Personality development through Gita –I

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Mera Bharat Mahan! India is a land of culture and traditions. There

is a unity in diversity and diversity in unity. You take people of

different states to the same river and ask them what it is – Pat

comes reply in various tones `Neeru', `Jal', `Tanneer', `Pani' etc.

But they are all referring to the one and same water. The same way

you ask different people of different religions – who is God? Allah,

Jesus, Ram, Krishna etc. They strongly proclaim that their religion

is the best and their God is the best

 

In France, Political rivalry between Roman Catholics and French

Protestants (known as Huguenots) led to the Massacre of St

Bartholomew's Day in 1572.

 

Later in 17th century Mughal Empire in India disintegrated through

internecine warfare and religious persecution.

 

In Germany, the religious wars of the 16th century and the Thirty

Years' War in

the 17th century were bitter and devastating.

 

Crusade - the long religious war between Christians and Muslims took

place during 12th and 14th centuries.

 

I am totally baffled to see 4000+ items searched by google search

engine for the search word religious wars. I always wonder why

people hate each other in the name of religion. Obviously every one

loves one's own religion. In one's religious fervour or chauvinism

one hates the other religions.

 

The earthenware pots of diffent shapes are all made of clay. The

material or ingredient is same. Only because shapes are different

they are given different names. Is it not silly and foolish to fight

for these names when the object is just the same? We are all humans

first and then Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Zoroastrians etc.,

 

Rig Veda pronounces, "Ekam sat Vibudah Bahuda Vadanti" Truth is only

one but wise men refer to it with various names.

 

ye yatha mam prapadyante

tams tathaiva bhajamy aham

mama vartmanuvartante

manusyah partha sarvasah Bhagvadgita 4-11

Synonyms

ye--all who; yatha--as; mam--unto Me; prapadyante--surrender; tan--

them; tatha--so; eva--certainly; bhajami--reward; aham--I; mama--My;

vartma--path; anuvartante--follow; manusyah--all men; partha--O son

of Prtha; sarvasah--in all respects.

Translation

As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone

follows My path in all respects, O son of Partha.

 

Whatsoever the way people worship me, I oblige them in the same way

they worship me. People tread my path from different ways.

 

This sloka clearly identifies that God is one. But as per the

beliefs and practices of the people He is given different names. One

may address him as Jehovah, One may pray Him as Allah and another

may perceive Krishna in Him. Though the ways and practices are

different, ultimately all paths lead to the Eternal Brahman. Sat

Chit Anand Roopam. Chidanada Rupa! Sivoham!! Sivoham!

 

One says Vishnu is great and another says Siva is great. Still some

say Nirguna Puja is only way to salvation. But according to the

above sloka beauty lies in eyes of the beholder. Srusti depends on

Drusti ! If you Say Acharya Devo Bhava, God is very much present in

your Guru. Automatically the knowledge transcends from Guru to you.

If you imagine your favourite God in a mere stone, yes! He is right

there to take care of your needs. If you remove the unwanted

material from the stone, Idol of your choice is right there.

Fantastic! Isn't it? After all God is omnipresent!

 

That is why Mahatma always used to chant -

"Raghupati Raaghava Raajaa Raam

Patiita Paavana Sita Ram,

Ishwara Allah tere naam,

saba ko sanmati te Bhagavan" . For him God is only one. Ekam Sat!

So why hate each other in the name of religion. All religions

ultimately teach humanity and kindness to all beings. A person who

understands the essence of religion sees God in every living being

and a showers love on them and treats them with kindness

(Avyaja Karuna). We have to develop religious tolerance. World is a

small village.

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya – Om Namo Bhagavate Yesudevaya.

 

M Rajya Sri

Editor,

www.telugubhakti.com

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Note: This compilation is an emotional outcome of electrifying

inspiration derived from the works of Swami Vivekananda and Gita

Makarandam. This is meant for personality development. Memorizing

the above Sloka along with meaning and understanding the essence and

implementing it in daily life is highly recommended (especially

children). I stand corrected for any misinterpretation of the

subject. Your valuable suggestions and comments are highly

appreciated – Madduri Rajya Sri