Stay Away From Religious Show Off And Worthless Rituals - Sant Tulsidas

Sant Tulsidas faced numerous opposition especially from fake priests and people who were religious show off . He asks people to see the real truth and to stay away from worthless rituals.

Recluses, ascetics and monks are searching for Him in variegated garbs.

Rishis, munis and avdhoots lay stress on scriptures and holy books.

The learned of the world, puffed up with pride in their scholarly traditions, remain deluded by their erudition.

They delude the world through the practice of pilgrimage, fasting and charity; they glorify bathing in holy waters and their followers bear the evil consequences.

They get lost in rituals and external observances and never can reach the destination.

Within this body exists the entire universe, so the wise saints say.

Explanation and additional information:

Sant Tulsidas, a revered poet-saint and the author of the Ramcharitmanas, emphasizes the importance of genuine devotion and warns against the superficiality of religious showmanship and hollow rituals. His teachings encourage seekers to look beyond mere external practices and rituals to find the true essence of spirituality within themselves. The passage you've mentioned reflects a profound critique of the religious practices that were prevalent during his time, many of which were devoid of true spiritual essence.

Expansion and Interpretation:

1. Stay Away from Religious Show-Off:

   • Meaning: Tulsidas advises against outward displays of religiosity. People often engage in religious activities like wearing specific clothes, performing rituals, and attending pilgrimages to show others their piety. However, these actions become meaningless if they lack genuine devotion or understanding.
   • Importance: This teaching is crucial as it directs people to focus on inner transformation rather than external appearances. It warns against the ego-driven motivations that often accompany religious practices, where the intention is more about social recognition than spiritual growth.

2. Worthless Rituals:

   • Meaning: Tulsidas criticizes rituals that are performed without understanding or sincerity. These include practices that are followed blindly, without knowing their true significance or purpose.
   • Importance: He stresses that rituals, when done mechanically or for show, are worthless. True spirituality lies in understanding and internalizing the principles behind the rituals, not merely performing them.

3. Critique of False Priests and Fake Practices:

   • Historical Context: Tulsidas faced opposition from those who were entrenched in ritualistic practices and who exploited religion for personal gain. His criticism of such figures was a call to the common people to see through the façade of these so-called religious leaders.
   • Modern Relevance: This message is timeless, as even today, many are misled by external appearances of piety, while the true essence of spirituality is overlooked.

4. The Search for the Divine Within:

   • Philosophical Insight: Tulsidas, like many other saints and mystics, teaches that the divine resides within each individual. The entire universe, with all its spiritual truths, exists within the human body and soul. This idea resonates with the Upanishadic concept of Tat Tvam Asi (Thou art that), where the seeker is encouraged to realize their own divinity.
   • Practical Application: Instead of seeking God through external rituals and pilgrimages, Tulsidas urges seekers to turn inward and discover the divine presence within themselves.

Similar Teachings from Hindu Scriptures:

1. Bhagavad Gita:

   • "patram pushpam phalam toyam, yo me bhaktya prayacchati; tad aham bhakty-upahritam asnami prayatatmanah" (BG 9.26)
     "Whoever offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I accept it."
     This verse emphasizes that God is pleased with simple offerings made with devotion, rather than elaborate rituals.

2. Upanishads:

   • "Na karmana na prajaya dhanena tyagenaike amritatvam anashuh" (Kaivalya Upanishad)
     "Not by rituals, not by progeny, not by wealth, but by renunciation alone is immortality attained."
     This emphasizes the futility of rituals in achieving the ultimate goal of life, which is self-realization or moksha.

3. Sant Kabir:

   • Kabir, like Tulsidas, was also critical of hollow rituals. He famously said,
     "Moko kahan dhunde re bande, Main to tere paas mein; Na mandir mein, na masjid mein, Na Kabe Kailas mein."
     "Where do you search for me, O seeker? I am within you; neither in the temple, nor in the mosque, neither in Mecca, nor in Kailash."

Stories from Hindu Scriptures:

1. Story of Nachiketa (Katha Upanishad): Nachiketa, a young boy, questions his father’s hollow ritual of giving away old, useless cows as charity. This story illustrates the importance of sincerity and understanding in performing religious duties, rather than following rituals blindly.

2. Story of Prahlada: Despite the rituals and austerities performed by his father Hiranyakashipu, it was Prahlada's genuine devotion to Lord Vishnu that brought divine grace. This story highlights that true devotion, even without rituals, is what pleases the Divine.

3. Bhagavad Gita – Story of Arjuna: In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to rise above mere rituals and focus on bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge), and karma (righteous action) with a sense of surrender to the Divine, rather than getting entangled in the complexities of rituals.

Sant Tulsidas's teachings remain deeply relevant, urging people to seek the truth within themselves and to practice spirituality with sincerity and devotion. He reminds us that the essence of religion is not in the outward show of rituals, but in the inner realization of the Divine. The stories and teachings from Hindu scriptures reinforce this timeless wisdom, guiding seekers on the path of true spirituality.