Tag: religion

Education: Show them by excelling in your studies, not money or power

The author writes how education, not money or power, is the only way to overcome oppression by the privileged castes.

Education is the only way.

Story Time

When I was in class 5 or 6, a classmate called me abusive names along with my race’s name “adivasi”. 

When I was in class 11, my class teacher said to our entire class that SC/ST people are taking away their seats.

When I was in college I was asked “what are you?” because I liked a girl from another religion.

Who Am I?

Well let me tell you what I am. 

I’m an Adivasi. I’m from the great community Santhal, who started the Santhal Rebellion(Santhal Hul) of 1855 against the British East India Company. I’m from the religion of Saridharam(which means “truth religion” in English).

And we owe our existence to great people like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

The funny thing is whenever I asked my mother why they called me “adivasi”, my mother proudly said “So what they called you “Adivasi”, tell them yes “I’m an Adivasi” proudly.”

She said there is no shame in being an Adivasi.

And she would quote Swami Vivekananda about how “the wheel of dharma is moving”.

And my mother even taught me that we can’t compete with the general caste people based on power or money. We can only compete and defeat them with education.

And I also believe that statement.

Even now no matter if I become a millionaire, I’m still an adivasi.

Even now if I become the prime minister or president of India, I’ll still be an adivasi.

My elder sister inspires me because she is proud of her identity.

I’m also proud of my identity but I need to work on it.

Babasaheb and Education

When Babasaheb was born and when he went for higher studies, there was no reservation for SC/ST candidates. He achieved excellence in education through sheer effort in spite of all the caste discrimination he faced in his life.

I have reservation because of Babasaheb. I owe it to his great soul to work hard and study and make something of myself through education.

So I would like to reply to my classmate who abused me when I was in class 5 or 6.

I would like to say to him,”This shows you have no manners. I am an Adivasi. And I am proud of that. I am from that Santhal community who sacrificed so much in 1855 in the Santhal Rebellion for this country India. And if you think you can make me feel inferior by using abusive words about my community, you’re wrong. I am proud of my community, my caste, my religion, my race and my humanity.”

Thank you for reading this line! It means a lot.

Bhagavad Gita: Significant Changes In My Life

The author writes how the Bhagavad Gita is changing this life and how a healthy level of doubt is necessary and alright.

I’ve been reading the Bhagavad Gita and I already see changes in my life.

Bhagavad Gita : Story Time

I recently started cooking lunch and dinner. 

Earlier me and my sister used to order lunch and dinner from restaurants.

But now I cook them.

Although I order the curry and side dishes, I prepare the main staple dish.

I cook rice or rotis. And order vegetable or chicken curry.

And I also know that my psychiatric medication has a big part to play in this.

But I also think the Bhagavad Gita definitely has a part in causing these changes in my life.

I feel more grounded and am sleeping better.

I’m having less problems waking up early or sleeping early.

Religion

The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture. But I’m not a Hindu, I’m an Adivasi(Saridharam- truth religion).

But I find that reading the Bhagavad Gita helps me a lot.

I can relate to Arjuna from Chapter 1 itself.

Doubts

Sometimes I doubt if indeed the Gita is the word of God. Or whether Gita is true.

And I think it is good to doubt to some extent.

I don’t need to have blind faith. I need to challenge the Gita and experience its truths for myself in real life.

Conclusion

I need to treat it as a manual but the real realisation would only be possible if I act and actually “assemble the parts” or “attain spiritual realisation” or “moksh” by following it.

So yeah I’m reading the Bhagavad Gita and this journey never ends because unless one attains “moksh”, there’s no stopping.

Thank you for reading this line! It means a lot.

Home Is Where The Heart Is: A Journey Back Home

Me, my mother and father arrived in Bangalore yesterday, and the weather is fine here. Much cooler than Kolkata’s weather. The journey is cozy.

There was a lot of traffic congestion on our way from Howrah to the Dum Dum Airport. 

But we reached just in time.

Overall I think my visit to Howrah from Bangalore was successful.

I went to give puja at the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple. And I voted.

I also met many of my relatives and cousins. 

And I’m grateful to God for these experiences. 

Thank you for reading this line! It means a lot.

Forgiveness is the greatest dharma/religion

I am not a saint nor am I am scientist.

But I admit when I am wrong or when I made a mistake.

One day I had said something that hurt my grandmother.

She felt misunderstood and hurt.

But she forgave us.

My uncle later said this line “Forgiveness is the greatest dharma”.

Forgive is indeed the greatest dharma. It is the ultimate tool for healing.

It can stop wars, change people, heal hearts,etc.

It can also replace any organized religion.

When you know the value of forgiveness you don’t need another religion because you treat the other person like you treat yourself.

You try to find God in the other person by putting aside your assumptions for a moment.

I know this post is a bit disorganised. It’s because I am going through a big change in my life.

I’m glad you read this line. Thanks a lot!

Met Sri M in Kolkata many years ago

A few years ago, I met Sri M who is a spiritual teacher, social reformer, educationist, author and global speaker.

Here’s a brief introduction of Sri M-

https://satsang-foundation.org/the-founder-sri-m/

He came to our city for his book release. The book’s name is “Shunya” which in English means Zero or Nothing or No-thing.

We went to the auditorium and we watched discussions and classical Hindustani music show I guess.

Then there was a Q/A round.

I promptly went ahead and asked my question.

But I thought the question was dumb.

I was about to ask “How to find God?”

But I couldn’t ask that question.

Because I thought it was not my duty to find God.

I have more important duties like taking care of my parents and getting higher education.

So I asked the question, “Sir, when I read the book I felt unconditional love. Is the book about unconditional love?”

Now this was an even more stupid question.

But Sri M said,”Maybe you feel that way because you yourself have unconditional love in you.”(there may be a slight difference from the actual words but it doesn’t change the meaning)

Now this is something.

Then we took Sir M’s signature on our copies of “Shunya” and Sri M blessed my mother and me. And he, we and everyone else left the auditorium.

This was something unreal of an experience.

I still can’t believe that all this happened that day.

Well it’s something to meet realized beings.

When I met Sri M, I had met a lady in a train who claimed to have seen God.

And she has helped me and advised me since on life’s problems and spiritual realizations and we’re still connected.

She asked me what I felt when I met Sri M.

I said that I didn’t know because I think I am not so spiritually advanced.

As I write this, I realize that I need to be more mindful during my spiritual meetings.

And it is one of my dreams to visit Sri M’s ashram at least some time in the future.

I’m happy that you’re reading this line. Thanks a lot!