I read this amazing article in Outlook. Author C.M.Naim talks about how Islam was amuch a part of his life while he was growing up. And how it was kind, gentle, non-demanding and non-intrusive. And he talks about how he “learnt” his religion – not from the Mullah or organized clergy but from his mother and grandmother. And they would teach him through example. Examples of piety, generousity, affection to fellow human beings, basic human consideration.

And it got me thinking. The Hinduism that I grew up with was definitely the kinder gentler variety. I remember mom telling me, don’t waste food Annapurna – the Goddess of food- will be so hurt that she will sit by the banks of the river and cry. And when she cries there will be no water for the rains. So I ate up. Even the vegetables that I didn’t like. Because, at a certain very basic level, I loved my God/Goddess and didnt’ want to see them cry. The funny thing is that 30 years down the line, I still dont’ waste food. And probably for the same reason.

My grandmothers- both of whom stayed with us – used to vie with each other to tell us stories from the epics. from the puranas. and suddnely God was upclose and personal. You prayed to him to guard your bed, when monsters threatened you. You called out to Amma – the mother – when you were sad. You had Ganesha, your own cuddly God. And you had Shiva – who would give you whatever you asked for.

Somehow the masculinized religion that Naim writes about also seems to have impacted Hinduism. It has somehow become – over the last 15 to 20 years – more ritualistic, less spiritual. It has become a religion of absolutes, not of moderation. Somehow this is not the faith i was brought up in. The stories that my grandmothers, my mother, my father have told me is about a religion of love. of feeling secure because your God is everywhere, and in every living thing, and s/he won’t let you come to any harm.

It is sad when the preachers take over religion. Somehow they make God so distorted and so distant – that it is almost as though you are talking about two differnet religions. one yours. and one theirs. with nothing in common but the terms.