Message taken from Sathya Sai Speaks , Volume 6, Chapter 14

Religion has to confer knowledge of the Self; that is its real purpose, not providing matter for club conversation or coffee-hotel-debates. Everyone has to strive to know his own truth and experience it. That striving is the heart of religion; it is the goal of life. Without it, life is as bad as death. Only when superficial activities are transcended does true religion begin. It leads to Brahmaanandha, through the awareness of one's identity with Brahman