Festivals :- 3 to 6.- Swami Chinmayananda

17/12/2017

3.
Recognizing this need for change and entertainment, the Hindu religion provides special occasions, festivals of a religious nature, called utsavs. No religion will last very long if it does not understand the common needs and desires of people, insisting only on strict discipline at all times, Other than fasting there must also be feasting, singing, dancing, and joyous celebrations.
4.
One may ask that if the purpose of these festivals is to remove our mental and physical exhausion, then why are our vacations and weekends not sufficient ? Why do we need religious festivals that involve pujas? The answer is clear : Though these various amusements relax the mind and revive us for a while, they themselves become monotonous rituals after some time, leaving us with a peculiar feeling of incompleteness.
5.
Although the purpose of vacations is to help us feel rested, to gain more enthusiasm, cheerfulness and energy for our regular work, we generally find that the opposite is true. When the vaction is over, we think,” Oh now I have to go back to the office. What a bore !” Often we are left exhausted not only physically, but also financially ! Our pockets are empty and we must again work hard to make up for the lost hard earned money.
6.
The pleasure, of the vacation has, in effect, not removed the pressure, it only added a new one ! Why did the vacation not give us the desired result? Because it was a purposeless entertainment.

To be continued ...