Religious teachings assert the presence of a higher power in every facet of existence

We all are today living in an age where technology rules, yet many of us believe that god is everywhere and in everything around us. According to religious scholars, HE is present in every creature and every particle and everything is a manifestation of HIM. Is it so? If that’s the case then why is there so much strife, hatred and sorrow in this world? For ages, humans have prayed to HIM and undertaken penances to get a glimpse of HIM or receive HIS blessings. Now! From a rational point of view, the very act of prayer is contrary to the belief in God's omnipresence, because if HE is present everywhere and in everyone, what is the need to pray? And why have saints, seers and other holy people searched for Supreme if HE was everywhere?

In the 18th Chapter of the Gita which is a summary of the entire Bhagavad-Gita, God says ‘sarva-dharman parityajya ,mam ekam saranam vraja, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo,moksayisyami ma sucah’ meaning Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions.

Do not fear. This brings up the most important question of liberation or salvation. It is believed that God comes or descends to this world to liberate humanity from sorrow. Now! if he is already present everywhere, where is the need for him to come from anywhere? nor should sages and saints need to undertake rigorous practices to attain moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Going by the history of various religions, it is said that the founders of those religions brought the Supreme's message to mankind at different points in history to rid humanity of evil. Now! If HE were in this world HE wouldn't need to send any messenger to communicate with HIS children among whom He is present. Does he? There is also the belief that all human souls are fragments of God and they will ultimately merge into HIM.

This mistaken belief also implies that the Supreme Soul and human souls are separate, though the fact is that souls are children, not fragments, of God and both of them are eternal and they never merge. When all these things contradict the idea of an omnipresent God why is it that it still has a hold on human minds? One reason is that the devotees have misinterpreted the omnipotence of God as omnipresence because HE helps them wherever they are and whenever they need HIM, often by giving them divine visions.

This is mistaken by many devotees to be a manifestation of the omnipresence of God. But in reality, it is not so. In Bhagavad-Gita, the Almighty Supreme clearly says that humans cannot reach HIM by prayer, penance, reading scriptures or doing charitable deeds. HE gives HIS introduction to everyone when HE comes to this world at the end of the Iron Age when unrighteousness has reached extreme proportions and humanity is experiencing great sorrow.

He also reminds us of our true identity, that we all are eternal souls and not bodies and finally HE teaches us the unique art of Rajyoga, by which the souls can cleanse themselves of all their sins and become worthy of taking birth in the Golden Age where there is complete peace, purity and happiness. So, stop searching for him, instead start following his divine teachings.

(Writer is a spiritual educator & popular columnist; views are personal)