Science vs Spirituality

"Omkar Science University" is a well-established science institution in Bangalore. Students from across Karnataka craved to study in this college owing to its good reputation and meticulous management. The prestigious college never entertained money over merit. Only those who had the willingness to learn and grow found a place in the institution. Many learned professors who had done PhD in science were allowed to teach students in the college. One such professor's name was Raghunandan. He took pride in his knowledge and confidence. He was an atheist and a firm believer in science. Raghunandan never believed in miracles and spiritual powers because according to him they had no logic which the science looks for. He objected to the idea of having a spiritual lecturer in the college but the majority had voted in favour of having a spiritual lecturer for the students. A monk named Gopalananda was appointed as the spiritual professor to impart spiritual knowledge to the students. The University head firmly believed that spiritual knowledge would indeed help the students to accumulate the knowledge better which leads to a bright future ahead.

Raghunandan loathed spirituality subject so he never tried to talk to the new professor in the college. He used to look at the monk from head to toe and wonder what made him become like this. How can someone be such a fool to renounce everything in life in order to see someone who doesn't even exist? How can someone believe in miracles that defy logic? Where is God and why do people run after him thoughtlessly? He used to just shrug off whenever these questions popped up in his mind. According to him, monks and other people who are drawn to spirituality are brainless people. 

The sun God was camouflaged with grey clouds that hovered over the sky. The wind God unleashed his power compelling tree leaves to swing like a pendulum. Occasional chirps of birds added colours to the mundane lives of people. The bustling college was illuminated by the backdrop of a large banyan tree. The gnarled branches of the tree stretched menacingly as if it resembled a snake. Gopalananda just stared at the tree and then prostrated before it. Raghunandan found that to be hilarious. 

"These spiritual idiots have no brains. They are incongruous with this world," he muttered.

Raghunandan huffed and puffed his way up the stairs. As soon as he strode into the class, students stood up to greet him. He went on a teaching spree. His subject was advanced Physics. After forty-five minutes bell rang to remind him to end his lecture for the day and make way for the other professors. When he took strides out, he saw the spiritual lecturer donning saffron robes having a gentle smile on his face rooted to the spot. He deliberately did not acknowledge the smile but rather left the spot with arrogance. Students exchanged glances at themselves when they saw the new professors stepping into the room. They stoop up as a token of respect to greet him. They had never witnessed a monk teaching spirituality to students inside college premises. This was unprecedented hitherto never seen before. 

"Are we going to be monks?" one of the students asked.

The professor smiled and assertively said, "Many believe that spirituality is about becoming monks. They have false notions about the subject. I am here to debunk all the myths surrounding this subject and to impart quality knowledge that if inculcated in your lives can brighten up your spirits. You don't have to become a monk. Neither am I here to talk about what monks do. You have joined this renowned institution to enhance your scientific knowledge. It is imperative to build your inner strength in order to function better with the outside world. It is recommended to know that there is a supreme soul and that we are just a speck in the universe."

He did create a wave of interest amongst students who had something beyond science to learn. The professor's ability to add pure energy to the subject and to give real-world examples to justify his teachings made him a stand-out lecturer. Very soon he won the hearts of the students through his brilliant wisdom and calm demeanour. His potential to answer any tough question hurled at him made him everyone's favourite lecturer. His gripping spiritual stories made the students sit on the edge of their seats. Raghunandan who observed this changing pattern among students didn't like it even one bit. He thought Gopalananda was brainwashing students and was taking them in the wrong direction. 

"The way your demeanour is designed and if I look at your rag clothes I think you must have dropped from the sky. That is what your spirituality is all about. No logic only ridiculous imagination," he ridiculed him but the calm monk just gave a smile.

One day, Raghunandan challenged Gopalananda to a Science vs Spirituality debate. He thought he could easily defeat the spiritual master. The arrangements were made on the stage for the enthralling debate. Both professors who were brilliant in their own subjects sat opposite each other separated by a mahogany table adorned with flowers. Students gathered in large numbers to witness the mouth-watering debate between two scholars. The debate kicked off in a jiff.

"Science always looks for logic. If there is no logic then there is no reality. Spirituality is centred around myths. It lacks logic. It only fools people to slip into a mirage landscape," Raghunandan said.

"Spirituality sees beyond science. It doesn't need any logic. It is all about experience. If any atheist in the world experiences spiritual power at least once, he will never oppose spirituality for the rest of his life. We may think where is God? Why doesn't he come in front of us? First of all, we need to ask ourselves, what Sadhana have we done with conviction to see God? Why should God even care about us when we don't even believe in him?"

"Oh, so amusing! Do we need to do Sadhana to see God? I would rather enhance my science knowledge and earn awards and rewards instead of trying to do Sadhana which doesn't even work. Also, what is the use of doing Sadhana? Why on earth do you fool the people of this country with a subject that has no meaning."

"Spirituality is an inward journey," he was interrupted by the Physics professor.

"Oh, come on! Who wants to do an inward journey? All you have inside your body are organs. What will you do going deep into the organs? You are so delusional. We have to do an outward journey to learn and grow in life."

"Inward journey is not about going deep into the organs. It is about realizing your true self. Realizing your real purpose in life. Strengthening your inner core so that you can navigate through any challenges or ordeals the outside world manufactures."

"Knowing your purpose in life? For God's sake, I know that my purpose is to be a Physics professor. I don't need to look inward for that."

"How did you become a professor in this university? You qualified through your endeavours and interests. Isn't it? Likewise, if you want to see a God, you have to be qualified enough which may take multiple lifetimes if we don't have a strong karma. How did the sun come? How did the moon come? How did earth get created?" he continued, "Does science have any substantial evidence to prove their creation? But some sources did create them. Isn't it? Why in some temples the fire never douse? Why the disciplined people equipped with spiritual wisdom remain calm amidst the turbulence around them? Why Science can't decode the effects of the Himalayas? Why there are so many rich people equipped with scientific knowledge go through mental and physical health issues? Because they never strengthened their inner power. Spirituality is advanced and the eyes of science just can't see it let alone decode it. Spirituality is magic that needs to be experienced."

"I don't believe the garbage you are trying to drill into our heads," he said.

"We believe it," the students said in unison.

Raghunandan felt embarrassed upon seeing the students applauding the spiritual lecturer. His woes are now exacerbated by this defeat in the debate. It was difficult for him to grapple with the humiliation which he deemed it to be. He thought to avenge the defeat by showing Gopalananda in poor light. He pursued a personal vendetta seeking vengeance. 

One day, Raghunandan arrived early at the college and in the staff room, he used a duplicate key to remove the locker of an Electronics professor. He pulled out the Golden Ganesha idol which was bought the previous day. He carefully placed the idol in the locker of Gopalananda. After carefully locking it, he went out of the staff room and scanned around to ensure no eyes witnessed his act. His modus operandi was clear to trap the monk. The Electronics professor who had purchased the idol the previous day was in for a shock. He couldn't believe his eyes. Where did the idol go? Everybody here are learned scholars, not robbers. Then, where did the idol go? He raised a concern quickly to the principal. Then the principal had no other option but to search every nook and corner of the staff room. Unfortunately, when the search operation began in the monk's locker, they found the idol. Nobody could believe their eyes. With the breach of the policy of the university, the monk had to be dismissed from the university despite the adulation the latter had received in the institution. Indiscriminate chatter began in the staff room questioning the authenticity of the monk's personality and his values.

"The truth shall always prevail. It may take time but it cannot be buried under the rug forever," the monk walked out of the college with the bold words. 

Even the CCTV camera hadn't functioned that day to unveil the truth. Raghunandan was on cloud nine and gave a pat on his back for having executed the plan to perfection. It was a double delight for him to see his nemesis get the axe and also to face the ignominy of robbing the idol. 

After a few days, students felt something amiss as there was no spiritual class three days in a row. Gopalananda had never taken a leave and was always punctual to the class. Students got to know what had materialized and they protested. They asked the principal to do a thorough investigation since they firmly believed the monk to be innocent. When Raghunandan was sitting in his staff room, out of nowhere, he felt a pain in his chest and he collapsed clutching his chest. He squirmed in agony and other lecturers got tensed. They quickly called a doctor. 

"I was the one who kept the Ganesha idol inside the monk's locker," the pain persuaded him to spill the beans.

As soon as he spat out the truth, his pain subsided much to the surprise of other professors. The startling revelation raised eyebrows. 

"What you did is unthinkable? You just showed the great man in a poor light and that's why God gave you this immense pain so that you yourself unfold the truth," the Electronics professor said.

The principal fired the Physics professor for his conduct and then visited and pleaded with the monk to rejoin the university. Raghunandan who had always detested spirituality understood its significance through the painful experience he underwent. He prostrated before the monk to tender his apology.

"What you said is correct? We never understand the value of spirituality unless we go through an experience. This experience has changed my life for good. I accept my mistakes and please give me one last chance to amend my mistakes," he pleaded.

He was reinstated in the job and he never condemned spirituality thereafter. He even started to meditate and visit temples to further his spiritual endeavours.