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Cultural practices

From the Bhakti List Archives

M.K. Krishnaswamy • February 20, 2003 


Dear Bhaktas,

In the last few days, we were engaged in a discussion on the need for elders to observe prescribed ritual practices and many competing views have been presented. In this context, it might be relevant to mention the need for the elders to observe certain cultural practices, like chanting prayers/bhajans, visiting temples and celebrating festivals.
Culture is like a pot filled with nourishment, handed down through generations and entrusted to the care of the modern parents, particularly the mother, to be carried forward and handed over to the succeeding generation. Even if one link in this chain is broken, and the pot is broken, it is broken for eternity and the children of succeeding generations in that family will be deprived of the richness of our ancient culture.  It will require very great effort to rebuild.

We may modify, add to etc. the cultural practices, but the option to drop the pot and break it is given only to those engaged in ethnic cleansing ways. Thank God that we still have retained our culture inspite of great upheavals and invasions in the past. 

For very young children, the foundation can be built only by enlightened parents through their living practices, not thro' discourses as for adults. Hence the need to celebrate festivals like Sri Rama Navami, Sri Krishna Jayanti etc.in the homes, and to narrate the epic stories of  Rama and Krishna  to our children in appealing ways. If the young generation of parents themselves need help, it is available on the internet at the click of the mouse. 

Dasan
M.K. Krishnaswamy



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