My Faith

For me my religion is not something to talk about or propagate or even mention. It is intensely private and personal. In fact, it is not a religion to me. It is a way of life – as simple as that.

I was born a Hindu and as a child was regaled with the grand stories and fables from the epics, Puranas, the Gita and the Bhagavatham. Being initially educated in a convent, I also imbibed some of the beliefs of the Christian faith.

But somehow, it has always seemed to me that these faiths are proselytizing – not satisfied with their own followers, they seek to convert from other faiths. I cannot accept that. I have enjoyed reading the Bible (both the Old and the New Testaments) and the Quran. I appreciate the greatness of thought and ideals expressed therein. What I cannot understand is the inability of the thinking people to do the same. After all, aren’t all these faiths but various paths to the same God?

One of the major criticisms leveled against my faith is idol worship. Perhaps, it may be justified among the unlettered public. But for such a label to be given by highly educated men of letters is nothing but rank bigotry. Surely, such people can understand that the hundreds of idols of the Indian pantheon are nothing but symbols – especially necessary for the self same public who find it easier to relate to a visible God than a formless One.

The lunatic fringe exists in every faith. But I feel that the strengths inherent in every religion are sufficient to overcome it. We can be proud of the fact that the message of peace, non-violence, tolerance and acceptance are India’s gifts to the world. India is secular, but she will always remain the birthplace of Hinduism and homeland of the Hindus. As the poet Mohd. Iqbal put it,

“Sare jahan se achcha Hindustan hamara.”

Time, they say is the acid test, in which the great is separated from the average or the mediocre. Hinduism remains the oldest religion to come down to us from the hoary mists of time. And, as I said in the beginning, that is because it is not just a religion but a way of life.

By Mrs. Sudha Prakash