Friday, August 12, 2011

Padmanabhaswamy - The Lord and his wraths!

The Padmanabhaswamy kshetram is rich. Yes, a lot of money indeed. I don't even know how many zeros to put against the 1. So we all agree that the temple represents frontier of our history. I heard that Maharaja Swathitirunal had put in lots of coins at his sad and good times into the bhandaram as this was one of the ways through which he found peace from chaos and trouble. Presumably, the money is not in the form of ready cash, right? I think it has a mix of cash, antique objects and souvenirs that belonged to the yesteryear rulers. Please correct me if I am wrong here. I do find it surprising when some are in the opinion of the money being used for the 'welfare' of the common man .I definitely wouldn't trust it in the hands of politicians for the simple reason that many are way too tempted to devour it to entertain their personal needs. This kind of treasure should be protected in a reserve or a museum, built to distance it from the eyes of thieves. The temple mirrors the religious sentiments of many, and some amount of discreet tone is maintained due to this. One thinks twice, thrice before passing any comment on the money, worried that they will be targeted by communists and secularists. Most of the recent additions to this huge treasure are in the form of money and various gifts to the Lord in the name of archanas, poojas, festivals; that have all been followed as a part of tradition. I adore the architecture, one of the main reasons as to why I have visited the temple around 6 times in 4 years. But, I was always against certain rules we abide by in the name of God. Why I get angry is because these rules are manmade and are followed in a mandatory pattern by blaming God. You cannot wear a salwar or any form of pants because God dislikes it. Says who? Once upon a time, I used to hear people giving up non veg on the days they visit temples, but interestingly, very conveniently they have a bath after consuming non veg, claiming that the bathing purifies their body. What they failed to learn is that the mind has to be pure, not your pot belly. To each... his own. I respect others views on certain traditions as long as it does no one bad.

There are enough and more charity organizations, NGOs and Govt. approved schemes that are helping the poor. Yes, it isn't enough but you can't demand our traditional collection to be used to serve the needs of the people. Not that I am against this idea. With so much money one would only want to make generous, fruitful use of it. But, to knowingly place the sword in the hands of the deceiver, one shouldn't expect development, but destruction. In no ways am I in a mood to agree on using this money for the nation's welfare only because if it is misused, it is going to take forever to punish the guilty and to procure the lost wealth. What a Bad Idea sirji!


The recent repercussions after the findings by the temple's astrologer triggered a lot of mixed thoughts. It was disheartening to see such statements coming out on such a sensitive issue. I really felt that the religious sentiments were being taken advantage of. According to these astrologers, God's wrath would be unleashed if the respective vault is opened. I wish the thieves would fall for that instead of poor devotees. I have believed in astrology as a form of science, not astrologers. Their inaccuracy can be a cause of huge hesitancy in the minds of millions of people who believe in it. Making strong statements like the exposing of the vault can lead to extinction of your generation is so absurd and uncalled for. Mr. Sunderarajan, the 70 year old man who revealed the Temple treasure died of fever. Apparently he died due to God's curse and was not an outcome of sickness, according to few who are narrow minded. Sadly, there are so many who are going to believe this and will, subsequently, begin to fear God all the more! My request to these astrologers who exercise important powers of not only detecting astrological signs, but who are responsible in influencing devotees' beliefs, must be more responsible in their conclusions. Trust me... if God wanted to curse and spew venom on 'wrongly done activities'... terrorists, scamsters, and the bad guys would have been rotting in hell long time back. That is not how this world works.

I understand that exposing the treasure can attract corruption, but it can also at the same time make us proud of our culture and diversity. Isn't that what India is best known for? Let us be more transparent and help resolve this issue that can satisfy the religious, and the atheists .Security is the main issue and no wrath can keep Robin Hood away from possessing the wealth. I hope the SC takes a wise decision and unfolds the secret treasure and make us feel more responsible in safe guarding it.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can say this since you are from a financially well off family. What about other 1 million who are under poverty? 90% people we see are running around for possessing a magical figure, which they feel is comfortable for them. Living expenses are rising, gold prices are rising. For the poorer sections, it is impossible to live. What's the use in preserving all these assets, when your brother or sister is suffering? a part of the assets can be used to uplift certain communities. And this 'devapreshnam' is simple politics. Now the ball is on SC's court.

Neha Nair said...

I am sorry , what is the use in preserving these assets? It is the frontier of our history, a strong carrier of our art forms today. India has always been ahead in praising her cultural diversity. History may not be your fav subject but that doesn't deny the Temple it's favourism. Dear Anonymous ,I am very much with you in eradicating poverty.. but the temple treasure is only an option,not the solution. If the temple authorities are happy to serve the nation then let it be. But, if they are not.. we are not to question on that. And if this money is used.. invariably the next debate will be on how to pool out money from other religious institutions that preserve 'assets'.

Anonymous said...

Dear Nair, Yes, How will assets kept by the royal family in the temple belong to the temple?, though Maharaja said it belongs to Pradmanabhan. These wealths are accumulated there through different sources including tax from common man. So? And history is my fav subject. What are you doing to eradicate poverty? Or just suggest some other options to eradicate poverty. Why is devaswom boards under the control of government?

Neha Nair said...

Ok. Then let us not make it Tvm-centric. Include every other religious institution/missionary that have inflow of assets. So we can avoid preserving them and use them for development in all sectors. Done?

Anonymous said...

Actually i would support that if somebody is coming out and demanding that. And it should be like if you guys do that, we will do that. Case is different.

Anonymous said...

pardon. it shouldn't be like

Neha Nair said...

Now this is called being biased.

Anonymous said...

biased? how? care to explain?

vinudom said...

people wouldn't speak about using it for the benefit of the people of the country if it was their own ancestral property (atleast it was once the king's)....
this is history being createed... i think a museum is the right way to go forward....

Neha Nair said...

Yes Vinu.

Anonymous: It is unfair only to ask this temple to pool in their money for development right? Other religious institutions who make money should also pool in money..at least that will be a debate put forth by the religious. And only the presence of money isn't enough.. proper schemes should be made available right? Without proper schemes this money would also will be reported as another scam within short notice.

vinudom said...

it'll be interesting to know where this goes from here.... people are afraid after incidents involving scams for much lesser fortunes. A proper scheme would be a 'nalle nadakathe sopnam'...

Anonymous said...

Yes, you are right ! All religious institutions making money should contribute to national wealth. The biggest defect is that not any muslim or christian institutions are paying tax stating it's a 'society/trust' and they are playing the minority card. The fact is these days, there are questions within these communities like why church or mosque holding these assests? and the funniest thing is when you get in touch with church or mosque for a need, they wouldn't care damn about you.
Yes, There has to be a proper scheme. But these assets shouldn't be used for developmental purpose. Money for that can come from the taxes. And this can be used for the betterment of certain sections within hinduism.

vinudom said...

i accept the most churches and mosques don't care a damn (some really do comendable work)

but "certain sections within hinduism????"

i thought india was secular.....

Anonymous said...

Mr. Vinu, i didn't say that they are not doing any work. They do, i was telling what happens when u approach them for any help.

India is a secular state. Sir, there are lot of brahmin families in a very bad state. Most of them are jobless. And i was just telling that, it would been great if a portion of the money was used for their upliftment.

Thomas Viruvelil said...

Every one of us know that out of every rupee spent on govt projects only fe paise reach beneficiaries.Major portion is being looted by rich and powerful.Serving the poor is only lip service in our country.Poor remain poor and rich grows fatter.
In this situation is it wise to dispose of assets of Sree Padmanabhan and make our already rich ruling class more richer and simply hear their emotional speeches with or without glycerin tears rolling down choking with their extreme "desire" to up lift downtrodeen?
Let us keep the riches in tact safe sealed and if at all these remain in tact in spite of powerful looters trying to loot it,let future generation use it if they can take our nation to a state of no looting of public assets.Value of these assets are going to increase only

Anonymous said...

Do not touch the Temple!!!

If....then REVOLT!!!!!!!!!


NB:this is another anonymous,not the above crack!!!