. It is after all every Hindus long cherished wish to do their 'char-dham-yatra' but was that the only purpose or the reason lies in creating another money spinning business in the name of God? Is God our own creation? may be I don't know and neither do I have the patience or time or inclination or competence to read and understand the philosphical content of all the books on the subject. But, here was this craftsman on the Grand Road - famous for the 'Rathyatra' conducted here every year, focussed on giving final touches to idols. His frentic fingure movement was a feast to watch and I was still wondering if he created the God!! Shy of me taking his photos he asked me 'Babu, humari photo kyun le rahe ho?' I told him, I never saw any one creating God to which he replies 'Babu, murti nahin banayenge to ghar kaise chalayenge aur bhagwan to haathon mein hai to khana khila raha hai.. humara to bass itna hi kaam hai'
Soon I realised why do we say 'Apna haath Jagannath'. I guess it is very important to be focussed and do our duty religiously.. rest shall follow. I guess I learn some thing from him.
