Can we reach the 21st century? Daily, the world is fragmented by leaders who emphasize religious and ethnic differences, ignoring brotherhood, who preach racial hatred rather than the unity of man, who focus on national boundaries at the expense of planetary survival. The struggle continues between Arabs and Jews, Catholics and Protestants, Hindus and Moslems. Are these differences more important than the survival of mankind? In this nuclear age, division and separatism threaten the existence of the entire human race.
The Third World War will inevitably be started by a minor power that develops an atomic bomb. The present UN involvement in the Gulf War is a military response to this threat. Even if Saddam Hussein does not develop the bomb before he is defeated, it is only a matter of time before some desperate nation succeeds in world blackmail. When unstable governments develop nuclear weapons, it will not be long before they reach the hands of terrorists. Once extremist groups have atomic bombs, be assured they will assemble them in Washington, New York, Bombay or Tel Aviv. If Israel or India are attacked with nuclear bombs, will they not retaliate with the same? Once the bombs are exploded, how will it stop?
The natural resources of the earth such as oil do not belong to any particular people such as the Arabs or Americans. All natural resources are Divine gifts to be shared by all humanity. When we exploit resources we must pay the price. The Gulf is burning because of oil. Iran and Iraq are suffering intensely due to their fight for oil wealth. So will others. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. This is a law of physics: it is also the universal law of karma. No one, no country, is immune.
Tolerance and world unity can be attained by faith in the One Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient God, the object of worship of all the world's sacred religions. Religious differences are only cultural differences, giving variety and beauty to the worship of the Almighty. The names are many, but God is one. Just as water only can quench thirst, so also God only can bring peace (whether called Allah, Jehovah, Christ. Guru Nanak or Krishna).
We, as a group of human beings, can focus our minds to turn the tide of inevitable doom. The mantram Om Namo Narayanaya was given to mankind thousands of years ago to be used in such a time of need. Concentrate on peace, pray for peace and daily chant, or write one or two pages of this great peace mantra. An Om Namo Narayanaya bank, was established four years ago for world peace at Gangotri (the source of the Ganges high in the Himalayas). Already, millions of Om Namo Narayanaya mantras written by peace-loving devotees from around the world have been deposited in this rock bank. A large crystal stored with the Om Namo Narayanaya deposits transmits this powerful mantra thought-energy like radio waves throughout the world.
Swami Sivananda said, "Peace to be lasting and constructive must he achieved through God. There can be no peace without God." Send all mantra offerings to: Sivananda Yoga Dhanwanthari Ashram, PO Neyyar Dam, Trivandrum Dist., Kerala 695 576 India.
Article copyright Himalayan Academy.