The document describes the author's journey and changing views on God over their lifetime. As a child, the author's mother had strong faith in God and regularly performed rituals and prayers, largely motivated by concern for the author's father's health. The author participated but was also confused and angry at God at times. In young adulthood, the author's views shifted to focusing on education and career success. Later in life, the author came to see good work and service to others as their form of worship, rather than rituals. They now have a more philosophical view of God and life.

1. 24 / My GOD
Few years back, I had read one book titled ‘Me Ani Maza Dev’. Many celebrities had
written their opinion about the concept of GOD. I also thought of writing on this topic as a
part of my Autobiography. Hence I am making an honest attempt to write on this subject.
Initially I was bit confused about approach towards the subject. I have written about GOD
as a witness to my Life journey from childhood till date.
The word GOD is common but Maza Dev makes appeal to individual concept of GOD
as settled in one’s mind.
I was born in a middle class family. I was born during a ‘Sade Sati’. My father’s health was
in bad condition at the time of my birth. I was looked upon as the ‘trouble child’ as he fell
sick. I failed to understand this criticism till date as my parents were responsible for my
birth. Birth was certainly not in my hands. How my birth can be co-related with his
sickness? I spent my childhood searching answers to such nonsense question and
criticism.
My father was not a ‘Devbhakta’. He used to pray but without getting involved in
religious peripherals/ rituals. Nevertheless, every year during ‘Shravan’ month, he would
perform ‘Satyanarayan Pooja’ religiously. This practice he continued almost without fail
over his life span. He would also fast every Saturday. His Rashi was ‘Makar’ and Saturn
was the ruling planet. He had a tough life and hence probably he was observing fast on
Saturday to pacify Saturn. He used to visit Maruti Temple as I remembered having seen
‘Shendur’ on his forehead. He had strong faith on his ‘Karma’. He had developed good
public relations due to his helping nature.
As compared to my father, my mother had a strong faith in GOD. (My maternal Grand
mother was God fearing.) She would spend a good time on daily pooja. She would chant
religious poems /mantras, Bhagwat Geeta etc. while performing pooja. She used to fast on
many days. However, inspite of observing all these rituals, I never saw boldness on her
face because this Devbhakti was directly related to my father’s declining health.

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I hardly remember having chanted ‘Ram-raksha’ regularly. However, I still remember
‘Jivatichi pooja’ and ‘Nagpooja’ performed by my mother during the month of ‘Shravan’
every year. Every day at seven pm, my mother would light a lamp before the God. We all
Brothers would chant ‘Ramaraksha,’ ‘Shubham karoti’ etc. However, this worship was
again directly related for our father’s well being.
I still feel that I had worshiped mainly because of love and affection for my father. No
doubt, sweet dish cooked on every Friday also had some effect on my positive attitude
towards worship. I also remember having gone to the temple on the occasion of ‘Diwali-
Dassera’.
All the above memories are up to the age of ten. One day my sentiments towards God ran
into rough weather when I was young. One day I was very much frustrated with Life.
I was alone with my mother in the house. My mom’s fear of God had further enhanced.
I was damn angry with GOD. My mother was cool. She quietly asked me to throw the
God out of the house as I was furious with God. Let me admit that I could not do that.
Eventually I cooled down and accepted the bitter truth of Life. I started blaming my fate.
I became speechless for a few hours. I got engrossed in some deep thinking. I realized that
we cannot avoid problems, sorrows in Life. It is the balance of our previous birth which
gets brought forward. You are left with only one alternative and that is to accept the
reality and to observe the sorrow of others. Birth is not in our hands but we can decide as
to how to live Life.
Few more years passed by. I set a goal of higher education and to reach to a level which
would force people to envy me. I must thank my cousin sister and eldest brother for
hurting my ego which eventually activated my goal setting. Their approach had positive
result on me but the effect could have been other way round. But this approach did left
scar on my mind. I was an average student, getting through in all subjects, would score
about 65% those days. However I was branded as poor in studies as both of them were in
the bracket of over 75%. I decided to reach at such a height that people would think ten
times to call me an average student.
In this uphill march, I was once again got fascinated with worship. I started observing
fast on ‘Sankasthi Chaturthi’ every month. I could not rule out the pressure from my

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tongue of tasting ‘sabudana khichadi’ on a fast day. I used to read ‘Ganesh Stotra’ every
day. I would perform the Ganesh pooja by chanting the ‘Ganesh Stotra’ 121 times
continuously which would take about four hours after every success in examination.
I would offer garland made of 11 coconuts to Lord Ganesh on achieving success in
examination. However, my prayer was of the style of ‘Amitabh Bacchan’. I would insist in
my prayer that I must get success in Life as you have made me to suffer so much in my
childhood / Life.
Well at this juncture I do not know whether the secret of my completing higher
professional education was the result of my worship, fight with GOD or my untiring
efforts to achieve success. I was envied by many for my success. My angered / insulted
mind was slightly pacified.
I took up the job in Industry but continued my education. I passed company secretary
examination and cleared three one year diplomas of Bombay University in flying colors.
I had tensions in my job as well. The ghost of God’s worship faded.
I got married and restarted ‘Satya Narayan pooja’ during the month of December every
year. This practice continued for few years. The practice got discontinued for some reasons.
Thereafter I did pooja once after recovering from deadly accident on 24-07-1996. However,
while performing ‘uttar pooja’, I had a dialogue with God. I said that ‘O God’ please
accept this as my last pooja. Hence forth I would not perform the pooja in my Life. Even if
in times of difficulty my mind promises something, please consider as null and void.
I have honored my word till date.
Over the years, I became more and more sentimental, may be because of my advancing age
or the experience over the years. I had to interact with many people due to my profession
as Auditor and Insurance Surveyor. The difference between an ordinary man and me got
underlined time and again. It was not possible to expect my qualities from all and sundry.
My life parameters got more strength and offered assistance to my hard life. I found that
my principles are in minority. Following these scarce principles, was probably my ritual
of worshiping God?

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I got fascinated with masses. I took upon me the hard job of pacifying the unhappy souls.
I also resorted to motivating people to overcome problems. I did this with my equality
complex. I never made them realize that I am more educated and experienced in
comparison with them. I never allowed ‘Inferiority complex’ and ‘superiority complex’ to
spoil my mind. I kept strong faith in hard work. In fact my work (Swa-dharma) was my
God. I worked sincerely, honestly and with dedication, involving my mind and body.
I had every chance of creating host of enemies in my Insurance Survey work. But I was
fortunate to convince my clients as to why claim can not be paid. I offered free
consultation on insurance matters to safeguard their interest in future. Many of these
parties became my ‘fans.’
I followed the same approach in my Audit assignments. I understood the difficulties of the
staff, their educational standard, experience etc. I had heart to heart dialogue with them.
In fact let me admit it openly that I also learned many things from them. I never created a
class of ‘I am right and you are wrong’ in dealing with audit queries / observations. I tried
my level best to convince the client about the real motive and its long term effects of audit
observations on the organization.
I was fortunate to get good clients who offered their ear to me and tried their level best
to improve.
Subsequently in 1987, I learned Astrology. I took up the Herculean task of finding
astrological answers to the problems. However due to paucity of time I had to discontinue
this hobby.
I studied Alternate Therapies in 1997. I utilized this knowledge to take care of health of
my family and friends. I tried my level best to help needy people. I gave handsome
donations to good charitable institutions.
I never believed in religious rituals. I do not know what purpose is achieved by following
rituals and wasting money and energy in the process.
Birth is not in our hands but how to live is certainly in our hands. You have to make
sincere efforts with the support of your mind. You must try so hard that even your fate or
luck will have to think twice for not supporting you.

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Whenever my wife is away, I still do pooja but mechanically. I don’t get disturbed if
I forget to perform pooja. I do it as any other day to day chores such as eating, sleeping,
resting, working etc. Why we can’t spare 5 minutes for pooja?
Our housing society’s Ganesh temple is in front of my building. I salute the Lord Ganesh
whenever I go out. This action has become a part of my routine. I can not digest or
understand the concept of 33 crore Gods. However I remember Ganesh when ever I hear
the word God. Concept of God & its rituals vary from religion to religion.
I had a dream of accepting Christianity in my young age due to the calm atmosphere in a
Church as compared to our temples. Many times, I salute the God as done by Christian.
I consider my work and communication with people as Devpooja. After my accident on
24-07-1996, I had first thought of my clients on getting consciousness. I had sigh of relief
that my clients will not suffer even if it takes about a month to recover from the accident.
Even today I try to remember the day and what work has been planned when ever I get up
at night or in the morning. I am aware that you may find this little odd but this is the
reality.
During this walk of my Life, I never considered myself as ‘Aastik’ or ‘Nastik’ but fasting
and worship done in young age for whatever reason has been discontinued.
My Life has turned out to be faith in good work, learning new skills, carrying out hobbies
and constantly thinking as to how my post retirement time can be devoted for a cause.
Friends, I am eager to know your opinions about your GOD.
Who is GOD?
GOD is Almighty Super Power who gives on demand of the devotees. (Provided
demand is irrational.)
G --- Gives / O --- On / D --- Demand
Friends, do you worship regularly?

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