If God is call waiting, WhatsApp Babaji

It’s a manifestation of the times we live in. We don’t have time to pray, meditate or focus on the inner working of our soul. But when we are in trouble, we want to connect with God. Having chased dreams of riches and goals in all spheres of life, suddenly when we want to connect with Him or Her (Divine Mother), we are clueless.

Clueless, because we do not know how to pray, what ritual to initiate for inner peace and how to stay calm! Pronto, do a Google check and type the word "godmen" and a whole list of gurus and babas pops up.

In an age where you can also connect with godmen via social media, you really do not have to go seeking the "Guru" like in the old times. Then again, unlike old times, you don’t have to do penance to ensure the Guru accepts you as his disciple either.

This is the jet age. Just like cash dispenses from ATM and online banking transactions, godmen are as easily available. In case you like to engage in casual conversation with friends, each will have his story to tell about how his Guru works wonders.

From dealing with troublesome dalliances to handling work pressure or dealing with more mundane issues, dial-a-guru service is thriving. Unlike the days when the Gurus were in jungles and high altitudes, the new age Babas are wired and stay in posh ashrams.

SMS, WhatsApp, BBM, all these are ways of connecting with the Baba who in turn will put you in "touch" with God. Having watched so many people fall for this Baba magic, like vitamin pills promising good health, I can't help but hold my belly and laugh.

I have nothing against Godmen per se, just that the word itself reeks of creepiness. In Hisar, Haryana, we have a godman with the same surname as Bollywood’s Arjun Rampal. The kind of orgy of violence he asked his followers to wage on the State is pathetic.

I am sure there are genuine saints, seer and babas out there, and they must be cursing these commercial gurus who indulge in all kinds of activities from violence to acts of lust.

The day we can connect with God personally, godmen will run out of business. After all, from capturing the ridge in New Delhi to building a fortress in Haryana, each godman’s commercial interests match that of a hard working businessman.

Or is it that in Kaliyug, the real devotee will suffer and "blind faith" has acquired a new meaning?