Together in prayer, let’s set an example
On a Sunday morning, I tried to have the family finish breakfast by 11 so that I could go and attend a paath (prayer) organised by an old friend of my late mother.
The main room where the paath was being done was full. Adjacent was another room where some ladies were sitting mostly on sofas; only a few sat on the carpet. The ambience here was more of a social get-together. I sat in a corner, observing the ladies young and old, heads covered but essentially well turned out, dressed in expensive silks and crepes, sparkling diamonds, fancy nails, designer hand bags, pashmina shawls, streaked hair … chatting away merrily.
A young mother came in holding her little daughter by the hand. The daughter would be around seven, I guessed. A minute or two later, she said to her daughter, “Go outside and play. There are other kids too.” The girl shook her head shyly. Them other insisted ,“Why don’ t you want togo out? Why do you want to sit here and get bored?” Upon her continuous persistence, the girl went out to play.
I looked out from the window as the little girl walked away. The words of the young mother kept ringing in my ears, “Why do you want to sit here and get bored?” But come to think of it, isn’t this the stark reality? This is what youngsters today feel about prayer and all things religious. They are considered a waste of time or boring. Attending a paath is regarded a social obligation. The paath was followed by a sumptuous lunch by one of the best caterers in town. All the ladies were feasting on tandoori delicacies, freshly squeezed juices and mocktails.
Reflecting on the sensible advice of the educated socialite mommy, here is my humble submission. If young mothers feel that a paath is boring, what values can they give to their off- spring? My mother made sure we participated in all religious and spiritual activities with fervour and devotion such that it became a habit. It became ingrained in our psyche that these things are to be done. Attending or listening to ki rt an, I think, is like learning nursery rhymes. When a three-year-old learns ‘Johnny, Johnny, yes papa ...’ or‘ Twinkle twinkle little star ...’ he doesn’t really understand what the words mean. It is just learning by rote. There citation in a tune and tone just makes it easier for the child to recite. The meaning of nursery rhymes sink sin when the child is much older. In the same way, listening to kirtan or bhajan even if not understanding it does leave ala tent impression on the mind. And the habit leads to a love and attachment for it.
Let me share that my husband’s grandfather made a rule that the family should sit together and pray every Sunday. The tradition continues in our home even today and I love it. Our children share our passion for it. What is important is that all of us make an effort to find a common time to do it together and we enjoy it. There is only one way to teach your children and that is to set an example. Do think about this. As I write this, I silently bless and thank parents for having told us that paath is beautiful not boring. In sync with the pay it forward circle of life, it is imperative that we pass on the habit to GenNext.
LISTENING TO KIRTAN OR BHAJAN EVEN IF NOT UNDERSTANDING IT DOES LEAVE A LATENT IMPRESSION ON THE MIND. THE HABIT LEADS TO A LOVE AND ATTACHMENT FOR IT