World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 874

since, all minds cannot accept single form on account of variety of human nature. This ides is basis for worshipping various of the God in Vedic culture.
Vedic religion believes in the harmony of all religions. Vedic religious thinkers have developed some basic fundamental values about human life, which they have practiced and upheld throughout the ages. They believed that essential divinity is inherent in all life, so manifestation of this divinity, which is already in human beings, is religion. The different religions are different paths to reach the same goal. Every religion, in essence, preaches the same universal truth, love, brotherhood and peace, in different way. The plurality of religion is only on the surface. At the spiritual core, there is an essential unity behind all of them. Each faith or religion should be understood, appreciated and discovered in its own context, not in comparison with another religion. The Vaidikadharma mentions that different religions are like different rivers, which reach the ocean in the end [Rucīnām vaicitryāt rujukutilanānāpathajusām nrnām eko gamyah tvamasi payasāmarnava iva. - Sivamahimnastotra). It means we should respect all religions as different ways, to reach the same goal. There should, thus,be no hatred or distrust towards another religion or another point of view with respect to ultimate truth or Reality.
The concept of spiritual unity of all existense, led the Vedic culture to consider welfare of all happiness of all. Its daily prayer is :
May all be happy in this universe, May all be free from inflictions, May all see auspicious things, and May no one suffer
[ Sarve atra sukhinah santu sarve santu nirāmayāh. Sarve bhadrāni paśyantu mā kaścit duhkhabhāg bhavet.- Prayers - Dr.Y.S shatri.p.72]. The peace invocation of Vedic tradition reveals that it keeps whole universe in the picture even while praying to Almighty. It talks about peace in all directions of the Universe.
Ancient Vedic prayer is : "Peaceful be heaven, peaceful be the earth, Peaceful be the broad space between, Peaceful be for us the running waters, Peaceful be the plants and herbs, Peaceful be all the divine beings, peaceful be the Brahman [ Supreme Being), Peaceful be entire universe, May peace and only peace prevail and,
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