Sitting Ducks

I write this, moments after viewing in Youtube, the confessional video of a young woman, who feels that she has been a willing victim of a cult and a dubious Swamiji. I am shattered- as a person, as a father of a daughter and as a fellow human being. I have no intention of discussing the veracities of the claim or about the genuineness or otherwise of the swamiji in question - there are enough fora and media to discuss this. In fact, the Indian media has found out new ways of minting money through these swamijis and I have no ideas to intrude into their coffers.

What shattered me so much after watching this 28 minutes video was - how anyone can be such a victim through a moment's madness? How come even an educated person be duped under the guise of religion and enlightenment? I was shattered more to get into the shoes of the parents of this victim- I am more concerned and sympathise with them, rather than the woman.

Here is a classic case of a person brought up in a "very orthodox and convnetional family way", who had a wonderful education that went on to continue abroad with a Masters, got married to a man of her choice with the consent of her parents and was leading a very envious life. All these were initialized to a big Zero, when she started to look for enlightenment in life !!! That search directed her to a waiting swamiji, who , she alleges, robbed her of her happiness, subjected her to sexual abuse, resulting in dissolving her family and has left her penniless, virtually on the road !!

Why ??? Is it because of the search of the enlightenment?  Not for a moment I question  the intention of this woman. I am only trying to look behind her thoughts. You had always got whatever you wanted- education, job, husband, life abroad …. Not satiated, you had kept going. Before getting into these spiritual adventures, did you ever speak to your parents about your religion and enlightenment? Did you go through your own scriptures to search for this elusive light? What made you to decide on quitting a lucrative job in US, give up everything and come to an ashram where it is managed by some questionable persons and completely surrender yourselves? You are not alone in being a victim to such searches and such incidents are not new. Even in the 1990s, I had seen a mother crying that her boy studying well and just completed his education at Pilani had suddenly shaved his head and become a sanyasi under a cult, which is not existing now! When I joined a Bank in 1970s, the talk of the bank at that time was a young probationary officer, who had suddenly joined a mutt in Varanasi and refused to receive his salary for the period he served. The Bank, which could not hold his salary, was in a fix as to how to deliver the same to him. There are always searches in life and blindly walking into the waiting hands of crooks is not the answer.

 Setting these aside, for a moment, just think whether one would do this, if their family is suffering and he / she is finding it difficult to make both ends meet? I was watching a game show where a contestant cried in ecstasy after winning ten thousand rupees saying that it was a big money for her! At times, even a surfeit of resources lead to desperations.

Even now, when I see the so called Swamijis and Gurus dancing and hugging their followers and the followers rushing to kiss the hands of the Swamis, I let out a shudder and wonder when the bubble will burst. As for as I know, no living Swamiji/Guru has ever been away from controversies- proved or otherwise. So, does this mean that one should not seek peace or enlightenment??

Certainly not. Why are we forgetting our own temples where the time tested Gods are in static form. Whether true or not, atleast, these statues will do no harm even if you pray or dance or even hug them ! It is the crazy mind to seek dynamic immediate stress relievers that has lead us to these pseudo gurus and swamijis , while our century old temples are rotting without even lights.

Such incidents, though very sad should also serve as an eye opener for our coming generation. As we are educated, we should also be aware of such dangers and protect ourselves from being taken for a ride.  I am saddened by this girl's story, but I have more sympathies for the parents of her than the girl as I could visualise the trauma they must also be going through. But, what I am worried is that she still says that if you want to follow somebody choose someone who is worthy of the same! This is where the problem lies- You chose one feeling that it was worthy - only to realize after 6 years that your life has been destroyed. Still believing in your searching capability? God save !