Does Hinduism Need God Men?

On Sunday, CNN IBN had exposed three Hindu God Men or ‘babas’ who were ready to turn illegal money into white. The God Men were shown willing to take money from the corporate representatives (journalists undercover) and in return write them a cheque back for the same amount. The corporates only needed to pay a certain amount of commission to the ‘babas.’ All this because by investing money in charitable institutions corporates gets a considerate amount of tax rebate.

The exposed god men were Vedanti Maharaj, chairman of the Ramjanmabhoomi Trust in Ayodhya, Pilot Baba (Kapil Advait), former wing commander who fought for India in the 1965 and 1971 wars and Guruvayoor Surya Namboodiri, famous for making prophecies.

It is a well known fact that certain Hindu God Men are indulged in illegal activities. People usually talk about this in private and now some ‘babas’ are caught red handed. Saddest part is that none of the central or state governments ever do anything to control such illegal activities done in the name of religion.

Such ‘babas’ damage the reputation of other organizations and people who are indulged in philanthropic activities.

Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) does not require any middleman like priests or prophets to seek Brahman (god). But Hindus get easily attracted to swamijis and babas. Why is that? This is because of lack of true understanding of the teaching of Sanatana Dharma. Nobody can help you to understand Brahman until and unless you are ready to work hard for it.

The core of Sanatana Dharma can be found in Katha Upanishad. The opening prayer in it clearly demonstrates the relationship between Guru and Student.

Saha nav avatu
saha nau bhunaktu
saha viryam karavavahai
tejasvi nav adhitam astu
ma vidvishavahi
aum santih, santih, santih

May he protect us both; may he be pleased with us both; may we work together with vigour; may our study make us illumined; May there be no dislike between us. Aum, peace, peace, peace.

Guru and the student learn together. Each dawn brings in new knowledge. The Guru imparts what he has learned in the past. Then the Guru and the Student together acquires new knowledge. Sanatana Dharma incorporates new knowledge and expands its horizon. It is not a prisoner of the past. But what does most of this modern day God Men do?

Sadly, most of our modern day God Men have nothing new to say. They interpret and reinterpret old teachings. They are a stagnant pool of water, which stinks.

Remember what Dattatreya said ‘Water is my second guru. It is a force that contains life and purity. It cleanses whatever it touches and provides life to whoever drinks it. Water flows unceasingly. If it stops, it becomes stagnant. Keep moving is the lesson I learned from water.’

Only a few of Hindu god men have solutions to modern day problems. And these few have corporatised there teaching.

But the real villains are those people who go after these god men thinking that these god men will help them with their miracles.

The 18-day war in Mahabharata symbolically represents life. Krishna never showed any miracles during the war to help the Pandavas. Krishna only told Arjun what is right and wrong. And Krishna ultimately asked Arjuna to take the decision.

Santana Dharma never talks about miracle. Instead it talks about acquiring true knowledge to rise above day-to-day trials and tribulations. Each individual needs to work with utmost devotion to acquire this knowledge. No God Men or babas can give provide you with true knowledge.

Knowledge is here, you only need to find it and practice it.