Friday 3 April 2015

ALL IN ONE GOD!

My Biji (grandmother-my father's mother) was a Sikh woman. Her father served as an army officer. He fought in World Wars and was bestowed with laurels by the British Government for his commitment, integrity and bravery. Biji's father was a devout Sikh and he never missed doing his Path during Amrita Vela (daily prayers during early morning hours). Naturally, Biji learnt many things about Sikhism from her father. Prior to the Partition Of India, marriages among Sikhs and Hindus were not considered strange. So, my grandfather being a devout Hindu Brahmin married my Biji. If I have to trace back the family line of Biji then I must admit that her forefathers were devout Hindus and were Bhardwaj Brahmins. It was Biji's father who converted to Sikhism because of his inclination towards the religion from childhood itself. After her marriage to my grandfather, Biji willingly embraced the cultural practices of my grandfather's family. Biji passed on the values which she learnt from her religion to her children assuring that her children learn well about the values of their father's religion. Thus, my father and his brothers were brought up in an atmosphere where Hinduism and Sikhism existed together under one roof. In short time my father realized that the basic agenda of both religions was the same - being good at heart. I did my schooling from a Convent school in Chandigarh. Our school Principal owns a Church in Chandigarh. The basic Values taught to children in our school were both Catholic and Protestant Values. Thus, by God's grace I learnt not only about Sikhism and Hinduism but Christianity as well. As I grew up I came in contact with devout Muslims who gave me an opportunity to learn about Islam. I have been to Ajmer Sharif Shrine and when I went there I felt as if I was in heaven. The place had very calm and soothing ambiance. That was the time when deep from my heart I realized that 'God truly is One' but human beings have created walls of doubts and conflicts. I had a friend who was a Parsi and this girl taught me so much about Zoroastrianism. Then, I came in contact with Jains who were children of my father's colleague. From them I learnt a lot about Jainism and the manner in which they follow their religion. Further when I took up Sociology in my course studies I got to learn about many more religions.

                        "GOD IS ONE BUT PATHS ARE MANY"



    From here I would like to trace back the memory lane to find out the exact time when I was introduced to the Values of various religions. Bhagvan Sri Sathya Sai launched Bal Vikas Programme in 1969 with the aim of imparting Education In Human Values to Children. With the efforts of devout follower of Bhagvan, Smt. Indulal Shah the Bal Vikas Programme reached every nook and corner of the country being an essential part of the households of all those devotees who were willing to conduct the Bal Vikas Classes at their place. My father's sister Madhu (Kitty) was the first one in our family to become a Bal Vikas Teacher in 1980's. After she got one with God her place was taken by my Badi Maa (Tayiji-my father's sister-in-law). After my Badi Maa left for Canada my Maa followed her footsteps but due to unavoidable family concerns she couldn't continue long with it. When we were kids my mother would take Bal Vikas Classes and we did have an opportunity to learn about religions but is said that 'Example is better than precept'. So, my actual contact with the followers of various religions turned out to be more fruitful for me rather than mere rote learning during Bal Vikas Classes.
    It is true that I learnt lot from Bal Vikas Classes but I felt void within my heart because I had actually not experienced the reality - the realization of the oneness of all religions. That was because I had not come in contact with the people from various religions. Once I got what I desired I realized 'The Others' are not actually 'Others' for they have the same blood running through their veins, they also feel hungry and thirsty like I do at times, they also need cool shade when they feel hot, they also need warmth when they feel cold. It was in 2005, when I started feeling that I must not follow any religion. But then, one day I saw Bhagvan Sri Sathya Sai in a vision and he told me about the importance of religion and how important it is for a human being to follow his or her religion in a righteous manner. It was then that I realized that much more than an institution or an identity 'Our Religion is Our Strength' for 'Our God is Our Strength'.
                         
   "NO MATTER WHAT FORM YOU WORSHIP ...
                              YOUR GOD IS YOUR STRENGTH"
 
   The moment I realized the importance of religion I was pondering over the importance of following one form of God. I had so many Gods in front of me but I was not able to make out who would satisfy my needs the most. I wanted 'ALL IN ONE GOD' someone who could be my father, mother, friend, my eternal companion, my true soul-mate and my beloved. There were so many Gods from different religions but I couldn't idolize them as "ALL IN ONE GOD". True to my heart those Gods appeared strict disciplinarians to me. I couldn't think of being frank with them and speaking my heart to them. I decided that I would respect them throughout my life and would surely greet them by bowing down my head in reverence for them but I realized that I couldn't focus on them. Then I came across Gods of my own religion Hinduism- Kali, Durga, Lakshmi, Shiva, Brahma,Vishnu, Ganesha, Hanuman and so on. I realized that these Gods were also good but none of them could satisfy me as 'ALL IN ONE GOD'. By the grace of my Guru I saw a saint who confided to me with a beaming smile, "Lord Krishna is the source of all Gods. He is invincible and ever victorious Lord. A devotee can worship the Lord in the manner which appeals to him or her. Krishna can be a child to the old parents or a barren woman. Krishna is also ready to play the role of father and mother. That was how Krishna got married son of Saint Narsinh Mehta. Who can forget the pompous manner in which son of a poor man was married off! Krishna is eternal friend and companion. How he saved Draupadi from disgrace! How he saved Arjuna from Karna!" I was really not satisfied with the explanation of the saint so I asked him, "Babaji... Can we have Krishna as ALL IN ONE GOD? Can he play the role of all the relations in dealing with me? Can Krishna become my true soul-mate and my beloved? Can he give me that much love?" To my surprise the saint didn't get angry at me and he just smiled and said, "Don't you realize anything? Don't you receive his love in the form of love of your parents and your friends? Don't you receive his help at times when there is no one by your side? God loves everyone and he helps everyone but people don't realize it. You doubt if Krishna would be able to give you unbound love but he is already giving you that love. Now, ask yourself how much Love you are going to give him." I was baffled hearing the reply of the saint so I asked, "Babaji...Will Krishna accept me as his friend?" The saint replied, "It depends if you agree to give that space to Lord." I just smiled and tried touching his feet but he didn't allow me to do so and said in a commanding tone, "You are like a daughter to me. Don't touch my feet." I was really touched by the humility of Babaji. But then I wished to know how could I attain Krishna so I thought of asking the saint one final question. "How can I attain the proximity of Lord Krishna? What do I need to do? Where do I need to go to find him? How much penance do I need to do?" I asked the saint looking at him with fixed gaze. He smiled and said, "You need to give him your love. It is love which he desires from his devotees. You don't need to search him for he is always with you but you need to awaken your consciousness.The more your love for him will grow the more you will be able to see him." After I left the saint in solitude I quizzed myself with various questions like- Can Krishna truly be an ALL IN ONE GOD? Was that all true?

ALL IN ONE GOD-Lord Sri Krishna showing Virat Swaroop to Sri Arjuna


I did take time to realize this truth that yes all the individuals on this planet are made for a Guide in their life and that Guide is none other than God but then individuals also have different impressions and different notions thus they have variations in their need patterns. Individuals have common consciousness among them which proves that they are all children of God but due to their needs and impressions they need different guides. It is like a Scholar finding an appropriate Research guide for himself or herself - that Research Guide who could give fulfillment to your Research. Some might prefer Allah as a guide, some would go for Buddha or Jesus, some would prefer Guru Nanak Dev Ji and so on.
    I wanted Lord Krishna as the Guide of my life. It is very true that people might find their 'ALL IN ONE GOD' in other Gods for that would depend on their definitions about Perfect Form Of God. Even though I believe in Bhagvan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - whom his devotees regard as an Avatar, I have opted Krishna's form as the guide and companion of my life. It is not that I doubt Bhagvan Baba but it is just that the form of Lord Krishna justifies my definition of that 'ALL IN ONE GOD'. Lord Krishna is truly my father, mother, friend, my eternal companion, my true soul-mate and my true beloved. I have a ready answer for people who doubt my belief- "LOVE HAS TO BE EXPERIENCED-YOU CAN'T STATE IT." Loving Krishna is such an inexplicable state that even words are not sufficient to explain that Love.
  


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