#neha mardana

[televisionworldchannels]

In Video: First promo of Star Plus’ ‘Krishna Chali London’

In Video: First promo of Star Plus’ ‘Krishna Chali London’

Star Plus has unveiled the first promo of its new fiction ‘Krishna Chali London’, which replaces ‘Naamkarann’ next month.

The show produced by Saurabh Tewari’s Parin Multimedia, stars Gaurav Sareen and Megha Chakraborty.

‘Krishna Chali London’ is said to be loosely based on the work of Hindi writer, Harishankar Parsai.

‘Krishna Chali London’ will take the 21:00 slot after ‘Naamkarann’ ends in May.

[interfaithconnect]

Can I ask all of you how your religion uses the term 'saint'? Are they deeply venerated with prayers and devotion like in mine? Do you think that the term's non-Christian usages have been erased?

Mod Lakshman, Hindu:

In Hinduism, the term saint is very broad; there’s no canonization process, per se. It really depends on the level of fame a famous poet (bhakta), spiritual teacher (guru), or sage (rishi) has. There are 7 venerable rishis who existed millennia ago, which were responsible for the creation of the physical Vedas, so of course they’re venerated across Hinduism. But on a regional level, certain poets have more fame than others, such as the Alvars in the South, and Mira Bai in the North. As for veneration; they aren’t typically seen as intercessors, as in the Catholic and Sufi sects, but more as role models with how in tune and devoted to God they are. But I think, broadly speaking, it hasn’t been erased, since it isn’t as huge a part of our religion as in some others.

Mod Neha, Muslim:

It’s actually a point of contention within Islam, sufi wali (literally, friend of God) are popular as saint equivalents, but more orthodox schools condemn their veneration as idolatry (shirk). Wali are often honored at their grave sites (called mazar), where people come to ask for their power as divine mediums (waseela) between themselves and God or just to remind themselves of the example the wali have set and strive for that example. I believe it’s more popular among Shi’a Muslims, but I can’t speak with authority there. As for myself - even though I am Sunni Muslim - I grew up next to a grave shrine called Baba Ghayb Ali Shah, and I remember it being my first connection to the divine (the thick smell of incense, garlands of jasmines and roses creating a net over the walls, the shrine near-glowing at night with blue and green lights, it was so much) and I have a deep love of the devotion people put into them. 

Mod Kal, Hellenistic Pagan:

I think there’s definitely a tendency to associate the word saint with Christianity first, but other (especially Abrahamic) religions do have and use the same concept. 

However, it’s not really a concept that exists in my religion. Individuals who were particularly skilled and well-known during their lives (such as Imhotep), or mythological human figures (the most prominent being Heracles), or members of/people close to the royal families (Egyptian Pharaohs, Antinous, etc) could be deified after death in a somewhat similar fashion to saints, but they were at that point considered to be gods, which saints are decidedly not. 

Back when I was Catholic, the saints were one of my favourite aspects of my faith. I still really enjoy hagiographies and greatly admire my confirmation saint, and I think it’s unfortunate that most other Christian denominations give little to no import to the saints.

Mod Lydia, Protestant Christian:

Like Mod Kal said earlier, most Protestant churches don’t include saints in their theology. In the denomination I attend (UCC), the term “saint” is used rarely and loosely. That is not to say Protestants don’t ever venerate the saints. If they do, it is usually done independently from the church itself. 

Mod Sarah, Protestant Christian

In the Episcopal church, we follow a church calendar that features days to remember the lives of various saints, many of whom we receive from the Catholic tradition. We don’t have an official tradition of praying to the saints, although some Episcopalians might, especially ones that came from Catholic backgrounds. Instead, we mention them in our church services and encourage people to learn from their example. It’s also useful to remember that some Christians, particularly Protestants, refer to all believers as “saints” as a reminder of being forgiven and being empowered to do good works in the world. 

Mod Lily, Sikh:

To Sikhs, “sainthood” is not understood in the same sense as Christianity. Sikhs use several titles to refer to different kinds of important religious figures throughout history. Each of these can be rendered in English as “saint”, but we prefer to use our own terminology:

The highest title is Guru (ਗੁਰੂ) or Satguru (ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ). The Gurus were a successive line of ten humans who founded the Sikh faith and led the early Sikhs. They were Nanak, Angad, Amar Das, Ramdas, Arjan, Hargobind, Har Rai, Harkrishan, Tegh Bahadur, and Gobind Singh. We believe these Gurus to have been infallible, and in waking communion with the One Divine. They are treated with the reverence and awe which are afforded in other faiths to the likes of Jesus Christ, the Buddhas, or the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). The Eleventh, Eternal Living Guru is Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the collected writings of the Gurus. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is considered the highest authority in all of Sikhi, and is treated as if They were a living being. We speak to Them about our struggles, we prostrate ourselves at Their feet, and we refer to SGGS with titles one would use to address a human being, such as Guru, Guruji (-ji being a term of respect), Guru Sahib (Great Guru), and Guru Maharaj (maharaj = ruler, emperor, regent). SGGS is our scripture, but more than that, They are a living being who leads every aspect of Sikh life. 

The Bhagats (ਭਗਤ) were 15 non-Sikhs, mostly Hindus and Sufi Muslims, who lived before the time of Guru Nanak who are believed to have been in loving communion with Waheguru, and many of their writings are including in Sri Guru Granth Sahib alongside the writings of the Gurus. The Bhagats are Kabir, Farid, Ravidas, Ramanand, Beni, Namdev, Sadhana, Bhikhan, Parmanand, Sain, Dhanna, Pipa, Surdas, Jaidev, and Trilochan. They are not venerated to the same degree as the Gurus, but many of the Bhagats are honored on their birthdays and remembered on holy days.

Sant (ਸੰਤ) or Sadh (ਸਧ) is the most common term used to honor particularly important and devout religious figures. It derives from ਸਤਿ sat, “true, truthful”, and describes many great figures both Sikh and non-Sikh who lived virtuous lives and performed great deeds, such as Mai Bhago, Bhai Mardana, Bhai Gurdas, and the Sahibzadas. The lives of many Sants are celebrated on certain holy days, and many are remembered during the daily Sikh prayer Ardas. 

Finally, a Gursikh (ਗੁਰਸਿੱਖ) or Gurmukh (ਗੁਰਮੁਖ) is someone who lives a life in accordance with Sikh principles, and is a very, very great term of respect. It is the aspiration of every Sikh to be a Gursikh. The honorifics Bhai (ਭਾਈ) brother and Bibi (ਬੀਬੀ) madame are frequently used to address Sikhs who are seen as especially truthful and devoted.