In a world where celebrations often lead to unexpected health issues, the recent article highlighting heart attacks during Garba in Gujarat raises important questions about the evolving nature of cultural festivities. Traditionally, singing and dancing were avenues for joy, especially when done with the intention of pleasing the divine. However, the shift towards self-indulgence and sense gratification has seemingly altered the essence of these cultural practices, leading to adverse health effects.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna imparts a profound message – "yat karoshi yadasnasi tat kurushva madarpanam" – do everything for My sake. This philosophy underscores the notion that actions, including singing and dancing, were traditionally performed with the intention of pleasing God. However, as modern celebrations become more focused on personal enjoyment, a misalignment with the original purpose emerges.
The Gita further emphasizes the transient and unsatisfactory nature of happiness derived from sense pleasures: "yahi samsparshaja bhoga dukha yonaya evate." This concept rings true in the context of contemporary celebrations where individuals engage in activities for personal pleasure, often leading to undesirable consequences such as heart attacks and other health issues.
The article draws attention to the commercialization of cultural events, where individuals are required to purchase tickets for participation. This commercialization extends beyond religious celebrations to include events like cricket matches, necessitating year-round toilfor the sake of momentary enjoyment. This is like a donkey working hard all year for a little grass. ,The pursuit of pleasure, detached from its spiritual roots, becomes a burdensome cycle, evident in the suffering experienced in the beginning, middle, and end.
Contrastingly, the traditional approach to events like Durga Puja involved private gatherings where participants, primarily women, sang and danced for the pleasure of the deity privately in a temple. This paradigm exemplifies a cultural expression deeply rooted in devotion and communal joy, devoid of commercial motives.
Singing and dancing for God, as exemplified in the Hare Krishna movement initiated by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, represents a timeless spiritual practice. The movement, centered around the mantra "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare," engages people in devotionally charged singing and dancing. Notably, this practice is free of charge and aims to create an atmosphere of joy and spiritual fulfillment. This practice has captivated the hearts even of westerners who had no connection with this culture.
The Bhagavad Gita's vision of the kingdom of Krishna as a place of eternal singing and dancing contrasts sharply with contemporary pursuits of momentary pleasure. The Gita invites individuals to sing for the Lord, promising a world where joyous devotion is the essence of existence. In contrast, the article suggests that paying for tickets to engage in sense gratification ultimately leads to more suffering.
The essence of the argument is clear – why invest time, money, and energy in fleeting pleasures that result in physical and spiritual distress? The proposal is to redirect focus towards singing and dancing for God, a path that promises lasting happiness and fulfillment.
In conclusion, the article sheds light on the the nature of pleasure derived out of sense enjoyment in contrast with the pleasure of spirituality. It advocates for a return to the roots of joyous devotion, where singing and dancing are not mere activities for self-indulgence but expressions of profound spiritual connection. The timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita offers a compelling alternative – a call to rediscover the joy in devotion, free from the shackles of commercialization and the transient nature of fleeting pleasures.
By Rama Aprameya dasa