God and superstition

What is god?

People often ask me the question, "Do you believe in god?" But as there is no standard definition to this apparently simple three letter word, this is an incomplete question. And hence, I cannot provide a profound answer to this question. So I pose a more substantial and worth pondering question: "What is god?"

                   People have several images of 'GOD' in their minds, and in their wallets as well as the walls of their homes. Most of them bear more than a pair of arms carrying mace/ trident/ sword/ bow/ conch/ flower etc. Some bear more than two heads. Some are shown suffering excruciating pain (probably to gather sympathy) ; lying on a bed of arrows/ hammered to a crucifix/ sitting bare chested on a snowy podium etc.But god is not like that. Absolutely not. These are extraordinary fictional characters from ancient fables who, over a period of time, started getting respect because of their noble deeds. And gradually, people started worshipping them too. Just like if only bollywood movies remain as a relic for 200th generation from today, Shah Rukh Khan will be worshipped as the god of love, John Abraham as the god of war and so on. But I have no problem with all this. What concerns me is the distinction created by  men and the illogical stereotypes that have developed in due course of time. I just can't understand how a sneeze can spoil my day (as believed by many conservative minds) if I am determined, focused and motivated to make it a great day.

            So I conclude, god is nothing like that. God, in fact, is far beyond the perception of our senses. God is a feeling, internal as well as eternal. In terms of grammar, god is not a common noun or proper noun, but an abstract noun. God doesn't reside in temples or churches, but within our spirits. God is a power that ensures the punishment of evil and reward of good. This power doesn't need anyone to bow before it. Neither it asks to be boasted, nor it needs to be worshipped. It just needs to be practised. To this power, it is immaterial whether the coconut breaks in the first attempt or second (which is a very serious issue for many touchy stereotyped minds). What concers it is whether the coconut feeds the hungry or not.

God is a journey with no destination. And there are various paths to traverse this infinite journey, known as religions. But all these paths lie on the same ground, the ground of humanity. Humanity is the foundational basis for all other religions. And there is no need of writing it in bold and capital in any column. The need is to follow its ideals of equality and generosity. The need is to create an aura of love and peace amongst all the fellow beings of this beautiful world.

While these thoughts were assailing my mind, I saw a poor beggar outside my house. A wise man has said that the best answer to humane questions are given by the suffering. He is going to do me a favour. But everything has a price. So I take two chapatis, butter them and go to him. I put a hand on his skeletal shoulders and offer him the chapatis. He looks back in astonishment and I ask him, "What is god?" His trembling hands take the chapatis and with a weak smile and gleaming eyes he says, "You are feeding this starving man for no reason. What else can I expect god to be like!" and leaves me speechless.