Original version

BBC World Service Online

Heart and Soul

Documentaries

Religion & Ethics

Personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.

Heart and Soul: Tendulkar, Hinduism and Living Gods: Tendulkar: The Living God

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Tendulkar: The Living God

16/11/2013 GMT

Tendulkar, Hinduism and Living Gods

BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, Tendulkar, Hinduism and Living Gods, Tendulkar: The Living God

Sachin Tendulkar and the living Gods of Hinduism

Sachin Tendulkar and the ancient tradition of worshipping living Gods of Hinduism.

In the world of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is the one true global superstar and one of the richest sports people on the planet. In India, he is idolised as a God, part of a rich and ancient Hindu tradition of worshiping living beings. 

Rahul Tandon explores the living Gods of Hinduism and he starts his journey in Calcutta as Tendulkar makes his 199th and penultimate appearance for the country that idolises him. And, because of his place in India’s society and their devotion to the sport of cricket, millions of Indians believe that Tendulkar’s potential has in fact been realised, and they revere him as a God as part of their Hindu faith.

Professor Shubhada Joshi is the head of the philosophy department at Mumbai University. She tells Rahul that “Having another god does not matter here; you have to remember that in Hinduism we believe that every human being has the potential to be divine”.

To see the clearest example of a man who has been elevated to a god like status, Rahul travels to Shirdi, 300km from Mumbai. It was here that Sai Baba lived in the 19th Century - a simple man, who became a fakir, or a wandering holy man. He never claimed to be a god, but has become one. Hundreds of thousands of his followers make the pilgrimage to pray to him every year, some taking days to walk to his home town. Rahul finds their faith strong, absolute, and very moving and hears from one disciple that if you believe in Sai Baba, you will get what you want, even material wealth. 

Sachin Tendulkar denies he is God, his humility wouldn’t allow it, but as he brings his record-breaking cricket career to its end, the millions of Indians glued to their radios and televisions for his last match would beg to differ.

Image shows a Tendulkar fan celebrating.

Heart and Soul: Tendulkar, Hinduism and Living Gods

BBC World Service

As cricketer Sachin Tendulkar makes his final appearance for India, Rahul Tandon explores living deities in Hinudism.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Heart and Soul

Tendulkar, Hinduism and Living Gods

Tendulkar: The Living God

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service