By: Seetha ‘Priya’
Every one of us needs to reflect on life. Not just follow the crowd. How could we reflect constructively to lead a full life? Look at the process of evolution; humans evolved from animals. The frame and form were changed and the capacity to think was given. Basic instincts remain the same. He goes to pandits and maulvis and others who profess to live a religious life. He visits places of worship. He gets caught in rituals and the various dos and don’ts, many of which he may not understand. Look at the way the churning takes place. The religious animal looks at the social animal with a certain disdain – he feels superior. The social animal looks at the religious animal and thinks he has lost his marbles.
The social animal says, ‘I have achieved everything, made money, built houses, have a family’. The religious animal says something to the effect, ‘All that is fine, but you have not found God’. The beginnings of a clash can be seen.
The Twelveth Shloka of Vishnu Sahasranama is –
Vasurva Samanah Satyaha Samatva Asamhitah Samah
Amoghah Pundarikaksho Vrishakarma Veishakritihi
The Lord is Great (Vasuhu) and the great thoughts of Him are (Vasumanaha) are true (Satya). He is the same in all beings (Samatva) and in each being He remains unlimited (Asamahitaha) along with His Consort Lakshmi (Samaha) He is worthy of worship (Amogha). As the Lord seated in the lotus of the heart (Pundarikaksha) of the people with righteous action (Vrsishakarma) and whose form is Dharma (Vrishakritihi).
The religious animals have each donned different kinds of clothes that define their religion. And along with it came the feeling that ‘I am the best, I know it all’. The social animal had lived its full, the religious animal had lived its full and now the final touch had to be given to evolution. If a man has to be liberated now, he has to be liberated from religion. Religion is very different from spirituality. Spirituality comes from within. Religion is an external framework.
How to bring about that liberation? How to transform oneself? Vishnu Sahasranama is the answer. Better person is one who has no duality, no confusion, one who lives in harmony, balance, and peace. Live in your fullness. Live like yourself, in completeness.
Sai Baba was in terrific rage blurting – “Damned you all! So many years have passed! Still, you ponder whether I am a Hindu or a Muslim! Can you not see I stay in a mosque, read Koran, recite Namaz, yet burn a Dhuni, celebrate Rama Navami and Ramzan with equal zeal? Still, you want to know Who I am? What is there to guess? Hindus doubt I am a Muslim. Muslims doubt I am a Hindu. See with your own eyes – see who I am?” One by one He removed all his clothes and put them into the Dhuni! The flames threw a golden hue on Baba’s naked body!
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