HINDUISM CANNOT BE MEASURED THROUGH A CORPORATE BALANCE SHEET

 

HINDUISM CANNOT BE MEASURED THROUGH A CORPORATE BALANCE SHEET

If anyone attempts to understand Hinduism solely through the narrow prism of corporate accounting—by calculating expenditure, measuring immediate financial returns, or demanding a commercial justification for every sacred tradition—such a person will inevitably fail to comprehend its true character. Hinduism cannot be evaluated as though it were a commercial enterprise governed merely by profit, loss, investment and material return. To approach an ancient civilizational faith with the mindset of a corporate auditor is to misunderstand both its depth and its purpose.

Hinduism is not merely a religion confined within a rigid book, a uniform institution or a fixed set of commandments. It is an ancient, living and continuously evolving civilizational faith. It represents a way of life founded upon spiritual consciousness, inherited traditions, philosophical inquiry, devotion, sacrifice, tolerance and coexistence. Its foundations were laid over thousands of years through the experiences and wisdom of sages, saints, philosophers, householders, ascetics and ordinary devotees.

Faith does not always operate according to the grammar of commerce or the cold reasoning of a balance sheet. Devotion cannot be reduced to mathematical equations. The spiritual value of a pilgrimage cannot be calculated merely by dividing its cost by the number of participants. Nor can the importance of a sacred congregation be determined solely by asking what measurable financial return it has produced.

In that context, the reported judicial observation concerning expenditure upon the Kumbh Mela is difficult to accept if it seeks to evaluate the sacred congregation merely from the standpoint of financial utility. Every citizen, including every constitutional authority, undoubtedly possesses the right to raise questions regarding transparency, accountability and lawful utilisation of public funds. However, questioning financial administration is fundamentally different from diminishing the religious, spiritual and civilizational significance of the Kumbh Mela itself.

The Kumbh Mela is not an ordinary festival or a temporary public spectacle. It is one of the greatest and most ancient spiritual congregations in human history. Millions of people voluntarily travel great distances, endure discomfort and participate in the sacred gathering because of their faith. For them, it is not tourism, entertainment or a commercial event; it is a sacred journey of spiritual purification, collective consciousness and civilizational continuity.

The expenditure incurred for such a vast gathering is not confined to religious rituals. It ordinarily includes roads, sanitation, drinking water, medical facilities, public safety, crowd management, transport, disaster preparedness and other infrastructure required to protect millions of citizens. These facilities serve pilgrims, local residents, workers and visitors alike. Therefore, any responsible discussion must distinguish between expenditure upon religious worship and expenditure necessary for public administration, safety and civic infrastructure.

The greatness of Hinduism lies in its extraordinary traditions, moral values, cultural heritage and inclusiveness. It does not compel every person to worship in the same manner. It permits the devotee to approach the Divine through knowledge, devotion, meditation, service, sacrifice or even honest questioning. It accommodates magnificent temples as well as the humble lamp lit beneath a tree. It embraces the learned philosopher and the ordinary villager with equal affection.

Too much attachment to fashionable theories of modernity and rigid material logic can never fully explain this way of life. Modern reasoning has its importance, but it cannot become the exclusive standard for measuring every human emotion, cultural inheritance or spiritual experience. Love, gratitude, sacrifice, patriotism and faith possess values that cannot always be expressed in figures.

Even a poor Hindu family, despite financial hardship, performs Puja according to its capacity. The offering may consist of nothing more than a flower, a little water, a lamp or a handful of rice. Yet the devotion contained in that humble offering may be greater than the monetary value of the most expensive ritual. On the other hand, wealthy devotees may offer kilograms of gold or make substantial donations to temples. Hinduism accommodates both without declaring that devotion is the monopoly of either the rich or the poor.

At countless small roadside temples, Prasadam is distributed freely among passers-by. No one ordinarily asks the recipient about his caste, wealth, profession, political opinion or social status. Very few people ask the name of the person who sponsored the Prasadam or the exact amount donated. The donor gives voluntarily, the temple distributes voluntarily and the passer-by accepts it with gratitude. This quiet cycle of faith, service and sharing has continued for generations without publicity, corporate branding or an expectation of material reward.

This is the social spirit of Hinduism: Dana without arrogance, Seva without discrimination and devotion without compulsion.

Bharat’s civilizational existence has been preserved by her indigenous children, who protected her temples, languages, customs, festivals, philosophies and spiritual traditions through centuries of invasions, persecution and political upheaval. Admittedly, some may have become disconnected or rudderless. Yet the deep cultural memory of Bharat continues to survive in her villages, homes, rivers, pilgrimage routes, festivals and family traditions.

The Supreme Court of India is the guardian of the Constitution and carries the enormous responsibility of deciding issues affecting liberty, equality, governance and the rule of law. Its authority commands respect. At the same time, judicial observations—especially those touching the faith of millions—should reflect constitutional sensitivity, restraint and a complete understanding of the subject. Respect for the judiciary does not require unquestioning agreement with every reported oral observation. Reasoned and dignified disagreement is also part of a constitutional democracy.

When questions are raised regarding expenditure upon religious or cultural gatherings, the same principles of accountability should be applied consistently to every institution and every field of public expenditure. Those who advise society to practise austerity should also be willing to demonstrate personal sacrifice. Moral advice carries greater force when it is accompanied by voluntary example.

Accordingly, instead of commenting selectively upon the expenditure connected with the faith of millions, persons occupying high constitutional positions may inspire the nation by voluntarily contributing a substantial portion of their personal resources towards education, healthcare, legal aid, environmental protection or other programmes of national development. Such an act would transform abstract advice into a living example of sacrifice.

Nevertheless, disagreement must remain dignified. The issue should not be reduced to hostility towards an individual Judge or an attack upon the judiciary as an institution. The proper response is to place facts, constitutional principles and the civilizational importance of the Kumbh Mela before the nation. Constitutional respect and freedom of criticism can coexist, provided criticism remains reasoned, responsible and respectful.

Unfortunately, there appears to be a growing tendency to attract public attention through statements concerning Hindu beliefs and traditions. For some, criticising Hinduism seems to be the easiest route to instant publicity because Hindus have historically responded with patience and tolerance. But tolerance should never be mistaken for intellectual weakness, cultural amnesia or an inability to answer.

Whenever Hindu traditions are criticised without adequate knowledge, we must hold up a mirror—not through hatred, abuse or intimidation, but through history, facts, constitutional reasoning and the strength of our civilizational values. Let the critics first understand the depth of what they seek to judge. Let them study the institution before questioning it, experience the faith before dismissing it and apply the same standards to themselves before prescribing sacrifice to others.

Hinduism does not require the certificate of approval of any individual. It has survived for millennia because it lives in the hearts and conduct of its people. Governments may change, institutions may evolve and intellectual fashions may come and go, but a civilization sustained by faith, service, sacrifice and collective memory cannot be assessed through a corporate balance sheet.

Faith is not a financial transaction.
Devotion is not an investment scheme.
Prasadam is not a commercial dividend.
The Kumbh Mela is not a corporate event.
Hinduism is a living civilization and an eternal way of life.

Let accountability be ensured, but let faith not be trivialised. Let public money be scrutinised, but let sacred traditions not be insulted. Let constitutional institutions be respected, but let reasoned and respectful disagreement never be silenced.

Show the mirror through knowledge, dignity and truth.

Joy Hind. Vande Mataram.

Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate
High Court at Calcutta