“ Panditha Sama Darsinaha” It is the quality of the wise to consider everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, community, race and religion as equals. But unfortunately society has changed to such an extent that people,instead of loving one another, hate each other! Religion which is expected to be a binding force, has become an inspiration for violence and hatred! We can say that religion has done more disservice to society than real service! Like the running waters of rivers that reach the ocean finally, all religions and prayer reach the same God though in different names! The present situation in the world, with the terrorist groups and the atrocities committed by the ISIS indicate to us how in the name of religion people are misguided to destroy and annihilate everything on earth! The world is full of conflict and violence and peace is significantly absent! Threats of war are looming large as war clouds are hovering over some nations! A few nations are trying to mediate between the nations at loggerheads! What is the solution or panacea for this malady in society?
Sri Sankara provides a beautiful remedy for the ailing society. But the remedy is not an easy one! When the disease is deep rooted an operation is essential to remove the diseased part! In the same way, Sankara puts forward certain propositions to be followed by an Individual in society. “ Satrau, mitre, putre, bandhau ma kuru yatnam vigraha sandhau” says Sankara. What do you gain by trying to mediate or create conflict among people? Even in a family a few members are not friendly with others. A few more, with jealousy, would create differences among the members of the family. Sankara says, “ Do not try to either make war or peace with enemy, friend, son or relative.” These things happen because you think you and others are separate and different! Considering all others as equals can change the situation!
“Bhava sama chittam sarvatratwam vanchas yachiradyadi vishnutwam” See the self in everything everywhere counsels Sankara! The difficulty arises here! When every person is different from the other in body, mind, race, religion,community and language, is it not stupid to consider all as one and equal? True, we are different in various ways but we are one and the same in our Spirit or Soul that is embedded in our mortal body! The ‘chaitanya’ or the awareness that the body has, is due to the Soul principle in our body! Without it the body is ‘sava’-a dead body or corpse! This ‘Prana’ or life principle is common to all--human beings as well as all living creatures from the unicellular organisms to the highly developed organisms including man!
“ Aatmavat Sarva bhutani” say the sastras. It is the Soul or Atma that pervades all creatures! The body is the temple, the shrine where the Soul is enshrined! Pots may be of various shapes and colors but clay is the same. Cows are many and of different colors and breeds but milk is the same and of white color. Ornaments are of different sizes and form but Gold is the same. Similarly bodies, minds, attributes, language caste and creed may be different but the essential life giving principle-- the Atma or Soul is one and the same! “ Ekah paratma bahudeha varthi” Sastras proclaim that the Soul or Atma is one manifesting in various other bodies!! It is easier said than done! In spite of this knowledge, man is unable to understand the vishnu tatwa of the Soul which is all-pervasiveness! The Soul is indestructible, eternal, as Lord Krishna tells Arjuna, “ nainum chindanti sastrani nainam dahati pavakah”--It cannot be injured by arms or arrows nor reduced to ashes by fire! Water cannot wet it nor air dry it up! The Soul is the chip of the same block viz Brahman or the Supreme reality. It is smallest of the smallest and the greatest of the greatest! “ anoraniyan mahatmahiyan athmasya jantor nihito guhayam” declares the Upanishad!
If only man understands the the same Atma is residing in every form of life on earth, most of the problems on earth shall be solved! Differences will disappear. Love shall prevail. Hatred, jealousy, bigotism will vanish. People will realize all are equal in spirit and Soul though different in body and other things! All this confusion, differences and troubles are due to the influence of Maya or illusion which shows the real as unreal and the unreal as real! Sankara therefore exhorts mankind to recognize the unity of the Soul or Atma with the diversity of bodies and their attributes! Such recognition shall pave the way for equanimity, understanding and peace! Let us forget our differences and consider all others as our brethren!
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