06-17-2007, 01:46 AM
<!--emo&:ind--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/india.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='india.gif' /><!--endemo--> Zainab Kulkarni
Site:
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Comments: Ours was a marriage with a recipe for disaster: a Sunni Muslim getting married to a Maharashtrian Brahmin. We were collegues at the office and took an instant attraction to Rohan. The vibes between us transformed into love but there seemed no finality to this love. Marriage seemed out of the question, I mean, a Muslim marrying a Hindu was blasphemy! The opposition was severe with both sets of parents at loggerheads, our relationship seemed doomed. Rohan, however was unfazed - whenever under stress, he used to take out his pocketbook and read a few passages; the calm and tranquil on his face after reading was unimaginable. Even when our relationship was rocky, he kept reading this book and doling out hope and courage to me. Once, out of curiosity, I asked him what the book was and took it from him to find out what ocean of wisdom it contained - I needed to know the source which offered so much strength and fortitude to someone facing such sever odds like Rohan. As it turned out, the pocketbook was none other than the Bhagvad Geeta - Swami Prabhupada's English version. The book had me transfixed - it was a fountainhead of divine knowledge and the supreme guide to the right path. After reading the Geeta more than once, I decided, if at all there was a faith which led to the righteousness, it was Hinduism. The best part was that despite reading the Geeta frequently, Rohan never extolled it virtues in front of me, leave aside compel me to read it. The serenity brought about by reading the book had ignited my interest and I thank God for that. I formally left Islam and became Hindu in Jan. 2006, followed by my marriage to Rohan in Vedic customs. I shed tears of joy, as I circumambulated the sacred fire 7 times with Rohan - it was an incredible experience. Rohan's parents turned out to be the best in-laws anyone could have wished for; in fact, now I am their daughter and Rohan's their son-in-law. My parents have, reluctantly accepted my marriage to Rohan though my conversion to Hinduism has not gone down well with them. They still try to talk me out of it but I am sure, once they read the Geeta with an unbiased mind, they would follow my path. I make sure, my son, Agastya is brought up as a good Hindu by reciting and chanting verses of the Geeta in front of him. My decision of converting to Hinduism was indeed a watershed event in my life - an event which transformed me from a living being to a human being - Tamso ma Jyotirgamaya ("Lead me from darkness to light.").
(Editorâs Note: Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts, your marriage experiences and your clear understanding of the Bhagavad Geeta. As you have correctly pointed out that the Bhagavad Geeta is indeed a fountainhead of divine knowledge and a great source of fortitude and solace to many. Welcome to Hinduism and many blessings to you, your husband and your son. Warm regards).
Site:
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Comments: Ours was a marriage with a recipe for disaster: a Sunni Muslim getting married to a Maharashtrian Brahmin. We were collegues at the office and took an instant attraction to Rohan. The vibes between us transformed into love but there seemed no finality to this love. Marriage seemed out of the question, I mean, a Muslim marrying a Hindu was blasphemy! The opposition was severe with both sets of parents at loggerheads, our relationship seemed doomed. Rohan, however was unfazed - whenever under stress, he used to take out his pocketbook and read a few passages; the calm and tranquil on his face after reading was unimaginable. Even when our relationship was rocky, he kept reading this book and doling out hope and courage to me. Once, out of curiosity, I asked him what the book was and took it from him to find out what ocean of wisdom it contained - I needed to know the source which offered so much strength and fortitude to someone facing such sever odds like Rohan. As it turned out, the pocketbook was none other than the Bhagvad Geeta - Swami Prabhupada's English version. The book had me transfixed - it was a fountainhead of divine knowledge and the supreme guide to the right path. After reading the Geeta more than once, I decided, if at all there was a faith which led to the righteousness, it was Hinduism. The best part was that despite reading the Geeta frequently, Rohan never extolled it virtues in front of me, leave aside compel me to read it. The serenity brought about by reading the book had ignited my interest and I thank God for that. I formally left Islam and became Hindu in Jan. 2006, followed by my marriage to Rohan in Vedic customs. I shed tears of joy, as I circumambulated the sacred fire 7 times with Rohan - it was an incredible experience. Rohan's parents turned out to be the best in-laws anyone could have wished for; in fact, now I am their daughter and Rohan's their son-in-law. My parents have, reluctantly accepted my marriage to Rohan though my conversion to Hinduism has not gone down well with them. They still try to talk me out of it but I am sure, once they read the Geeta with an unbiased mind, they would follow my path. I make sure, my son, Agastya is brought up as a good Hindu by reciting and chanting verses of the Geeta in front of him. My decision of converting to Hinduism was indeed a watershed event in my life - an event which transformed me from a living being to a human being - Tamso ma Jyotirgamaya ("Lead me from darkness to light.").
(Editorâs Note: Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts, your marriage experiences and your clear understanding of the Bhagavad Geeta. As you have correctly pointed out that the Bhagavad Geeta is indeed a fountainhead of divine knowledge and a great source of fortitude and solace to many. Welcome to Hinduism and many blessings to you, your husband and your son. Warm regards).