"We glorify Religion,  calling it the watchdog of our culture.  Yet we conveniently make it a scapegoat on which we heap our mistakes and failings."  

I don't want any body to have Belief in God, just because Swami Chinmayananda said so.  Use your analytical mind and intelligence and come to a conclusion.  

One day during an afternoon session, Swamiji invited questions.  

Ram stood up and said : "I do not believe in God"  And Ram is a sophisticated young lad, just married and expecting a baby, as his wife is in the family way.  I was immediately reminded of Pavan. 

Swamiji beamed. " Excellent "  "That is fine.  I like you.  You are the man I have been wanting to meet.  I like your outspokenness.  You are intelligent and you think independently.  And you have the courage to speak your convictions.  Now, what kind of God is it that you do not believe in?"

Ram was pleasantly surprised at Swamiji's cordial tone and the benign smile.   He felt encouraged, and went on:  " The one who sits above the clouds and judges men and dispenses favours and punishment by remote control at his own sweet will.  Do you think, Swamiji, that it is all hocus-pocus?"

"Shake Hands, young man, I am entirely with you."  Swamiji said laughingly.  " I also do not believe in that kind of God.  But let me ask you something, did you have breakfast this morning?"

"Yes, Swamiji."

"What did you have for breakfast?"

"The usual things: porridge, toast, scrambled eggs, and coffee." 

"Eggs.  That is interesting. Now where did the eggs come from, Ram?"

Ram felt that the Swamiji was leading up to something  and said: " I do not know exactly, probably one of those new poultry farm near Pune".  He was referring to the Venkateswara Hatchery. 

"Ram I do not mean that" said Swamiji raising his voice.  "How are the eggs made?  Do they grow in the fields, or are they made in the factories?"

"I think you are pulling my legs, Swamiji" said Ram and continued flippantly  "Hens of course lay eggs, you know".

Swamiji continued, as if nothing had happened.  "I see, so the eggs come from hens.  Now where do the hens come from?"

Ram, as already explained, is an intelligent human being and he could see the trap he was being led into.   He started saying : "Of course from ..."  then wide eyed, he fell silent and looked at Swamiji.  

Swamiji smiled:  "So eggs come from hens, hens from eggs, which again come from other hens, and so on ad infinitum.  Can you say with any certainty which was the first cause ?  The Egg or the Hen?  How and why?  

We shall see the First Cause at another time. 

Rajaputhran. 

Adapted from The Penguin Swami Chinmayananda  Reader.  Edited by Anita Raina Thapan.  Penguin/Viking. '05. 

Rajaputhran.