Attitude of Vedanta Towards Religion - Swami Vivekananda

UNIVERSALITY OF 1HE vfiDANTIC RELIGION 147the first-born manifestation of something which is indescribableand infinite wisdom. That is Brahman. Now,under these three heads we can include all the specialreligions of the world, Christianity, Mohammedanism,Judaism, etc., which are dualistic, and, therefore, they canbe embraced by the dualistic system of the religion anddescribed in hisphilosophy of Vedanta. Ramanujacharyacommentaries the grand truth that the first-born Lordof the universe, the Saguna Brahman is the almighty Beingin whose body dwells chit and achit, the individual egoand nature. This idea was expressed by Jesus the Christwhen he said that the great Lord is like the vine and weare but branches. It was expressed by Alexander Pope whenhe said that the Lord is one stupendous whole, of whichwe are but parts.But when we go a little deeper, we findthat He cannot be divided into parts, because He is infiniteand every part of Him is infinite. Then comes themost advanced metaphysics of Sankaracharya who saysthat all these differentiations and distinctions are only onthe phenomenal plane.The idea of separation, the ideaof division, exists so long as we are limited by time, spaceand causation. Time, space and causation are but theproducts of one eternal Energy which is known as Prakrit;or may a.But what ismay a, I ask? Is itmerely illusion? No,it means relative existence. It means time, space andcausation. Sankaracharyadefines it as indescribable inits nature and name. It is the energy of that supremewisdom and Divinity. It isbeginningless. It consists ofthree qualities or materials which combine themselves andmanifest into gross material forms of the universe. Itsexistence can only be inferred by seeing the results, andit is that which producedallphenomenal names andforms. 1 Time, space and causation are included in that,uVivekachidamani, 110.