मुक्तिदाता

Yesterday I wrote a poem that ended in a surprising manner (even for me).

The wind took out the lights
So there we sat
With the romantic glow
Of Facebook on our faces
Waiting for a bit more
Of our superhero flick
And writing poetry.
We are nothing if not
Muktitaskers.

I intended to write “multitaskers”. Blame it on my poor eyesight. I will get my first pair of glasses soon. I did not see it. Even Grammarly was quiet about it. When eventually I saw it, it made me think.

Mukti  (मुक्ति) in Hindi means salvation, liberation or redemption. In my poem, therefore, “muktitaskers” could mean those who work for their salvation or for someone else’s salvation – like a superhero saving the world.

The irony is that it takes a superhuman effort to get Mukti. Mukti from sins is something which is not doable by mere mortals. Everyone who has ever tried to become 100% sinless will tell you that it is a lost cause. Even if we do not murder or steal, we lie or act selfishly, we hurt others with our words or deeds, we get irritated or impatient, we turn our backs on our Creator.

A word that makes more sense is Muktidata. (The one who gives Mukti) Mukti is given and has to be received. Mukti cannot be earned. But who gives it? Who is the Muktidata? The name of Jesus means Muktidata (Saviour.) And countless verses in the Bible explains it. Here is one:

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…

Another in Revelations 22 says:

Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

And then, after we have received it we can become Muktitaskers. We can work for the salvation of others. We can invite others to be receivers of it. We can bring others to meet the Muktidata.

Have you received it (Him) yet? Why are you waiting?