Why people are inclined to “Personality cult!” …

In our Indian sub continent, a propensity in human nature we widely observe that we are inclined to “bow down” before a person of some standing. Be that a public figure or not. Whether we are being benefited by his demeanor or not. Towards public figures we are heavily charmed and have a deep veneration of its own kind. This public figure may be a political leader, some cine star, even in some cases a ‘notorious man.’ There are various instances of folk songs being sung in praise of ‘notorious man.‘ This trend of folk songs about ‘notorious man’ in some cases are centuries old, still in air. May the Robin hood type life style be the reason for that. But not in every case it befits them.

In context to Indian sub continent and specifically in “southern Indian region,” this kind of veneration been noticed frequently and in its own style. There, in the life time of a cine star and political leader, people are given to erect temple in the living memory and ceremoniously install their statue. These statues are ceremoniously offered pray, as if, they are “living god.” This propensity is observed chiefly in people from Hindu’s community.

                   personality cult in other cultures 

Whether this culture is immanent in Hindu culture only or it can be traced in other cultures? The answer is, other cultures too observe this tendency of personality cult. But people with Islamic faith don’t display this tendency, in the way other do. In Muslims, they recognize only one entity, before whom they bow down. That is their Almighty Allah. Apart from Hindus community, we find the same tendency extant in other cultures as well. The Buddhist and Christianity culture too follow this trend in this or that way. In Christianity, the “Pope” is an almighty religious head. He is an endowment of god. As a religious head he entertains the supreme veneration from all Christian across the globe.

Similarly in Buddhists, the spiritual head His Highness ” Dalai Lama” is highly reverend one. In Hindus, the head of renowned Ashram or Peeth (Abbey), too enjoys the status of “personification of god” as Shankaracharya. Hindus are more liberal in this concept. They inherit this tendency from the beginning in their domesticity. The one of the significant injunction in personifying the man as most reverend, we find in its custom of attending the guests. There is a religious injunction, “guest is the personification of god.” So he should be paid an attentive welcome and homage, as that of god. This paradigm is being mentioned on purpose,  so it can be helpful further, why Hindus are inclined to “Personality cult.”

                                Factors for the propensity

Another factor in common ( with regard to other communities, not inclusive of Islamic faith), is historical. This historical factor is tinted with religious hue. In ancient time, the realm of a country was ruled by the king. At that time, it was presumed, king would rule the kingdom in accordance with the precepts of religion prescribed in scriptures. besides, a subsidiary factor was that human civilization was not so advanced regard the scientific know how. During that period of time, so many mysterious incidences as usual were bound to occur naturally. The mystery behind these occurrences could not be explained due to lack of the knowledge. The “court of the King” simply defined them as an act of King on the behest of god.

The King and his religious head projected a theory. The main concept of this was, ” the King is the personification of the god.” He was proclaimed as an advent of god. There are various citations in support of this theory in Hindus scriptures and periodicals. Not so long back, before the eradication of Monarchy in Nepal, the King was taken as the living god, by people. Even in Great Britain, historically the King too enjoyed the same status. English people, still foster a belief about their first ever King Arthur the Great According to this superstitious theory, King Arthur is not dead, only he is in his deep sleep somewhere in some cave of invincible hills. From where he will awake to protect his Nation, if he finds the Empire of Great Britain is in Peril and at the verge of annihilation.

                                Impact of religion 

Again historically, in Europe and specifically in Great Britain during the medieval period, the clash between “Church and Palace” culminated to an acme to gain the control of governing the Nation. At that period of time, Church once became so powerful. The Church declared the “Pope” as the “angel of the God.” Even, as on today, the entire Christian community looks upon the entity of “Pope” with the same degree of veneration. The omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent impact of the “pope” as the head of “Vatican city” is undeniable and unchangeable.

In Buddhists, the living religious legend in shape of His Highness Dalai lama is before us.  In Japan, the “Emperor” is regarded as the same. There government is run and ruled by an elected government, but the assent of the “Emperor” is must for that at the initiation. The elected Prime Minister of Japan, in the capacity of “head of state” when visits the office of “Emperor.” as per the tradition, he is bound to sit upon the ground before him.

The personification of the King as the god, is the main clue of the “personality  cult.” The gesture to bow down before the king, has been permeated as a part and parcel of our personality development.The King, who was the insignia of “power and protection.” The same feelings of being ruled and protected, we feel before a person of some standing or public figure. This induces us to worship them. This module of veneration differ from case to case. This chromosome of “bowing down” we inherit in our DNA. Be that a political leader, cine star or a notorious man.

An ironical feature too exist there. It’s a comparative study. The successful industrialists, doctors, teachers, social reformers, who dedicate their life for social causes, don’t charm us as such. We don’t rush in, to have a look of them, whilst in true sense, they play a significant role in social building. It’s because they are unable to provide the feeling of “ruler and protector.” They don’t contain the arrogance of a political leader, cine star or of a notorious man. While, in leaders and cine stars and notorious man we notice a similitude of “King ship.” Penned by — Vinay Pharasi …..