Oh my ‘God’!, the title itself is so riot provoking! Am I out of my mind? May be not. Read the “Disclaimer” before you read further.

The very first phrase in this blog may confuse a self proclaimed non Hindu if uttered by a Hindu. Since there are millions of Gods in Hinduism.  

My take is on few of the famed gods by either myth or history.

Krishna- The most revered, the most philosophical, the most famed, the most adored, the most brilliant god of the pantheon.

He is a polygamist, it is not acceptable in the present day society, illegal according to ‘Hindu marriage act’, wonder what Praveen Togadia thinks when he criticizes the Indian civil code granting polygamy for Islam.

He broke Radha’s heart, that may or may not be acceptable depending on who you are. He supported polyandry of Draupadi citing some past life wish, citing mom’s word as the final word. He supported Arjuna to practice polygamy. His life as Casanova can incite sharp reactions if it was performed today.

Rama- The most noblest man ever lived. I doubt that! He left his wife in exile after a comment from his people. The most repeated argument by scholars is that “Rama was wrong as a husband, and he was right as a king.” I doubt that! He was definitely wrong as a husband, also, he was wrong was a king, as he was setting a horrible example of how to be husband. A simple man, might think, “ok! so it is right for me to leave my wife, if someone else mentions her as unchaste or infidel”. According to me, the king should be a leader who leads by setting an example, not as a person who should appease to every demand said/unsaid by his followers.

Another wrong doing of Rama is the murder of king Bali by hiding. It was in no way, a symbol of heroism and chivalry. When Bali’s wife asked Rama about the sin, the reason cited by Rama is as follows, “ I will be born as Krishna in my next birth, and your husband will be a hunter and will kill me by hiding with an arrow thinking that I am a deer.” I wonder, which judge will take that as a reason for murder.

Also, there are other minor wrong doings, including marrying Sita without his dad’s consent (It is a big thing in today’s society). Depriving Lakshman of his marital life with a newly wed Urmila. Murder of Ravana (a Brahmin) is also a sinful act, for which he did penances. His children was devoid of a parent throughout their life, Rama can be partly blamed.

Shiva- The powerful god is always given a negative connotation as a destroyer. For me he is the MAN in its every meaning. But in present day, he will find trouble. He lives in cremation ground, is a drug addict, is an alcoholic, is a nomad, is a hunter. How much of an outcaste he can be is shown in the six part documentary on ‘Aghoris’, people who practice life similar to Shiva.  Also, he would be criticized if he performs catastrophe after his wife’s death. Though according to the myth, he granted all their lives whose lives where lost during his anger and the insane “Tandava dance”.  In the present society, anger itself is considered a vice. Hmmm.

Ganapati and Murugan- Shiva’s two sons, one is a celibate, one is a bigamist. Both are considered ‘not so good’ by today’s mothers. Muruga is also a runaway kid. A god running away from god parents. Hmmm.  Another son of Shiva, Ayyapa is also a runaway kid. All the kids are going to mountains and forests. {I like it}.

Vishnu has already been portrayed as Krishna and Rama, also when he was Mohini (a lady role), her main/only motive was cheating. She cheated on Asuras during “The churning of Ocean” episode, Come on!, they toiled and am sure worked harder than devas, and all they got was one of them ‘Rahu’ getting a taste of it before being beheaded. Reminds me of Al-Qaeda. Hmmm.

Finally, Devi-a general representation of all goddesses, they are normally represented without clothes. But hardcore Hindu fanatics cannot even take cleavage in the main stream society throwing them out, slapping them, beating are all common practice. Also, wearing clothes over their bosom is a 20th century practice in the state of Kerala. 

Most of the gods became heroes through murders, they practice polygamy. Anger is a common trait. Cursing is an even more common trait. So many incidents. Runaway practices are common. Most of them have animals as vehicles, wonder, what PETA thinks.

The interesting thing is that, most of the self proclaimed Hindus know all these facts. Scholars may call these as not facts, but just symbolism, a figurative depiction. Alright. I agree, but I was just doing a literal take. The list of such non-societal acts is endless. I was just picking on the main ones.

-Santhosh K Ramachandran.

P.S. My intent was not to hurt anyone, but to have a different view point.