THE POWER OF M,YTHS

THE POWER OF MYTHS

The Coast Guard and the Indian Navy have expressed serious reservations about the current alignment of the proposed Ram Sethu. The state government is now ready to re- align the project—something that could have been done long ago.

This has reportedly finally brought the curtain down on an emotional issue which turned from an engineering matter to a religious one. The DMK chief and Tamilnadu Chief Minister did his best to alienate large sections of the people with his ill- advised comment on the existence or otherwise of Lord Ram.

I however wish to direct reader attention to a less discussed aspect of this story.

In the heat of the controversy several people stated that Lord Ram was part of Hindu mythology and that there was no reason to believe that such a person existed.

My submission is that sometimes myths have the power of truth and hence one has to read carefully in such matters. Take for example the shroud at Turin in Italy which the devout believe is the cloth that was placed on the body of Jesus Christ after he was crucified, The shroud does show an outline of a person that closely resembles the face of the Christ seen in most other pictures of Jesus. However scientists tell us that it is a hoax .This has not prevented millions to continue with their belief and I believe they are none the worse for it. If such a belief gives them solace in a trauma filled life so be it. This is the power of a myth—it can help people face the trials and tribulations of life in a way that logic and reason cannot. We who are not convinced about the authenticity of a belief need only ask ourselves—what other alternative can we offer to these people who are in pain?

I recall Pandit Nehru being moved to tears when he saw what is recognized as the largest congregation of people on earth—the Kumbh mela.This mela is a several thousand years’ tradition. An otherwise agnostic Nehruji felt that this massive congregation provided some meaning to the faithful. His successors in politics ought to now. While the mass of people visit the mela at their cost and at great inconvenience politicians these days have to pay good money to rent even a small crowd!

Every religion has a dose of myth which the faithful consider to be the truth and will kill or die to defend. It is best that we leave these beliefs alone as long as they are harmless—much like the belief that the number 13 brings bad luck . Even in ‘ scientific’ America many buildings do not have floor number 13.

On a lighter note readers may know that every year thousands of tourists to London faithfully visit ‘220 ‘B’ Bakers’ street where the obviously fictional character Sherlock Holmes ‘ lived’. And these visitors are honorable people.

Need I say more?

K.R.RAVI

USA