STRESS

AND

TEMPLES

DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR
The stress is ubiquitous. But it becomes increasingly
troublesome if we are sensitive. It becomes more
irritating if we begin to understand solutions and can not
implement them. However it becomes extremely and
unbearably agonizing when millions of people seem to
understand the solutions and agree; and yet nothing
seems to work!

The immediate issue is that of the condition of thousands

of temples in India, which are revered for millennia; as
the sacrosanct seats of evolving consciousness, conscience
and enlightenment.

Today; these temples all over India with few exceptions;

are surrounded by filth, garbage, pathetic looking
beggars, extremely undisciplined crowding, traffic jams,
badly maintained roads and so on. The priests add to the
misery of devotees by literally psyching and threatening
them to squeeze maximum DAKSHINA money.

In addition; there are reports of indulgence in

marihuana, sexual abuse, cheating, monitory corruption,
involvement of goons, interference of partisan politicians
with vested interests; and so on.
This scenario of temples has lead to severe and almost
fatal blow on our feelings; whether we visit these temples
as mere travelers, tourists, visitors, pilgrims or devotees.

We begin to get shattered in terms of faith in our

ancestors, our religion, our traditions, our customs and
most importantly ourselves as such!

These temples begin to appear as serious lesions rather

than healing centers! They begin to appear as at best; the
centers of deceptive escapism and sterile solace. Often
they provide comfort to fraudulent criminals, who give
vent to their guilt by donating.

These temples seem to have nothing to do with our life

and the challenges we face every day. The neither
educate nor empower us. They neither provide solace nor
do they give healing touch.

In spite of all this many of us harbor superstitions

because of hope of personal gains and fear of personal
losses; and many of us lose all hope from these
institutions and begin to resent, dislike or even loathe
them.
Is this not really stressful?

What could be the reason?

We have to appreciate that; the individualistic pursuits

and petty considerations (Kaliyug) have taken toll of the
original ideas, concepts and functioning of temples. As a
result, the centers of excellence in every possible way;
which served to emancipate individuals and the society
and emanated rejuvenating and revitalizing influence on
most of the individuals visiting and participating in the
temple activities (conducive to individual and global
blossoming); have become the focuses of diseases.

Majority of the temples have not been able to keep pace

with the time. They have lost their status of being centers
of transcendental evolution. They are not even the
caricatures of what they once were.

No one studies, no one teaches, no one learns. No one

works, no one produces, and no one creates. Hence these
temples have got converted into dead properties, which
idle crooks are eager to devour. Thus; they have become
economically helpless and parasitic institutions
dependent on the mercy of; government, politicians,
donors and volunteers; most of who have ulterior
motives. Thus pseudo and hollow celebrations and
devotional activities have become means of ugly show,
despicable pomp, criminal wastage, obscene vulgarity,
offensive exhibition, bullying advertisements and cheap
propaganda, through unpardonable extortions.

Can this be rectified? Can we conquer this stress?

Yes.

The ever nurturing core of cosmos and the cosmic

consciousness is NAMA. NAMASMARAN is the way for
all of us. Through NAMASMARAN we can re-explore,
rejuvenate and reestablish the glorious functioning of our
temples in all their vitality, vigor, richness and their
benevolence!

We can evolve, promote and propagate holistic medicine,

education, agriculture, horticulture, cow rearing; and
supporting industries with eco friendly technology and
guide the local and national governments to evolve
holistic policies for individual and universal blossoming;
through NAMASMARAN; from our temples!