The controversy over the Balaji laddu allegedly containing animal fat has sparked more verbal uproar, social media TRP stunts, and political gimmicks than genuine concern among most Hindus.

It will die down its own death just like the substance of seva in Hindus. We are content being ritualistic, even as we feel personal guilt about consuming contaminating laddus.

Religious priests are recommending various purificatory rituals for self-cleansing. However, any collective initiative to upgrade the quality of seva and transparency will be high jacked once again by shameless politicians making money from it for their own gain.

One of the greatest drawbacks of centralized mass worship is that it increases business without necessarily leading to the transformation of people. The corruption of authorities is undeniable, and when politicians take over the administration, corruption reaches infinite heights.

Sri Balaji Bhagavan must be laughing at our selfish stupidity in serving Him. Dharmik literatures explain that one who exclusively serves the deity but fails to recognize the Lord in the hearts or empower the dharma in potential beings, is of third-class in devotion. Such murti-puja neither softens the heart, nor it is desirable to Sri Balaji.

When Dhritarashtra sought to bribe Krishna with high-quality Chinese clothes and lavish food to influence His decision, Sri Krishna outrightly rejected the offer. Instead, He went to the house of Vidura and partook of the bhoga there. Duryodhana did not like this attitude of Sri Krishna. He challenged Sri Krishna for not eating his royal dine and going to humble home of Vidura.

Sri Krishna was blunt and firm with Duryodhana. He said, “I do not take food offered by vicious people who hate the Pandavas. People eat only for two reasons: love and hunger. I am never hungry, and you do not offer love, so there is no question of my eating.”

Certainly, all the pomp, rituals, and governmental corruption are unacceptable to Sri Balaji. By donating to such places and religious systems, Hindus are effectively tightening the noose around their own necks. It is far better to use substantial wealth to support initiatives that honor Balaji or to give in His name for dharmik education and empowerment, which will surely bring happiness to Balaji.

The same Balaji who appeared as Sri Krishna empowered the Pandavas and their army to such an extent that they eliminated all active corrupt individuals among the Kauravas, as well as their silent supporters like Bhishma and Drona.

It is now a fact that whether under government control or private management, rituals without substance will lead to disruption and contamination in seva. In the case of Balaji, Siddhivinayak, or Shirdi, those in power will compete for positions in the temple management committee, despite lacking genuine faith or sadhana in particular temple trust.

Theocracy is rejected in Sanatana Dharma for this very reason. There are countless stories of corruption within the Vatican, and reports indicate that it has not publicized its budget since 2015.

The inflow of wealth to the centralized holy city of Mecca does not tell a different story. Of course, their systems are theocratic & dharmik for this very reason, and they did not establish a centralized system to gather large numbers of worshipers. They could find same energy and spirit in their local temples. If they felt the need to visit a holy place, they would undertake the arduous journey to these sites during the last stages of their lives.

One of the most holy places for dharmik followers are 4 dham and Rishikesh. But unfortunately, these places which are meant for retired people are infested with young people engaged in all kinds irresponsible and abominable activities.

A large number of religious leaders are either blind to or indifferent to such activities. The three monkeys of Gandhi and their reactions represent the prevailing Hindu mindset: do not listen to bad things, do not see bad things, and do not speak bad. These three monkeys embody a Tamsik nature.

An alert mind will observe and analyze, speak assertively rather than offensively, and act in a dharmik manner, ensuring that one receives the prasadam of the Lord—pure and delicious.

– Govinda Das (ISKCON Member)