ONAM: Philosophy of Sartre Vs. Christianity

Introduction

Onam is the greatest carnival of God’s own country, Kerala. It is also known as the harvest festival of Kerala. According to the legend, Kerala witnessed its golden era during the reign of King Mahabali. Everybody in the state was happy and prosperous and the king was highly regarded by his subjects. He was that much highly regarded among the subjects that even the Gods under Indra became jealous of Mahabali, they approached the Highest God, Mahavishnu claiming that Mahabali is now equivalent to an Indra. Since a world with two Indras represents imbalance, Mahavishnu assumed the form of a dwarf: the Vamana avatara had tricked him to Pathalam, the Underworld. In the meantime, with the grace of Mahavishnu, Mahabali visits his people on an annual basis. Here I am trying to compare the thoughts of the great philosopher, Jean Paul Sartre and Christian ideology regarding the neighbour (the other), as Onam gather more personal relationships.

Is the other a Hell?

When Mahabali, our king ruled the land Kerala, all people were equal and all people were joyful and merry. They all were free from harm. There was no anxiety and sickness. Deaths of the children were unheard of. There were no lies. There was no theft and deceit and no one was false in their speeches. During his period, the measures and weights were right. No one cheated or tried to do wrong to his neighbour. When he ruled the land, all the people formed one casteless race. It shows the togetherness or the equality or the equanimity of the keralites during the period of Mahabali. There was no higher class or lower class among people. Everyone considered the other/their neighbour as their own kith and kin. We feel this intimacy or loving fellowship while we celebrating Onam every year. But according to Jean Paul Sartre, whenever we gather together, there happens our self-actualization. Often, our self-actualization is dependent upon the approval of others. Our actions, therefore, are often a reflection of what we believe other people expect. In other words, if we are not recognized or if our individual pursuits and dreams are not validated by other people’s approval, we often feel that our existence has less meaning or even that it is worthless. Here Sartre implies that other person represents a purgatory, a place that can be heaven or hell, according to one’s own thoughts. The other is a hell, if we allow him to shape our own reality. In each meeting, there happens self-actualization. When we relate with others we are becoming the other. We shape ourselves according to the expectations of the other. During Onam, all malayalis are gathered together in their home as a loving fellowship. Although this festival has its origin in Hindu mythology, Onam is for all people of all class and creed. Hindus, Muslims and Christians, the wealthy and the downtrodden, all celebrate Onam with equality. The important character of Onam is particular to this land where unity had always coexisted with diversity, especially during festivals, when people come together to celebrate life’s unlimited joys. Regarding the Onam Sathya, we do it as a charitable work and sharing the delicious meal. But Sartre would say that all charitable works are a kind of sublimation. Why this sublimation? According to Sartre, our spontaneous, free and natural actions are not accepted by the society. So, we are trying to please the people giving a delicious Onam Sathya. During the Onam carnival, Keralites remain in a jovial mood and don’t wish to miss even a single minute of merriment. So, in the view of Sartre, the great carnival of Onam changes an individual into the other. Hell, therefore, is not other people — hell is being other people. Heaven is being yourself…

“Love Your Neighbour as Yourself”

At the same time, the very same human reality has within itself another positive and attractive dimension. As persons, people are invited and prompted to relate themselves to others, to be available to others, to be at the service of others. In a way when we share ourselves or when we relate with others, we become great people. The “purpose of life” can have a meaning only in reference to an ultimate state of perfection of the individual. As Jesus says in the Bible, the purpose of our life is “to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect.” How can it be possible? Jesus Himself says that we can be perfect when we love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our minds, with all our strengths and with all our souls and when we love our neighbour as ourselves. Here Jesus says about the two dimensions of love – the vertical (man-God) and the horizontal (man-man). So, in a Christian interpretation, Onam helps all to exercise the “purpose” of our lives. Here, relating other is not relating a hell, but exercising one’s own individual purpose of life. Without the other, one cannot score his/ her goals. Whenever we relate with others, we know more about us, self-actualization is happened and the purpose of our life is fulfilled. The altruistic dimension of Onam is revealed. Each Onam brings happiness and togetherness. There won’t be any conflicts and contradictions. Equality is present everywhere. The validity of the saying “Loka samasta sukhino bhavantu” is unveiled during the celebrations. Tranquility conquers the minds of the people. Kerala really becomes “the God’s own country.”

Conclusion

All should be dependent and service-minded to each other. When we exercise the purpose of our life, the self-actualization happens. This self-actualization leads us to God. So, when we come together and celebrate Onam and have Onam Sadhya, we have to remember that we are exercising the purpose of our life. Onam celebrations improve our personal relationships. On the whole, Onam provides a wonderful chance to see rich culture of Kerala at its best. Onam is an excellent example of composite culture of India, for which we are known world over. Onam also signifies the importance of love, unity and bond of common brotherhood among the people. Then, the other/ the neighbour is not our hell, but a doorstep to heaven. The quality of our life is measured according to the quality of relationships. Love the other, respect the other and learn from the other.