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Monks 'Dilemma
Monks' Dilemma
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tiring but smooth on a well laid and maintained path. There were covered places with benches to rest and relax at short distances. Shree pointed out to Vibhu the pilgrims throwing their leftover eatables and other waste here and there although there were sufficient number of dust bins around and there were notice boards also warning people of a fine of rupees five hundred for not putting the waste in the big containers. Sweepers had to be constantly on their toes cleaning all the rubbish being strewn continuously. Suddenly there was commotion nearby. Shree went there and saw that the sweepers had surrounded the senior supervisor and questioned him for not taking action against the notorious pilgrims. Shree also joined them and said to the officer, "Why are people so callous and undisciplined? Why the management is not enforcing its own rules? Religion ordains discipline, moral conduct and compliance of the rules. Why are people smoking in spite of statutory warnings?
The officer politely clarified, "It is not the policy of the management to annoy the pilgrims. They are the main source of income not only to the temple trust but also to the large number of people here. Their contribution to local economy cannot be wished away."
Priya pulled away Shree shouting, "In this country the religious places are not for teaching good manners but to promote superstitions and indiscipline."
After the security check they went through the cave leading to the seat of the deity Vaishnodevi in another smaller cave, cave in cave, a natural phenomenon, nothing miraculous or special. Shree enquired from the priests sitting in the small cave, "Where is the idol of the deity."
The elderly priest pointed towards three miniature conical hill type extrusions obviously obtruded by the tectonic upheavals during the geological process of formation of mighty Himalayas from the unfathomable depths of once Tethus Sea. There were no idols of any sort generally associated with deities. Shree remarked, "These are three irregularly shaped odd types of mini structures."
The Priest explained, "The middle one is Vaishno Devi and on right and left are Mahakali and Saraswati. Vaishno Devi grants boons and fulfils all sorts of wishes of devotees. During Indo-Pak wars Devi protected the residents of Jammu from onslaughts of repeated bombings by blinding the pilots of the enemy air force."
Shree, "Devi is supposed to be the guardian of all people on this planet earth. Her devotees are spread all over. Why was then the Devi concerned with protection of the people of Jammu only? If Devi is claimed to be omnipotent, why is then there deployment of huge paraphernalia of protection forces? If it cannot protect itself, how it will protect and help others? Remove the forces from here and it will meet the same fate as Bamiyan Buddha statue in Afghanistan at the hands of unscrupulous, dogmatic, indoctrinated and motivated hard core terrorists who are blinded by false assurances from their trainers that they will be bestowed with eternal pleasures on imaginary heaven."
Priest was nonplussed, annoyed and asked her to move out and make room for other devotees waiting in the queue.
They returned to Jammu the same day. Shree enquired from the manager of the guest house,"Is there any eminent saint of any sect staying at Jammu?"
