Love, Respect and Serve all : Message of Shirdi Sai - Part 2
Tish Malhotra*
In continuation of his previous article, Tish Malhotra reiterates that the core message of the divine teachings of Sadguru Sainath and other saints emphasizes love, respect, and service to all with empathy, as we are all children of God. The previous article can be seen on this link.
This piece serves as a continuation of the earlier article titled “Oneness of All Humanity as seen by Shirdi Sai Baba and Bhagavad Gita” which was published on 18 December here. Reflecting on Sai Baba’s teachings, it is disheartening and troubling to witness any contentious discussions surrounding religion. Such debates undermine the fundamental values of peace, harmony, tolerance, brotherhood, love, mutual respect, and the inclusive social and economic framework of society that Shirdi Sai Baba consistently advocated. This troubling trend continues to disrupt the intricately woven fabric of India's unique spiritual heritage of India. Beneath its soft layers, all religions joyfully come together to partake and enjoy its divine essence.
Baba dedicated himself tirelessly, day and night, to help us reach a level of realization where we could recognize the same divinity present in all religions and various forms of God, despite their different names. There should be no doubt or debate regarding the diverse representations of God and the multitude of religions and worship practices. All are worthy of respect and acceptance. Baba taught that the true path lies in honoring each person's faith and belief, rather than arguing about the superiority or inferiority of one religion over another. When the fundamental principle is to love, respect, and serve everyone, there can be no justification for speaking against any religion.
Samrath Guru Sai Baba served as a powerful unifying force, guiding individuals on their spiritual journeys toward realizing their connection with the divine. He advocated for the equal importance of all religions and forms of God, emphasizing that they serve as a binding force to bring humanity together, encompassing all living beings as well as the inanimate world. For Baba, no religion was superior or inferior; each held significance in addressing the diverse nature of human personalities and their unique stages of spiritual development. His teachings encouraged acceptance and respect for all faiths, reinforcing the idea that every path leads to the same ultimate truth.
Each one is ordained to reach the divinity according to one’s level of faith and belief. Each one has one’s level of darkness of soul and will be led towards the Light at one’s ordained time. Baba taught us to respect all religions and forms of God as they are, rather than imposing on them this or that tenet before we can accept their distinct individuality and importance. They have their unique roles in the larger Divine Plan for the well-being and spiritual development of each human being. On our part, it is our highest duty to keep studying and living according to the universal teachings that Shirdi Sai Baba and all other great saints have imparted from time to time. They convey the true spirit and essence of the scriptural prayers that are offered for the good and wellness of all. In this context, it is pertinent to quote here from the book “Universal Prayers” by Sri Swami Yatiswaranandaji:
“May all be happy! May all be free from disease! May all realise what is good! May none be subject to misery! May all be freed from dangers! May all realise what is good! May all be actuated by noble thoughts! May all rejoice everywhere! May good betide all people! May the sovereign rule the earth, following the righteous path! May all beings ever attain what is good! May the world be prosperous and happy!
May the wicked become virtuous! May the virtuous attain tranquillity! May the tranquil be free from bonds! May the freed make others free! May the world be peaceful! May the wicked become gentle! May all creatures think of mutual welfare! May their minds be occupied with what is auspicious! May our hearts be immersed in selfless love for the Lord?”
“May the winds bring us happiness! May the rivers carry happiness to us! May the herbs give us happiness! May night and day yield us happiness! May the dust of earth bring us happiness! May the trees give us happiness! May the sun pour down happiness! May the cows yield us happiness! May the clouds pour rain in time! May the earth be blessed with crops!”
“May this our country be free from calamity! May holy men live without fear! Om! May there be peace in heaven! May there be peace in the sky! May there be peace on earth! May there be peace in the water! May there be peace in the plants! May there be peace in trees! May there be peace in Gods! May there be peace in Brahman! May there be peace in all...! May Brahman be realised by us! May the highest bliss be realised by us! May Brahman, Who is the highest bliss, be realised by us!”
“May He, the creator and supporter of the gods, the lord of all, the destroyer of evil, the great seer, He who brought the cosmic Soul into being, endow us with good thoughts! May the effulgent Being, the One without a second, Who, like a spider, spontaneously covers Himself with threads made out of His own creative powers, grant us union with Himself, the Brahman!” (Quoted from the book Universal Prayers by Sri Swami Yatiswaranandaji, published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madras.
In light of these universal prayers aimed at the welfare of all, it is essential to reiterate that the core message of the divine teachings of Sadguru Sainath and other saints emphasizes love, respect, and service to all with empathy, as we are all children of God. The fundamental lesson of selfless love, respect, and service imparted by Shri Shirdi Sai Baba and other saints serves as a guiding principle for the entire humanity. This way alone we can act selflessly and, endowed with perfect faith and unwavering patience, strive to be genuinely religious and spiritual.
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*A Delhi-based freelancer.
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