Respect!

I believe in One God! Supreme, Ultimate, Illimitable, Omnipresent and Omnipotent!

Yes, this is MY definition of GOD! In fact it is the same in all the Religions of the World as well, or least that is what I comprehend from my very modest understanding and knowledge of Theology. Everyone seems to be aware of this actuality, but very few of us actually understand the Greatness of this.

Hinduism: Hindus believe in one supreme God who created the universe.

Islam: God is One and Only.

Christianity: All things are made and came into existence through One and Only God.

This is what is preached in the three major religions of the world. If we look closer all of the other religions, they will also convey the same message indisputably. Yet there are indifferences, major differences in the way people from these Religions behave, reciprocate and LIVE!

Let me explain… If I were to ask every Muslim or Christian, a simple question of Have you read the Quran? Or have you read the Bible? Respectively, I will most certainly get a positive answer. I can say this with absolutely no Doubt. In fact turn to your right ask your colleague or pick up the phone and ask your friends. I am pretty sure you will get the same answer … YES!

Now another question, How Many of us Hindus have read the Gita?

With personal experience I can guarantee that in about 100 people, we would be lucky to find at least one person who has. It’s unfortunate, that many Hindus around the world do not practice the religion. Practicing a religion isn’t unfashionable or boring; in fact it is an enriching and a life altering activity. The Bhagvad Gita is the Song of God; it’s one way to connect to God and all Godly elements. It is a self sustained and practical Guide to life. By reading the Gita, we just arming ourselves with methods to lead a Righteous and Complete life. Through

Devotional Service, Action, Practice and Meditation ultimately our knowledge is what is increasing.

In reality, I have noticed that we Hindus do not have ENOUGH respect towards our religion. I have seen the respect, commitment, devotion and loyalty in the eyes of Christians and Muslims, which I so long to see in the eyes of Hindus. Maybe I am wrong, but I think not. It is wonderful that Muslims and Christians read their holy books and take it very seriously. The degree to which our Muslim and Christian brothers worship is far far ahead of our level. You may ask, who decides this level, true, no one can actually measure the right level of worship and surrender. But let’s face it; all of us deep in our hearts are completely aware of the wariness of the situation.

The most offending thing is that, most Hindus decide to display their comic timing and sense of humor at the expense of their religion. Making fun of the Hindu God’s and Goddess seem to be very fashionable thing to do. Take any Film or comedy show, for instance, we can quite easily see how Lord Krishna is made fun of for this numerous wives or Lord Ganpathi for his eating habits. Many a times have I heard people crack jokes on Draupadi, Shri Ram and even on the Ramayana and The Mahabharata. Why? To laugh? It’s a pity that one has to resort to such cheap thrills in life. I have never once seen any Muslims or Christians mock or target God, be it Allah or Jesus. It is definitely something we should imbibe from them, Respect. It is with Great Respect that they take God’s name, never once in vain!

I believe we need to have sincerely, loyally, faithfully give more respect to this Great Religion, the oldest living Religion of the World. Let’s NOT ridicule it! Because if we do, the joke is on US!