Religion is supposed to represent the highest aspiration of the human mind. It is a matter of great regret, pain and sadness that there is so much of disharmony, division and destruction in the name of religion. Sri Ramakrishna, who is considered one of the greatest prophets of harmony, would throw light on this subject in a revealing manner. Using a simple illustration culled out from daily life he would address the issue with extraordinary clarity, by drawing the attention of people to the subject of time. According to him, most people have their own wrist watches and whenever there is a question of time, everyone refers to their own watch and check the time.
Quite often, there is a difference between the time shown by different watches. Strangely, some people argue over this issue and try to establish that their watch alone gives the correct time. In the same way, Sri Ramakrishna would say that religions are paths are approaches to reach the same goal of ultimate reality. When someone believes that their path alone is right, it is similar to when they believe that their watch alone gives the correct time.
Sri Ramakrishna would add that individual watches may show different times, but it is necessary to check one’s watch with the sun which never makes a mistake. The idea here is that the individual paths may be different, but as one does intense Sadhana, one has to constantly refer to the highest or the supreme goals of life according to one’s own religion. The aspirant should single-mindedly strive towards his own goal. Once such a goal is reached, one will find that there is no cause for any strife or disharmony.
Such a person who tastes the highest bliss of life will be elevated to such a state of mind that he will be in harmony with the entire universe.