Sri Sai Baba - A Symbol of Unity

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SRI SAI BABA – A SYMBOL OF UNITY

 

(BY RAO BAHADUR AROOT SWAMINATHA AYYAR. AVL)

 

We have in the world several religions and philosophies to which masses of

men give their allegiance, oftentimes with an exclusiveness and fervour

that their particular religions alone are the eternal word of God and that

all others impostures,- in other words, that a particular mode of approach

to God is the only true one. To this exclusiveness, even ther wise men of

the nations have often lent themselves out of intellectual egoism or

spiritual pride. On this account religion is being attakced as a factor in

keeping peoples apart and creating divisions among them. The fact is that

the aim of all religions is the same, namely, the practical realisation of

the Truth, Divine, through experience. To the forgetfulness of this

fundamental concept and to the narrowness of the followers of particular

faiths, the divisions and differences on the score of religion can be

traced. India,”the very home of religion” can show by her example how

religion might be made affairs. Here we have the concept of brotherhod in

practice. If we think deeply, we will percieve that no matter to which

religion we may owe allegiance, we see the Fatherhood of God. This

perception will lead us to work towards the brotherhood of man. Let me

give an ordinary example, Does not the cooperation Movement, with which we

are all familiar active systems for which all members of whatever religion

or creed are remain you partners in practice? If brotherhood means sympathy

with a fellow begins, our neighbbours, we have in the Co-operation Movement

of germs of brotherhood, in other words, a sense of unity to chieve a

common aim. It follows that a number of people living in a country as

neighbours(to whatever religion they may belong) have a common tie of

interest, toil, or suffering. This is forcebly illustrated by the rationing

of foodstuffs and other necessaries to ahich we are getting accustomed.

But the idea of brotherhood may be seroiusly marred if in our business

transactions and in our schemes and plans, we fail to look at things except

from our own standpoint. Unfortunately we allow ourselves to look so big in

our own horizon that we shut out practically all possobilibilty of seeing

other peoples’ horizon.

 

The dream, the hope of an enduring civilisation, has been inspired from

time to time, by the lives of the grat sains, of the great lovers of

humanity. Prophets have pointed to it. Poets have sung of it and martyrs

have died for it. The latest and most outstanding example of ceaseless

effort at unity is that os Sri Sai Baba. Born of Hindu parents, brought up

by Muslim, foster-parents aand emerging neither as a Hindu nor a Muslim,

but as one owing alleginace to both- Sri Sai Baba by his life and work

appears to followers of all religions, all creeds, receonciling all. And in

this the great Saint of Shirdi ahs laid the coping stone to the spirit of

‘give and take’, ‘live and let live’, has to be acquired by mutual

understanding and appreciation. The corporate life of India should not

be viewed as an isolated entity in the realm of human culture. The study

of the cultural synthesis wrought by the Hindus and Muslims alike, in the

course of Indian history, a ffords valuable lessons to us and to all and

shows that t here jhas been no break in the unity of India’s cultural

life. Both Hindus and Muslims will have to stand of fall together in

their great endeavour of shaping the future destiny of the varied

expressions of Religion which is one and variations exist so that each may

choose the patth that suits him best. If proof were wanted, we have to

seek it in the life and work of Sri Sai Baba. May His inspiration guide us

aright and promote in us the spirit of tolerance, brotherliness and mutual

goodwill. In this worthy endeavour, the Sai Samaj and similar organisations

which are now functining with Sri Sai Baba as the central figure have

great oppurtunities.

 

(Source Sai Sudha April 1944)