By: Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Sai Maharaj introduced himself, saying: I am neither Hindu nor Muslim, neither Persian nor Jew. I am neither the East nor West, neither from land nor from water.
Sai Baba refused to be confined to any faith or shackles of time and space. Sai Maharaj’s entire exalted philosophy is not only the kernel of the Universal Brotherhood but also the essence of humanity. Sai Maharaj’s magnanimous philosophy is the template for ‘one world’ and a panacea to all conflicts and confrontations. The constant conflict of numerous dissenting views leads to bad blood and unrest in the world. Instead of challenging the ideas in a sane and civilized manner, we challenge the individuals.
We seem to have lost the sanity to accept others’ viewpoints and sanctity to defend their views if the need arises. What could be the solution to tackle the growing indifference among people, communities, religions, races, and nations? Sai Maharaj gave a unique philosophy to the world, which Sri Narasimha Swamiji defined as ‘mystic egalitarianism.’ As the very name suggests, this philosophy, propounded by Sai Maharaj, respects and accommodates all views and ideas without being judgmental.
Our problem is that we are all tendentious and prejudiced. We tend to form an opinion at the drop of a hat and start behaving accordingly to justify our opinion. We also tend to look at the perceived negative side of anything. Man’s mind has several options and possibilities. Because of this quality, we perceive truth in myriad ways. Sai Maharaj understood this theory in an all-encompassing fashion; therefore, he removed the word ‘insistence’ from his parlance. The universality and all-embracing nature of Sai Maharaj syncretism are immeasurable. Once we imbibe its spirit to the hilt, our outlook gets broadened, and our heart becomes so munificent that it accepts all. Accepting the Sai Baba’s way of life also teaches us to look at everything with compassion and positivism.
Today, there are so many religious sects, and all are fighting to prove that their respective sect
has the divine right to enter the kingdom of heaven. Sai Maharaj says, “Whether or not one goes to heaven or hell is doubtful, but the world can be turned into heaven by accepting that everyone’s right from his or her angle.” The moment we realize that the other person could also be right, all the differences disappear. Let there be no unanimity in thoughts and views, but there can be universal acceptance of everyone’s perception of truth. Lokmanya Bala Gangadhar Tilak unwittingly followed the tenets of Sai Maharaj and, therefore, did not harbor even an iota of ill-will against the Britishers.
Sai Maharaj is not only about accepting all ideas but also the assertion of every individual’s freedom of expression and worship.
Life’s so complex that it has the possibility for even your opponent to be right at times. Whether you are an atheist or a believer, you are welcome in its generous fold. Sai Maharaj aims to transform the entire humanity into an exalted and elevated species, bereft of bitterness and rancor. Mankind is like a mosaic, where every belief can fit in, thanks to it. In a nutshell, Sai Maharaj can save the world from degenerating into an abattoir of intolerance, hatred, and bloodshed. Sai Maharaj encapsulates collective empathy and universal bonhomie.
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