During our school days we had a subject
called ‘Dharma’. It was a thin simple book with simpler syllabus. In a way,
only basic knowledge of all the major religions of the world was imparted with
no bias whatsoever. Largely, it was information based i.e. Who was the founder,
The Holy Book and principal teachings. Since then, lot of water full of
hazardous chemicals mixed with sewer water has flown in the Ganges. Latest is,
a prominent University in India has launched a ‘Centre for Hindu Studies’. The various
courses and minimum eligibility criterion have been firmed up. Several
Post-Graduate and Diploma courses have been introduced. Hitherto, we were
taught that Hinduism is no religion rather it is a way of life. If that be so,
I wonder why all these courses? But then of late, haven’t you seen hordes of
books on parenting while people have been becoming parents, good or bad, since
time immemorial.
This ‘Hindu Study Centre’ is going
to have courses such as M.A. in Hindu Studies, Post-Graduate Diploma in Temple
Management (definitely needed, with temples of all shapes and sizes having been
mushroomed, more on unauthorized land every half a kilometer. High time, these
temples are managed professionally by the well-educated / trained
professionals. I suggest, there must be M.A. (Keertan). Just imagine, how much
knowledge is awaiting sincere seekers. We, in our ignorance thought Hinduism is
all about Gayatri mantra and Laxmi Pooja. Now you would know that Hinduism is
far deeper than one could fathom.
Just ponder, when you are a
Diploma holder in Keertan science, how many Bhajans and their meaning you would
be able to memorize. Many table games such as carrom, scrabble, chess karaoke
Antakshari and crossword would be evolved based on the Keertans and mantras.
Thank God! Mumbai has tiny temples in
each house hold. Similarly, in office and business establishments of all
varieties one may not find humans but deity would be there overseeing one and
all. With all this, there will not be any dearth of opportunities for
industrial attachments. Would there be any dress code for the students of these
courses. Yes, another bigger question, would these courses be open for the
students from all the four ‘varnas’? Would these courses open for students from
other countries? Could kids of high
priests pay capitation fee and get admission out of turn? Admission to these
courses would be through CUET? What would be the approx. Dakshina I mean fee?
Tilak, choti and tonsured head would be compulsory for the students of these
courses? The syllabus would include how to read holy books aloud? Would the
course contain how to read and interpret faces/palm and moles on body? Would
they be taught to predict what tragedy is going to befall upon devotees, ways
and means to escape? Temple management would include what all ingredients are
required to be placed and how, in a puja-thali. Which flower to which deity and
flowers need to be carried in a thali or in a wooden basket? If a particular
flower is not readily available which alternative flower could be considered
congruent. How to recycle coconut
offered in a temple?
I am
wondering whether these courses would dwell upon comparative factual checks
vis-à-vis other faiths. For example, what is the Parsi, Buddhism, Christianity
and Islamic view on a particular aspect / ritual / hypothesis. I hope it would
not be hammered into the brains of the students that ‘Hinduism is The Best’ and
all other sects / religions are inferior to Hinduism. No debate on that. Others
are just a haphazard crowd of heretics.
Some courses which would sell
like hot cakes could be: Diploma in Puja-Ingredients (DPI), Diploma in
Management of Commercial Activities around Mandir (DCAM) Diploma in Fast (Vrat)
Management (DFM). Certificate course in Navratre (CIN) Diploma in Crowd
Management (DCM) Certificate course in Dream Interpretation (CDI) Also, the
prospectus should give some insight about the employment scope for the
prospective students.
I hope the students would have campus
recruitment so that they don’t have to run temple to temple, armed with their
C.V. begging for job like other Engineers / M.As / PhDs. Govt may launch some
scheme viz. Asur-Sanharak to complete the pattern of 3As Aanganwadi, Agniveer
& Asur-Sanharak.
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