Will the illogical use of Hindu deities and symbols come to an end?
Bharatiyas are frequently thought of as loving individuals. Vasudaiva Kutumbakam is our G-20 motto and a representation of this love. The world later assumes that we (Bharatiyas) have been granted complete freedom to use our identities. The users who don’t belong to this land have accepted the extension of flexibility to use everything from the clothing, cultural symbols, food, and living style to the spiritual identity of our worshipping sacred Devatas however they please. This is now a troublesome new trend. On the one hand, users have taken for granted the sacred ideas and symbols of the Bharatiyas. They don’t even have the decency to apologize for the improper usage on the other side.
In 2017, an Australian advertisement showed Gods and religious leaders from different faiths sitting together at a barbecue and eating lamb, which sparked outrage among various religious communities including Hindus because it shows their deity Ganesha eating lamb. The TV commercial intended to show that no matter your beliefs, background, or persuasion, the one thing we can all come together and unite over, is lamb. But according to the Advertising Standards Bureau, the campaign has been criticized for its lack of sensitivity in portraying Gods. Even during 2018 the advertisement, which was published in a local newspaper in Fort Bend County on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, had the slogan “Would you worship a donkey or an elephant? The choice is yours” below a picture of Ganesha. The ruling Republican Party’s symbol is the elephant while the donkey is the symbol of its political rival, the Democrats. Later A local unit of the Republican Party in the US state of Texas apologized to Hindus for offending them by publishing an advertisement featuring the Hindu deity, Ganesha.
Recently, ‘Lord Hanuman, one of the most revered Gods in India, was announced as the official mascot during the recent edition of the Asian Athletic Championships in Thailand. But the story has other sides too.
There is a Cambodian beer named “Hanuman Lager,” after the revered Hindu deity known for his unwavering devotion, integrity, and celibacy. This is something deeply offensive for Hindus worldwide. Lord Hanuman, a symbol of loyalty and righteousness, holds profound significance in Hinduism, making the use of his name in branding an alcoholic beverage is a blatant disrespect to their religious beliefs.
Lord Hanuman has been a devout follower of Lord Rama and is often considered the ideal example of a “Brahmachari”, inspiring millions of Hindus to follow a path of disciplined and earnest living. To name an alcoholic drink after this revered deity is seen as a severe insult to the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.
Adding to the above controversy, the “Hanuman Premium Lager” drink is being pleasantly marketed and consumed in Thailand, a country that holds strong cultural ties to the Hindu history and the epic of Ramayana. The royal lineage of Thailand is based on the Ramakien, an official Thai adaptation of the Ramayana, with successive Kings taking the title of “King Rama.” This historical connection should have brought a heightened sense of cultural sensitivity when giving allowance to sell a product that insults a significant Hindu figure.
Despite its significant associations and implications on international levels, the Hanuman Lager Beer is being sold and consumed with ease and without shame in Thailand. Although the Beer is being produced in Cambodia but the lack of remorse by the people of Thailand who are involved in the distribution and consumption of “Hanuman Lager” raises serious questions about ethics and moral values.
The apparent contradiction lies in the Thai government’s approach regarding the use of Lord Hanuman’s name. On one hand, they are embracing him as a symbol of respect, strength, and honor for their major upcoming international sporting event and getting enormous support from the Hindus of Bharat on numerous social media platforms. But are those Hindus aware that the same Thai government on the other hand is delightfully endorsing Lord Hanuman’s association with an alcoholic beverage in their country?
Such conduct at the international level needs to be condemned
Otherwise, it appears that Hindus have granted users complete freedom to use their sacred symbols and Gods however they please. It seems that a community which does not disturb ethos of world has always faced such undiplomatic atrocities in various forms. It reminds a story.
Where a man and his son were once going with their donkey to market. As they were walking along by his side a countryman passed them and said, “You fools, what is a donkey for but to ride upon?” So the man put the boy on the donkey, and they went on their way.
But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said, “See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides.”
So the man ordered his boy to get off and got on himself. But they hadn’t gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other, “Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along.”
Well, the man didn’t know what to do, but at last, he took his boy up before him on the donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passersby began to jeer and point at them. The man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at.
The men said, “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey of yours — you and your hulking son?”
The man and boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, until at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey’s feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them until they came to a bridge, when the donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle, the donkey fell over the bridge, and his forefeet being tied together, he was drowned.
Similarly, we can’t please everyone. Any firm decision taken by Hindus has always been criticized within the country and outside. Now the time has come to withstand such acts. Otherwise, it’ll be too late. The major action can begin with creating more awareness about the importance of deities. Because awareness plays a major role in overcoming such situations, in any of the above situations, Hindus have not behaved violently as others have. This is a greater testimony to our ‘Sahana Shakti’ (forbearance). It doesn’t replicate the weakness of this civilization. It represents the core strength of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’. May the world realize the beauty of this strength and respect the sacredness of Hindu Civilization.
Authors –
- Someshwar Gurumath – is an author, poet, public speaker, singer, lyric writer and a passionate filmmaker from Harihara Karnataka. He has authored four anthologies so far. He aspires to bring unified cultural consciousness and motivate people to work towards the renaissance of Bharata.
- Nikhil Sharma – is a Civil Engineer turned spiritual seeker, with a passion for ‘learning while traveling’. Learnt and practiced yoga and tantra by studying in various parts of Bharat. Holds a Gold Medal for Master’s in Yogic Sciences, taught as an Assistant Professor in National Institute of Physical Education. Now pursuing his Ph.D. in Yoga while sharing knowledge worldwide.
