Opinion | By Their Fruits: Faith, Conviction, And Compassion In Public Life

Religious faith always has both a public and a private dimension.

Last week, Anant Ambani visited the Tirupati Balaji Temple. Among his various offerings, he also underwent the ritual tonsure of his head. Shaving one’s head is considered one of the most significant acts of devotion at Tirupati.

The practice is so deeply associated with Tirupati that there is even a popular legend linking the offering of hair to the temple.

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Anant Ambani Visits Tirupati, Performs Hair Donation at Tirumala Shrine | Lord Venkateswara | News18

Anant Ambani Offers Prayers, Donates Hair At Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple

Anant Ambani Shaves His Head In At Tirupati Temple: What Is This 100-Year-Old Ritual?

According to the story, Neela Devi, a Gandharva princess, offered a portion of her hair to cover a bald patch on Lord Venkateswara’s head. Moved by her devotion, the Lord blessed her, and the offering of hair by devotees became an enduring tradition at the temple. Today, tonsure remains one of the most popular offerings at Tirumala, symbolising humility, surrender and devotion. As a devotee, Anant Ambani also chose to observe this sacred practice during his visit.

Often, when businessmen or industrialists undertake such acts of devotion, many people, including social media influencers, tend to view them through a different lens. The subtlety of the gesture and the inner world of faith from which it arises are seldom spoken about, while the industrialist’s public image invariably takes centre stage.

Religious faith always has both a public and a private dimension. Historically, religious faith has shaped ideologies, nations, rulers and thereby history itself. Religious faith has influenced the masses. Faith, or the lack of it, has always played a role in shaping national character. In this sense, religious faith is a public affair. At the same time, religious belief is also largely a private affair. It works on the inner life of individuals.

Solitude and meditation have always played an important role in Hinduism. Hinduism evolved and grew from the Vedas, which........

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