SAIVA-SIDDHANTA

"
SAIVAISM IN ITS RELATION
TO OTHER SYSTEMS.*
It was the Statesman of Calcutta who in reviewing the
work of the last
convention suggested that, in an assembly like
this, it is the point of contact between the different religions
that should be brought out rather than the points which distin
guish one from the other. As 1 think the suggestion is good,
and as I have dwelt on the distinguishing marks of Saiva
religion and philosophy in my former paper,J
I address myself
to the question of the elements common to the Saiva religion
and other systems
of faith.
This aspect of the question is familiar to our religious
writers and I
quoted a dictum of one of our Acharyas who is
at least 8 centuries old, in my last address, and it could
bear repetition and should in my opinion form the plank
on which we should all meet. It is to this effect. Religions,
postulates and text-books conflict one with another. It is asked:
which is the true religion, which the true postulate and which
the true book? That is the true religion, that the true postulate
and that the true book which, not possessing the fault of calling
t^is false and that true, and not conflicting with them, comprises
reasonably everything within its fold." But how is this possible?
)Vhere can the meeting ground be, between a religion which
acknowledges no soul and no God, and a religion which bases its
faith on the immortality of the soul and a Redeemer? They seem
to be poles apart. There .are such differences innumerable
between one religion and another and no amount of argument
and, explanation could minimise the differences. Argument
would lead to acrimonious debate and heated controversy.
* The first paper that was read before the Convention of Religions,
Allahabad 1911.
J Vide page 273 ante.