Guest guest Report post Posted September 23, 2002 July 25, CALCUTTA, India (AP) - It's no exaggeration to say that India's biggest-ever movie star--Amitabh Bachchan--is worshipped like a god. That's exactly what some of his fans did on Wednesday, celebrating "guru purnima," a Hindu festival at which devotees make prayers and offerings to their favorite deity. A wax dummy of the gray-bearded Bachchan was enthroned inside the club and museum run by the Amitabh Bachchan Fans Association in the eastern city of Calcutta. Hundreds of devotees lined up to drop sticks of sandalwood into a small fire as they addressed the actor's image as "lord,guru," even "boss." They prayed for blessings on their household Bachchan idols and photographs. Balloons fluttered. Music from Bachchan's films blared at high volume. Priests shouted out Vedic hymns thanking him for making mankind see the difference between good and evil through his movie roles. Then everyone prayed in unison for the star's prosperity and long life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jagat 1 Report post Posted September 23, 2002 Westernized Indians are so cut off from their ancient traditions that they don't realize that the ancients modeled their worship of the Deity on the way they honored great human beings--kings, Brahmins and saints. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 23, 2002 Fans of Elvis P. and Marlyn Monroe in the west comes to my mind. It is seen all over the world among the igorant audience. Some exploit this 'hero worship' and run for the office and get elected too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 24, 2002 Worship of the celebrity is the new religion. This did not start in India,it started in America. What is interesting about the worship of the celebrity is that there is no qualification to recieve worship other then to be a celebrity. Modern mega celebrities like Madonna,Britney Spears, Paul McCarntey, Tom Cruise, Drew Barrymore, Dr.Dre,and Snoop Dog, and of course the all mighty Michael and Janet , are truely treated like demigods wherever they go. They have more power then the politicians, more respect then clergy, more influence then the intelligentsia, and more adoration then religious icons. They might have an I.Q. no larger then the next guy,but their Karma has elevated them to the status of demi-gods. Wherever they go they are worshipped and adored by all ,they are courted by politicians and royaly,they can influence public opinion more easily then anyone else. They are seen as a threat by the establishment powers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jagat 1 Report post Posted September 24, 2002 There are six opulences. Whenever anyone possesses these opulences, even one of them, in a fairly great amount, he starts to get worshiped. It is the natural tendency of all human beings, though many pretend to be cynical. Krishna says the opulences come from a spark of his splendor. So we bow down to the source. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vanamali 1 Report post Posted October 25, 2003 When you say NAMASTE you worship the one to whom you say it... "I bow down to the Divine in you I bow down to Sri Rama in you..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
