Interfaith: Belief Without Borders

Generally, the basic spirit of the term interfaith or inter religiousness is to bring together people from different religions, sects, beliefs, doctrines and ideas, mainly through the process of dialogue and action.

- Dr. Ravindra Kumar

The root of the current common idea of interfaith could be found in a portion of a Mantra of the Rigveda (1: 164: 46), the most sacred and important interpreter of the Sanatana Dharma, which says, “Ekam Sadvipraa Bahudhaa Vadanti”, i.e., “Truth is one (only), whom the wise call by different names.” This entire verse of the Rigveda is very important. Along with binding the entire humanity in the thread of unity, it is also capable of achieving the objective of interfaith at present. This entire verse states:

“Indram Mitram Varunamagnimaahuratho Divyah Sa Suparno Garutmaan/

Ekam Sadvipraa Bahudhaa Vadantyagnim Yamam Maatarishvaanamaahuh//”

“They call Aditya (the Supreme Being in the form of Truth) as Agni, Indra, Mitra and Varuna, the greatest of all divine, golden-winged, graceful in motion; He is the one (only) Truth, whom the wise call by different names like Yama and Matarishva.”