Religion Of Man

Here's a comprehensive summary of Jagdish Sahai's "Religion of Man," based on the provided text:

The book "Religion of Man" by Jagdish Sahai argues that modern humanity's self-conceit prevents it from contemplating fundamental questions about existence, leading to societal problems and a failure to maintain dignity and integrity despite scientific advancements. Sahai asserts that man is essentially a spiritual being, and a materialistic worldview is inherently unstable. True meaning and purpose in life are derived from spiritual values.

Sahai criticizes the compartmentalization of life into religious, social, political, and economic spheres, stating that religion is not merely a private matter between an individual and their creator, nor is it irrelevant to a secular state. He contends that religion is a vital fact in human life, and a truly welfare-oriented secular state must foster spiritual solidarity and moral upliftment. The author emphasizes that the character of individuals has historically determined the destiny of nations, and the decline of character precedes the disintegration of civilizations, citing the fall of Rome as an example. Character, therefore, is the essence of religion.

The book then explores the Essential Unity of All Religions. Sahai posits that while humanity is diverse in thought and conduct, there's a universal desire to conform to a particular mode of behavior. Throughout history, spiritual leaders have appeared across the globe to guide humanity towards harmony with the cosmos. These great souls, based on their experiences, expounded essential life ideas and values, forming the basis of scriptures and philosophies. While religious traditions have developed unique customs, rites, and civilizations, Sahai stresses that the underlying spiritual truths are common to all. He criticizes religious intolerance stemming from focusing on superficial differences rather than these core truths, asserting that all religions lead to the same ultimate goal. Fighting in the name of religion, he argues, demonstrates a misunderstanding of its true nature and is a result of sectarian and bigoted thinking. Sahai strongly advocates for recognizing oneself as a member of the human family first, and then a follower of a particular faith.

Sahai identifies Three Fundamental Principles that form the bedrock of man's true religion:

1. Be good and do good: This cultivates character.
2. Develop non-attachment and unselfishness: This builds personality through self-sacrifice.
3. Acquire Supreme Knowledge: This is humanity's ultimate goal, leading to freedom and oneness with the universal Spirit (God). This knowledge answers life's fundamental questions about birth, purpose, God, and creation.

The book elaborates on the principle of "To work you have a right but not to the fruit thereof." Actions have consequences, and these consequences, governed by the Law of Karma, can manifest in the present or future lives. Man's ego carries the essence of his life's experiences to the next, influencing his starting point. The path to Right Action involves working without selfish motives, cultivating selflessness and non-attachment. Selfless service means acting impersonally, recognizing that one's own good is intertwined with the good of others. This identification with the universal whole transforms actions into "right actions" contributing to collective well-being.

Sahai clarifies the concept of "Who is the Doer of Action?" Man, as part of nature, acts according to his inherent nature. However, the soul, embodied and influenced by karma, possesses the power of discrimination and will to overcome its lower nature. Man is divine and not limited to his physical and mental selves; he partakes of the Infinite. Religion encompasses and reveals this Divinity within.

The text then discusses Duty and Service, emphasizing that all action is duty and should be performed with the conviction of benefiting humanity, imbued with love and devoid of self-interest. Work done with dedication and devotional love brings bliss and is the most effective form of service. Self-Abnegation in Service involves gradually widening the circle of service from oneself to humanity, expecting no return. Service to fellow beings is service to oneself. The principle of "Do good and forget it" enables selfless service, where one forgets their individual self in the act of serving others.

The book delves into What is Self?, identifying the mistaking of the body for the Self as the root of human misery, leading to insatiable desires, dissensions, and evils. Self-indulgence amplifies these desires, bringing only pain. True happiness, bliss, and peace are achieved through spiritual realization, sublimation of desires, and overcoming the delusion of the gross body being the Self. Merging the limited self with the all-pervading Universal Self leads to true happiness, enabling one to be a friend and servant to all. The Self encompasses the entire universe, and detaching from bodily attachments allows comprehension of the "whole," fostering love for all without distinction. The word "I" should represent the omnipresent Soul, which is the same in all beings, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual souls with the real Self.

The concept of The Ideal of True Love is presented as the key to realizing the Self. Selfless love, with infinite sympathy, overcomes limitations. Love is the unifying force. Sahai uses the analogy of a nurse-maid caring for a child without ownership, highlighting the importance of detached, selfless love and service, viewing possessions as trusts from Divinity, acknowledging that Divinity can reclaim anything without causing pain.

Finally, the text addresses Pleasure and Pain and their Cause. Attachment to perishable material things brings transient pleasure and pain. The realization of the unreality of material pleasures leads to the pursuit of permanent happiness through spiritual union (Yoga) with the immortal Life-Force, God. This state of permanent happiness or Bliss Absolute (Brahmananda) is achieved through Salvation, which involves purity of heart, spiritual freedom, and the dissolution of the individual ego. Salvation leads to a state of being a Free Soul (Jivanmukta). Unselfish actions and devotion to God liberate one from karmic bondage.

The book concludes by asserting that Universal Goodness Constitutes the Religion of Man. This blissful state is achieved through continuous, loving action tested against universal goodness and moral worth. Actions aligned with Truth and Justice awaken universal goodness, which is inherently elevating. Elevation in all aspects of life—from ignorance to knowledge, from a confined ego to the free state of the Soul—is the essence of religion. This is the process of man returning to his Original Source. The ultimate aim of any religion is to foster humanity, brotherhood, and homage to the divine. Therefore, man should embrace religion as the path to realizing his True Self and the Great Truth.