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God's Casino

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by HariLakhera, Nov 18, 2018.

  1. HariLakhera

    HariLakhera Platinum IL'ite

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    God's Casino.
    Some years back, I visited one of the most visited temples. As in all temples, that attract devotees from every corner of the country, managing the crowd is a big challenge. Various means and ways were devised to do that and one of the most favored way was devised by someone who understood the gambling instincts of humans.
    Well, humans are born gamblers. They took huge risks by migrating to unknown destinations for better life. The story of Africans migrating to India and other countries is in sync with this theory.
    This habit of setting a wager on anything for quick returns has helped in the spread of casinos, horse races, stock markets, real estate and others. Our cricket league matches called twenty twenty owe their success to the gambling public.
    As I was saying someone in the temple management saw the opportunity here. It served two purposes- one generating funds for the temple and managing the crowd to some extent, the first being the main motive. All strategies are dependent on human psychology of higher the bet, higher the returns.
    So here comes the list of various options available. VVIP Puja, VIP Puja, Special Puja, Puja in absentia, Separate gates for entry and so on. Depending upon the waging capacity, one can put a wager in the form of a 50 Kg. Pure gold crown or garland for the deity, a bank cheque of high value, a bagful of currency notes and so on. There are provisions for keeping the offering secret from general public and government.
    Devotees visit temples and make offers in cash or kind, read bet, in order to expect intended returns in abundance. 'I will come back and offer XYZ if my wish is fulfilled' is the norm.
    I had also gone to fulfill a wish, a simple one. Long back I had wished to make a visit to the temple and thus add one more achievement of my religious leaning and learning and brag among friends. Since I had no such a big gambling urge, I stood in the queue very early in the morning before the gates open and found myself almost one mile behind in the queue. Somehow I could make it to the Garv-grih. In the melee of devotees and for the fear of the danda in hand of the sevaks, I managed to pass in front of the deity, if there was one, as from that distance I could see nothing except a huge pile of flowers and garlands.
    That I came out without hurting myself, I guess, was because of the mercy of the deity in response to my wish.


    Sarve Bhawantu Sukhina


    November 17, 2018
     
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  2. Amulet

    Amulet IL Hall of Fame

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    Casinos are known for laundering money. The wealthy bring bag loads of the stuff to lose at the gaming tables of the joint, and in return the joint allows them to win a percentage of what they contrive to lose. The winnings are recorded in the name of the winner, and taxed according to whatever local law. White as chalk.

    Selling salvation (or some real tangible stuff) in return for a private interactive experience of the idol for a fee is the oldest trade.

    Long queue, and the sevaks pushing people to move along is also done at crowded museums. Newspaper articles of Chinese tourists at the Parisian museum called Louvre often talk about what an anticlimactic experience it would be to jostle with everyone, and see the various reflections of room light on the very thick plexiglas protective layer in front of the famous Mona Lisa. No way to appreciate that exotic smirk of the female and wonder what it means.

    Take a look....
    [​IMG]

    People still raise their hands (holding cameras at the end of selfie sticks) and say "govindaaa.... govinDA.."
     

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  3. shyamala1234

    shyamala1234 Platinum IL'ite

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    Dear Hariji,
    That is the case in many famous temples. In the end..... God seems to be saying to us. "What is the need.... I am everywhere!!!!".
    Syamala
     
  4. shyamala1234

    shyamala1234 Platinum IL'ite

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    Amulet,
    Same was my experience in Paris Lauvre!
    Syamala
     
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  5. Thyagarajan

    Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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    During currency demonetize exercise Indian temples benefited hugely as 're notes 500 & 1000 lost legal tender. Tiru pathi devasthanam was onf of the huge beneficiaries.
    WITH God too "quid pro quo " is a valid wager.
    But without money SEVA at popular temples LIKE AYYAPPAN LORD VEKATESWARA AT 7 HILLS IS UNTHINKABLE .
    GOD BLESS US ALL.
     
  6. PushpavalliSrinivasan

    PushpavalliSrinivasan IL Hall of Fame

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    I feel when Lord Balaji wishes to give His Darshan to me somehow He will make it happen.
    PS
     
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  7. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

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    I used to be a frequent visitor when I was in India at the young age but now I am no longer a regular visitor. An interesting experience I wanted to share.

    My colleague asked me whether I was going to Thiruppathi with my family and when I answered affirmatively, he asked me to meet the Executive Officer at the foot hill with a letter given by him. When we went, we met the EO briefly and he told us to proceed and will meet us at 11 a.m. sharp. When we reached the temple to our surprise, we found him standing at the entrance. He took us straight into the Temple and that dharshan lasted a good 10 minutes. After that he took us to the place where they store the clothes and jewelries of the Lord and it was a very unique experience for all of us.

    The trip I enjoyed the most was when I walked the hills with my friends after finishing my final CA exam. The initial vertical climb was very hard.

    Viswa
     
  8. jayasala42

    jayasala42 IL Hall of Fame

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    I am reminded of a vow well known for long.A rich merchant was returning with lot of wealth from abroad in a ship.Unfortunately he was caught in a violent storm.The ship was about to submerge and he was about to lose all his wealth.He prayed to Lord'If you save my ship and my wealth I will sell my palace in the native place and place the sale proceeds in the Hundi.Fortunately for him, storm subsided and he reached shore safe.Now he is duty bound to fulfill the vow.He made a dandora that he is going to sell his mansion.The house was really nice house,well structured.Many assembled and were ready to pay a reasonable price for the house.
    After all assembled, the businessman said that he was prepared to sell his house for Rupees ten.But the condition was that the person should also buy his cat which was quoted at Rupees one lakh.Everybody was shocked.But a rich man came forward to buy the cat for Rupees one lakh as the house was definitely worth more.
    The deal was signed House and cat exchanged hands.
    Now the business went to the temple and offered Rupees 10 in the Hundi.
    I have made a vow to place only the sale proceeds of the house in Hundi. I sold the house for Rs 10 and the cat for Rs one lakh.Lord in all earnestness is eligible to receive only Rs10/-as per the vow.
    How is it?

    Jayasala 42
     
  9. HariLakhera

    HariLakhera Platinum IL'ite

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    Yes Casinos are used to launder black money. I do not know why money is called black as it has many colors. May be it should be called "Tax Due Money'. Temples also are used for converting such money by trusts members who manage them.

    Mona Lisa has always remained a mystery. I read somewhere it was painted when she was grieving the loss of her first born. Well beauty lies lies in eyes of the beholder or beer-holder.

    Govinda is ultimate of joy and happiness for the devotees as Shiva is for the Shiva Bhaktas. I have seen devotees, mostly foreigners, dancing madly in Krishna temples.
     
  10. HariLakhera

    HariLakhera Platinum IL'ite

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    Syamalaji,
    He is Omnipresent, so why go to temple in the first place. Man Changa to Kathoti me Ganga -said Ramdasa. He was cobbler and saw Ganga in his Kathoti (a wooden pot for water used by cobblers).
    The ambience in temples is different, thats why people go there.
     

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