Generally, intoxication is associated either with drugs, liquor or certain medications. You will be surprised to know that the intoxication being referred here exists in forms which we never thought of them to so. These are such intoxications that have the deadliest effect on our physical, material and mental health, makes us live miserably; and often literally, many a times unknown to us.
The first such intoxication that comes to my mind is Religion. Or is it the opium of the masses? Every religious festival, across the globe, has become a pure show business; it has become a religion without devotion and God! Having perceived these, a great philosopher once said – ‘God is dead. He will remain dead and we have killed Him’. The extent of religious intoxication, unknown to our minds, has penetrated us 100%. Every word, demeanor, and action are viewed, lived, acted and judged through this religious intoxication.
The second such intoxication is found in the word “Service”. No one knows what the term literally means; but everyone wants to serve the all the others. All these service intoxicated people think the entire nation needs their service, but themselves! This intoxication is so deep rooted that any generic question on this topic is considered deadly. He who questions this intoxication is unfit to live in society; labeled extremely selfish and shall be excommunicated!
The third intoxication is ‘Patriotism’ or Deshbhakti. The less said about this the better. This intoxication is as old as the above two intoxications stated above! This, like any other, made people to give their lives voluntarily for the country! Countries are formed and disintegrated; Kings and Queens may vary; but life is given to us only once. We do not understand this simple fact. Many have witnessed Germany being divided into two nations; equally many have witnessed these two nations becoming one! This is being cited as an example for the earlier statement ‘countries are formed and disintegrated’.
Service and Deshbhakti envelopes of all human activities. The craze for rendering service has seen and is seeing and wiil continue to see such crazy heights which can never be imagined by any sane mind. Here we have a situation – everybody wants to serve everybody, and no one wants to be at the receiving end. All wants to be at the serving end. Literally, there are competitions, selection processes and elections to determine the correct person who can serve with patriotism! This is absolutely crazy!
Similarly, every and any human activity will take the strange form the patriotism/deshbhakti. A sports person may earn millions from his sport and commercial endorsements, but considered a patriot! A soldier may take fat salary benefits, but is considered as a man who is sacrificing life for the country! People talk easily of giving life for the country; decorate the dead with honors! Remember, countries will come and go; life is only once. No one will ever realize this truth. The intoxication is at its height. Thank God! God is Dead and I am not falling for these pseudo intoxications!
Beside this general intoxication, there are much particular individualized intoxications – for instance cinema or cricket or civil services. And these stupid people are ready to give their lives for the gratification of these intoxications. God himself being a religious intoxication, how can I say may God help these idiots?
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional. What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
