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Monks 'Dilemma
Monks' Dilemma
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their dolls? Why do they not take any lesson from authentic history that armies wasting time in rituals like these including praying and not preparing adequately were repeatedly defeated and enslaved and the deity they worshipped never came to their rescue. Pilgrims get injured and even killed while on journey to pilgrimage of their deity and even at the very place of deity. Recently people sitting inside the sanctum sanctorum and praying were also killed by terrorists."
Deepti particularly exhorted the young educated girls and boys in the queue there, “You are worshipping the symbolic scene of sexual intercourse, phallus penetrating vagina, vulgar and obscene, a primitive reminiscent culture of uncivilised savages of yore. It is shameful and not befitting the educated and civilised people."
Such a strong admonition infuriated the priest. Sensing his adrenal rising and anger manifesting in a frowning gesture on his face and that he may indulge in mischief and incite the devotees to offend Deepti physically Vibha intervened, apologised and addressed the priest," I am sorry. Deepti is ignorant about the sentiments of the people here. I shall explain it to her in detail."
This pacified the priest and any untoward scene was averted. Vibha quickly pushed Deepti out and they proceeded to Nathdwara.
At Nathdwara also there was a much longer queue of devotees waiting for the opening of the doors of the sanctum sanctorum of the deity. They were told that doors would be opened after 15 minutes. Here the doors are opened at fixed intervals for a fixed period for sighting of deity for devotees. Everyday doors are first opened early morning to awaken the deity from his overnight sleep, then for its bath and dressing, for meals and lastly to induce sleep.
Deepti asked Vijay, "How can a deity an embodiment of all mighty god, supposed to govern the whole universe where nothing happens without his direction afford to sleep? Why do people fantasize that there is god in a lifeless idol and that it has powers of granting boons as god himself? Why do people adore, bathe, dress and feed it like children do with
Vijay saw that doors were being opened and alerted that they could go inside to see the deity and that now was the time for its meals. Doors opened and people rushed in, made offerings of a variety of things from cash to eatables sweets, fruits etc. There were already a wide variety of dishes spread in front of the deity, prepared daily in huge quantity by the temple management.
Vijay told Deepti, "All these dishes will be shared by priests in prescribed quantities according to their rank. Initially there were a limited number of priests. But now the successors of the priests have increased and their shares are declining proportionately. The priests will sell their share to shopkeepers who in turn sell it to pilgrims. The items on sale are very delicious, are prepared in pure ghee. We shall purchase some."
Vijay went to his known shop. Deepti went round the market, surveyed and enquired about the management of the temple. She noticed an old and sober shopkeeper, asked for the best item and purchased it, then sat down and enquired, "What is the structure of management hierarchy here."
He answered, "The overall head of temple affairs is the Mahant. He is almost the owner. He lives mostly at Mumbai in a palatial mansion, enjoying all material comforts indulging
