Murugan worship unfairly criticised
Dr Thillayvel Naidoo, a retired university lecturer at the Department of Science of Religion at UKZN, wrote a column on Kavady titled “Hinduism without ethics obsolete” (POST, May 2-6). He wrote that the worship of Lord Muruga had no future and that Kavad
DR THILLAYVEL Naidoo submits that Murugan worship in Hinduism is no longer relevant and is in fact obsolete.
The column went on to denigrate the practice and faith of hundreds of thousands of Lord Murugan worshippers in South Africa and that of millions around the world.
As citizens of a constitutional democracy, we respect the right of individuals to express their views, but as a foundation that has the mandate of 52 Murugan temples and their devotees in South Africa we cannot stand back and allow individuals to utilise public platforms to deliberately and wilfully pillage the hope, faith and belief system and concurrently make unfounded and unsubstantiated statements on religious practices and beliefs that have sustained Hindu Dharma through centuries.
To speak of spirituality, we must undertake the spiritual journey to experience the God/Divine phenomena. Casting aspirations without knowledge and experience is much like a blind man describing the beauty of a rose blossom.
We highlight for Dr Naidoo four Kavady festivals in South Africa namely Thaipoosam Kavady, Punguni Utharam Kavady, Chitrai Paravum Kavady and Skanda Sasthi Kavady also noting all ceremonies like Vaikasi Visagam, monthy Sasthi and Krithigai and Skanda Sasthi.
Contrary to Naidoo’s view, we can provide evidence of references to Lord Muruga from the scriptures he himself has quoted.
There is reference in the Bhagavat Gita, in the Mahabharat and Valmiki Ramayan on Lord Muruga. Specifically, in the Bhagavat Gita, Lord Krishna states: “Of Generals, I am Skanda, The Lord of War”.
The Murugan Bhakti Foundation is deeply saddened by the level of ignorance that some individuals possess on the message and philosophy that Lord Muruga conveys.
Like any literary work, perspectives are varied but the essence is rooted in a core philosophy which in the case of Hindu Dharma is Vedanta.
From the basic hymns to the puranic episodes and right up to the iconography of this great warrior god, all of them are richly endowed with the Vedanta and inspiration needed for a true and devoted seeker to reach that ultimate state of self-realisation.
There is only one God but the paths to him are many. Ekam Sat Vipra bahuda vedanti. Lord Murugan represents a very powerful aspect of that one Brahman.
In this all-important year we commemorate the profound and inspirational message given by Swami Vivekananda at the world parliament of religions in 1863.
We believe 125 years later and in the aftermath of such a published letter, Swami Vivekananda’s message is relevant.
I quote verbatim from that talk: “I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance.
“We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny.
“I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: ‘As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee’.
“The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: ‘Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me’.
“Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations to despair.
“Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the deathknell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.”
God is love, God is beauty and God is peace. Any one individual or grouping that opposes unity, promotes divisiveness and sows anxiety and anger is against God.
In a country where we are trying so hard to bring about social cohesion, unity, peace and progress, anything that tries to counter this must be condemned in the strongest sense.
As the Murugan Bhakti Foundation, our doors are open to Dr Naidoo to come in and have a divine discussion about God the universal consciousness that is ever present and that which can be worshipped in various attributes according to the devotees tendencies.
We shall also be happy to impart to him the spiritual message and vedantic message of Lord Murugan.
To the devotees of Lord Murugan, we say to you, there is plenty of scholarly knowledge and information available at genuine sources and centres. We encourage you to research and empower yourselves and keep the integrity of your faith and belief system intact.
You are more than welcome to contact the Murugan Bhakti Foundation on 081 777 0605 for any assistance in this regard.
Vetri Vel Muruganikka AroAra!