The issue of "crossing the ocean"

[Guest guest]

Hindus Educated in Science Choose to Become Priests

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/428391.cms

 

HYDERABAD, INDIA, January 17, 2004: Three well-educated Hindu men are

profiled in this compelling article explaining how religion has always

been the crux of their life. For example, Venkata Ramana Deekshitulu,

head priest at the Tirumala Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, has a

post-doctoral research degree. Deekshitulu explains, "I got an

opportunity to go to the US and do research on human cancer tissues.

But, according to the Vaikhanasa Sastras, I cannot do Kain-karyam

(serve the Lord) once I travel across the sea. Hence, I turned down

that offer." Born into a family of archakas (priests), Venkata choose

to serve the Lord of Tirumala and fulfill his commitment to the elders.

Similarly, M. V. Soundararajan, head priest of Chilkur Balaji temple,

was once a commerce professor at Osmania University and he says,

"Normally, people believe that scientists are necessarily rationalists.

Truth is bhakti, it has nothing to do with science. Faith and education

are not related. It is wrong to argue that a person who studied science

should have no faith in religion and vice versa." Rangarajan does

regular pujas at the Chilkur Temple. At one time he worked as a

biomedical engineer for a company that producers pacemakers and his

annual salary was substantial. The article explains what these three

men have in common, "Their educational qualifications and experience in

the field of science have not come in the way of fulfilling their

hereditary commitment."

 

HPI adds: The issue of "crossing the ocean" has been significant, with

even Swami Vivekananda being chastised for it upon his return to India

in the late 19th century. However, in these days of fast air travel,

and the existence of temples in every major city, many priests have

decided these rules no longer apply. In the days of travel by ship, it

would have been impossible to maintain the necessary daily rituals and

purity required of the priest. HPI would appreciate any comments on

this issue of crossing the ocean.