That their particular religions alone are the eternal word of God and that all others impostures,-
SRI SAI BABA – A SYMBOL OF UNITY
We have in the world several religions and philosophies to which masses of men give their allegiance, oftentimes with an exclusiveness and fervour that their particular religions alone are the eternal word of God and that all others impostures,- in other words, that a particular mode of approach to God is the only true one. To this exclusiveness, even ther wise men of the nations have often lent themselves out of intellectual egoism or spiritual pride. On this account religion is being attakced as a factor in keeping peoples apart and creating divisions among them. The fact is that the aim of all religions is the same, namely, the practical realisation of the Truth, Divine, through experience. To the forgetfulness of this fundamental concept and to the narrowness of the followers of particular faiths, the divisions and differences on the score of religion can be traced. India,”the very home of religion” can show by her example how religion might be made affairs. Here we have the concept of brotherhod in practice. If we think deeply, we will percieve that no matter to which religion we may owe allegiance, we see the Fatherhood of God. This perception will lead us to work towards the brotherhood of man. Let me give an ordinary example, Does not the cooperation Movement, with which we are all familiar active systems for which all members of whatever religion or creed are remain you partners in practice? If brotherhood means sympathy with a fellow begins, our neighbbours, we have in the Co-operation Movement of germs of brotherhood, in other words, a sense of unity to chieve a common aim. It follows that a number of people living in a country as neighbours(to whatever religion they may belong) have a common tie of interest, toil, or suffering. This is forcebly illustrated by the rationing of foodstuffs and other necessaries to ahich we are getting accustomed. But the idea of brotherhood may be seroiusly marred if in our business transactions and in our schemes and plans, we fail to look at things except from our own standpoint. Unfortunately we allow ourselves to look so big in our own horizon that we shut out practically all possobilibilty of seeing other peoples’ horizon.
The dream, the hope of an enduring civilisation, has been inspired from time to time, by the lives of the grat sains, of the great lovers of humanity. Prophets have pointed to it. Poets have sung of it and martyrs have died for it. The latest and most outstanding example of ceaseless effort at unity is that os Sri Sai Baba. Born of Hindu parents, brought up by Muslim, foster-parents aand emerging neither as a Hindu nor a Muslim, but as one owing alleginace to both- Sri Sai Baba by his life and work appears to followers of all religions, all creeds, receonciling all. And in this the great Saint of Shirdi has laid the coping stone to the spirit of ‘give and take’, ‘live and let live’, has to be acquired by mutual understanding and appreciation. The corporate life of India should not be viewed as an isolated entity in the realm of human culture. The study of the cultural synthesis wrought by the Hindus and Muslims alike, in the course of Indian history, affords valuable lessons to us and to all and shows that there has been no break in the unity of India’s cultural life. Both Hindus and Muslims will have to stand or fall together in their great endeavour of shaping the future destiny of the varied expressions of Religion which is one and variations exist so that each may choose the path that suits him best. If proof were wanted, we have to seek it in the life and work of Sri Sai Baba. May His inspiration guide us aright and promote in us the spirit of tolerance, brotherliness and mutual goodwill. In this worthy endeavour, the Sai Samaj and similar organisations which are now functining with Sri Sai Baba as the central figure have great oppurtunities.
(BY RAO BAHADUR AROOT SWAMINATHA AYYAR. AVL)
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