Hence arise philosophy and religion. The two are not contraries or contradictories.

They are intimately interdependent.

Religion without philosophy is blind, philosophy without religion is lame. It is in the holy scriptures that philosophy and religion meet and mingle, satisfying the head and the heart.

Holy scriptures are many in number, as each faith has its distinct scripture. This is right. In the framework of time and space the One Reality reveals itself variously. Each revelation is embodied in a scripture that meets the needs of the age and the aspirations of the race.

Naturally there are bound to be superficial differences in the manner of exposition by the different scriptures. But the basic essence of all the scriptures is the same.

The goal to which all of them point is the same. The various scriptures resemble so many radii of a circle starting from different points on its circumference but all oriented towards the centre which is only one. Yeti mat, tat path - 'as many faiths, so many paths', as Sri Ramakrishna proved by his marvelously scientific sedans. And did he not add in his delightful patois, 'All jackals howl alike' - all the scriptures proclaim the same verity?

Book's Contents and Sample Pages