A Reflection on the Thoughts of Rabindranath Tagore: Making Men Into Gods and Gods Into Men The growth of Hinduism in Bali has actually reached a high philosophical stage. The 19th Century Indian poet, painter and writer, Rabindranath Tagore, has his beliefs already followed by the Balinese public. Winning the Noble Prize for his literary works in 1913, Tagore was on a mission to “make men into gods and gods into men”. He named his life mission as the “Religion of Man”. The Hindus in Bali has long acquired the same philosophy of humanizing the gods. They have made a temple within themselves, and it is for that reason they call their body “Meru Sarira”. They also place the gods in them: Visnu in the abdomen, Sambu in the fat, Isvara in the heart, Brahma in the liver, Rudra in the bowels, Mahadeva in the kidney, Shankara in the spleen and at the end of the heart, Siva. What the Balinese aren’t serious about is to make the men into gods. What does that mean? It means to elevate ourselves to the level of the gods or to imbibe their divine qualities. Is it possible? The answer is: possible! Why not? The only problem is: are we aware, do we desire it, are we diligent, or not. Aware, that means to follow the Vedic texts which says “aham bramasmi” (I am brahman). The desire, knowing that there is willingness based on self-achievement. And the diligence, for which without, nothing is possible. In the local story of Maya Danava, we understand that in ancient times Balinese kings would compare themselves to gods. According to the story, the ancient king had enough power to challenge Indra, the king of the gods. However, many Balinese, instead of enduring on the path of self-realization, instead prefer devoting themselves to sacred or magical objects. Many are busy looking for a revelation, or storing talismans or perhaps study to achieve a state of instant power. In fact, many claim to be the messenger of God or claim to have relations to ancient kings. The writer had gone on pilgrimage to India. His guide was very clever in storytelling, and he did this almost all the way through Thailand, Nepal, and India. He suggested doing many things to add weight to the magic of the holy places. For example, the guide asked the other pilgrims to take a dozen dips in the Ganges, or collect dust from a certain place for luck. Surprisingly, others followed all the suggestions, except perhaps the writer himself. This displays how sometimes we forget to look into the spiritual aspect of things, to look into the self or “atman”, like what the Vedas and the Upanisads prescribe. Forgetting the spiritual being within, we seek the material. We fervently worship in front of sacred images, but forget to strengthen our inner consciousness, as a temple that we bring everywhere. Surely this does not mean that one should avoid such worship. Worshipping sacred images bring forth a divine atmosphere and connection that opens up our own realization. In such a way we are able to purify the temple within and without. If we go deeper into the philosophy, when we worship God, we are further realizing the God within. This body made intelligently by God is the microcosms of the larger universe, the macrocosms. In the Balinese retelling, Bima, after defeating the serpents (attachments) in the ocean (of life), finally meets with Dewa Ruci, a tiny version of himself. Bima was told to enter into Dewa Ruci’s left ear, and in it, found the entire universe. This should be the journey of human life, according to the sacred Hindu literatures. Having managed to break all earthly ties, one dives into the inner spirit that is within us. There we will find our true selves, in a much smaller form, the soul or atman, a part and parcel of God. But now the question is, can we realize this thought of Rabindranath Tagore: “make men into gods and gods into men” in the 21st century? When the ideas of men are capable of going global instantaneously, into a wave that carries virtues and vices? When, accompanied by hatred, friendship and a helping hand can immediately be responded with animosity? The Balinese strongly belief in “rwa bhineda”, the opposites that never attack. Night dilutes for the light of the sun. Similarly, life ends to make way for another. And a new life is made for the hands of death. Both have to be accepted. Victory becomes a motivator for a new step whilst vices ensure we learn a lesson to strengthen action. Both is God’s mercy in different forms.(*Raka Santeri WHP)
Posted on: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 04:58:10 +0000
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