The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : The path of action

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Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

The path of action

CHENNAI, JULY 28 . It is natural for a spiritual aspirant who has undertaken study of the scriptures to evaluate the different means to liberation recommended by them to adopt whichever is the most suitable for his level of spiritual evolution and disposition. In fact, this is the intention of the scriptures also as one method will not be appropriate for all and it will be necessary even for the same person to follow different practices during the course of his life. This does not necessarily mean that one is greater than the other as the ultimate end with which they are pursued is the same— liberation from bondage.

In his discourse on the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Goda Venketeswara Sastri said Arjuna asked Lord Krishna that though He had extolled both the path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga) and the path of action (Karma Yoga) He should clearly tell him which path was conducive to him. Arjuna even before articulating this doubt had decided that the path of knowledge was superior and he was mentally predisposed to it, as he did not want to engage in war (action). But the Lord answered, "The Yoga of knowledge and the Yoga of action both lead to supreme bliss. Of the two, however, the Yoga of action (being easier to pursue) is superior to the Yoga of knowledge." The path of action is commended here because it is ideal for the majority who pursue the spiritual goal as a householder. Besides, the Lord also clarified that both would ultimately lead to the same goal when pursued till the end.

The path of action is said to be superior in comparison to the path of knowledge because it is very creditable if an individual is able to follow the spiritual path diligently while discharging his duties and amidst the innumerable distractions of the world. It is easy for anyone to adopt it as only a change of attitude is necessary for embarking on spiritual life; by dedicating all actions that he performs to God the spiritual seeker becomes a Karma Yogi and is absolved of Karma, which results in rebirth. So, there are no drastic changes to be made in day-to-day life except a conscious reorientation to the spiritual goal and remembering God while performing any action. The path of knowledge, on the other hand can be practised only by a few as the spiritual aspirant should have developed detachment and mental purity by following the path of action. When an individual shows a distinct predilection for the path of knowledge even in young age it must be the result of practising Karma Yoga in a previous life.

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