By:
Rinku Khumukcham
My
good night wished to that strange friend didn’t actually mean that I was
feeling sleepy. It was a slip of tongue to put a full stop on the conversation
that we have been undergoing.
The strange friend that I share a room for a
night seems rather religious. He responded the same wishing and – “a good night,
sleep well” was the last words from him for that night. As for me I remained
awaken for quite more couple of hours pondering upon to what he had pointed
out.
“Are
you a Hindu? You are a meitei from
Manipur and meiteis were not Hindu they were compelled to convert into
Hinduism. What make it difference between you and me? I choose Christian and
You choose Hindu.” These reply of the stranger echoed in my simple brain
disturbing peace in my mind. Being in the degree standard I didn’t felt any
wrong or regrets in choosing a religion of my choice. But then the virtue of patriotism
that runs through my veins always stands for protection, preservations and
promotion of my identity. He was right I am Meitei – which is a major community
of Manipur.
For decades I have been following the
Vaishnavite culture as it has been a family traditions. I have seen my great grandfather devoted himself to be a
true follower of Vaishnavite culture, My
grandfather, a popular scholar of his time known as Khumukcham Leikhachandra too
follow the same religion even though his concept of being religious is
different from his father e.i., my great grandfather. My Father who had left us
all some one and half years ago also followed the same family traditions even
though he disallowed any strict rules. That was why he had no objection to my
marriage with my wife who belongs to the same Sagei (clan).
Well,
that was another tales, I really didn’t know when I went to sleep pondering
upon to the replied that was given by the Assamese stranger. At around 6 am I
woke up and did my toilet, brush teeth, took a quick bath and then dressed up
myself for continuing my journey to
Shilllong. Those days it was nearly 4 hours journey from Guwahati to Shillong
and the fare was somewhat around rupees 150 in taxi. As I comb my hair in front of the mirror
pasted at one side of the hotel wall, my stranger friend woke up and said, “are
you leaving”. “Yeah”, I said, “I have to catch the taxi and reach before 12
noon.” He said he too was checking out the room at around 9 am. Before leaving I gave him my address – both Shillong
and Imphal. He too gave me in written. But here again I am sorry, I should have
been careful in maintain records . I have lost that too. Before the Assamese
stranger friend wished me a safe journey – he said, “ You were right , but we
both were not. It is life and we have to survive.”
I know
I am right when I said that we are born to safeguard our identity, religion,
culture and traditions. For generations after family have been following Hindu
religion. Being a descendant of the family I have also followed what they had
been following without knowing any dept meaning of what is a religion for. It
was only during the 90s that the revivalism movement of the indigenous religion
under the great leadership of some eminent personality came into existence. The
hard work, research, dedication had finally proved worthy and finally many from
among the community are now proud to learn that we were also once a civilize
people which have our own religious doctrine as well as script of our own.
At
this juncture I felt it relevant to pick up a write up which was published in
Imphal Free Press during 2007. I thought this article is relevant with this
topic I am writing as I am deciding to continue more discussion through this
blog about the confused state of Manipuri especially the Meitei. Here it goes –
“No man is perfect”. Little does
these words are being cared by all. But this poor ego cannot deny it for repentance
and imperfection sing along with the rhythms of my miseries. Jealousy to the
worldly pleasures and luxuries is what worried me for so many days. Sometimes
my mind stands firmly for evaluation of these evil desires. But How? Things are
not very easy as they to be. So do I always felt in the trap? Freeing from
these chains of miseries is turning to be an impossible task.But not everything
goes in vain. History shows the way. I had found many releasing them from the
chain by becoming a devotee of God.
God is one. It is universally approved
and accepted. But religion is a way that will take us near him. Guidelines shown
in the religious doctrine will free us from the worldly pleasure. Becoming a
devotee of God without adopting a religion will be another wild goose chase
which would even torture my freedom. So choosing a religion is a must for
becoming a devotee. But which religion? Manipuri Hindu or the Meitei
Sanamahism.
Choosing Hindu religion as my
choice will cease all worries as it has been well adapted to this soil. Of course
Manipuri Hindu are also becoming a majority community of the state. Besides all
sorts of culture, traditions and festival are well accomplished to our society.
Family rituals from birth to death are being associated with Hindu traditions
yet those practiced are different from those Hindus followed in other part of
the country.
……….But slipping off the very
word – “ I am a Hindu” sometimes felt me guilty to my mind for history witness
that that it is only a recent visitors that had stormed from the northern
block. Chronicles events had proved that our indigenous religion was forcibly
exterminated. Tales of the Meitei ancestors about their efforts for preserving the
indigenous religion still is a legend.
………..separations seen among the
two religious community of the same blood.
It was
during the late 90s that I had worried a lot about which way to go for becoming
a devotee of God. My love for my community has never allowed to think about any
other religion like the Christianity, Bhudhism, Jainism, Muslim, Judiasm etc.
As for Manipuri Hindu it has been with us in the society since the day of my
great great grand father. And as for the Meiteism Sanamahi religion I had
always wanted it since this is a religion that gave birth to this society.
But
will it be right to throw away the Meitei Hinduism and converted in Meitei Sanamahism
completely. If somebody said “Yes”
then I would definitely say – “let an atom bomb clean our Manipur so that all
the people are exterminated – to begin a new life.”
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