New Series: The Mystery of Faith
Of How the Ancient and the Modern Co-exist: Beliefs, Rituals, Myths, Stories, and Practices of Modern, Rural and Urban India.
One of the most striking aspects of the roots of this land lies in spirituality and faith. It runs like a river through the vastness of the region, undeterred by any obstacle, barrier, or passage of time, carrying with it tales of magic, belief, faith, unwavering intent, and miracles.
William James, the 19th-century American philosopher and founder of the modern discipline of psychology, is believed to have said,“The greatest discovery of the 19th century is not in the realm of physical science. The greatest discovery was the power of the subconscious touched by faith.”1
He also said, “Belief creates the fact.”
This is nowhere more evident than in the simple faith of millions in India, in a benevolent God who they believe hears their prayers and responds.
Every single day, people across different economic levels, demonstrate their beliefs and faith in micro and macro ways. It influences nearly all their actions and words.
Visiting ancient temples, honoring rituals, choosing select dates to launch important projects, constructing their homes, consulting with priests, astrologers, yogis, pundits, and elders, all of it transcends income levels.
It may seem at times that the more famous and rich a person is, the more strongly they believe in special customs and rituals.
For the poor, faith of course serves as the sole anchor.
Powerful unshaken beliefs, despite their tough daily lives, of goodness being rewarded, that God is on their side, that He forgives if they offer remorse and course correct, that help is always at hand, and that God sends it through people, events, and interventions.
This faith pervades the consciousness of countless individuals.
This invisible faith, and unspoken trust in matters Divine.
So I thought to introduce a new series - ‘The Mystery of Faith,’ where I will aim to illustrate this nerve that runs through India even today.
Drawing from my various encounters during travels and interactions, I aim to share a deeper look into the modern-day lives that reflect ancient beliefs, a blend of ancient and modern India that survives to this day in common practices with its modern contradictions.
Ever wonder what legends, and myths are tied to the numerous ancient temples and sites across the land?
People travel many miles, on foot, to visit certain temples, in faraway regions driven by their aspirations for a better life.
The belief persists that a better life may develop if one has faith: this is a faith that remains unbroken through disaster, poverty, drama, and life’s vicissitudes, and marches on from generation to generation, with stories of ways in which each generation experienced faith’s powers.
One rich and modern business family shared that their physically able male family members trek each year through the Western desert - in Northwest India - to visit their family deity, without access to any modern facilities along the way. It takes a week to complete. Undertaking this pilgrimage is essential, as offending their family deity is unthinkable.
An unmarried woman long ago, though not unusual even in modern times, was known to refuse to visit her family deity, angry that God had not yet bestowed on her, the joy of married life. She vowed not to visit until her marital state was changed. She did get married later on, but it is not known if she returned to give thanks on an annual visit to her family deity.
Others fast either weekly or monthly for a specific period, hoping for favorable outcomes in their lives. They pledge to offer special items like fruit and clothes, or to sponsor pujas (types of worship categories) at their chosen temple, should their wishes be fulfilled—be it passing a crucial exam, securing a job, or overcoming a health issue.
Some men do not eat meat on Tuesdays in honor of a specific God, or because their family follows a tradition of giving up meat one day a week.
These are just a few examples of such a widespread belief system.
A neighbor, then a college student, shared in passing that despite identifying as an atheist, she would instinctively pray for positive outcomes in difficult times as she passed her family's worship (puja)2 room. “Isn't that strange?” she mused.
Against this backdrop, we find ourselves in modern-day India, within a small village in northern Karnataka. This southern state, known for hosting the tech city of Bangalore, is home to ancient temples dating back to the 8th-11th centuries.