Skip to content Skip to footer

The irony of a Bollywood Super hero

“Man is not what he thinks he is; he is what he hides”
– Andre Malraux (1901-1976, French Novelist)

“Wow! He really looks stunning; is he some demi-God?” I asked innocently, looking at a huge billboard.
Sishir, my friend laughed, “He’s known as a Greek God and you should know more than others that appearance is deceptive”
“Well err”, I flustered. I was expected to be well acquainted with the spiritual philosophy of the shallowness of it all.
“Yeah, I don’t see movies, but he’s some big name?”

“He’s Hrithik Roshan”, revealed my friend, “he doesn’t have a great body as you think. Cinema always makes people look bigger”
“He’s surely a fitness freak?” I probed. “That’s far from truth”, Sishir now decided to enlighten me. “You know he’s got a severe slip disc and a severe imbalance with big biceps and triceps but a thin body”
“Really” I was amused and curious to know more.
“He ignored the basic muscles like the hip, lower back, thighs, calf, hamstring etc but focused on those that the world would see him display on screen. And the result is he looks gorgeous on screen but is in terrible and relentless pain. He has broken back, broken knees, and has torn his shoulders and is playing a superhero. What an irony!”

This could very well be the plight of many spiritual heroes. Respect and praise shower upon a practitioner who’s lasted a few decades on the Bhakti path. The inside story could however be different if the hero in question has worked hard only on the ‘muscles’ that are seen by the world. Although all his juniors- like the fans of Hrithik- would go gaga over him, yet his neglect of ‘health muscles’ would cause him to pay dear.

Preparing for good classes, excellent counseling, expert management skills – and many other abilities would give excellent results, and it’s visible to all. However the time a devotee spends chanting and praying or exploring his own inner conscience, goes unnoticed by the world. One’s serious self-introspection could help him come closer to his real self and God. However this calls for hard work and little recognition by the world. But if even once a young seeker gets taste of appreciation and recognition for his external expertise,it’s tempting to pursue these with zeal. While appreciation can be a healthy ‘tonic’ unfortunately it also has a vicious effect when consumed as an overdose;it could be an ‘intoxicant’. And then we spend more time in activities that give us external glory while neglecting basic spiritual practices that would nourish us spiritually. The result is one may only show the world he is a devotee, while inside he could be hollow. William Shakespeare in his classic comedy ‘Merchant of Venice’ writes:
“All that glisters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told:
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold:
Glided tombs do worms enfold.”
Eventually he would have a ‘slip disc’ and could leave the path of Krishna consciousness. That would shock all others in the community; ‘he was so good, how could he leave the spiritual path?’ or ‘I saw him do so many things so well, how could he have difficulty in spiritual life?’- These are common expressions of bewilderment by the naïve.

The world may go by externals but God, Krishna, and one’s own true inner voice calls upon a practitioner to be honest. And if we don’t work on our inner life, and if our inside is not congruent with our outside, soon the inside would take revenge; the world would eventually know we aren’t as advanced as we professed to be. Even if we fool the world, could we live with untruth for long?

6 Comments

  • Nisha
    Posted February 19, 2016 at 8:48 am

    Pamho,
    Nice article prabhuji regarding being same in and out, I will like to share some thing out of the box, In 2000 when Mr. Hrithik Roshans first movie came out it was a big hit and I being not a devotee then heard his public interview in some channel, it really impressed he was respectful to his parents, he was grateful to people who helped him reach there, he had no air about himself. And till day I remember him for that, I don’t know in ugly industry people over period become bad. I have request unto you kindly offer a prayer for him may be by that he will become fortunate enough to become Krsna conscious and ISKCON well wisher. YS

    • vraja bihari dasa
      Posted February 23, 2016 at 6:59 pm

      thanks for your concern for him. yes he is a nice person. i have no doubts about that. if he is respectful to his parents and has no air that is very good. i pray he continues to be an inspiration to many.
      i pray he becomes favorable for KC
      ys
      Vraja bihari dasa

  • Charudeshna Radhika Dasi
    Posted February 24, 2016 at 5:58 am

    Hare Krishna Prabhu
    PAMHO! AgtSP!
    I must say you are a magician of language and thought provoking ideas!
    This article is a sparkling gem, filled with wisdom – and is very honest and personal. It silently raises pertinent questions for introspection and touched me deeply. Reminded me of the following words, don’t know who said them:
    “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings.”
    You are a brilliant teacher who touches human feelings and you do with an amazing alacrity.
    Your article also reminded me of an exercise we did with did with HG Mahatma Prabhu during his recent Sydney visit. We were asked to deliberate on our actions and intents/values and perform a gap analysis between the two. The experience was very humbling and sobering. At the end of it I realised that I have a looooooong way to go before I can actually practice KC in its true spirit. When our values don’t always translate into our actions the ramifications are far and wide and extremely detrimental! Especially as a leader!
    Thank you again. There is hope because of dedicated devotees like yourself who actually walk the talk and share their “walking the talk” experiences with a struggler like me.
    Looking forward to the next article.
    regards
    Charu

    • vraja bihari dasa
      Posted February 25, 2016 at 2:09 pm

      hare krishna; thanks for your kind words of appreciation.
      i am eager to know more what mahatma pr said. in fact it is so striking to know about the gap between our intent and actions. i shall also try it soon.
      if you have such instructive and helpful articles, please do share the link.
      it will be very helpful for me.
      once again thanks for your generous appreciation
      ys
      vraja bihari dasa

  • Nisha
    Posted February 25, 2016 at 8:39 am

    Thank you prabhuji for your reply. Ys

  • tejal
    Posted May 10, 2016 at 6:26 am

    great article prabhu, expose these celebities and sportpersons of which people are crazy about and worship them like fools.

Leave a comment

0.0/5