Pt. Varishtha Persad, Director, SWAHA International
As Tulsidas Jayanti was celebrated on July 26th 2020, Hindus all over the world were constantly reminded of the mini narratives of the Ramcharitmaanas that parallel the experiences and emotions of being under siege in our present day lives. The success of any civilization lies in its oral traditions, scriptural teachings and ideological perspectives on the nature of the human condition. Generations of Hindus have learnt to endure through many historical occurrences and the Ramcharitmaanas has been first and foremost in our context.
The extended circumstances that we face today are by no means easy to accept as they severely disrupt the fast-paced lifestyles to which we were becoming accustomed. In the mini narratives and sub-plots, similar circumstances affected the lives of Shree Ram, Vibhishan, Sita Maa, Sugreev, Bharat and many others. In each individual circumstance, Tulsidas narrates the tremendous ordeals they faced and to this day, our communities have learnt how to navigate these internal and external struggles successfully. We have not become passive nor ignorant of external influences and historical occurrences but we have learnt to endure. Strength, willpower and endurance are all traits of the successful Hindu but unfortunately, in the Western world and in many sects emerging out of Sanatan Dharma, it is a source of annoyance and an indication of submissiveness. When we state that Sanatan Dharma is eternal, we are living examples of this philosophical outlook, as changing circumstances continue to test us, but not destroy us.
As we are once again adjusting the ways we perform puja and other rituals as Sanatanists, Pundits have used the scriptures and examples to prepare the devotee to perform their daily duties with ease whilst not compromising in any way. SWAHA has been preparing devotees for decades on the changes necessary for modern devotees, whilst facing internal and external forces, as most seem to not recognize the needs of those with changing circumstances. We have successfully put forward significant changes to the after-death ceremonies, puja, the length of readings and katha and many more. The first thing any Hindu must accept is following a way of life that is constantly open to new and changing forces.
The advice is to keep a firm resolve. We all hope for better days but like the holy men and women of our scriptures and those who endured much more trying circumstances, better times will be here once again. We are reminded of the advice of our holy ones when they would at times plead with devotees to visit the mandirs and do not pass up opportunities to worship as any day sickness, handicap or death can be at our doors. These are the days that the advice weighs heavily and regret sets in. Let’s hope and pray that when our lives become normal once again, we do not waste time or opportunities.
