I read with interest, coupled with sadness, Behram T. Dastur’s letter ("Lost souls,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, May 21, 2018). Love for one’s religion should never be coupled with bigotry. Why are we Parsis so scornful of other faiths and the beliefs of other people, be they Parsis or not?
There is a Sanskrit sloka which says "Ekam sat viprah Bahudhah Vadanti” which means "The same Truth is expressed by the wise in many ways.” Dastur must accept that Truth is one. Since God is Truth and God is one, all religions are expressions of the same Truth expressed in different ways.
Tipu Sultan, a Muslim, would regularly donate a bag of gold to a Hindu temple that stood before his palace. Once he sent the donation through a maulvi from Muscat who was visiting him. The maulvi asked him, "Why do you, a devout Muslim, donate so handsomely to a Hindu temple?”
Tipu answered, "Maulvi, in the garden of wisdom bloom many flowers, but they all bear within their fragrant hearts the nectar of immortal love, and likewise it is with all the different religions of this world.” This enlightened Muslim went on to say, "Maulvi, it is also said that when the light of love illuminates the soul, all His messengers are honored and none are scorned.”
I urge Dastur not to scorn such "seekers” for they are looking for the Truth and in their wandering they may or may not find something special that they are looking for. If it is health or wealth or success that they are looking for, then they will be disappointed even if they go to an agiary as Dastur would have them do.
Dastur’s sarcasm is completely lost on me as I hope it would be on other liberal Parsis who love their religion and do not think less of the religion of others.
Dr HIRJI S. ADENWALLA
Trichur
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