Universality of Love
As children, we were taught that God is one. All the roads lead to a common goal "liberation" and different Nationalities and religious practices call Him with different names. We are aware of this fact, and yet when there is a debate about religion and belief we lose our temper, peace of mind and argue till we go hoarse only to prove our method of worship and religion is superior to others point of view. We lack tolerance and are egotistical. This attitude is the main root cause for fights, killings and genocide. Do we really understand God, or is it only an act put up to show people we are part of a herd who fear God and are one among the many who get dispelled by uncertainties hence drag God into our conversation and use HIS name in passing? God does have a caste, religion and nationality, shocking isn't it? God's religion is LOVE, HIS caste is HUMANITY, and His nationality is UNIVERSE.
Shirdi Sai BABA the, Sadguru during his time knew that amongst the people of the various races, who visited him something like hereditary antipathy subsisted particularly between two major races, Hindus and Muslims and this very often burst out in riots, murders arson loot and it seems that if he had elected to adopt some of the both their ways of life and religion. His object was to draw to him people of both these races to provide for them a common ground for meeting and worship so that all misunderstandings would vanish and their attention would be drawn and fixed on the one universal feature of devotion, common to both religions, that differences between them in the forms and formalities of the religions, of both would not be made much of, would be tolerated with a liberal mind on both sides, that strife and feuds would give place to unity and friendly feelings and relations. Hence Rama Navami and Urs was formed to dispel the ill feelings and sink their differences of non-essentials, methods of worship and meet as friends or brothers - sons.
The difference in the forms of worship of the same god between Hindus and Muslims coupled with ignorance of his real nature and want of toleration is the root cause of all their dissensions and disputes (Saibaba the Superman - Shri Sai Sharan Anand). BABA worked relentlessly to narrow the differences prevailing among people of different classes and practices. That is the reason why He let Hindu practices be observed in the Masjid, and allowed Muslims to recite Quaran in Masjid. Let us, as the followers of BABA, practice HIS divine teachings and spread the love to the world. Let us never indulge in talks pertaining to religion, caste or nationality. We are humans and humanitarianism is our religion, let us help, serve one another, and set an example for others to follow. Let us start this lesson at our home and teach our children the value of human life and the purpose of this birth - to serve with love. Our purpose is to help people, and show compassion. A Compassionate person is richer than a billionaire. WE are endowed with richness of this compassion in our Sai family, let us pray for others and help those in need. Riches perish in a wink and as we use it, but the qualities of love, compassion and service - the more we use them, the richer we get.
May BABA guide us in this true path of love, humanitarianism and spread it all over the universe. Love is contagious, Love is addictive, and a compassionate person is never a loner. A compassionate and loving person views the whole universe pervaded by his relations. Service to these relations is service to our lord SAINATH, for HE said "He, who sees Me in all these creatures is My beloved. So abandon the sense of duality and distinction"(Sai Satcharitha).
Saibandu
Anitha Kandukuri,
Canberra, Australia
