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Wholesome and Virtuous Talks
constitutes the negation of religion.
A Kashmiri and a South Indian once got together in Mumbai. The former was generous but devoid of discernment, while the latter was discretionary. At the time of departure, both of them exchanged their addresses and invited each other to their places. When the Kashmiri went to Chennai, the weather was hot. As such, the host gave him cool water for bath, served yogurt pudding in food and turned on the fan for convenience of the guest. The Kashmiri was pleased with that and felt elated for what the other did.
Shortly thereafter, the South Indian went to Kashmir, where the weather was cool. The Kashmiri host was anxious to reciprocate what he had enjoyed at Chennai. Without realizing the impact of the weather he gave his guest cool water for bath, served cold pudding and turned on the fan. As the guest began to shiver, the host was overwhelmed and asked how he could help. He had good intention at heart, but due to shortage of discernment, he failed to realize that the guest was in need of warmth.
Religion also needs to be observed while keeping in mind the discernment relating to time, place and other environments; otherwise it would be reduced to a farce. Organizing the processions was once an occasion to display the esteem for religion; today it has become an exhibition of extravagance being indulged with black money. There was significance for a temple where no temple existed; now a new temple is being raised by the side of an old one. In Kutch and Rajasthan, there are many temples where hardly any one goes.
It is therefore necessary to remain conscious of time and place. We should never think that something is good because it was once okay. One needs to have the discernment to make out right and wrong; otherwise there is the risk of resorting to wrong in the name of religion. While reading the life story of Shripäl one need not conclude that since Shripäl had married nine girls, there is nothing wrong in resorting to polygamy. Similarly, while reading Mahäbhärat one should neither justify gambling because Yudhishthir had indulged therein nor polyandry because Draupadi had five husbands.
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