Introduction:
Famous actor Amitabh Bachchan, while advertising his show, quotes a saying, ‘ज़िंदगी है, सवाल तो पूछेगी’ (“It’s life, it will confront you with many questions”). Indeed, as we journey through various stages and milestones of our lives, we are confronted with difficult situations—whether it’s the insufficiency of material resources, a challenging business situation, or the sickness of oneself or a loved one.
To acquire strength and resolve to meet the challenges presented by life, we often turn to places of worship, in accordance with our faith, to gather the inner strength needed to face these challenges with determination. However, when outcomes don’t align with our expectations, one becomes anxious and takes illogical decisions like going after the babas or spiritual imposters or pseudo gurus.
This anxiety, fear of failure, and relentless pursuit of material success often drive people to deviate from their faith in the Supreme and seek respite from self-proclaimed ‘Babas’ or astrologers, who claim to offer resolutions through an Upaya (an act like chanting mantras, worship at a particular place with specific conditions, or an act of charity, and so on). These ‘Upayas’ are frequently unrelated to the actual problem. Yet, overwhelmed by life’s challenges, our rational and logical thinking can be clouded, leading us to follow these individuals and their instructions, often enriching them while straying from our path of Karma.
In some cases, when these individuals achieve a high success rate, their following multiplies exponentially, and they acquire the status of an ‘Avatar’ among their followers. Mantras are crafted to integrate the guru alongside our deities, and the followers are encouraged to chant them obsessively.
While the profound philosophy of Hinduism allows for the plurality of gods—illustrated by the Rig Veda (1.164.39): ‘एकोऽसत् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति’ (“Truth is one, but the wise call it by many names”)—this principle permits us to name the Supreme differently, according to our imagination. It does not, however, allow us to elevate a human being to the status of a God, as has been observed in some recent cases.
In this blog, we will examine the profound impact of this practice, which appears to have relegated spiritual pursuits and the profound Hindu philosophy of seeking truth to the background. Whereas, Hindu Philosophy consistently warns us against being carried away and distracted by the Maya of the world, our anxiety drives us to wrong path.
Spirituality and Hindu Scriptures
Spirituality, at its core, is about transcending the ego, understanding the self, and seeking a connection with the divine or the ultimate truth. However, the desires of worldly pursuits—such as material wealth, power, fame, and sensory pleasures—can overshadow this spiritual quest in several ways. Here’s how this happens, with references to Hindu scriptures:
The Concept of Illusory Nature or Maya:
Hindu philosophy often speaks of Maya, the illusion that creates a sense of separation and entangles individuals in the material world. The scriptures consistently warn against being distracted by this illusion from the ultimate goal of realizing the self and the divine. For example, Manduka Upanishad 2.2.8 advises, ‘भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिः छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः’, illustrating how worldly desires are like a tightened knot, difficult to untangle, making liberation from these desires challenging.
Despite these teachings, powerful leaders, the super-rich, and ordinary people alike flock to self-proclaimed Babas for immediate gains, whether for political power or material benefits. In my view, a Baba only needs to be lucky enough for half of his Upayas to work; the rest is taken care of by paid media, which amplifies his fame, elevating him to a god-like status. As life’s challenges persist, the spiritual business of these Babas continues to grow, leading to an uncontrollable ‘herd mentality.’ Once this herd mentality takes hold, these Babas become almost invincible, particularly if they have a few celebrity followers. This can lead to unfortunate incidents, such as the recent stampede in Hathras during a congregation organized by Bhole Baba, where 121 people lost their lives due to overcrowding.
I am not familiar with the credentials of Bhole Baba, a former police officer in Uttar Pradesh named Suraj Pal Singh. However, it is reported that he and his followers claimed to have resurrected a dead teenage girl in 2000, a claim that catapulted him to fame. To my knowledge, this miraculous power, akin to the mritya sanjivini mantra used by the revered Guru Shukracharya in our epics, has not been demonstrated again. Yet, the unverified claim of resurrection, combined with his political clout, has been sufficient to sustain his fame. Unfortunately, he is not alone; other godmen like Asaram Ji and Baba Ram Rahim are serving prison sentences for heinous crimes, yet people continue to believe in them.
In all of this, the profound philosophy of Hinduism suffers under the weight of blind belief. This is why the revered spiritual master and social reformer, Swami Vivekananda, warned, “Riddhi (worldly wealth) and Siddhi (extraordinary power) are stumbling blocks in the path of spirituality.” He advises not to touch them even with our feet. Yet, many sects believe that their spiritual master or leader can absolve followers of all worldly troubles. Any questioning of this blind faith often becomes a highly emotional matter.
Hindu philosophy frequently addresses Maya, the illusion that entangles individuals in worldly desires, distracting them from realizing the self and the divine. Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.8 states, ‘भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिः छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः’, meaning, “When the knot of the heart is cut, all doubts are resolved, and one is freed from worldly desires.” Despite these teachings, many find it difficult to untangle themselves from the urge for worldly pleasures, which requires a strong spiritual resolve.
I do not acknowledge any guru other than Yogeshwar Sri Krishna and his Bhagavad Gita. In my prayers, I chant shlokas in praise of the Supreme, manifested in various forms. I admit I am not free from desires, like any other human being, and I have made no special effort to liberate myself from them. I believe the consciousness to liberate will happen at its own pace. Yet, I do not blindly follow any human. What concerns me is the tendency of some people to believe in miracles, such as the idea that water charged with mantras by their sect leaders can cure diseases like cancer without treatment. This is the adverse impact of aggressive religious marketing about the extraordinary powers of an individual. To me, this is resigning to fate and hoping for a miracle, which is diametrically opposed to the profound philosophy of the Gita, which advises us to keep performing actions without attachment to the outcome and to course-correct if interim results differ from our expectations.
The Bhagavad Gita aptly warns us to free ourselves from the cycle of endless desires in 3.39, which states, ‘आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा’, meaning, “Desires act as a veil that covers true knowledge. The pursuit of worldly pleasures often leads to temporary satisfaction but does not fulfill the deeper longing for spiritual connection and understanding.”
The persistence of cults that spread ignorance decidedly takes us away from spiritual discipline and peace. The Isha Upanishad’s Shanti Path, ‘ॐ शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः’, advises that true peace comes from detachment from worldly desires and contentment in the self. Thus, when spirituality is overshadowed by material pursuits, this peace is lost, leading to a life filled with restlessness.
Quick Fixes by ‘Babas’ and Symbolism: As discussed, there has been an exponential rise in “quick fix Babas”—spiritual leaders who promise instant solutions to life’s problems, akin to a ‘quick fix Siddhi industry.’ These Babas have clouded the actual pursuit of spirituality with the maya of miracles. These practices often focus on material gain or immediate relief, which detracts from the deeper philosophical inquiries that Hinduism advocates.
In my opinion, these practices significantly deviate from the profound teachings of Hinduism and have promoted cults of charlatans, frauds, and conmen, or pseudo-gurus, and false prophets. The ignorance spread by these spiritual impostors has harmed the intrinsic profound character of Hinduism. They often take advantage of the fact that Hindu households, particularly in urban settings, have become too preoccupied with careers and worldly pursuits to learn and teach the profound philosophy to the next generation. This has led to a generation of Hindu youth and their parents who lack basic knowledge of the philosophy of the religion they follow. The charlatans exploit this ignorance, engaging people in superstitions. The pursuit of material success or emotional gratification, guided by these Babas, has led to the commercialization of spirituality, where rituals are commodified, and the true essence of Hindu philosophy is lost.
Misinterpretation of Symbols and Rituals:
In Hinduism, symbols and rituals hold deep spiritual significance, often serving as reminders of higher truths and guiding devotees on their spiritual journey. Very few Hindus might be knowing the profound significance of Tilak that is placed on their forehead when one visits temple. This is a blessing on behalf of the divine to represent spiritual awakening and the pursuit of divine knowledge. The chanting of mantras are expected to maintain the sanctity by correct pronunciation to produce the right spiritual vibrations and bring solace to the soul. To my knowledge, these are not meant to attain mundane worldly objectives. But to aid in spiritual pursuits. But the pseudo gurus and their disciples try to distort them and market the altered mantras as a means to fulfil worldly pursuits. The Worldly attainments, according to the Bhagwat Geeta are not important at all and should be free from attachments without the lack of effort. Similarly, rituals like Aarti or Havan are meant to purify the mind, body, and soul, connecting the devotee with the divine through the sacred elements of fire, water, and sound.
For example, the Gayatri Mantra, known to all Hindus, is a prayer to the Sun God, seeking wisdom, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. It is meant to purify the mind and soul, leading to a higher state of consciousness. But Pseudo Gurus take advantage of lack of knowledge among people and market it as a means of success in business or for wealth.
The aforesaid distortions in our rituals derived for spiritual pursuits are often repackaged as quick fixes for personal or worldly problems. For instance, a sacred mantra intended for spiritual elevation might be marketed as a magical chant for wealth or success, with followers encouraged to focus on material outcomes rather than the deeper spiritual transformation the mantra is meant to invoke.
This distortion not only diminishes the spiritual essence of these practices but also leads to a superficial understanding of Hinduism. Instead of serving as a path to higher consciousness, these symbols and rituals are misinterpreted as transactional acts, where the focus shifts from spiritual growth to the fulfilment of worldly desires. This misinterpretation can lead to the commercialization of sacred practices, turning them into commodities rather than vehicles for spiritual awakening.
The Way Forward
Having examined the dangers of continuing the falsehood propagated by the “Babas,” it is crucial to explore effective ways to contain these charlatans and expose their deceptive practices to the common man.
Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders, from religious communities to government bodies, the media, and even families. Here’s how we can move forward:
- Our Role as Grandparents and Parents
Families are the first line of defence against the influence of fraudulent Babas. As grandparents and parents, there are several ways to protect our loved ones:
- Instilling critical thinking from a young age, teaching children to question and seek truth rather than blindly following anyone who claims to have spiritual powers.
- Encouraging open dialogue about spirituality and religion within the family, where different viewpoints can be discussed and understood.
- Setting an example by following and promoting genuine spiritual practices that focus on personal growth, ethical living, and compassion for others.
- Being vigilant about the influences that children and young adults are exposed to, including the content they consume on social media and television, ensuring that they are aware of the dangers of false gurus.
- Providing guidance and support to older family members who may be more vulnerable to the charms of such Babas, helping them to see through deceit and make informed choices.
- The Role of Religious Sects
Religious sects and spiritual leaders who are genuinely committed to the teachings of their faith have a significant responsibility in this regard. They must actively distance themselves from the practices of these fraudulent ‘Babas’ and emphasize the true spiritual values that their religion upholds. This could involve:
- Educating followers about the dangers of blind faith and the importance of critical thinking in spiritual matters.
- Promoting authentic teachings and providing platforms for true spiritual gurus to guide the community. There should be gatherings in temples and places of religious importance especially directed to dispel the ignorance and blind faith in practices advocated and spread by pseudo-gurus.
- Condemning false practices publicly and clearly distinguishing them from legitimate spiritual guidance especially by the religious heads and public figures revered in religion can go a long way to control these undesirable practices.
- Creating awareness through sermons, discourses, and literature that encourages devotees to seek spiritual growth rather than material gains through dubious means.
- The Role of Government Regulation
Government intervention is crucial in curbing the influence of fraudulent ‘Babas’ and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. The government can take the following steps:
- Enforcing stricter regulations on religious institutions and spiritual leaders to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Investigating and prosecuting those who engage in fraudulent activities under the guise of spirituality or religion.
- Setting up helplines and support centres where victims of spiritual fraud can report incidents and seek legal assistance.
- Educating the public through government campaigns about the risks of falling prey to such scams and promoting awareness of the legal consequences for those who deceive others.
- The Role of Media
The media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception and can be instrumental in exposing the deceptive practices of these ‘Babas’. Here’s how the media can contribute:
- Investigative journalism to uncover and expose fraudulent ‘Babas’ and their operations, bringing these issues to the forefront of public discourse. As a matter of policy one slot after every ten commercial advertisements should be dedicated to dispelling the ignorance.
- Providing platforms for discussions and debates where experts, spiritual leaders, and victims can share their experiences and insights.
- Raising awareness through documentaries, news reports, and special programs that educate the public on how to identify and avoid spiritual fraud.
- Highlighting positive examples of genuine spiritual leaders and communities, thereby promoting authentic spirituality.
Conclusion
Combating the influence of fraudulent Babas and preserving the integrity of spiritual practices is a collective responsibility. By actively involving religious communities, enforcing governmental regulations, harnessing the power of the media, and guiding our families, we can expose these false prophets and return to the authentic spiritual values that uplift and inspire true seekers. The way forward lies in education, awareness, and a commitment to truth over convenience, ensuring that the profound teachings of our faith are not overshadowed by those who seek to exploit them for personal gain.
Inspire Positivity 