Lighthouse

Author(s): Udayvallabhvijay
Publisher: Pragna Prabodh Parivar

Page 50

An atheist sees stone in a deity. In the movie OMG a character calls the deity putla and khilauna. This actor has moved ahead from the silver screen to become a Member of Parliament. He should be publicly asked a question - would he dare to call the statue of Late Shri Vallabhbhai Patel (statue of unity) weighing several tons, which is taking shape with the wish and inspiration of Shri Narendrabhai Modi, a putla or khilauna ? For one who has real vision, deity is not just a statue but inspiration. It may not be a living object and yet you can express your feelings in front of him. A deity may not be living thing but feelings are always living and such living feelings (shraddha) is far more effective than the living God. * Manthara and Kaikeyi had met live Rama, but there
being together in flesh and bones had no effect on them. * Tulsidas and Kabeer only had the name of Rama and it
had immense effect in their lives. Kans had met live Shree Krishna, but it had no effect on him.. Meera had just a statuette of Shree Krishna and that
changed her entire life. Faith is a priceless virtue and may be beyond the reach of some intellectuals. However, a deity or a form is no less than a live person (specially in his absence). Hence in the absence of that person his statue or photographs or any other similar thing alone becomes the medium of expressing feelings towards him. A person may be devoid of faith but he can never be devoid of sensitivity. This is eternal truth.
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