Science and Spirituality
From Eastern Europe, a Jewish family with the surname Brilladentov migrates to America and the next generations would be known by the first name - Brilliant. Into this family, is born a grandson of the migrants, Larry Brilliant in 1944 in Detroit, Michigan.
He grows to become a doctor, an epidemiologist and researcher. Here is a man of science, born and brought up as an American Jew and happily married to Elaine.. who would imagine that this man would dedicate his every living breath to the teachings of a Hindu Baba in faraway India. But, destiny has its plans.
A personal tragedy in their family in the form of cancer that took away their son makes the couple contemplate on the purpose of human life. Science however advanced, can only answer the ‘HOW’, but not the ‘WHY’. They know ‘how’ their son died and ‘how’ cancer affected him, but WHY?? The answer to ‘WHY’ can only be found in philosophy, spiritual philosophy. Contemplating the answers that their upbringing couldn’t give them, they turn towards Hinduism with Elaine adopting a new name, Girija.
In search of answers, as a true spiritual seeker, Larry Brilliant and Girija come to India with a group of similar minds. The answers are not easy to find. And India, famous for its spiritual gurus has charlatans so many and it is a tough task for the ordinary mind to decipher who is the true one. (Why should it be like this is a different topic for some other time!!) But, Larry Brilliant who still retains the skepticism of the Western Scientist Doctor guides the group away from the fake gurus and towards truly enlightened beings. At one time, in their journey to India, their caravan gets stuck due to civil unrest in the 1970s and they get to stay with Neem Karoli Baba, a saint who will forever change the life of the seeker.
After staying with the Baba for some time, Larry gets attracted towards Hanuman, the diety worshipped by the Baba. That was an antithesis to him as Jewish teachings prohibit idolatry of any kind. His scientific mind too refuses to relent but he feels an unstoppable force pulling him towards Hanuman. Torn between conflicting ideologies and ravaging thoughts wanting peace, he sits in isolation on the river bed nearby and asks for answers, for light in the darkest depths. This seeking for truth in earnest, this yearning for true knowledge, this sincerity in prayer, when that happens your prayer reverberates across the Universe and the Supreme souls who can give you the answers respond. That’s why Bhagavadgita starts with Arjuna Vishada Yoga. That’s the state of mind that is so ripe for the flower of Spirituality to blossom. It is our duty to take our mind to that stage of eligibility... Great Teachers and the Supreme teachings are awaiting for such receptive yearning minds.
Coming back, our doctor returns from the river and sits alongside other devotees preparing for prayer, thinking in his mind to leave the ashram and go on with his search. As he instinctively leans forward to rearrange the fruits at the prayer, Neem Karoli Baba barges in through the door and holds him tight asking him, “You have been asking questions to God at the riverside. Haven’t you?”. In that moment, looking into the eyes of the all-knowing spiritual giant, Larry gets all the answers he was waiting for. He senses that the Baba knows everything, his inner most thoughts and in that realisation, he comes in touch with what he himself truly is.
As the smiling Baba loosens his grip, Larry now understands the ‘WHY’ and stays with Baba studying Bhagavadgita under his guidance. Now truly emalgamated into spirituality, Larry wishes to stay at the holy feet of the saint, but the Guru advises otherwise. Neem Karoli Baba says, “You must go back. Your mission is still unfulfilled. The world needs you to work towards fighting smallpox. It will be eradicated and you will play a pivotal role. You are my Subrahmanya in this fight”
And so it is. Subrahmanya, the son of Shiva, is the captain of the armies against Asuras. And as Krishna says in Bhagavadgita, “Among the cheiftans of Armies, I am Subrahmanya”, Subrahmanya is the greatest of captains ever to be. So is Larry Brilliant as he leads his team and becomes a part of WHO’s efforts to eradicate Small Pox. The initial apathy from Indian officials to this mission becomes full co-operation when they come to know of Larry’s association with Neem Karoli Baba.
As the mission progresses and Neem Karoli Baba merges with the divine, the great work continues and in a few years, WHO team which includes Larry Brilliant announces that Small pox, once the scourge of humanity that killed millions, is now eradicated from the face of Earth. The prophecy of Baba is fulfilled and Dr. Larry Brilliant has served the purpose as the Subrahmanya. As soon as the last patient was treated and cured, the couple go on a piligrimage visiting the Subrahmanya temples of South India.
In line with the teachings of Sri Krishna in Bhagavadgita as explained to him by the Baba, Doctor America (that’s how Baba used to call him) continues his good work through the Seva foundation established along with his wife, Girija and strives to make a difference in the lives of thousands of impoverished humans... as an instrument in the hands of the Divine.
There is so much that Science cannot fathom and only Spirituality can answer. There is so much to be achieved with a blend of Science and Spirituality. Condemning one for the other is detrimental. Just because you have read about few babas who have amassed billions doesn’t mean the baba business is all tomfoolery. Just because you have read a few books on science doesn’t mean you know everything and what all doesn’t agree with your little knowledge is superstition. In what moments your life will be turned upside down and in what moments the divine teachings engulf you dispelling all the myths you have taught yourself, you cannot know. Just follow the flow of the divine plan living a purposeful life making the planet a better place to live and making a difference in the lives of fellow inhabitants as an instrument of the Supreme... just an instrument.
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