musings 248

Often we read that there is intolerance in India.. or Indian society .

And such views take us to discussion of lack of tolerance which is supposed to be a part of Hindu way of life and Hindu religion..

But I do not think we are being fair to Hinduism..

Every ritual, every social transaction, based of that religion would show that there is wonderful flexibility and exhibition of mutual respect for heterogeneous beliefs..

We are never afraid to criticize anyone including the Supreme being and even crack jokes over their faux pas..

The hardcore Vaishnavas or Shavaites never hesitated to discuss the funny activities of the leaders (Perumal and Shivanaar) of their groups and their families..

Fun ans frolic was part of the Indian and Hindu life..

and humour and sarcasm can be found in abundance even in Vedas, Upanishads and Agamas.

And Hindus usually set apart some time-slots to accommodate even the apparent absurdities during the most solemn festivities, knowing very well that such frivolities are just frivolities but then they act as effective lubricants to reduce tension.

Hinduism actually created deities like Ganapathy or Narada, and many others just to have fun..

Shiva flirting with Ganga when Uma was away, Krishna just bolting off with the clothes of girls from a bathing ghat leaving them completely naked and crying... and numerous such narratives are part of solemn Hinduism.

Often lack of appreciation for the basic fabric of the most generous and multi-spectrum Hindu way of life and even commercial interests make people fight with one another.. but that happens because of the basic trait of selfishness in man.. and to be selfish a man need not be a Hindu..

If many things that we speak in public about our Gods in Hinduism and have hearty laugh are mentioned even in utter secrecy about Gods holding similar posts in other religions, the tongue and the mouth, the head and he torso would part company with immediate effect..

That can never happen in Hinduism and still we say and others say there is intolerance..