Wishing you all a blessed festive season. As a kid I loved to watch Ravan's effigy busted with fire crackers on Dusshera. We all does, right? We were told the story of Ramayana, and how lord Ram killed the evil Ravan. As today I reflect back to Ram-Ravan story I ask myself what Ravan did wrong? Why is he an idol of evil? First thing, he was born in "Asur" family. Does that justify enough? No. Secondly, he took over many states, regions and heaven. Does this justify? Yes a bit. Because violence is against human morals. Thirdly, he kidnapped Sita and took her to his land. Kept her in a palace and asked her to marry him. Never touched her and respected her integrity. Does this justify? Well, I will not get into details of this story and say, yes it does. It is immoral to keep an eye on other women. But consider today's scenario. Who among us is not Ravan? There are hundreds of them in the streets. Teasing and abusing women. Hundreds of them harassing innocent humans in the name of religion, politics, race and color.
Not until we kill the Ravana in ourselves, the true meaning of Dusshera can be idealized. As it is quoted in a song from Swades Movie: "Mann se Ravan jo nikale Ram uske Mann me hain"
Dear friends, The real festive time of the year is about to start. Navratris are around the corner and then Dusherra and then Diwali. A good time for fun, getting closer with friends and family. About Navratri, people keep fasts: some for a day, some 9 days. I keep them too. And since now I live away from family I cook my own Vrat food. It feels good.
But I have observed something. I see many people keeping fast (by which I mean they do not eat the daily food they are used to) but they do eat a lot of food related to fast. I believe its not fasting. Real meaning of fasting is to constrain yourself from habits you do more often.
1.It may be over-eating : constrain yourself to take only one or 2 meals 2.it may be smoking: constrain yourself from lesser to no smoking at all 3.It maybe drinking: constrain yourself from drinking.
Fasts are not only an approach to get closer to the divine you believe in but also to yourself. The real God. YOU. It teaches you self control.
More example? Have you met people who say they don't drink on Tuesdays or Thursdays or Saturdays or all of them. Me with others have many times made fun of them. But as I think of it now, I feel that it is also a way to self control. It is a good way to keep your drinking in Limit.
All in all, I trust Hindu religion and its related customs are actually good to follow, only thing is to understand them before complaining/ criticizing.
Wishing you all Good times Ahead. Jai Mata Di! Regards, twitter: @ceepish
