Another New Year has begun. No, another century has begun. No, no, another millennium has begun. Our greetings should be three-fold. We always greet one another after the calendar tells us to do so. But, problems do not see the calendar before they come. Still, they may be useful to a certain extent in solving the problems.

We know today as to how many years have elapsed since this creation took place. But it is somewhat difficult to comprehend because of the enormity of time that has elapsed since then. Let us keep that aside. We know as to when the present Kali Yuga started. But we don’t track events on this basis anymore.

What is widely used and accepted is the Christ Era, which began two thousand years ago. If we divide the history of mankind into segments of one thousand years each, we can appreciate that much before the onset of the Christian Era, there flourished many outstanding and highly advanced civilizations in our country. We can also appreciate that during the first millennium after the birth of Christ, there were times when slid from the zenith of those civilizations to the dark nadirs of ignorance. However, during the second millennium, man awakened and achieved much progress in various fields. Towards the end of the second millennium, he was even convinced that he was capable of replicating creation.

Still, sometimes we feel, "forget about replicating creation; it is enough if today’s man allows this creation from becoming extinct; it is enough if he does not reduce this creation to ashes." A very serious problem indeed.

We take pride in saying ‘it is a small world’. We take pride in saying that we have achieved speed in everything. The speed limits themselves have been stretched beyond imagination. Distances are disappearing. Everywhere there is innovation, success and luxury. Safety has disappeared.

While leading a luxurious life, man tends to believe that luxury is more important than safety. When there is trouble, he sacrifices luxury and aspires for safety. This is a truth that has been confirmed over and over again since ages.

The third millennium, which has landed its first step, is holding a signboard with a question mark about the aspect of safety, and is asking us "what is the reason for insecurity surrounding mankind? Who is responsible?"

During the auspicious occasion of Dattatreya Jayanti in the year 1998, Sri Swamiji had already forewarned us about this situation. He had then emphasized that lack of fusion and consensus would be responsible for all the future problems. His message was studded with caution to mankind.

In the distant past, men lived in their own provinces, sticking to their religions and beliefs. One group hardly came in contact with the other. They lived in their respective countries and practiced their own religion. Today, thanks to the tremendous scientific achievements, no country or religion can remain unaffected by another country and another religion. It will be inevitably exposed to the influence of other countries and other religions. No one can stop it. Neither the fundamentalists who claim they are pure and therefore try to run away from the present day situation, nor those who take recourse to violence in the name of ethnic cleansing can succeed. This is the Leela (divine play) of Maha Kala (the Lord of Time). It is the dance of Kala Deva. Resisting or opposing this would be foolish as well as futile. When giant tides are advancing, can they be controlled by a gun? Wouldn’t it be foolish to do so?

If one really wants to think about this problem, one should think on a global level. That is exactly what Sri Swamiji did. Therefore, He was able to spot the root of the problem, namely lack of consensus and harmony.

Today, we hear two words often – demands & fights. We hear these words everywhere. There is fighting between the members of a family. In villages, there is fighting among farmers and tradesmen. In industrialized cities, there is fighting between the owners and the labour. In the country, there is fighting between political parties. Crowning all these is the fighting between religions. Everywhere there are demands. Is there any place on earth where there are no demands and no fights?

Having alerted us to this problem two years ago, Sri Swamiji, on His part, took certain steps as ordained by the Divine. In 1999, Sri Datta Venkateshwara was consecrated in Mysore Ashrama. On the first morning of the year 2000, He greeted Sun where the first rays touched our planet (in Tonga). Just before we entered the third millennium, i.e., during December 2000, Sri Swamiji initiated certain actions with a view to finding a solution to the basic problem.

Religion is one such medicine that can cure man of all malicious qualities. Empirically this is true. However, in reality, among the various aspects that can influence man and make him drown in emotional turbulence and intoxication, religion takes the first place. This unfortunate reality has been proved many times in the history of mankind. Therefore, to initiate a process which would work towards providing a long lasting, if not a permanent solution to the basic problem, Gurudev Sri Swamiji initiated "Sarva Dharma Samanvaya Sravanti" (a programme aimed at achieving harmony among various religions) during the Datta Jayatni Celebrations of Vikrama Samvatsara (name of the year 2000-01).

In His message during the Datta Jayanti of 1998, Sri Swamiji echoed the message of harmony and concurrence of Lord Dattatreya and said "Lord Dattatreya will Himself decide what is best for men living in a particular period of time and in a particular province, and after the utility of the preaching is over, will modify it so as to suit the new situation. He doesn’t divide human beings on the basis of caste or creed. On the other hand, He preaches everyone with equal love and compassion."

To understand this message, every educated person should pose a few questions to himself and should use searchlight to find answers to those questions within himself.
Every male should ask himself "what would have I done if I was born as a woman?" Every owner "how would it be if I was an assembly line worker?" Similarly, every woman and every labourer, every young man, every old man – virtually everyone should question themselves on those lines.

There is another question which is more complex and tough than all these questions – "what if I was born in another religion?" If there is any honesty left inside, this question should create a storm within us.

In a society, people fight for something which is tangible. Like money, like property, like position, and so on. However, those who fight in the name of religion, do so for some object which they have never seen! It is for something they have no hope of seeing!! What a tragedy!!!

There is only one solution to this problem. All those who claim their superiority, should learn to come together and think collectively. They should learn to respect each other. They must learn to love each other. To be able to do this, everyone should follow one’s Dharma with total honesty. They must allow others to do so.

This is exactly what Sri Swamiji demonstrated in the unique programme initiated during this Datta Jayanti. He preached the same thing in each and every religious congregation held on this occasion.

During the 25th year of its meaningful existence, Bhakti Mala is anxious to convey this message of His Holiness Sri Swamiji to all its readers. In the same breath, Bhakti Mala is urging you to support the cause.

We, at Bhakti Mala, wish all the readers, subscribers, donors and its fans, a very happy new year, new century,new millennium and a very very happy Sankranti.

Jaya Guru Datta.

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