India is a land of yogis, fakirs and snake charmers. Not surprisingly, the majority of the population believes in the magical power of magic. There, for example, even politicians quite calmly turn to the services of sorcerers and psychics in order to protect themselves from damage and the evil eye, or to win elections.
Not everyone will dare to challenge the wizard. But Sanal Edamaruku made up his mind. And he won!
Sanal Edamaruku
KILL ME
It all started with a statement by Uma Bharati, the former head of government of Madhya Pradesh and now the Minister of Ganges and Water Resources. In March 2008, a woman openly accused her political opponents of using Tantric magic against her. Who does not know, tantra is a special secret practice and initiation, considered one of the most effective.
According to a high-ranking official, in just a short period of time, several serious troubles happened in her life. Firstly, she lost her beloved uncle, secondly, her legs were covered with wounds and blisters for no reason at all, and thirdly, her car was smashed. The politician's statement sparked a public discussion about the power of Indian sorcerers, women and tantrikas.
Promotional video:
One of the main Hindi-language TV channels in the country staged a live discussion on the topic "The Power of Tantra versus Science." The well-known magician-tantrik pandit Surinder Sharma, who enjoys the support of prominent politicians and businessmen, and the scientist Sanal Edamaruku were invited as opponents.
The sorcerer loudly announced to the whole country that with the help of tantra he was able to deal with all ill-wishers. To prove his words, he took out a man made of dough and, tightening a noose around his neck, threatened that he could kill anyone in three minutes with the help of black magic.
"Prove it. Kill me here to now! " - answered Sanal.
This, apparently, came as a complete surprise to the magician. He was used to the fact that his mere appearance is enough for people to begin to experience fear and obsequious reverence. And then he was challenged with millions of witnesses across India!
Surinder Sharma had no choice but to accept the challenge. The tantrik began to mutter his mantras and perform tantric rituals. Three minutes later, Sanal Edamaruku was safe and sound. After another three minutes, the scientist still felt great. The presenters asked to extend the live broadcast and redraw the broadcasting network: news about the competition attracted the attention of a large audience, the rating of the program and channel instantly skyrocketed.
The tantrik changed his methods of influence. He began to spray water on Sanal and brandish his knife in front of him. The scientist did not even raise an eyebrow. The transmission time was coming to an end, and it was decided to extend it again. The magician resorted to a more effective remedy: he ruffled Sanal Edamaruku's hair, covered his eyes with his palm, and then began to press his forehead with his hands and squeeze his temples.
The scientist grinned and said that the magician promised to kill him with the help of black magic, but not with the help of physical influences. The tantrik returned to his usual means: water, knife, mantras. However, this did not work either, Sanal did not blink an eye.
Two hours later, the judge announced that the rivalry ended in defeat for Sharma. But the magician was not going to give up. He said that Sanal has some kind of powerful deity that he worships, and it protects him from magical spells. According to him, he can finally destroy the scientist's protection at night. Sanal said that he, being an atheist, does not worship anyone, but is ready to continue the fight.
THE LAST CHANCE
For two hours, Indian news programs announced the Great Tantra Challenge and attracted a huge audience to the show. In the evening, when it got dark in the city, a clash between a magician and an atheist began in the open air. The tantrik and two assistants lit a fire.
The sorcerer warned the scientist: once the magic is released from the fire, Sanal will not be able to prevent his own demise. First, there will be madness, and a minute later, wild pain, the last cry and death. Edamaruku did not take the last chance, but only laughed, and the tantrik proceeded to sorcery.
The magician chanted incantations: "Om lingalingalinga, kiliki-likili", - accompanying the chants with various incomprehensible sayings, illegible words and strange gestures. Magic powders flew into the fire, the flame changed color, something hissed and crackled, white smoke poured out.
Footage from the TV broadcast with the magician and his whistleblower
While singing his song, the wizard came close to Sanal and crossed his arms, but was called back by the leader. Tantrik's assistants threw various powders into the fire, smoke poured incessantly, and in fact, most likely, there was a real threat to the scientist's life. After all, the magician could use poisons that quickly penetrate the body through the skin and cause quick death from paralysis of the respiratory system. But Sanal had no intention of dying.
Then the tantrik wrote his name on a piece of paper, tore it into small pieces, threw it into a pot of boiling oil, and put the mixture on the fire. The miracle did not work - it had no effect on Sanal.
Seven minutes before midnight, the pandit Surinder Sharma decided to resort to his crown number: he began to knead the wheat dough with zeal, season it with mysterious ingredients, and then asked his opponent to touch it. The scientist touched, and the end of the world began.
The tantrik screamed like a stabbed one, cut the dough with a knife, stabbed with blunt nails and threw it into the fire at the curtain. At that moment, Sanal had to utter a heartbreaking cry and go to the forefathers. Nothing of the sort happened. The presenter began to count the time: forty seconds, twenty, ten, five, one. Its end!
Live broadcast throughout India announced the victory of Sanal Edamaruku, President of the Indian Rationalist Association, over the all-powerful Indian magician. Millions of Indians saw with their own eyes that all the power of the all-powerful magician is not worth a damn.
One of the country's most prevalent superstitions was dealt a severe blow that night. Sanal Edamaruku, who became instantly popular, stated that "Tantrikas create such an atmosphere of intimidation that even people who are convinced that magic is powerless cannot resist it."
Edamaruku in no time exposed the tricks of the fakirs with levitation, walking on hot coals, with a weeping statue and many others.
WITHOUT A PROPHET
Sanal Edamaruku has dedicated his life to exposing charlatans, from the promoted magicians to the village sorcerers.
“My main goal is to stop fraudsters. I want people to make their own decisions and not be dominated by ancient prejudices. They should be led through life by knowledge, not ignorance."
The first rationalists appeared in India in the 1930s, when books from the Thinker's Library series were first delivered to the country. The Association of Rationalists of India was officially registered in Madras in 1949, but at first it was not popular, because prejudices are very tenacious in the country.
The rationalists published pamphlets, gave lectures, wrote articles in newspapers and magazines, and eventually managed to convert many people to their faith.
When Sanal Edamaruku took over at the helm of the association, about 100,000 people joined the movement. The former journalist had the gift of persuasion and was not afraid to speak out against superstition. Edamaruk's strong point is exposing tricks. In cities and towns, Sanal held press conferences at which he did not spare Indian magicians.
So, he was able in no time to expose tricks with levitation, walking on hot coals, with a crying statue and many others. However, ill-wishers still found a way to get rid of such an ardent critic.
In March of this year, a miracle happened in Mumbai: the statue of the crucified Christ began to ooze holy water. The priests of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Velankanna collected it and poured a teaspoon into the open palms of the parishioners.
People drank it in the hope of healing, and also collected it in vessels and carried it home. The miracle was told on TV, and a gullible audience flocked to Mumbai. Sanal Edamaruku arrived in Mumbai and after a thorough investigation found out that a sewer pipe had leaked, the water from which was passed off as a saint. The rationalist talked about his discovery on television.
But instead of saying thanks to him (tap water in India has more than once caused an outbreak of cholera and rotavirus epidemics), the clergy took up arms against Edamaruku. The priest of the temple demanded an apology from the scholar and filed a lawsuit. The rationalist had to flee, and now he is sitting out in Finland.
At home, he faces imprisonment for "blasphemy and insult to religious feelings" and physical violence. The offended believers said that Sanal needed to be taught a lesson. Which once again confirms the old truth that there is no prophet in his own country.
Lyubov SHAROVA