Pundit on pandemic stress: Take pattern on Lord Hanuman's mental strength

AS Hindus celebrated Hanuman Jayanti on Monday, spiritual head of SWAHA Inc, Paramacharya Pundit Hardeo Persad encouraged devotees to be strong in mind and focused just like Lord Hanuman, who is celebrated at this time.

Persad said the philosophical mind principles of Hanuman Jayanti is relevant in the present circumstances where the pandemic is impacting on the mental well-being of people.

“At this time, people are already disturbed and stressed out, so the relevance of Hanuman Jayanti in the present circumstances is that people must be strong in mind, focused, determined and maintain the principles.”

Hanuman Jayanti pays homage to Lord Hanuman on his birth anniversary. He is worshipped as a deity and devotees flock to temples where prayers and offerings are made as they seek his protection and blessings.

Lord Hanuman is known for perseverance, pragmatism, strength both physical and mental, sense of humour and selflessness, loyalty and humility in spite of supernatural powers.

Pundit Persad said Hindus must also embrace these qualities as there are many other observances on the Hindu calendar for the year but because of the pandemic, devotees must adapt. He said Hinduism is adaptable and devotees have been adapting to all of the protocols.

He said even though Government has allowed for 25 per cent capacity at all places of worship, on Monday he and about five others observed Hanuman Jayanti at SWAHA headquarters in Aranguez.

“We did a virtual service, about five or six of us and we asked everybody to join us online because we did not want to put anyone at risk. This was not an outdoor celebration like Divali, so people did their prayers from home.”

He said there many celebrations still to come on the Hindu calendar but worship at home and minimal worship in public spaces will have to continue "once cases are rising and there are instructions to observe the protocols.”

President of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) Deokienanan Sharma said he was not able to join in the celebrations this year, having very recently received the covid19 vaccine and experiencing some of the associated symptoms.

Sharma said with the spike in new infections the NCIC is toying with the idea of a virtual Divali Nagar celebration similar to what was held last year. Or not have it at all.

“Divali Nagar means crowds. I don’t see covid19 easing up anytime soon and with the Brazilian variant in our country we don’t want the Nagar to be a super spreader event. We're still looking at our options one of which is to cancel it altogether," he said.