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National integration meant in those days the concentration and commingling of all the spiritual forces and urges that were scattered among seekers all over the land. The word, 'nation', meant in India the grouping together of hearts that beat time to the same song and that respond, by similar vibration, to the same spiritual call. The basic truths that this faith expounded were as broad as the sky, as eternal as Creation. Those Truths were described in many subtle ways and commented upon very close and deep. But, as a result of the very breadth of the vision that discovered them, and laid them down, it was inevitable that many faiths emanated on the basis of the beliefs they encouraged.

Diversities in attitudes and practices are natural and ought to be welcomed; there is no need for an iron-clad hard Faith. Only, there is no place for one over-all Faith. Rivalry among those following different paths cannot bring peace and prosperity to any country. Without the freedom to adopt faith, the world cannot progress. India taught that a small group can never command the inexhaustible resources of the world, that for the effective functioning of the community it is necessary to divide the work of the community among sections of the people, and allot the task of contributing its share of the common good to each section of community. This gave facilities for diversities and for mutuality. Diversities were approved for the sake of the practical application of spiritual powers and potentialities; so, there is no need for factionalism and fights. The diversities too are but superficial; they are not really real. There is an entrancing sense of mystery that can explore these diversities and discover the key to visualise the One that underlies the many. This is what the ancient texts proclaim as the most precious revelation. "Ekam sath, vipraah bahudha vadanthi" (The One alone exists; wise men describe It in manifold ways).

Therefore, it can be asserted that the Faith of the Bharathiyas is the one Faith that accepts and reveres all Faiths. When we shelter factionalism and fanaticism in our hearts, in relation to our own specific faith or the faith of others, we, as descendents of those fathers are bringing disgrace on ourselves. Whether we are adhering to the classical Vedantic faiths or whether we are adopting recent trends in that Vedantic thought, we have to bear in mind certain basic universally accepted truths. All those who bear the name, Hindu, have to believe in them and shape their lives accordingly. May they have the will to do so.

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