MUMBAI: "Different religions fulfil different needs of a variety of people. However, love, sacrifice, service and righteousness are qualities which are common to all faiths," observes Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi in his message to people, on the occasion of his 76th birthday, which will be celebrated by his followers on November 23.

Religion, the spiritual leader points out, is not a restrictive concept. "It is intended to develop the human personality and give guidelines for right living," he observes.

All religions propagate unity for the well-being of the society and to promote these sacred qualities among people different religions were established, he explains. "And people have to cultivate a sense of community if they wish to live in peace and harmony," he says.

In his message Sai Baba notes that a person does not become religious by merely observing rituals. To be "upright and compassionate" are more important, he says, adding that selfless service of humanity is more beneficial to spiritual development than meditating or chanting mantras in a closed room.

He quotes the famous saying: "Hands that help are holier than lips that pray."

According to the Vedas, he says, the four goals of a human being are righteousness, wealth, desire and salvation. "Since the first and the last are difficult to attain, people give them up as impractical and struggle to attain wealth and desire—the two main reasons for all misery and sorrow afflicting humanity," he says.

"Earn wealth through righteousness and let your primary desire be salvation," he suggests. Quest for 'self-knowledge', he opines, is essential for a human being as it promotes reverence and respect for all creation.

And love is the divine principle which is the core of every human being and becoming aware of this truth is the divine goal of life, he says.

"People should realise that there is only one religion — love, only one caste — the caste of humanity, only one language — that of the heart and there is only one law — the law of karma (action). And there is only one God — who is omnipresent," he summarises.