Question your faith
| June 8th, 2008“Kathin hai Prem ko tyagna”
Pandit Chaturvedi is a strict Hindu Brahmin priest. He believes very deeply in Hindu religion and believes in only one way of living as defined by his religion. Pandit Chaturvedi is a respected priest in Banaras and a famous religious teacher.
One fine day Pandit Chaturvedi’s daughter brings home an infant boy saying that a women handed over the kid to her and went to drink water but never returned. Without even looking at the little child Pandit Chaturvedi says “How dare you touch someone without knowing its Caste .. Religion”. Fearing her husband will send the child away Pandit Chaturvedi’s wife tells him that her daughter inquired before holding the child, “he is actually a Brahmin”. Pandit Ji allows the child to be kept at his home till his mother returns to get him.
Days past the Child’s mother does not come. Pandit Ji decides to give the Child away to a Temple’s Orphange. Pandit Chaturvedi’s wife convinces him of adopting the child. He decides to name the kid as “Kartikey”.
Drown in fatherhood Pandit Chaturvedi imbibes his religious beliefs and teachings in young Kartikey. But soon Pandit Chaturvedi’s faith is shattered when the real mother of Kartikey, who is a Muslim, comes at door to take back her child. Pandit Chaturvedi feels cheated and insulted. After giving the child away to his real Mother Pandit Chaturvedi purifies his house and family by rituals.
In regret of what has happened and to punish the disloyalty if his family against himself and his religious beliefs Pandit Chaturvedi decides to remain mute indefinitely and not to speak with anyone.
People try to convince Pandit Chaturvedi that he is not responsible for what happened and he should resume Teaching and Temple work. Pandit Chaturvedi tries hard to forget Kartikey but finds it very difficult. Drown in regret and pain Pandit Chaturvedi decides to break his fast of remaining silent but as a final way of reviving his spiritual and religious self he decides to keep Chandaraayan Vrath – Moon Fast.
Chandaraayan Vrath starts with the first day of Moon by keeping a fast whole day and breaking the fast by eating exactly one morsel of food. For the next 14 days same routine is followed with each night increasing food by one morsel making it exactly 14 morsels on full moon. Then with every moon night one morsel is reduced from the food till dark moon night which is a complete fast marking the end of this vrath.
Pandit Chaturvedi completes this vrath but still is unable to forget Kartikey. Religious riots breaks around places in Banaras. Anti muslim people gather to kill muslim population living around the city. Kartikey’s muslim mom comes to Pandit Chaturvedi’s place hiding from rioters asking for help and protection. Pandit Chaturvedi refuses to take her and Kartikey in and makes them go away.
In the guilt of not helping a poor woman and a child .. his own child .. Pandit Chaturvedi turns to Religious scriptures. He find out the real meaning of religion. A real meaning of “Dharm”. He goes out of the house to get his son Kartikey back. Rioters try to kill his son kartikey and his mother but Pandit Chaturvedi comes in between and explains how the rioters who believe that they are protecting their religion by killing muslims, that they are actually disrespecting the real meaning of Hinduism and Dharm. Dharm is not about cast or creed; it’s not about politics or power. It’s about HUMANITY!
Dharm hinsa nahin, Dharm hathya nahin, na hi Dharm sirf shastro mein likhi ritiyoon ko manna aur unka palan karna hai. Dharm bhed bhaav ko tyagna hai. Dharm ahimsa hai. Dharm manavta hai.
I saw this Movie “Dharm” on Saturday. Packed by beautiful script, perfect Banaras backdrop and powerful performances. Needless to say I was impressed, inspired. Every Indian MUST see this movie at least once.
-=oNo=-
Beautiful post