Swachh Bharat - Bhakti and Environmental Pollution.

Religion is one of the key factors in integrating our nation. Someone suggested cricket. Cricket is a sport and no doubt we are passionate about it. If we win a world cup, and if a player had a run riot in a game, we idolize him and elevate him to the status of God. But if we lose a game against Pakistan, and if a player fumbles at crucial points, we don't hesitate to set fire to his effigy and pelt stones at his home. But we don’t burn our Gods nor our places of pilgrimage.

Cricket or Religion?

Some tidbits:

Here are some tidbits about our religion.

Throughout history, our nation has given refuge to persecuted religious communities across the world. We accept all religion as true because of the unitary nature of goal of all religions i.e. liberation. India resembles a big spiritual fair or a mela, with round a clock ceremonies going throughout the year. Take the local calendar for example, and I am sure there is not a single day which is free from religious ceremonies.

We have many symbols, which stand for the religious unity. Ellora caves for example. It is regarded as a world heritage site. It is a series of cave complex carved out of a mountain. There are 17 Hindu caves, 12 Buddhist caves, and 5 Jain caves. And this is the citation by UNESCO about Ellora caves, “…. Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India”.

Ellora caves

Warcry – In a battle especially during hand to hand combat, soldiers charge on the enemy by yelling something. In India our war cry is religious. These are the war cries of various regiments of  our Indian army.

Gorkha Regiment – Jai Maha Kali / Ayo Gorkhali

Bihar Regiment – Jai Bajrangbali

Rajputana Rifles – Raja Ramachandra Ki Jai

J&K Rifles – Durga Mata Ki Jai

And many more. It exemplifies the religious fervor of our country.

Ayo Gorkhali

Pilgrimage:

                In ancient India, there were saints who took to high places to perform Tapasya. The high places were naturally free from all worldly prospects and, therefore, took refuge in caves and mountains. In due course of time they were illumined, and naturally they had divine visions of Gods and Goddess. These places which were sanctified by the saints became the places of pilgrimage with a temple dedicated to the Gods and Goddess.

Population and Infra.:

                Indian population at the beginning of 1950 was around 361 million, but now we stand at 1 billion. Therefore, in those days, we can assume a fewer population visiting places of pilgrimage in remote locations. The infrastructure in those days was obviously poor, and people have to trudge and trek a lot of distance before their final destination. The pollution problems would be therefore minimum.

                Now with the development of infrastructure and with the development of roads and railways, the places of pilgrimage become easily accessible. Imagine a devout Hindu or any religious person, bound to visit his place of pilgrimage at least once in a year. And we know very that there are thousands of pilgrimage places scattered across our country. Imagine if a population of 1 billion or fewer moving across our nation, from north to south and from east to west.

                The movement will be huge. We have millions of people congregating in Kumbh mela and other grand religious occasions. Kumbh mela is the world’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims. According to stats, an estimated 120 million people visited Maha Kumbh Mela in 2013.

Kumbh Mela

Pollution:

                What would happen to the place of pilgrimage if millions congregate? I would not say that people should not opt for pilgrimage. It is a matter of faith. Hindus have particularly a deep regard for places of pilgrimage. Rivers like Ganga and Narmada are regarded as visible Brahman and regarded as Holy. For pilgrims, it is a matter of salvation.

                But the environmental problems are huge. First there will mass movement and mass transportation, creating mass pollution. Next comes the sanitary issues. Next come the stampede and crowd control. Next comes the river pollution. Next accumulated garbages. Next families separated. There is a whole lot of Hindi movies, where we find the kids separated during Kumbh mela and reuniting by a family song. There is, of course, noise pollution as well with blazing loudspeakers.

                The places of pilgrimage once sanctified by saints became a mere garbage. If the rate of pollution will continue, the places will become toxic. The waters will no longer be mere water, but toxic in content. We, therefore, bear responsible for the future generations to come. In India, the places of pilgrimage are the least clean. At least, we are now awakened by Swachh Bharat programs. But what is the use when there is a lack of awareness about pollution problems among the mass devotees. What about its implications?

Ganges.

                Bhakti is all right, but we owe to nature as well. What we need is a little sensitive bhakti, with a concern for our environment, with a concern for pollution problems surrounding the places of pilgrimage, with a concern to organize and sort out the pollution problems by ourselves. Unless we change ourselves, our environments don’t. Our concern should be more about preserving the sanctity and cleanliness of the places of pilgrimage. There are other innumerable factors contributing to pollution in other areas. For example, Industries, automobile etc.

Some suggestions:

                I would suggest the following to keep our places of pilgrimage clean.

1.       Have a plan. Plan for the travel and stay etc.

2.       Don’t soil your hands with the blood of animals.

3.       Zero littering.

4.       Don’t pollute the rivers.

5.       Use toilets.

6.       Avoid stampede and rush hours.

7.       Use technology to solve problems.

Bhakti and Yoga:

                In India, the majority are the practitioners of Bhakti. There are other options as well. The choice of the spiritual path depends upon the inherent religious tendency in man. A man of Bhakti cannot be forced into Jnana and vice versa and so on. But we must not be forced into anything. We have our own choices. According to practitioners of God without form (Janna and Advaita Vedanta) there is no need for a God Without. According to them, everything is Brahman. They look for God within. There is no need for a visit to the places of pilgrimage and no need to perform rituals and no need to participate in any religious congregation. They find themselves in meditation and reach the goal. What all they need is an isolated spot to practice yoga. So, the prospect of pollution will be zero.

                Bhakti is sacred, but please look at the environment of what you have done.

Thank You.

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