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The idea of this essay came out of
a discussion Mrs. Krishnasami and I had about one of
the fundamental laws in Physics: Action and reaction
are equal and opposite.
We arrived at a conclusion that the
ultimate cause should be energy or power or some force
whose laws are unchanging and are consistent not only
on this earth but also throughout the universe and which
has orderliness, beauty and majesty.
Then the question arose as to whether
there is any place in such a wonderful nature of things
or creation for a person behind it or as the author
of it, or was it all mere mute force accidentally getting
formulated into immutable and wonderful laws.
This thought led to the reasoning that
as man was at the peak as the crown of creation and
as he held dear a most precious attribute called personality,
which has also the property of individuality, the originator,
or the author or the creator or the one who was responsible
for nature and man's coming into being must also have
a personality with a distinct individuality, for nothing
can come out of nothing. And not only that but also
that person should be perfect in all his parts, in all
his aspect for nothing less than the best can apply
to such a person.
Also that person should in the nature
of things be the summum bonum or the ideal of all that
is best, perfect, just, holy and loving besides being
endowed with Truth, Goodness and Beauty. For these are
the ideals of civilized man and each of which he aims
to achieve.
In such a short space we seem to have
traversed vast grounds of thought without realising
it. We had been led to think of a Great Architect of
the Universe who had planned the laws by which the whole
nature is governed and a Grand Geometrician of the Universe
who has laid schemes and drawn designs and is carrying
them out. We have also had a glimpse of the Most High
as a Person with an individuality. What connection can
all this have with the Grand principles on which Freemasonry
is founded, viz, Brotherely Love, Relief and truth ?
When we say Brotherly Love it presumes
that we believe that we are all children of one father,
God. The best definition of Brotherly Love that comes
to my mind is from St. John the Apostle, the beloved
disciple of Jesus Christ, who said:
"He who says that he is in the
light, and has hate in his heart for his brother, is
still in the dark."
"He who has love for his brother
is in the light, and there is no cause of error in him."
(Ist Epistle of John, Ch. 2:9 & 10)
"No man has ever seen God: if
we have love for one another, God is in us and his love
is made complete in us."
(Ist Epistle of John, Ch.4:12)
Having come in our thoughts when dealing
with Brotherly Love, to God dealing with Brotherly Love,
to God Himself, I do not think that I should say any
more about it.
But what about Relief ?
Regarding this also certain verses
from the Volume of the Sacred Law come to my mind: St.
James writes in his Epistle, Chapter 2, Verses 15 and
16 as follows:-
"If a brother or a sister is without clothing and
in need of food,
"And one of you says to there, Go in peace, be
warm and full of food; but you do not give them the
things of which their bodies have need, what profit
is there in this ?"
Also in I John, Ch. 3:17 it is said:
"But if a man has this world's
goods, and sees that his brother is in need, and keeps
his heart shut against his brother, how is it possible
for the love of God to be in him?"
Thus in essence Relief boils down to
this, that we share what we have got with those who
do not have but need them so that there is fellow-feeling
and cheer and contentment all around. Happy have we
met; happy have we been!
And now we come to the chief Corner
Stone of the three grand principles of Freemasonry:
Truth.
What is Truth? Truth is a fact; Truth
is one which is everlasting; Truth does not change:
Truth is at all times; Truth is at all places; Truth
is everywhere at one and the same time; Truth is at
all places; Truth is everywhere at one and the same
time; Truth is true not only on this earth but throughout
nature and creation; truth is apprehended by all irrespective
of the clime or clolour or creed or race to which one
belongs but even by those which are in an animate and
inanimate states. While others are transitory and pass
away, Truth stays everisting and unchanging, the Alpha
and Omega of the universe and of all creation and indeed
the source of all life and of our very existence.
Various religions have various ways
of expressing this. In the Hindu religion the Ultimate
is called "Sat Chit Ananda." At another time
and on another occasion perhaps we can discuss the second
two aspects of Godhood as mentioned above but on this
occasion let me concern myself only with emphasising
the first part of this three-fold nature of the Creator
viz., "Sat": Truth. He alone is Truth.
As one of the grand principles of Freemasonry
is Truth it means that each one of us who are freemasons,
in our daily advancement of Masonic knowledge, should
also seek to know more about Truth. We should strain
our efforts to achieve this, the chiefest of the grand
principles of Masonry, which when successful lead us
to the very throne of the Almighty and if found in favour
to reach the feet of the Most High Himself.
Freemasonry does not claim to be a
religion. Yet, viewed in the manner in which it is dealt
with in this easy, in its very base is the grandest
principle of all religions, viz., Truth. The daily advancement
in Masonic knowledge which a Mason is presumed to make
means that all his actions and thoughts must be so shaped
and directed as to the ultimate discovery of Truth.
What is Truth ? asked Pilate of Jesus
Christ; but before he could receive an answer he went
out in a hurry anxious to proclaim the innocence of
Jesus to the clamoring crowd outside. The spirit and
the circumstances in which the question was asked was
poignant indeed.
And yet the very person to whom the
question was put had said:
"To this end was I born, and for
this cause came I into the world, that I should bear
witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth
heareth my voice"
(St. John, Ch 18:37)
He had also said:
"I am the way, the truth, and the life."
(St. John, Ch. 14:6)
These are very weighty words and I
must close this short essay with those words.
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