In the city of god and goddess

Last week on the way to Ganeshthan Temple, a group of ladies spot me and started talking to me in such a soft voice. I was surprised as to what really made them to talk to me, a girl in a junky punkie getup. I was embarrassed. And now the conversation started between us, those ladies were beautifully dressed with make-up that had really sharpened their beauty and I of course was really eager to listen to them as if something miraculous would take place. But then I refused to listen to what they said as they were just preaching about their religion, that their religion is the best one and should join them. I wished I had given a lecture to them on religion but that was actually none of my business. And then late night something ran in my mind, my heart and the words of Sai Baba struck me:

There is only one religion, the religion of Love;

There is only one language, the language of the Heart;

There is only one caste, the caste of Humanity;

There is only one law, the law of Karma;

There is only one God, He is Omnipresent.

When I compare the place I have been living; my hometown i. e. Kathmandu which is a ‘melting pot’ of culture and religion, with the above belief I am filled with a lot of apprehensions. Once upon a time, this place was known to be the ‘city of temples’ since there used to be more temples than the houses. But then now I would rather prefer to call it as the ‘city of god and goddess’ where in even short distance we can find the prevalence of not only the temples but also the gumbas, stupa, church/chapel, mosque and so others. This means the forms of god are many even in such a small place but the god is only one-he is omnipresent and omnipotent as said above.

Still I get confused-  god is present everywhere, the only religion of love , the only caste of humanity , the only law of karma and the only language of heart…..is it so and does this exist ‘In city of god and goddess’?? We go to the religious places and pray to god and behave as if we are the great and the best inside those places, but the time we put our feet outside we are actually not what we intend to be within that time. We bribe so that we can earn a lot without doing karma. We become envious to what others achieve and progress in life. We don’t try to mingle with those who are inferior and poor and discriminate. Are we ethical and true to what we behave? And we say we follow this and that religion and try to commercialize it by preaching in such a way as if a marketing staff is trying to let his product get a good market and use the product of that particular company. To some extent it is good to share the best teachings of god and who would not prefer to listen to it but if one is trying to persuade in converting religion then it doesn’t feel right, an evil practice of modern religious society which will soon result into a chaotic society.

Let us respect every religion and not forget the religion of love before anything which binds every human with the caste of humanity leading to religious solidarity and no more untouchability, high caste, and low caste, rich or poor. I wonder would this ever become a reality in this city? I wish I could see it fulfilled. And let ‘this city’ be a sound city where there is peace, non- violence, equality with transparency, accountability leading to corruption-free city. Perhaps this could be the best practice of what religion we follow.

By Sikkum Yakthumba

Kathmandu, Nepal