Gods and Godmen of India by Khushwant Singh Read Free Book Online Page B

Tower Bible and Tract Society. You can see their members selling literature on the streets. Russel had predicted the return of Christ. Nothing happened. Christ did not bother to return to Earth and redeem it from evil. Russel also believed that taking others’ blood into one’s body was a sin as venal as rape. So his followers who now number millions would rather die than have somebody’s blood pumped into them. They have every right to do so. But can they also impose their views on their children? Yes, say the elders of the Watch Tower Society: parents have the right to dictate to their children. No, said the High Court of London and ordered the child to be given blood transfusion. The parents abducted their two-year-old daughter from the hospital and flew to Cyprus, where they belonged. Fortunately the authorities there, agreed with the English and forced the parents to hand over the child. She received blood transfusions. And is alive. The parents are adamant however, and insist that as soon as their daughter is restored to their custody they will stop further transfusions and try alternative forms of medicine.
    We have similar situations arising in our country, as for instance, when a doctor performing an operation on a Sikh, advises that he or she be shaved to avoid infection. Who then is to decide what is more important, adherence to religious belief or the life of an individual?
    15/7/90

The Magic Words
    A ll religions have a few words believed to have powerful, protective and curative potential. It is difficult to unravel the mystery behind them. In Hinduism we have the mystic syllable Om or Aum. It is chanted in its elongated form and believed to have the entire range of sounds in it. Intoned by itself or in combination with one of the names of God, Hari, as Hari Om, it does produce a soothing effect on jangled nerves and brings peace of mind. The Sikh equivalent Ek Omkar (there is one God), is derived from it, but does not enjoy the same popularity among Sikhs as does Aum among Hindus.
    The Muslims do not have any single word to match Aum, but they do have some which, like Allah-o-Akbar, are repeated while telling the beads of a rosary. They also recite select passages of the Quran which are believed to be more powerful than others. The most frequently quoted is of course the opening lines of the holy book, Al Fatihah:
    All Praise be to Allah
    1. Lord of all the worlds
    2. Most beneficent, ever merciful
    3. King of the Day of Judgement
    4. You alone we worship, and to you alone we turn for help
    5. Guide us (O Lord) to the path that is straight
    6. The path of those you have blessed
    7. Not of those who have earned Your anger, nor those who have gone astray
    (Ahmed Ali)
Next to the Fatihah, the second most popular verse is the Ayat-ul-qursi – the Throne Verse:
God: there is no god but He, the living, sustaining, ever self-subsisting.
Neither does somnolence affect Him nor sleep.
To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth; and who can intercede with Him except by His leave?
Known to Him is all that is present before men and what is hidden.
(in time past and time future),
and not even a little of His knowledge can they grasp except what He will.
His seat extends over heavens and the earth and
He tires not protecting them:
He alone is all high and supreme.
There is no compulsion in matter of faith.
Distinct is the way of guidance now from error.
He who turns away from the forces of evil and believes in God, will surely hold fast to a handle that is strong and unbreakable, for God hears all and knows everything.
    (Ahmed Ali)
    The Ayat-ul-qursi is embossed on medallions and worn by Muslim ladies attached to their necklaces. It is also the most popularly quoted verse on Muslim graves. The third in popularity are lines from Surah Yaseen. This Surah is also a favourite citation on mausoleums. On the entrance gate of the Taj Mahal, it is reproduced in full.
    Amongst Hindus, the mantra regarded as the most