THE FEAR FACTORY...!!!

I was feeling elated when on the spur of the moment's exhiliration at receiving a call from a friend ,I gave directions for performing a pooja Worshipping GOODESS MOTHER SUPREME during this Navarathri Festival.

I was further strengthened in my satisfaction at being an unwitting 'do-gooder' when the lady informed me of feeling 'great' within three days of the observance of the systematic pooja[Hinduism as is the case with any other ancient Religion is repllete with rituals invoking the Grace of Mighty Nature ].I just said 'keep going friend'...!!

I was bewildered to read a 'low' text-message from her the very next day saying that she is being accused of indulging in 'Witchcraft' and the like - by no other than her in-laws [who all reside in the very same household]...I however being firm in my convictions regarding the beneficial effects of the Religious festivities [out of sheer experience] told her to carry on undaunted ...But as things go in this mundane and unfair world , she got me to prevail upon her to continue with her poojas by removing lemon-garland and camphor -garland ...That was the least compromise one could do under the circumstances I felt...!!

I was further appalled to learn the next day that a woman whom this devotee had invited home to receive a saree alongwith 'prasadam' had in fact spread the rumour through none lesser than this good lady-devotee's mother-in-law...!!

I received a call from this lady yesterday declaring that 'Goddess is great...'!!!

Reason d entre?

It was that the very wicked woman whjo had spread that wild and malicious rumour had been facing irate neighbours for having allegedly thrown some sort of 'burial-ground eerioe material' outside their garage [or some such thing]...her husband had come rushing to this dear lady friend's house and poured out his sob-story to her ...net result is that this particular ma-in-law has begun to accept the daughter-in-law stepping down to the prayer-room and continuing with her devotional act of breaking a coconut ,etc, to appease THE MOTHER GODDESS in true Hinduism-style...!!

MORAL ?

FAITH cannot be enforced nor devotion be instilled by fear , favour or sycophancy ,folks...GOD IS ALMIGHTY ...GODDESS shall not permit any harm to come in the way of her trusting child...Ask any mother in the human flesh and pat would come the affirmation...!!

FEAR FACTORY OR A DEVIL'S MIND - whichever way one views the ways of the world [especially during these significant periods chosen for special worship based on the Almanac],Devotion does not emanate by force, fear,superstition,ignorance or vacillation.Therefore, your inner conviction,faith,innocence,purity,smaran[prayers]shall always bear fruits...STAY HAPPY ALWAYS...!!!