During Pooja holidays, the books are supposed be kept in the temple and inside the pedestal for poojas and one is not expected to read/write until Vijayadasami. I've always wondered why is it that you could get into the good books of your school teacher if you study hard during your holidays, but to get into the good books of Goddess Saraswati, you ought NOT read/write during the pooja-holidays until Vijayadasami.

Lot of efforts are being put in to please God. You offer to shave your head if God helps you to pass your exams. But would any God desire that when he himself created the child with beautiful hair? I feel its more like throwing a challenge to God – show your powers and you can have my hair! You enter abstinence for 48 days prior to your Sabarimala pilgrimage and the moment you return after the visit, you indulge in your wildest fantasies. Does it mean that if you make an effort for 48 days so as not to let anything pollute your mind and body, you get the license to be carefree for the rest 317 days in the year? I know people who don't eat beef, the cow being Krishna's pet, but they wouldn't spare fish or chicken. Isn't it the same God who created the cow and the fish?

Why does one have to try so hard to please God when we are just like infants to him ? The purpose of climbing mountains walking barefoot searching for God is defeated at the outset if you don't have the time and patience to listen to your inner self? Its more like climbing an imaginary mountain in pursuit of a hidden treasure that does not exist.We are so caught up trying to find fault with others that we don't have time nor interest to look within. Bhakti is a feeling whereas religion is just a discipline. Bhakti is pure joy. The feeling which you experience by doing any random act of kindness, even if it be a smile at any random stranger you meet on the streets. When Mata Amritandamayi spends 100 crores to the needy, there is Bhakti involved in it much more than in singing bhajans. The smile of God is reflected in the face of a beggar when he receives a hundred rupee note from you, and I personally feel this could move you closer to God than performing a pooja in the temple for Rs.100. You might forget the pooja after a few days, but the beggar's smiling face would keep popping up in your mind occasionally.

Some of us make pilgrimages and prayers as a remedy to the sins we have committed in the past. As a result, we are not reluctant to commit them again as we rest in the belief that whatever wrong we do, God will forgive us if we offer a pooja and a cocunut! Prayer is important, but when it is done just out of fear in order to keep his wrath at bay, are we being really sincere? How can you love your father if you are too scared of him? God is not a goon looking out for opportunities to beat you up.

Would the Gods be angry that I chose to write this on a Mahanavami day when I am supposed to be sitting at home reading nothing and writing nothing ? Nope! I think I'm in tune with the Gods else why should I feel this great joy within myself :-)

-Balu