Imagine the modern concept of God as the ultimate cosmic architect, the grand designer of the universe. By 'universe', we're not just talking about our cozy little corner with Earth, the sun taking its daily spin, the moon photobombing our night skies, and stars glittering like a celestial disco ball. No, sir! There was a time when we thought our Milky Way was the whole party. Then, plot twist! We discovered it's just one of the countless galactic guests dancing through cosmic time.
Enter Andromeda, once believed to be a shy star, only to reveal itself as a galaxy that's been hitting the cosmic gym harder than ours. Now, scientists are buzzing about millions of these galactic giants. So, in this vast universe of star-studded soirées and galactic get-togethers, where does Lord Ram fit in? He was a king, sure, but on this tiny speck of cosmic dust, duking it out with another monarch over some royal beef.
Ram was born, he lived, and then he left the chat, just like the rest of us. Yet, people are still sending him friend requests by worshiping him. Unlike other historical influencers who've left us a treasure trove of quotable quotes, Ram didn't exactly run a masterclass for his followers. And now, in a modern plot twist, erecting a temple in his honor is top of the agenda, risking the alienation of a significant slice of the population pie. Talk about prioritizing a divine renovation project!
But wait, the comedy gets darker. This could be the trailer for a larger blockbuster of temple-mosque disputes sweeping the nation. Could this be the opening scene of the end for India? As if the universe looked down and thought, "Let's add some more drama to this galactic soap opera."
Ah, the grand old tale of church and state, a duo more mismatched than socks in a teenager's laundry pile. In the West, they've gone to great lengths to put some healthy distance between religion and the rest, sort of like an amicable breakup for the sake of personal growth. Some say this separation is the secret sauce behind their sprint on the progress treadmill. Remember the days when religion was the clingy partner in the relationship with politics and science in the West? Well, they went through couple's therapy and came out stronger, with clear boundaries set.
Now, let's teleport to South Asia, where religion still swipes right on every aspect of life. Take Pakistan, for instance, a country that flirted with progress under Zia, who, despite coming to power with the grace of a bull in a china shop, managed to give the economy a caffeine boost. But just when things were looking up, religious fundamentalism decided to crash the party. Fast forward, and Pakistan's status is now akin to a tragic opera without the applause. Could this soap opera have a sequel set in India?
India, the land of diversity, where the buffet of divisions is more varied than the menu at a Las Vegas brunch. Religious harmony in India isn't just nice to have; it's like oxygen in a submarine – absolutely vital. Yet, it seems the ship might be veering off course, flirting with the iceberg of religious nationalism. The concentration of power here could turn into a blockbuster disaster movie no one wants to star in.
Looking around, there's no major Christian nation throwing weight around, except maybe the Vatican, which is less a country and more an ecclesiastical theme park. The Muslim world? More divided than a pie at a family reunion where everyone's on a diet. But India, oh, it teeters on the brink of becoming the world's next great 'what if' story. Taking cues from Israel, the idea of a Hindu-centric India isn't just a local concern; it's a global thriller in the making, potentially more gripping than any Hollywood cliffhanger.
So here I am, not exactly the poster child for devotion, unless you count my occasional serenades to the fridge at midnight. But, I've got this soft spot for devotional tunes, the kind that transport you to a realm where the only traffic is celestial beings floating on clouds. My playlist is a kaleidoscope of Malayalam hymns, a dash of Sufi mysticism, and a sprinkle of Hindi bhajans. It's quite the eclectic mix, like a cosmic DJ set for the soul.
Malayalam tracks are my go-to, serenading the legends of Ayyappan, Krishnan, and Devi Stotram, the holy trinity of Kerala's airwaves. But here's the cosmic joke: Ram bhajans are as rare in Kerala as a polite comment on social media. Ever wondered why? It's a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, with a side of spicy sambar.
And then there's Tamil Nadu, throwing shade at the telecast of temple ceremonies like it's going out of fashion. What's the deal? Some folks reckon the Ramayana is an epic throwdown between Team Aryan and Team Dravidian, with the Vanara Pada—our simian squadron—allegedly repping the Tamilians. Is this why the DMK government played the "no broadcast" card faster than a cheetah on a caffeine rush?
Up north, Lord Ram is like the celebrity god, headlining every major religious festival, with bhajans that top the charts faster than a viral cat video. Ram, the 'maryaada purushottam', a title that drips with dignity and perfection, much like how 'most complete human' was once a label slapped on Che Guevara. And we all know how smoothly that went down, like a skateboard on a gravel road.
And so, as we navigate through this cosmic kaleidoscope of gods, melodies, and historical high jinks, we find ourselves at a crossroads of consciousness. In this grand narrative where celestial beings and earthly desires intertwine, the true essence of devotion and humanity shines through—not in the territories we claim, but in the peace we cultivate.
Let's take a step back, beyond the boundaries of land and lore, to a place where the heart beats in harmony with the universe's oldest hymn—peace. It's in the melodious call for unity, in the shared smiles across diverse lands, and in the universal language of love and compassion that we find our true devotion, not to a deity or a dogma, but to humanity itself.
Imagine a world where every devotional song, from the hills of Kerala to the plains of the north, sings praises not just of gods, but of the beauty in our differences, the strength in our unity, and the endless possibilities when we choose love over division. Where the stories of Ram, Ayyappan, Krishnan, and all the deities inspire us to embrace the 'purushottam'—the best in us—and to see that every person, every creature, carries a divine spark.
As we close this chapter of our cosmic comedy, let's remember that the universe's grand design isn't about the pieces of land we fight over but the peace we can create together. In this vast, interconnected cosmos, our most sacred site is the human heart, and our most profound devotion is the kindness we extend to each other.
Today's puzzle: locate Lord Ram's Mandir in the picture below