This is probably just ASKING for trouble in these religiously charged times, what with national debate revolving around the authenticity of claims that Ram may have been a mythical figure...

Especially given that one faction rejects outright the possibilty that he may not actually have been of divine provenance -- which all along I though was a Judaeo-Christian construct, with Hinduism not pushing for a god/son of god status. (I mean, sure we have a pantheon of gods, and a trinity, but didn't mythology merge with legend and folklore or are we not to question the Word?)

Nevertheless, even though I'm all for open debate, one thing I do know for sure, is that these are turbo-charged times, when public figures need to be hyper-sensitive, not to antagonise anyone, or upset religious sentiments.

Which is why I'm not even talking about Ram (or Lord Ram, as you may prefer)... but what most of us are missing out on, despite (or maybe because of) the wave of deepening religiosity, that has been washing our shores (notice that nowhere have I even cast an eye on that mythical/actual/real-life construction that goes by the name of Adam's Bridge) -- that's right, the deeper message.

Now before I'm actually shot, I think it's important to emphasise two points -- 1) religion should be a private affair. Really. And let's not allow years of votebank politicking on the basis of religion erase this, which should be a first commandment, at least in any civilised society.

2)But even more tragically, many of us are losing touch with that whole spiritual side...I mean, that reflective, introspective, quiet that tends to get drowned out by the waves of traffic, the deafening pace of life in the city, the pace of our "modern" careers, the white noise of everyday conversations... And it's that quiet place the experts will tell you, which is invaluable.

So I met doctor-cum-spiritual guru Deepak Chopra for a brief interview on Saturday, after the launch of his latest (and 49th!) book -- Buddha. Never mind why a book on the Buddha (Though here it is for the record -- because he wanted a story that wasn't typically reverential. The story of someone people can identify with. "Absolutely, can identify with someone who's vulnerable, who struggles, who has, as we would say, issues! And beyond that, it's inspiring, it's also a learning experience ... you can do that if you don't put this prerson in such reverence and such awe that you think that you couldn't do that," says Deepak Chopra.)

But that's not the crux of the message that I came away with. And I have to say, despite much scepticism, it's such a surprise to find that the man himself is calm, assured, and radiates some sort of good vibes.

The key to getting the deeper message, he says, is to learn to ask questions -- "I recommend people to take a little time for self-reflection, ask themselves who am I? What do I want? What's my purpose? What sort of contribution do I want to make? What are my unique talents? What are the qualities I look for in friendship? What are the qualitieis I look for in a relationship? If you look at the really important people in our world, the ones who made a difference, they always took a little time for reflection, asked a number of questions and set their priorities."

But here's the clincher... He says, "As a doctor I've seen a lot of people dying, and not one of them said I wish I'd made more money, or I wish I'd spent more time in office. They say I wish I'd spent more time on my relationships..."

Now isn't that the thought of thoughts right there? I mean, it might SOUND cliched but, well, maybe after you mull it over... If not, I guess you just had to be there...

(Deepak Chopra is California-based. His latest book Buddha is available for Rs 395/- hardback, published by HarperCollins India)