We have so many Gods in our religion. Who do we follow?
In the last excerpt from Rameshwar Katha by Pujya Bhaishri, we saw that Rameshwar is where there is a bridge. Through this, Pujya Bhaishri enlightens us on the following on Religion.
Religion unites; one that divides is not religion. If religion cannot join one person to another, then how will it unite one with God? The distance between people is getting bigger and a bridge is not being developed. We can be devoted to one religion but we must not be narrow-minded. It is such narrow-minded people who create trouble.
Our scriptures are not confined. We are secular. Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is secular. The word Hindu has not been mentioned anywhere in the Gita. The talks by our Rishis on righteousness are secular. Rishis say that your Dharma (duty) is that which leads to your welfare in this world and in the next world.
It is written in Shri Ram Charit Manas:
Parhita sarisa dharma nahin bhai, par pida sama nahin adhmai I
Meaning: There is no greater duty than helping others, there is no greater sin than hurting others.
How secular is this!
We will see that different religious sects have different tilaks which represent the sects accordingly, for example, Swaminarayan, Vaishnav, Pushtimarga etc. Years back, I remember an elderly religious man telling people that you must do these tilaks, wear mala etc as it shows that you are united with God.
“My dear, this is not a dilemma, this is the wealth of our religion”.
“When you look at the menu in a restaurant and see the varieties of cuisines: Mexican, Punjabi, Italian, you love it as you can choose according to your taste. Similarly, we have such arrangements. You can choose the religious sect that you prefer according to your taste, so that you worship with your heart, enjoy it and untie with God. Different teachers have created their principles and thus a path to follow.”
Therefore, this is not a dilemma but our wealth. However, it is imperative to build a bridge amongst all of them. This unity will please Lord Ram who will then establish and worship Lord Shiv in our heart.