REMEMBRANCE OF HOLY NAME IS THE CURE

In order to achieve salvation, a devotee needs to have firm faith in his Spiritual Master. Only the true Master shows the path of salvation to his disciples and it is essential to put his words into action in one's life. In the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna, “He who remembers Me with his last breath comes to Me.”

Now people wonder how this is possible. You know that you are graded in an exam according to the answers you give after studying for the whole year, but you will be able to give the correct answers only if you have studied throughout the year. Students may take books into the exam so that they can cheat. Teachers have wondered how they could prevent this and finally they agreed that students can take books into the exam room. I was talking to some teachers and told them that if they permit students to take books into the exam then they will freely copy. They said, “Maharaj Ji, you are right, but students will be able to copy only if they have studied well, otherwise they will not know what to copy!” That is why it is said that one needs to be clever even to cheat!

Now, we should understand that we remember at the time of death what we do throughout our life. People hide cash to meet their expenses during bad times. If they forget where it is, then they will not be benefited from that hidden money. So they will remember every day where they have buried it and they will be remembering this same thing at their time of death. Saints said that we are reborn in a body to fulfill what we remembered at our time of death in previous birth. If we remember Holy Name and meditate regularly every day, then we will be able to remember this Name at the time of death. What will happen if you do this? You will get salvation and go to the highest abode of God. So Guru Nanak Ji said very authoritatively, “Ap jape auron ko japawe, Nanak nishchay mukti pawe.”

He says that those who remember God themselves and inspire others also to meditate and remember Holy Name, definitely get salvation. We shall have such inner inspiration only if we have positive thinking. If we nurture negative thoughts we cannot achieve such a state of positive thinking. Guru Nanak Ji wrote in the Guru Granth Sahib, “ Nam Jap, nam jap, Kalu ayo, Kalu ayo” . “It is Kaliyuga, so remember Holy Name.”

St. Tulsidas Ji wrote in the Shri Ramcharitmanasa , “ Nahin Kali Karma na bhagati viveku, Ram Nam abalamban eku .” In Kaliyuga (the present Age) the Holy Name is the only support as neither true action nor devotion is possible. There is a devotional song which says “ Tera sat chit anand roop, koi koi jane re.” Only a very rare person knows God as Truth, Consciousness and Bliss.

So the point is to ‘know'. Otherwise, all of us believe and say that God is omnipresent. We repeat what we read in scriptures. St. Tulsidas glorified the Name and said, “ Nam prabhav jani ganrau, pratham poojiyat Nam prabhau.”

He wrote that Lord Ganesh knew the glory of the Name and thus is worshipped before any other god.

St. Tulsidas further wrote, “Sumari pawantsut pawan namu, apne wash kari rakheu ramu.” Hanuman remembered the Name and so captivated even Lord Rama. So it is essential to remember Holy Name constantly once you receive the Knowledge, because this is the only way to be freed from all sorrow.

Who would have thought a few years ago that the telephone could become mobile, that the phone would ring in your pocket and you could talk to the caller from wherever you are. It means that the mobile phone has become in a way omnipresent. Similarly God is omnipresent. Lord Shiva said, “Hari vyapak sarvatra samana. Prem se pragat hot mai jana. ”

“God is omnipresent but is manifested through Love”. Today, anyone anywhere can have a mobile phone. There are phone towers from place to place. Your mobile phone first hooks up to the waves from a particular tower then is able to establish contact with anyone in the world. Similarly, when the meditator gets hooked up to the Holy Name, he experiences that God is omnipresent. Spiritual Knowledge is like a mobile phone. You can dial the Name from anywhere and talk to omnipresent God. For that you don't need to sit in any particular place. This is the glory of that Knowledge.

Sometimes it happens that someone has served for a long time and then begins to feel proud that he has served a lot and that he is a very old devotee. There is a story that the five Pandavas wanted to hold an elaborate sacrifice called ‘ Rajsooya Yagya '. Lord Krishna appointed their cousin Duryodhana as treasurer. The Pandavas objected to this and said, “Lord, he will empty the treasury.” Lord Krishna said, “Don't worry, if he spends a lot, then it's your name that will be glorified. You are spending lavishly to hold this yagya, but you are doing it with love. Let Duryodhana distribute it, for he has such lines in his palm that indicate that twice what he spends will come back to him.” This satisfied the Pandavas and Duryodhana got the job of cashier. He spent lavishly and the Pandavas' name was glorified. Think a little about the service Lord Krishna chose during the Rajsooya Yagya. He was the one who picked up the dirty dishes after the feast was over. He did not do higher profile service such as receiving the important guests. But in so doing he showed his greatness. Service is never great or small. Whatever we do in service is great.

The Pandavas fed everyone during this Rajsooya Yagya but because the bell indicating success did not ring, it meant someone was yet to be fed. After a lot of searching they discovered a saint in the forest who had not attended the yagya. The Pandavas begged him to come and he accepted the invitation on the condition that he would get the rewards of thousands of such yagyas. The Pandavas were puzzled and asked themselves, “We have not been able to complete even one Rajsooya Yagya, so how can we give him the rewards of thousands?” But Draupadi understood. She walked barefoot to that saint to humbly invite him. She said, “Maharaj, saints said that ‘ Sant milan ko chaliye, taj maya abhiman. Jyon jyon pag age dhare, kotin yagya saman'. ( If one goes to meet a saint, putting aside his illusory pride and ego, then each step he takes accrues the rewards of millions of yagyas). So by coming to meet you I have earned the rewards of millions of these yagyas. Please take as much merit as you like and return the rest to me.”

The saint then accepted the invitation. Service in the Court of the Master is such that even the poorest person, not only the rich, can do it. However the feeling of service should be pious and true.

Once an old woman dropped her needle on the floor of her cottage, but she could not see as the wind had blown out the flame of her candle. So she went outside and started searching for the needle under the street lights. A passerby asked her what she was looking for. She replied that her needle had been lost. The passerby then asked where it had been lost. She said that she had lost it in her cottage but, since it was dark inside she was searching for it outside. But of course you have to search where the thing has been lost. You should search for peace where it is. You should eradicate problems where they start. Since the agitation is within, you should search for peace within. So a saint has said, “ Apun ko aphi men payo. Sabda hi sabda bhayo ujiyaro, Sadguru
bhed batayo .”
(I found myself within myself. From the Holy Name all became Light. The Spiritual Master revealed the mystery to me). But this is possible only if we do what the Master says.

This Knowledge needs to spread all over the world. When the sun rises and shines brightly, the chlorophyll in green leaves converts carbon dioxide into oxygen. In the presence of sunlight even stale air becomes pure. Similarly, the Light of Knowledge eradicates the darkness of ignorance. So kindle the Light within. It is written in our scriptures, “Tamso ma jyotirgamay, asatoma sadgamay, mrityorma amritam gamay.” “Lead me from darkness to light, from untruth to Truth. Take me from death to immortality and let me achieve salvation.”

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IS RELIGION ANATHEMA TO PROGRESS?

Religion is a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people, often codified prayer, ritual and religious law. Religion also includes ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience (Wikipedia).

In a modern world religion is regarded as an abstract phenomenon which has hampered progress and development. Although religion is regarded as anathema to progress, it can be used as an instrument for the unity of various religious and ethnic groups because the important message of love, peace and universal harmony cannot be ignored.
In the science-centric states and societies of today, science is considered to be the critique of religion. Many believe and rely on the information researched through scientific methods, because their conviction states science is reliable as it explains the unknown in terms of the known and the knowable. They find the principles of religion are based on faith, not on reason, and faith has no power to explain reason whereas reason has the power to explain faith. For scientific believers in pursuit of knowledge, there is no need for faith; the power of reason is more than enough to achieve results. Science is ‘organized knowledge derived from reason, observation, and experimentation and therefore is a self-correcting enterprise as it relies on evidence'. (Schafersman)However, science is never afraid to admit the unclear and unsolved subjects in the field. In the empirical methods of exploring, discovering and knowing, science has left religion behind, which is stuck in its ancient beliefs and sacred mysteries.
Scientific supporters define religion as ignorance and superstition. Religion is criticized for the dogmatism and rigid rituals that are followed in a particular religion. Many follow a religion with blind faith and rigid practices, by which they are compelled to follow the rules laid down by the temple in which they worship. It takes away one's free will and the ability to exercise choice. Religious dogma enforces a set of restrictions on one's actions and directs the follower onto a rigid path. The reasons for those restrictions may be moral in nature, for example ‘Do not steal because you are depriving another', or they may be arbitrary, for example animal sacrifice and idol worshipping.
Dogmatic practices do not lead to moral characteristics and leave a number of arbitrary restrictions whose ultimate justification is, ‘Because God said so'. Even in modern society, blind faith in God is practised by a large number of people following prominent religions such as Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. These religions have fundamentalist groups or sects, which even take up acts of violence in the name of religion.
During the Dark Ages in Europe , religion was of foremost importance for everyone. The Church was a very powerful institution which had its own laws, land and taxes. People who opposed the Church were harshly treated or given the death penalty. India had the caste system and the lowest class was called untouchables who were excluded from society. People suffered this fate because of religion's dominance in society with its dogmatic rules and taboos; therefore in the modern world many despise religious values and look to scientific method.
Despite religion being criticized for its past traditional and dogmatic practices, many follow it to encounter their spiritual self. Spirituality, on the other hand, relates to soul or spirit, in contrast to material things. Being spiritual is one's character or quality that makes one transcend the barriers of materialism, caste and creed and realize one's connection with the truth. All religions teach about spirituality or being spiritual, which means acknowledging the moral consciousness within everyone and generating compassion towards every living being. Spirit in all religions is regarded as the link to God and spirituality as the path to nirvana. Spiritual people in today's world are rare to find as the world is becoming more materialistic in nature, but those who followed the spiritual path have done or are doing great humanitarian acts. For example, Mother Teresa dedicated her entire life to uplifting the poor by educating them and providing them with the basic necessities. During their religious festivals people distribute food and gifts to the needy from their temples. Muslims do this generous act and during Ramadan to help the needy in society.

However, religious teachings have been regarded as anathema to development because of misinterpretation and the loss of true message of the religion. A particular religion does not promote ancient and traditional rituals, but even the religions have changed with time. New religions like Bahai and Huniyan have emerged and there are movements of revitalization in Islam and Hinduism. ‘The Baha'i emphasize oneness of humankind and the need for global justice administered by a world government which would watch the needs for all'. (Tyndale) They believe in unity of God, unity of religion and unity of mankind. In Huniyan the emphasis of teachings is on Karma (actions) rather than rituals or practices. ‘The karma theory produces a logic of internal change.' (Obeyesekere)
These new religions are evidence of religion not obstructing the path of progress, but in fact lending a hand towards development and oneness of humanity. Revitalization of Islam has lead to secularization of western culture and processes of urbanization, national integration and spread of literacy. Revitalization of Hinduism has lead to new Hindu religious movements like the ‘neo-Sannyasa' movement, which is liberal. Ancient practices such as dowry and sati (when the wife was burned with her husband at his death) have been abolished. Gandhi's teachings are also widespread and popular throughout the country, which state ‘if only everyone took enough for their own needs and nothing more there will be no poverty in this world'. (Tyndale).
These amendments to ancient religions are proof of the world coming together and adopting policies for a unified and secular world proceeding towards globalization. Old religions have transformed the ancient schools of thoughts into something more appropriate for the youth and modern society in a global world. New religions are laid down on the principles of modern, secular and liberal thoughts. These reformations and birth of religions prove that religion is not anathema to progress but in fact are key factors in promoting unification of the world and breaking the traditional and ancient barriers which separated people from working together towards humanitarian causes of universal harmony.
Although there are many religions in the world, the messages given by all have a common objective. Religious followers pray to different Gods but the message preached by the God or the message in the holy scriptures such as the Gita, the Qur'an or the Bible refers to brotherhood, peace and love. No religious doctrine tells a follower to commit acts of violence or to harm others in the name of a religion. In the world today many are fighting wars in the name of religion or taking up acts of terror - such as in the struggle between Palestine and Israel - but the people who suffer from conflict's devastation are none other than innocent citizens who become homeless. No holy book teaches conflict with others on the basis of caste, color or creed. The Qur'an states that “mankind has been created from a single soul, as male and female, communities and nations, so that people may know one another. The divine spark that bestows individuality also bonds individuals in common humanity”. Sikhism states that “God loves all, without distinction of place, creed or social or economic standing of individuals or groups”. The Taoist scripture Redeeming the Dead puts forward the view of ‘Equality and Affection'. (Tyndale) These religions belong to different regions of the world but the viewpoint they lay down is a common principle among all religions.
In the vision of God all are equal - whether it be a man or a woman, a child or an adult, a prince or a peasant. God does not discriminate or is biased towards a particular creed; it's the outcome of his actions by which a person will be judged. However, the ultimate goal is to live in harmony and peace with other people, whether you have a common background or not.
To conclude, atheists believe religion to be anathema to progress and to bringing the world together to work under the same roof. To an extent they are right, as conflicts have taken place throughout our history and even currently wars are taking place in name of religion. Although religion does not teach anyone to engage in a war or commit acts of terror, it is religions' misinterpreted message that has mislead many to act out violence. Religion preaches and teaches one to be spiritual and to explore his or her inner self. Religions have changed with time: either they are revised or new religions have emerged with improved principles favoring universal harmony and peace. All religions promote self-development to be better human beings. There are different gods and religions but all have the same guidelines leading to equality and love and no discrimination on basis of religion. Our code of conduct should be based on values such as generosity, integrity, compassion and justice. This is the essence of religion, which is up to us to maintain.

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