The knowledge by which one sees the one undivided, imperishable substance in all beings which are divided, should be known to be Sattvika. (BG 18.20)
But the knowledge by which one sees as a distinct, in all beings, different entities of various kinds, should be known to be Rajasika. (BG 18.21)
Whilst that knowledge which is confined to a single product as if it were the whole, which is irrational, not founded upon truth, and trivial, is declared to be Tamasika. (BG 18.22)
Truth is one; sages call it by various names.
— Rig Veda
Though truth is one, and all religions are but different paths to reach that, people quarrel and fight in the name of religion, because of their limited understanding. Clarity of thinking varies from person to person according to one’s inborn nature and attitude, which in Sanskrit is called Prakriti (Tamas, Rajas, Sattva). Tamas and Rajas always lead to confusion and chaos, whereas the Sattva leads to clear understanding. Sri Ramakrishna has beautifully explained this through many parables.
Four blind people went to see an elephant. They could touch only a part of it. Taking that to be the whole, they started quarrelling among themselves out of sheer ignorance born of blindness.
In another parable three people saw a chameleon with different colours on the branch of a tree. Now, each one insisted his own perception to be true. This led to a fight. However, another person who was sitting under the tree knew the whole truth. He said, “Dear friends, I live under this tree and I know well the nature of that animal. It is capable of changing its colours. You all have seen the same animal, but at different times in different colours, and therefore you are totally confused.” Swami Vivekananda observed in one of his Chicago addresses this fanaticism and its harmful effects on the society, and compared such people to “the frog in the well”. The frog which never came out of its well could not understand the vastness of ocean when another frog which came from the ocean tried to explain it. We, people of limited understanding, unaware of the Reality are like that “frog in the well”. My religion alone is true and other religions are false – such a fanatic attitude leads to disharmony and fighting. People of right understanding always try to see the truth behind apparent differences and develop a spirit of tolerance and acceptance.
Common be your prayer; Common be your end; Common be your purpose; Common be your deliberation.
— Rig Veda(X. 191-3,4)
Common be your desires; unified be your hearts; United be your intentions;
Perfect be the union amongst you.
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