Let me say it outright -I'm not a fan of superstitious beliefs and practices that are followed in Hinduism and temples. Most of them make no sense, are silly, outdated, barbaric and idiotic. Or so I thought.
When I read of the opinion that Saravana Bhavan 'annachi' was awarded life sentence in a murder trial even as he encountered to build a temple for the Lord Balaji (LB) of Thiruppathi, it was yet another superstitious belief. I dismissed it outright. If at all anything, his sentence just proved that "truth alone triumphs (sometimes)" -reflecting the title of a Sujatha novel "வாய்மையே (சிலசமயம்) வெல்லும்”.
It so happened that LB 'crossed' me quite unexpectedly yesterday (Mar-25, Wed), when I had met with Prakash machan (a cousin of Vanishree) here in Osaka. Of the hundred nostalgic recollections we talked till late night -walking across the streets of Osaka, he was referring to his visit to Thiruppathi, with a remark, rather unexpectedly though, that "You know, to go to Thiruppathi, it is not enough if you alone decide. The 'invitation' has to come from the LB - meaning, he 'MUST" approve your meeting Him..."
I talked to a couple of my AP colleagues here in Japan about such myths about LB, and learned the following:
(a) It is a widely accepted belief that in one form or the other, one would 'feel' the invitation from the LB. It could be by way of a friend/relative asking you to accompany him to Thiruppathi, or a business trip close to a locality near Thiruppathi or simply a sudden crave to travel to Thiruppathi.
(b) There is also a belief that anybody who had attempted to build an LB temple with his 'own' money had had to bite the dust. LB would only accept a temple built with donors' contributions.
Musing over these superstitious beliefs for a while, I began to realise the ultimate objectives of these 'beliefs'.
First, is it not true Godliness that refuses a temple built with the money power of a single individual? In a way, it discourages the rich people from flaunting their money power by building temples. Undoubtedly, this removes the disparity between the rich and the poor, when it comes to glorifying God. This belief dismisses the significance of being rich in religious matters.
The second point is appealing too -it says, you can't just like that travel and worship LB at your convenience, though your stature in the society would make it easy to do so. It is aimed, rather tacitly, at dismissing the rich & the powerful from flocking to Thiruppathi just because they have the amenities & convenience to do so. Is there any better way one could establish equality among pilgrims?
Long back I had understood the explanation for tonsuring in temples; that is the ideal way for one to present himself in absolute humility. This also explains the practice followed in the southern districts of TN where sons tonsure at the time of the death of their parents.
A friend of mine here with whom (along with others) I have done 4 hikes over the mountains in Japan, told me while discussing LB, that people used to go for a hike on the 7 hills of Thiruppathi. Another friend said that his 12th Gr son did the hike in Thirumalai last time. The word 'hike' attracted me.........
And here is The Point: I'm not writing this to say that I've "got" the official invitation to go to Thiruppathi. But the turn of events and the messages that reached me in quick successions would all 'add up' and make one think that this IS the invitation...? Falling into superstitious beliefs is always that easy!
When I read of the opinion that Saravana Bhavan 'annachi' was awarded life sentence in a murder trial even as he encountered to build a temple for the Lord Balaji (LB) of Thiruppathi, it was yet another superstitious belief. I dismissed it outright. If at all anything, his sentence just proved that "truth alone triumphs (sometimes)" -reflecting the title of a Sujatha novel "வாய்மையே (சிலசமயம்) வெல்லும்”.
It so happened that LB 'crossed' me quite unexpectedly yesterday (Mar-25, Wed), when I had met with Prakash machan (a cousin of Vanishree) here in Osaka. Of the hundred nostalgic recollections we talked till late night -walking across the streets of Osaka, he was referring to his visit to Thiruppathi, with a remark, rather unexpectedly though, that "You know, to go to Thiruppathi, it is not enough if you alone decide. The 'invitation' has to come from the LB - meaning, he 'MUST" approve your meeting Him..."
I talked to a couple of my AP colleagues here in Japan about such myths about LB, and learned the following:
(a) It is a widely accepted belief that in one form or the other, one would 'feel' the invitation from the LB. It could be by way of a friend/relative asking you to accompany him to Thiruppathi, or a business trip close to a locality near Thiruppathi or simply a sudden crave to travel to Thiruppathi.
(b) There is also a belief that anybody who had attempted to build an LB temple with his 'own' money had had to bite the dust. LB would only accept a temple built with donors' contributions.
Musing over these superstitious beliefs for a while, I began to realise the ultimate objectives of these 'beliefs'.
First, is it not true Godliness that refuses a temple built with the money power of a single individual? In a way, it discourages the rich people from flaunting their money power by building temples. Undoubtedly, this removes the disparity between the rich and the poor, when it comes to glorifying God. This belief dismisses the significance of being rich in religious matters.
The second point is appealing too -it says, you can't just like that travel and worship LB at your convenience, though your stature in the society would make it easy to do so. It is aimed, rather tacitly, at dismissing the rich & the powerful from flocking to Thiruppathi just because they have the amenities & convenience to do so. Is there any better way one could establish equality among pilgrims?
Long back I had understood the explanation for tonsuring in temples; that is the ideal way for one to present himself in absolute humility. This also explains the practice followed in the southern districts of TN where sons tonsure at the time of the death of their parents.
A friend of mine here with whom (along with others) I have done 4 hikes over the mountains in Japan, told me while discussing LB, that people used to go for a hike on the 7 hills of Thiruppathi. Another friend said that his 12th Gr son did the hike in Thirumalai last time. The word 'hike' attracted me.........
And here is The Point: I'm not writing this to say that I've "got" the official invitation to go to Thiruppathi. But the turn of events and the messages that reached me in quick successions would all 'add up' and make one think that this IS the invitation...? Falling into superstitious beliefs is always that easy!
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