RELIGION SHOULD UNITE, NOT DIVIDE

Religion is said to be the bridge between man and God! All religions are great and have their distinctive approaches. A religion cannot be called religion if it does not change man for the better! By following a faith or religion one should turn over a new leaf and conduct himself in righteous path!  Religion has the onerous task of uniting people, not dividing them! When we look at the history of religions, we are shocked to see the disservice it has done more than the unification of people in society! All religions are similar to different rivers flowing in different directions but to the same goal, the ocean! “ Akasath patitam toyam yatha gacchati sagaram sarva Deva namaskaram Kesavam prati gacchati”-- Like the rainwater, falling from the skies flows towards the sea, all prayers reach Lord Kesava- God. The ways and means are different but the goal or destination is one and the same. Unfortunately this fundamental aspect of religion is totally forgotten and meaningless differences and squabbles have tainted every religion on the surface of earth! All religions preach love and compassion to all creatures. Are we following this simple but the most important tenet of religion? We have to search our own hearts for an answer to this question!

“ Love for the Lord should not degenerate into fanaticism and hatred of other names and forms” declares Bhagawan Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba. But this is what exactly has happened in history!  The religious wars called jihad, between the Muslims and the Christians for Jerusalem, the birthplace of Jesus, have taken the  toll of the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives!  The fight for Jerusalem has not ended yet! It is the bone of contention between Israel and Palestine today! Death and destruction continues even today! The fight between Shias and Sunnis of Islam that has surfaced recently has shocked the entire world! The arrival of ISIS has spread death and destruction to many countries in the Middle East! The  noble ideals and principles of Islam have been misinterpreted and demolished even in front of our eyes! Conversion, loot, abductions, brutal beheadings, and extortions have become the order of the day! India has become the victim of terrorism  from Pakistan!  Muslims think that their religion is the greatest and want to islamize the entire globe! Of course,India has seen conversion from the time of the Moghuls!

Christianity is no better! The differences between Protestantism and Catholicism are too common to be overlooked! When protestants came to throne in England they persecuted the Catholics! In reply, the Catholics persecuted the Protestants when they came to power! Charles the first of England, notorious for his evil acts was hanged in the tower of London! The Parliament rebelled against the king and he had to die an ignoble death! Having gained entry into India through the East India Company, the British consolidated their rule and started conversion of Indians to Christianity like the Muslim rulers! They say that their religion is the best and Jesus alone is the Savior! Muslims call all others as kafirs! There is an attempt to denigrate Hinduism and its numerous Gods worshipped by the Hindus! The silent and steady conversion of Hindus to Christianity has created a lot of trouble in society! Militant Hindus have objected to these conversions and a few of these new Christians are being reconverted to Hinduism! Why this over enthusiasm for conversion? Why not Christians remain without converting others to their religion? Thus there is a distinct religious fanaticism  in Islam as well  as Christianity! When they clash with Hindu beliefs and religion, riots break out and unnecessary disturbances occur!

The greatness of India is its  unity in diversity! It has absorbed and assimilated Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism,  Zoroastrianism and others into its vast fabric. Yet it has retained its individuality! No other religion could influence the core of Indian psyche! India had its own  problems with religion! Buddhism, born in India, was against the time old Vedic religion  and it was wiped out by the influence and preachings of the three great Acharyas, Sankara, Ramanuja, and Madhva! Even here, differences exist. Sankara established Advaita or Monism while Ramanuja founded Vishishtadvaita, or qualified Monism and Madhva established Dvaita  system of philosophy. Sankara devised six modes of worship--Vaishnavam, Saktam,Kaumaram Ganapatyam, Sauram, and Saivam which are followed by many in the country! There are also clashes between the Saivites and Vaishnavites! The traces of Jainism in South India were totally destroyed by the Nayanmars of the South since Saivism and Jainism clashed! Saivism reigned supreme in the South!

Though religions are different God is one and we are all children of the self same Providence! We say God is love and love is God! But it is not practised seriously! Religions preach love, compassion, righteousness. brotherhood, tolerance, nonviolence and proper understanding! If we follow these ideals no other religion is required! The world today is divided by religions! Let us not perpetuate this division and lead the the world into turmoil! We are badly in need of peace for the world and peace of mind for every Individual! Let us forget all differences between religions and endeavor for the unity of all religions and meaningful existence!

ON LOVE--ITS VARIETIES

Love is the bedrock in the creation of the universe! It's because of His love  that God created the universe and all the creatures in it! It is because of the causeless and unconditional love of God all of us lead our lives on this terra firma! God is the universal mother looking after her children despite their failings and atrocities committed on mother earth! Like the ordinary mother who condones her child’s misdeeds and crimes, this Universal mother overlooks all mistakes on the part of man.The affection and compassion of the Providence is incomparable! Love is the most important ingredient in the heart of man! It is the repository of unalloyed love! It is impossible for man to exist without love! It is a wonderful emotion that goes out of one’s being for the welfare of someone irrespective of any relationship! Man loves himself first and foremost! It is very difficult for man to love others because of his selfishness! That is why the Bible says, “Love thy neighbor as thyself!” It is very interesting to see the various ramifications of love in the life of a human being!

“ If you have no love, you are like a lamp without the flame, blind and blinding”. says Bhagawan Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba.The love of parents is called filial love. From being selfish, the love of the couple expands and concentrates on their children! Personal intimacy gives in to the bringing up of the child who is the offspring of their love! They think more about their child and are ready to sacrifice many things for the sake of the child! Selfishness is reduced and gives place to selflessness! That is the beauty of pure love. Love cannot exist without sacrifice. Ideal love is love for love’ sake,not for any material benefit! Unfortunately it is very rare to find such ideal or Platonic love in society! Love of the husband and wife is physical, romantic, and emotional. They are made for each other but the moment they become parents there is a natural, gradual transformation and expansion of their love.Maternal love is par excellence! It has no equal.The child is indebted to her eternally! Mother’s love is far superior to paternal love. Sometimes the mother sacrifices her life so that the child may live! Fraternal love is not always ideal.It leads to disputes especially where property and wealth is concerned! The ideal love between the brothers is that of Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrughna in Valmiki's Ramayana!

Grandparents dote on their grand children! In fact many children love them more than their parents! In modern days where both the parents are employed, children depend increasingly on their grandparents! Love for the country is called patriotism! Every individual is expected to love his native country! “Janani janma bhumischa swargadapi gariyasi”  says the Sanskrit adage.  Mother and Motherland are greater than Swarga or Heaven. “ Breathes there the man who never to himself has said “This is is my own native land?” asks Sir Walter Scott the famous British poet.  Patriotism has led to the sacrifice of many individuals who have martyred themselves for the sake of the nation. They have attained “Veera Swargam!” Their names are etched in Golden letters in the annals of the country.

In his novel “A Tale of Two Cities” Charles Dickens portrays the ideal love of Sydney Carton who loved Lucy. But it was little late when he proposed to her! She married one  Charles Darnay! Sydney Carton did not wreak vengeance on Darnay! On the other hand he wished his Love well wherever she lived! It was the period of French Revolution and Charles Darnay was arrested and jailed. Sydney Carton was pained at this news and wanted his Lucy not to suffer. He went to Paris where Lucy was. He wanted to save Darnay who was about to be guillotined! Taking advantage of his similar form and personality, Sydney Carton managed to enter the prison, changed clothes with Charles Darnay, and allowed him to escape! He remained in the prison as Charles Darnay and wet to the guillotine with a smiling face with the satisfaction that he has contributed to the happiness of his lady love though she had married a different person!

Intense love and devotion to God Is called “ Bhakthi”. The bhaktha is always in the thought of the Almighty! Many times he loses himself a forgets everything round him! His bhakthi compels God to come before him! He yearns for salvation or mukti, not for material pleasures and silly wants! He surrenders himself totally to the will of God! In rare cases the Bhaktha merges himself into that Super Consciousness called God! The Bhaktha is mad after God! The common people mistake him for a deranged person! He chants the sacred name of his chosen deity and eventually gains liberation from the cycle of birth and deth!

That is the ideal love which has become a rare commodity in modern society! Love has lost it's meaning to day! It is being abused and misused! Love is mistaken for lust! The lover today is a villain who murders her for not accepting his amorous advances! He flashes acid on her face, maims her and makes life unbearable to her! Can this be called love? Love is a matter of the heart! It is not just the physical satisfaction of the senses! Unfortunately love is equated with satisfaction of the senses! We are appalled at the series of rapes and gang rapes of even minors in the present. Men are behaving worse than animals! The have crossed all limits of decency in behavior! Ethics and morality have no meaning for them! This tendency on the part of modern man has to be curbed! All efforts have to be taken to educate such men and reform them as far as possible and as early as possible. That will be a great boon to society!!!

"Da Da, Da" Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Gods, men and demons, children of Prajapati, lived as students with their father! Their   studentship being over, they requested their father to instruct them. Prajapati uttered the syllable “ Da” and asked them if they understood what he said. The Devas replied that they have understood the meaning of the syllable “DA" and it meant “ Damyata--control yourselves! Prajapati was happy and said that they have understood it properly.

On their part, the men requested the Prajapati to instruct them!  Once again, Prajapati uttered the syllable “Da” and wanted to know if they have understood its meaning. The men instantly replied that they have grasped the meaning of the syllable correctly. They said that the syllable  meant “ Datta”--give! Prajapati was overjoyed and remarked that they have understood it properly.

Later the demons requested Prajapati to instruct them! He once again repeated the syllable “Da" and questioned whether they understood the meaning of the syllable. They replied that they have understood it correctly! The syllable meant “ Dayadhvam”--be compassionate! Prajapati was happy that all his students, Devas, men and the demons have understood the significance of the three syllables. Meanwhile ‘the heavenly voice of thunder repeated the same--Da, Da, Da, that is, control yourselves, give to others, and be compassionate. Therefore  one should practice the same triad--self control, charity, and compassion! In TS Eliot's poem “Waste Land” thunder pops up in the fifth and final section and says, “Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyata” in Sanskrit language! Thunder is the harbinger of rain! Brihadaranyaka Upanishad contains hymns on virtues and ethics. In 5.2.3 it recommends three virtues temperance, charity and compassion for all life!

The first ethical precept of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad became the foundation of “Yama” in different schools of Hindusim. In Patanjali’s ‘Yoga Sastra’ it consists of ahimsa, nonviolence in thought, word and deed for all creatures ; Satya, restraint from falsehood; Astheya, restraint from stealing; Brahmacharya, restraint from sex; and Aparigraha, restraint from avarice and possessions! Various aspects of spiritual consciousness are discussed in the conversations between King Janaka of Videha and his mentor Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi. Besides, many others engage Janaka and Yajnavalkya with their questions which bring out profound answers from the great Sage and the king!

The Upanishad says that Self is the dearest for man. There is no difference between man and God! It is foolish to think you are separate from God. Brahman manifests in each and every object in the universe. It is consciousness that controls man’s wakefulness, sleep and dreams. From the Self come forth all organs, worlds, all deities and all beings. Self is the Truth of truth! It is not for the sake of the husband that a husband is dear, but for the sake of the Self is a husband dear!There is no difference between the Self and the Brahman!The Upanishad questions “by what should one know that by which all this is known?” Brahman is the imperishable unseen seer,and hearer! Heis the vital force. Atman can be described by saying  “not this, not this”--neti, neti”. Like a caterpillar drawing itself to move to the next blade of grass  the Self throws off the body and takes a new body! It is important that we should know these eternal truths to lead our lives peacefully, and happily!!!

HOW To PRAY

Man is a bundle of desires. He gets fulfilment in very few of his desires and craves for more. His wants are too many and he prays to God so that many of his desires may be granted! people, of late, crowd temples in large numbers and there is none who does not pray before the deity with folded hands and bent head! Why this prayer always in a temple? Some want children; a few desire  good health; quite a few require power and position; many want wealth! Students pray for success in their examinations and lovers for the success of their love! Prayer is very powerful. “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”, says the Victorian poet. But when will prayer be most effective? If it is sincere, honest and coming from the heart! Man requires many things but God does not give whatever he wants! He is the universal Mother and knows what is good for every single individual and provides it appropriately! The pity is that man aspires for worldly gains and personal satisfaction which are temporary, and cannot last long! He is satisfied by the grant of small, silly pleasures! While God is ready to offer the greatest boon of Mukti or salvation, man desires the lowest boon of mundane pleasures and transitory  things! He does know what to demand from God in essence!

“ God gives you whatever you pray for; so, take care. Ask for the right things” counsels Bhagawan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The difficulty is in asking for the right things. Asking for trivial material pleasures is a gross mistake on the part of man! He should ask for eternal devotion to the Lord which in its train brings every material prosperity along with spiritual advancement! There are instances of people who gained infinite advantage by asking the right things from the Providence and those who suffered the worst by demanding the wrong things. Child Dhruva, unable to sit on the lap of his father king Uttanapada wanted to achieve his desire by doing penance! On the way sage Narada met him and sensing his determination advised and gave him the Narayana mantra! After severe penance the Lord not only satisfied his wish but granted  him the position of the Pole Star!

The second instance is that of another child devotee, Prahlada, son of the terrible rakshasa Hiranyakasipu! He was a born devotee and excelled in his devotion to the Lord from his childhood. Day in and day out he was in the company of God in his heart! He angered his father,an inveterate enemy of Lord Vishnu by singing in his praise! Hiranyakasipu had performed severe penance and when the Creator Brahma stood before him asked for immunity from death from everything on earth and heaven! When he hit the pillar to find the Lord, Lord Vishnu, in the form Nara Hari -man lion, put him on His lap, at the threshold, when it was neither the end of the day and the beginning of the night and tore him to pieces! Thus Hiranyakasipu was the architect of his own destiny! Prahlada was rewarded with the kingdom and blessed!

Ravana, king of Lanka is another example of great devotees who asked for wrong things from God! Like Hiranyakasipu, he too performed severe penance and got invulnerability from everything on earth and heaven! He was so arrogant and full of ego that he thought that no mortal can attack him! He was a very great devotee of Siva and pleased Him with his Sama gana! He was Brahmin of the clan of Visravasu and brother to Kubera! There was no woman in heaven or earth not enslaved by him! His lust knew no bounds! Finally it was Sri Rama the embodiment of Dharma, a mortal, killed him and saved mankind in Treta Yuga! Ravana’s brother, Kumbhakarna is also guilty of asking God for wrong things! When the Lord appeared before him after  severe tapas, he asked for good sleep as boon and God granted it and vanished! It was very difficult for Ravana’s soldiers to wake him up during the the epic fight between Sri Rama and Ravana!

Whatever you ask God will grant that alone and nothing else! So one has to be careful in asking boons from God! Even among children, the  mother is fond of the child that is not demanding! He does not ask the mother for anything! The other child always pesters her for many things! She has a soft corner for the child who doesn't ask. She gives him more even without his asking! In the same way, God loves the devotee who prays for His mercy and Grace through pure devotion! He grants just those worldly desires and nothing more to the ordinary mortal! But for the real bhaktha who is not enamored of this Samsara, he grants liberation from the inextricable web of family life as well as great prosperity in the world! Hence let us be very careful in our prayers to the Almighty!

THE RELIGION OF LOVE

There is only one who is truly and perfectly democratic! He treats all equally! He gives opportunity to all! There is no discrimination between one and the other! He is not bothered about caste, community, religion, race, language, family background and various other things! He is the personification of love and compassion! His love is unconditional! He loves those who worship him as well as those who deny him! He is omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient!  He manifests in every creature of this universe! But he is the unseen protector of the entire world! It is impossible to escape his attention! He is the bedrock and basis of  everything in the universe! He is the darling of his devotees. He doesn't tolerate any harm done to his bhakthas. He is the very form of Existence, Awareness and Bliss! He is the very Providence, God!

“ Devotion knows no caste; it saves all, ennobles all. Lord is enshrined in the heart of a devotee.” says Bhagawan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba. What is devotion? It is pure, unalloyed love for the Supreme Lord! The bhakthas lose themselves in the thought of God and are not bothered about their families and children and other attachments. They live in God, eat with Him sleep with Him and  there is nothing that can separate them from m His presence! In short, they have surrendered themselves totally to the Will of God! The trials and tribulations that they come across are taken as His will and gladly accepted by them!They are neither elated by their success nor dejected or despondent on their failures! They resign themselves to whatever God has bestowed on them! There is a sense of supreme contentment in them that distinguishes them from the others! God does not like show and ostentation. He is fond of true love and sincere prayer! Is there any doubt that the Lord will not accept the selfless love of these devotees irrespective of their caste? How many saints and sages and staunch devotees of different castes have been blessed by the compassionate Lord!

We should never delve into the origins of sages and saints and devotees! Valmiki was a highway robber! Kabirdas was a Muslim. Nandanar was of very low caste. Kannappa Nayanar was a hunter! But their devotion to the Lord was pure and exemplary such that the Lord overruled every other thing in preference to to their bhakti! Trilochana das was an expert in making gold and silver jewels. He was pious and spent his money on serving the devotees of the Lord. The Nawab who ruled the town ordered a beautiful diamond studded jewel for his daughter from Trlochana Das and wanted it to be delivered in four days! Das totally forgot this in serving the bhaktas who came to him in large numbers. The Nawab was persistent to get the jewel on the same day. Initially Das was unnerved but threw all responsibility on Krishna of Mathura, had his darshan, prayed and went to Brindavan. Sensing the delicate situation of his true devotee, Lord Krishna, went to the Nawab as Trilochana Das and handed over the diamond studded jewel! The Nawab was amazed at the splendid design and artistry of the jewel! Pleased beyond measure, he gave Das plenty of money which the Lord handed over to the wife of Trilochana Das and vanished! In the meanwhile, the jewel worn by the Nawab's daughter  grew heavy day by day and could not be worn. All attempts to lessen its weight and even cut it proved futile!

Nawab’s daughter wanted the jewel very badly and said that she had the darshan of Lord Krishna as long as she wore the jewel! Now He has disappeared! She said that without the same jewel she cannot live! Surprised at this experience of his dear girl, the Nawab sent a hundred servants to get Trilochana Das back home! Tired of searching, the servants entered the forest and began praying. Das, who was in another side of the forest heard their prayers, provided food and enquired about what had happened. Initiated into bhakti, the hundred servants became his disciples and remained in the forest! Feeling dispirited after waiting for six months, the Nawab set out to search for Trilochana Das himself! He went to Gokul Brindavan and met Das shining brilliantly like the moon amid the stars! He was overwhelmed with spiritual feelings and fell at the the feet of Das! Das blessed the Nawab and said that it was because of his sacred deeds in the past he had developed bhakti for the Lord! In the meanwhile, Lord Krishna went to the Nawab’s daughter, took a bit of the jewel, created three hundred sixty amazing jewels and asked her to wear a jewel a day and vanished! When the Nawab heard this incredible news he was astounded at the Divine sport of the Lord!

Muslims of the day were furious at the Nawab for his piety and total surrender to Trilochana Das! They wanted to wreak vengeance! They waited to humiliate the Nawab and Das as they returned from bath. Sensing this the Nawab, wantonly sent his sepoys to attack Das! But the swords used in the attack became garlands to the utter dismay of the Muslims! On another occasion a tiger accosted Das and his men while returning home. Das saw his Lord in the Tiger! When the disciples prayed, the tiger lost its ferocity, became very docile and as gentle as a lamb!! If the heart is not filled with pure devotion, there is no use even if one quits his kingdom or leaves every thing! If pure bhakthi is achieved mukti or salvation becomes easy! The story of this ordinary maker of jewels is an illustration of how the Lord cares little for caste, community, creed, religion language and other trivial things! “There is only religion, the religion of Love”.