The Purpose of Religion is to Regulate the Mind

“He, who is worshipped as Allah by the Muslims; 
Jehova by the Christians; 
The Lotus-eyed Visnu by the Vaisnavaites; 
Sambhu by the Saivaites and 
Who confers long life, health, wealth and prosperity on one and all; That Supreme Self is One and Only One.” 
(Telugu poem)

Embodiments of Sacred Atma!
Bharat is the country that conferred lasting peace and happiness on the entire world through its spiritual teachings, since aeons. It is the Hindu race that spread the noble and sacred ideal of "Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu" (May all the world be happy) to the entire world. Kings and Emperors, Rsis and Yogis and chaste mothers of this country have been nourishing and nurturing this noble ideal since ancient times. The practice of distorting the vedic injunctions, spreading wrong meanings and misinterpretation of the vedic mantras and Gods and establishing new religions and sects on the basis of some misconceived forms of the devatas in vedas has, however, started in the middle ages. The religious sects of Ganapatya, Sakteya, Virasaiva, Soura and Charvaka have all emerged in this way only. Different forms of worship have been established for their chosen deities under these sects. The forms of the idols and the practices to be adapted by the followers of these sects also varied. It must be remembered here that the various traditions and practices established at different times are meant for sustaining one’s character and not for being propagated as dogmas among the general public with a selfish motive. The underlying truth behind the various sects is, however, one and the same. This must be recognised. Different religions are established with the sole purpose of regulating the human mind and directing man towards Divinity. This type of broad-mindedness has however, declined, as time progressed. The essence, the goal, the crux and the objective of all Religions is purity of consciousness. However, such noble and sacred ideas have been relegated to the background and some narrow-minded people with selfish motive have started distorting and misinterpreting the great religions and spreading anarchy in the world. Yet some others are pointing an accusing finger at religion and caste, holding them responsible for the anarchy and conflicts in the society. 

Embodiments of Divine Atma! The religion and caste are not at all responsible for conflicts and anarchy in the society. It is the ego and jealousy of some selfish people that is responsible for this situation. It is they who play these dirty games of spreading anarchy and conflicts in society under the guise of religion. It is most essential to realise this truth. Today, an attempt is being made to destroy religion and caste under the misconception that they are responsible for all the ills and anarchy in the society. Instead, what we have to do today is to destroy the feeling of hatred and intolerance on the basis of religion and caste, but not religion and caste per se. “There is only one religion - the religion of love and there is only one caste, the caste of humanity.” Hence, there is no necessity what-so-ever for proselytization. One should not at all give scope for such evil thoughts. Whatever may be your religion and race, it is very essential to realise the truth that the essence of all religions is one and the same. 

Since ancient times, for millennia the Sanatana dharma (The eternal religion) is being nourished and nurtured in the country of Bharat. Unfortunately, over a period of time the principle of unity expounded by this Sanatana Dharma has yielded place to duality and multiplicity in the Hindu Philosophical thought. With the result, two sects namely Vaisnavaites and Saivaites and further subsects emerged. When you see that even in religions of recent origin like Islam and Christianity sects and sub-sects were formed, it is no wonder that in an ancient faith like the Sanatana dharma, several sects and sub-sects have emerged. There are two sects in Islam, namely Sias and Sunnies. Similarly, there are two broad sects in Christianity namely Catholics and Protestants, with innumerable denominations. Simply because there are some sects and sub-sects in a religion, One cannot deny God’s existence itself. One cannot deny Isvara, Allah, Christ or some other religious God. People of different religions worship God by different names, but God is one. For example, the Muslims refer to God as Allah. They use the word 'Namaj' for 'Prarthana (Prayer). The 'Pandits' in the Hindu religion are called 'Khajis' in Islam. The 'Sastras' are referred to as 'Ullah'. While the Vedas are the basis for Hindu religion, the Quran is the basis for Islam. Thus, the names are different; yet the underlying meaning and the undercurrent of love are one in all the religions. One has to recognise this truth. The Prophets of different religions in the world have realised this truth and spread the gospel of unity among world religions. Through such unity, they tried to uplift humanity to the level of Divinity. 

Sri Adi Shankaracharya was one such great exponent of the Principle of Unity-Purity-Divinity. He propounded the great Advaita Philosophy (Non-dualism). He was the darling son of Shivaguru and Aryamba, a pious brahmana couple in the state of Kerala in South India. He mastered the Vedas, Sastras and Puranas even at a very early age. He laid stress on the path of Jnana (wisdom) and propounded the truth 'Advaita darsanam jnanam' (Real wisdom lies in visualising non-duality) and propagated this Advaita philosophy throughout the length and breadth of the country. He explained that the Atma tattva in all is one and the same and that due to the differences in the Upadhis (vestures) donned by different people, God is visualised in different names and forms by different people. He established the truth that the all-pervading Paramatma (Supreme soul) is only one, on the basis of the Vedic Aphorisms 'Ekoham bahusyam' (The one God manifesting as many), 'Isvarah sarva bhutanam' (The one lord present in all the living beings) and 'Isavasyamidam sarvam (The entire universe is permeated by the one Lord). 

Considering the common man’s inability to comprehend such great truth of Advaita darsana and attain such ennobling heights of spirituality, Sri Ramanujacharya propounded the same truth in a unique way, namely Visista advaita (qualified Non-dualism). He was the beloved child of Kanthimathi and Kesavasuri. He laid stress on Bhakti (devotion) as the path to attain Divinity. He explained that it is impossible to attain Divinity without devotion and that God is Sevya (The One who is served) and all human beings are Sevakas (servants of God). Based on such a premise, he propounded the Visista advaita philosophy (qualified non-dualism). According to him, God is the source, sustenance and goal of a human being and He shall be reached only through the path of devotion. However, the Jivatma (individual soul) got separated from its source, Paramatma (The Supreme Soul) during its cycle of birth and death and it has to journey to its source one again. He thus compared the individual soul to a river and Paramatma to the sea. Just as the river flows into the sea and merges in it, so also the river called the individual soul shall ultimately merge into the sea of Paramatma, journeying through the path of devotion. 

If an in-depth analysis is made into the Visista advaita school of philosophy, it can be concluded that it is also a form of advaita. Taking the same example of the river flowing towards the sea and finally merging in it totally loosing its identity, the question arises from where did the flow come? It came from the drops of rain. Again, from where did the drops of rain come? From the clouds. The next logical question would be from where did the clouds emerge? From the sea, since the water in the sea evaporates due to the sunlight and forms into a cloud. Thus, when we analyse, it becomes clear that the water from the sea flows back into the sea and merges in it. This phenomenon conveys a special or unique meaning. That is why this school of thought was named Visista advaita. If one wishes to reach his source of sea namely Paramatma, the current of love alone can take him to the source. 

Such a sacred love towards God has been referred to as Bhakti (devotion). And, that love shall be pure, steady and self-less. Bhakti has been further explained as that which does not desire anything, except God. The love for God does not hanker after worldly objects. It does not crave for worldly happiness, comforts and conveniences. Just as one looks into the mirror and feels happy at his own reflection therein, similarly one visualises one’s own self in the mirror of God and feels happy. This phenomenon has been referred to as Bhakti. Thus, Sri Ramanujacharya has given priority to Bhakti and propagated the cult of Bhakti far and wide. 

Sri Madwacharya on the other hand, felt that man cannot realise his innate divinity simply by following the path of Bhakti (devotion) and Jnana (wisdom). He therefore, established the Dvaita school of philosophy. His parents were Vedavathi and Madhyageha. He opined that man by totally loosing his individual self becomes a non-entity and therefore can never experience Divinity. Hence, he theorised that man shall always remain as Jiva and Paramatma as Paramatma. It is only when man remains as Jiva, that it would be possible to experience the nectarine love of God. Based upon this theory, he established and propagated the Dvaita school of philosophy. The example given in support of this Dvaita philosophy is that it is not possible for sugar to realise its own sweetness. God is compared here to sugar and the individual Jiva to an ant. If an individual Jiva (ant) is to taste the sweetness of sugar (Paramatma in this context), he shall remain only as Jiva. This is the essence of the Dvaita philosophy (Dualism) propagated by Sri Madhwacharya. 

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh Religion was born to the parents Thripthadevi and Srikaala. He propagated the concept of Bhakti and Prapatti (Devotion and surrender) as the means for God realisation. He also advocated defending one’s devotion with courage and valor. One of the important principles of Sikhism propounded by Guru Nanak was that one should not covet others’ property. He believed that courage and valor are essential for defending one’s devotion to God.

Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha, the son of King Suddhodana and Queen Mayadevi. He decried the wastage of manpower through the misuse of the God - given senses. He advocated the proper utilisation of the mind and intellect for realisation of the Truth and thereby score a victory over sorrow. By a proper inquiry, one should realise the purpose and meaning of human life. One should realise that sorrows and difficulties are the outcome of one’s illusion and come out of them by making a proper inquiry. The three cardinal principles of Buddhism are (i) Buddham Saranam Gachchami (I seek refuge in Buddhi the discriminatory intellect), (ii) Dharmam Saranam Gachchami (I seek refuge in Dharma) and (iii) Sangham Saranam Gachchami (I seek refuge in society). Gautama Buddha did not utter the words ‘God’ and devotion anywhere; nevertheless he advocated the path of Dharma (Damma in Buddhist parlance, meaning a moral code of conduct) and the qualities of love and compassion to be cultivated by a human being. 

Vardhamana Mahaveera was a great exponent of Jainism. He too spread the cult of Bhakti and Prapatti (Devotion and Surrender) as the means to attain Kaivalya (liberation). He stressed the point that performance of one’s own duty is one’s goal. The most important contribution of Jainism to the Indian Philosophical thought was the principle of Ahimsa (Non-violence) carried to the extreme end of desisting from causing hurt to any form of life in God’s creation. Mahaveera exhorted that since the entire universe is God’s creation and God is immanent in every living being, nothing in the Universe shall be misused or no living being shall be hurt or injured.

Zoroastrianism, also called as the Parsee religion and Persian religion, was one of the early religions in the world. Zoroaster or Zarathustra was the founder of this religion. This religion exhorts that the evil thoughts and desires that arise in our mind must be burnt in the fire of wisdom continuously and that the light of wisdom shall always shine brilliantly in our heart and our heart must be made the sacred altar where the fire of wisdom must be installed. The Zoroastrian religion believes that every object, individual and even an atom in the universe will be reduced to ashes in that fire, one day or other. The fire destroys every object in the universe and the ash is the ultimate form. Even if it is put in fire, it will remain only as ash. The underlying meaning of this example is that the fire of wisdom reduces the worldly desires into ashes. This is the essence of Zoroastrianism propagated by Zoroaster.

The sum and substance of all the above analysis is that all the religions in the world stress on two important factors, namely Jnana (wisdom) and Bhakti (Devotion) as essential means for god-realisation. Each one of these religions is named after its prophet. The Sai religion, however, is the essence of all religions and that has to be developed and propagated. The essence, the inner meaning and the goal of all the religions in the world is only one. No religion in the world teaches hatred, conflict and wickedness.

“All religions teach good things only. Realising this truth, 
one should conduct himself carefully with proper understanding. 
If one develops a discriminatory intellect, which religion is bad? Oh! The brave son of Bharat! hear!” 
(Telugu poem)

It is thus clear that the Mati or Buddhi (intellect) is the source of all religions. 

For the last eight days, we are making efforts to understand the nature of the mind, which is the prime mover for all the activities undertaken by man. The family and the duties ordained on the householder constitute the foundation for all service activities and observance of traditions and practices. It is only when there is harmony in our family, we will be able to mend another family. It is, therefore, necessary that we must strive to establish a peaceful and harmonious family in our own house. The members of the family must try to understand each other and recognise the sacred relationship between one another. When we are able to achieve peace and harmony in the family, it amounts to the revival of the ancient Vedic dharma and the principle of Unity that is Divinity. We will be able to re-establish the ancient culture of Bharat that has been extolled for aeons and generations by millions of voices all over the world.

Embodiments of Divine Atma! I wish that all of you should recognise the principle of unity, purity and divinity in all the religions in the world and live like brothers and sisters, irrespective of your religion and race and spread the gospel of “Brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God,” to the entire world. It is most essential that we must strive to put into practice the great principles of sacrifice, love for the country and the spiritual outlook which are firmly established in the hearts of Bharatiyas since ancient times. Faith in one’s own religion and religious practices and pure, selfless love are very essential for a human being. Selfishness, ego and malice are the worst enemies to a human being. One has to drive out these enemies and give place in his heart to the noble qualities of constant contemplation on God and pure, selfless love. This is the hallmark of a true devotee. Perversions, fear and illusion are not the qualities of a true human being. They are external. There is no place for such qualities in the human nature. One who adheres to truth and right conduct need not fear anything in the world.

Embodiments of Divine Atma! The human beings have to develop a steady mind and unwavering vision. This is of utmost priority. One must stand like a rock in the matter of faith in God, which can only be attained by a steady mind. We may face any number of obstacles and hurdles in our path, but we must achieve our goal unmindful of those obstacles. We should never deviate from our goal.

“You resolved to achieve something, 
Do not give up until you achieve what you wanted to; 
You desired something, 
Do not give up until your desire is fulfilled; 
you asked for something, 
Do not give up until you get what you asked for; 
you thought of something, 
Do not leave till your thought is realised; 
Unable to bear your persistent pressure 
He Himself should grant your prayer or 
You yourself should ask, losing your body consciousness; 
Leaving it mid-way and getting back 
Is unbecoming of a devotee’s resolve.” 
(Telugu poem)

We must develop such a steadfast mind today. Our mind has to be trained to cultivate good thoughts and good tendencies. I had already explained to you that the mind has no form of its own. The mind assumes a particular form, depending upon the thoughts and feelings one entertained at a given time. Hence, one should never give scope for bad thoughts and feelings to enter his mind. Even if they enter, he should try to remove them from his mind and cultivate good thoughts and feelings, as far as possible. Once you realise the truth that people of different faiths are only part of the same Paramatma, there will be no scope at all for differentiation on the basis of religion, caste, race, etc., or for jealousy and hatred.

Those of you who are attending these discourses for the past eight days must be prepared to proclaim in unequivocal terms that the essence of all religions is Sai religion, when someone enquires you in this regard. I conclude my discourse with the fond hope and blessings that all of you shall acquire such courage, confidence and enthusiasm.