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Journalism of Courage
In a country where name changes are not uncommon, I find it amusing to see protests over one such naamkaran. When Narayana Prem Sai decided to prefix his name with Bhagwan, a statistically-insignificant section of Vrindavan felt hurt enough to hold demonstrations. How true their assertions are, one can8217;t say, but they got their 15 seconds of fame on the idiot box, followed by a few column-centimetres in print.
Whatever the impulsion 8212; an inner voice calling for the name change or a more surface-led marketing gimmickry 8212; the right to change a name vests with the person. That he has chosen Krishna8217;s country as his venue is incidental. That in this country Radha is the top deity is besides the point. But even if it is, I just can8217;t figure out how the identity of Vrindavan is desecrated, as a recent news report quotes a swami saying, by this act.
As for Bhagwan, dig deeper and those protesting the prefix would know that Hinduism is a religion that is arguably the most inclusive of all. When it can accept 3 crore gods through the vehicle of 3 crore men that lived in India then, what8217;s one more or less? That figure, I believe, needs to be refreshed to 1 billion if restricted to Indians and, a little over 6 billion if it is to include mankind.
Surely, a religion that can grant the strengths and failings of each individual and anoint godhood on him can tolerate a renaming, humble or hubris. Besides, each god in an occult sort of way, symbolises a part of our being, with salvation lying in a harmonious integration of all parts and planes of our being, in the seeking of a perfection that lies beyond physical, mental or even religious paradigms.
Let Narayana play his game or live his truth. Let us live ours 8212; and let name.
