________________
140 Secular Underpinnings
through the ocean of births and deaths continuously depending on good and bad deeds performed by them. It is not that the omniscient/pure soul rules the universe but that the omniscient has revealed the nature of all substances in the universe and the path being followed. He has not made any rules but only revealed the rules of nature for all to follow.
19. Welfare Orientation - Welfare of all is at the core of any secular concept. Any concept concerned with welfare of a group of people or species cannot be called as secular one. The secular concept must serve the good of all, irrespective of caste, colour, nationality etc. Those who are truly concerned with the welfare of the universe are the souls who have realised the pure soul and expect others to follow for their own welfare. Realisation of pure self is the pioneering effort in the path of supreme happiness and the welfare of all beings lies in realisation of the same. The knowledge of pure soul is in the interest of all creatures in the universe and hence it can ensure universal welfare.
The pure soul is like a tree. A tree has the capacity to produce infinite trees, i.e., numerous seeds are grown in a tree and when sown, lead to countless trees and so on. A seed has the eternal potential to grow infinite trees. Thus, the pure soul with its infinite forms and properties is symbolised by the welfare tree. When a person acquires the knowledge of the pure soul and experiences the same, one is rescued from the infinite cycle of deaths and births and the pure soul enjoys supreme happiness. This is the greatest rescue possible in the universe and this is accomplished by the pure soul. The pure soul is most merciful as it preaches all beings to become God themselves. No one can be so merciful to make one equivalent to God. The message and
