Author: Khushwant Singh
Translator(s)/ Edito: Rohini Singh
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 246
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8172236581
Description
Anyone familiar with Khushwant Singh's writing will probably think of the word 'agnostic', if asked about his religious beliefs. Yet in this vibrant volume, Khushwant, in his inimitable style, tackles all issues related to religion, organised religion, faith, blind faith, new cults, and new movements - in other words, he charges like a raging bull to attack the epidemic of gods and godmen that has swept the nation in recent years.
Well versed in all the scriptures pertaining to every religion he talks about - ranging from Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhaism to Judaism, Christianity and Islam - Khushwant Singh quotes liberally and with perfect ease, from the Adi Granth, Adi Sankaracharya, Upanishads, Koran, Bible and other holy books to buttress his arguments.
He questions each issue with the sharpness of a double-edged sword, but not once does he let his cogency overwhelm his readers. He simply places his observations before the reader, allowing him or her to draw his or her own conclusions. However, by the time the book comes to an end, Khushwant - the visionary - charts the way for one and all to steer away from dogmatism, Puritanism and hed straight for Secularism.
This book is a definitve guide to distinguish frauds from gods and conmen from godmen.
Contents
PART I: GOD
You Kafir
Favorite Topics
Shanti
Why Bring in God?
Hullo God!
Godless Among the God Fearing
The Believer and the Agnostic: their Religion
For Them, Our Doubts to Us
Fad is Vastu
Encyclopedia of God
God is Good Business
Does God Exist?
Of God and Goddesses
Just God?
Religion without God, Prophets and Scriptures
How Hindu are the Sikhs
Wrestling with the Almighty
Where is God?
PART II: PRAYER
Power of Prayer
Mantric Power
Religion versus Reason
The Magic Words
Power of Silence
The Power of Prayer
PART III: GODMEN
Human Face of God
The Lama Who Loved Women
In Search of a Home for their Knowledge
Joy and Laughter as Religion
Fear of Dying
Bhagwan of the Godless
Dhirendra Brahmachari
Stumbling on Yoga
The Amorous Brahmachari
Sai Baba is 60
Man of Miracles
Dadaji
All the Universe if My Ashram
The Pandit and the Sadhvi: the legend of Shraddha Mata
The Prophetess
The Wealthy and the Business of Sahaj Yoga
As One Lamp Lights Another
>From Editor to Godman
Shri Datta Bal Desai
Muktananda in Maha Samadhi
Graceful Editor
Lives: Before Life and After Death
The Mind-Reader
Hear the Bells Tinkle
The Daughters of Brahma
Sex, Sin and Death
Mother Valikamma
Yet Another Prophet
The Other Krishnamurti
Exposure to the Occult
On the Nirvana Trail
The Messiah
Meditation: the Initiation
Sankaracharya versus the Mother
The Curse of Money
The Love-Preaching Spiritualists Who Can't Stand Rivals
Hunting the Guru
God Save Us from Godmen