Datta Maata 203: Religions may be different but God is ONE (contd.)

Igirju masjīda sumandirēshu prayernamājārcana pankibhiryam, archanti gāyantica yadgunaughān, tamēka dēvam saranam vrajāmah, tamēka dēvam saranam vrajāmah.

Now, let us understand this beautiful hymn. It brings unity. I surrender to the one and only one God who is worshipped and praised by the Christians in Church with prayers, by Muslims in Mosque with namāz and by Hindus in Temples with archana. It is quite a natural practice for us to offer our worship to the limitless Lord who takes name and form; with limitless hymns. Conflicts arise because of unidentifying that non-perishable truth. Without realizing the fact that God is one and that his energy has taken several forms, it leads to many hindrances and also does not lead to spiritual progress. The same is said in Annamayya kīrthanas, "Brahmamokkate" (God is one). We also listen in bhajans - "Shiva is one". To progress spiritually, one must follow the doctrine of egalitarianism. The seekers must not listen to the cooked up stories of others. Others talk about some random experiences and try to influence. Some are selfish. In order to get their works done, they incite rage. If we succumb to such influence, it implies that we have slipped down. If we have fallen down in God's context, then it is extremely difficult for us to ascend. To stand tall in God's context means to develop a feeling that entire creation is his and that all are one. Entire Bhagavad Gita talks about such equality. In addition to that, it also described a quality for Yoga - "Samatvam Yōgamuchyate". To become good Yogis, to receive God's grace, we must develop the feeling of equality. Hence, it is said, "Samatvam Yogamuchyate". All these indicate that we surrender to the infinite Paramatma. At the every beginning, we have discussed about the worship done by Christians in Churches. While they pray, they also sing the glories of Lord. They call it as "Prayer". When we go to some churches, they see oneness in all deities. They themselves say that this deity resides in all other deities. Only few people are engaging themselves in wrong propaganda with their narrow minded attitude. It is wrong. We must not even listen to all that. We must say, "Tamēka dēvam saranam vrajāmah" (I surrender to the one and only one God). When we say Christian (Christ+ian), it sounds like Krishna. We can think so. Even Muslims also pray with such feeling of oneness. If you observe their songs, they are just like the songs of Hindustani (North Indian) music. Although, we are talking about several forms, we finally say "Tamēka dēvam saranam vrajāmah". In the temples of Hindus, God is praised as the one with innumerable names and forms. Hence we have Ashtottaram and Sahasranama. This hymn that relates about social behaviour is so nice. To progress spirituallly, we must see oneness everywhere.

Jaya Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!