Why is such a practice being followed at such a pious place, Deoghar, which was also visited by our Lord Sri Aurobindo many times? Why don’t people try to adopt the qualities of Lord Shiva while visiting dwadash Jyotirling rather than just limiting Him to bhang and ganja? This will result in the deterioration of the Hindu religion.
Also, kindly explain if there is any connection between Lord Shiva and bhang/ganja?
Yes, it is painful to see that the once mighty Aryan culture and Sanatana Dharma have reduced itself to such absurdities. It is painful to see so much tamas and ignorance in the land of Wisdom. Perhaps it is the fate of every formal Religion that it is going to suffer a breaking down of its crust and shell so that its spirit may be released for the coming spiritual age.
As to Ganja, it has nothing to do with Shiva, the mighty and majestic god. It is the same ignorance that associates Somaras with the Vedic Rishis that the gods drink with the intoxicating wine. Soma is clearly a symbol of Divine ecstasy, so also cannabis is also a symbol of Peace.
However, Ganja has often been used by roadside sadhus, partly to bypass the pain that their lifestyle often brings. It has a benumbing effect upon the mind and nerves. This benumbing can take off the rational mental lid and open doors to altered perception and the other worlds. But these worlds and experiences that people on drugs have are largely of the lower vital or of an imitative vital nature. It is in a state of false perception in which these people get caught. But who is going to explain all this and who is ready to listen? There are people in the West who take Ayahuasca, a psychoactive drug, to get a spiritual high! An obvious result of the fast food culture that wants to get things quickly without fulfilling the necessary condition, especially of purification!
Affectionately,
Alok Da
