Many Paths, Same Destination?
By: Babhru Dasa (BVKS)
In todays progressive and spiritually minded youth, it has become greatly fashionable to culture and express the idea that, “all paths are valid and they all lead to the same destination.” This idea is true in a limited sense but not in the fullest and most absolute sense.
This idea has basically manifested within the spiritual community due to an overlapping influence from the growing materially liberal and progressive sections of modern society. Such sections of the secular world, promote religious universalism, gay freedom, animal-rights, healthy living, vegetarianism, etc.
Although many of these aspects of the progressive culture are great for spiritual advancement there may be downsides also. Of course we should respect all religious people and allow people to worship as they will but the problem lies in thinking that all religions or spiritual practices are, “one and the same.” So basically when the idea of universal acceptance became prominent in the modern culture, it also lead to a perverted and illusory concept that, “all is one.”
This idea is vastly pervasive within todays western culture that exists around chanting mantras, kirtans, bhajans, and other “bhakti-influenced” activities. Most of the misconceptions result almost entirely due to lack of connection with, hearing from, and learning the practical application (of such practices) from the authentic spiritual lineages of the eastern world (where kirtan and bhajan originate.) In Padma Purana it is stated:
“The holy formula (mantra) that is received without the proper disciplic succession will never bear any fruit. This is why in this age Kali, four great souls will emerge and establish the different Vaishnava successions in the form of Sri( Lakshmi), Brahma, Rudra (Shiva) and the four Kumaras. The four great leaders will begin to manifest their four authorized disciplic successions from the holy Dham of Puri. Originally, Sri Laksmi Devi had given this sacred knowledge to Ramanujacarya, Lord Brahma to Sri Madhva, Rudra to Visnu Swami and the Four Kumaras to Nimbarkacarya. They, after being endowed with spiritual knowledge, promulgated their own individual disciplic successions.”
There is no chance of perfection of the mantra received if no implicit obedience to the previous spiritual masters exists. Thus the four great spiritual masters have preached the different tenets of Vaishnava philosophy accordingly namely, non-duality with particular attributes (Visisitadvaita) by Ramanjua, pure duality (suddhadvaita) of Sri Madhva, pure non-duality (suddhadvaita) of Vishnu Swami and instantaneous oneness and difference (dvaitadvaita) of Nimbarka Swami.
Since most are no understanding the vedic paradigm of spiritual life (at least on a somewhat deep level) it will be important for us to analyze how it is true that all religions and spiritual practices of different cultures all belong to a part of the bigger spiritual picture (just not in the conglomerous hodgepodge way.) Krishna Himself even says that all people are on the path of gradual elevation to the higher esoteric realizations of God.
“All of them-as they surrender unto Me-I reward accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pṛthā.” – BG 4.11
As we know, all over the world, different religious systems manifest at different times and generally those local and regional populations take up such doctrines to one degree or another.
It is also interesting to note that each of these doctrines all “claim to be supreme.” Or at least the followers of those doctrines claim such things. Now why would God allow so many different religious practices to manifest which all claim to be “supreme and the only way to Him”?
The reason is, due to different peoples level of purity and qualification they will be allowed access to different aspects and realizations of God. By following their current system of religion (if done properly) they will gradually make advancement and come to a higher standard of purity/ qualification (adhikara). In order for these individuals to follow their current practice whole heartedly (or at least to some extant) they have to be imbued with the understanding that it is supreme. Why would somebody follow a path that they think isn’t supreme? So in this way for the good of all souls, God allows this transcendental trick to go on.
We can see Krishna states the same in the following:
“I am in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul. As soon as one desires to worship the demigods, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to some particular deity.” BG 7.21
This can also be understood in a very practical way. As we can easily experience within this material world, as a person approaches somebody for an intimate relationship, they are not awarded that intimate relationship right away. Gradually according to how the person acts and relates with the other person they will allow them to see more and more intimate qualities and details of their existence. It is not that they will just allow anyone and everyone to enter into their intimate life. If they allow “unqualified” persons to enter into the existence of their innermost hearts feelings, they will most likely not understand them and can even emotionally hurt that person.
Similarly God wants to see that our motivations and feelings towards him are completely genuine. God has the most tender and loving heart, and He has to protect Himself and the other pure souls from unqualified intruders. Lest they disrupt the divinely sweet and innocent dealings going on those super-most excellent realms of transcendental intimacy.
Understanding that concept we can now move onto understanding karma. As we know karma (action) and the cultivation of desires (material or spiritual) are what propel us forward into future births and situations. For example we can understand that if an individual is cultivating certain ideas and a type of consciousness that is similar to that of a hindu’s, then they will be born into a situation that promotes that. If their karmic makeup and consciousness is more suitable for that of a christian understanding and lifestyle then they will be given a suitable destination in their coming birth. If one wants to be completely materialistic or atheistic he will be given full facility. We should fully understand the concept that we will attain that which we truly desire, and deserve.
In the bible this idea is backed up by the famous saying,
“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
Furthermore Krishna states:
“Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.” Bhagavad-Gita 8.6
Contrary to what we may think, the state mind at the time of death is completely based upon whatever has taken prominence throughout our daily life. It is not some magical, hocus-pocus, sentimental, and idealistic occurrence. It is based fully upon how we practically lived our life. Spiritual life is a science, not a blind-following, dogmatic belief. For further evidence we can see the following:
“Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Kṛṣṇa and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.” -BG 8.7
We should also understand that everyone is a unique individual person but generally speaking, there are different categories of how people can be karmically grouped together by birth into certain races, families, nations, and religious practices. It all just depends on how a person cultivated their consciousness in previous births. And as we know, the material world is limited, and thus limits the outcome of a persons material destination.
People who want to carry out activities in the mode of ignorance (tamo-guna) such as eating meat, doing intoxication etc. will be placed in a situation which is meant to gradually purify them and bring them to the next rung of spiritual advancement. For someone whose activities are based primarily in the mode of goodness (sattva-guna) there will be greater scope for understanding the higher truths of spiritual life. Such people are generally vegetarian, simple-hearted, contemplative, and naturally compassionate. These different groups of people have different tendencies towards worship as described in the following verse.
“Men in the mode of goodness worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion worship the demons; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.” -BG 17.4
“When one dies in the mode of goodness, he attains to the pure higher planets. When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruitive activities; and when he dies in the mode of ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom.” – BG 14.14-15
In connection to the above, it should be understood that when Krishna says those in the mode of goodness attain the “pure higher planets” this is not referring to “Heaven or other spiritual destinations.” Actually this refers to Swargaloka or other “higher planets.” This is the realm where sattva-guna predominates and most of the demigods live.
In order to attain the transcendental realm one must transcend the three modes of nature and come to the stage of shuddha-sattva (spiritual goodness.)
“One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.” -BG 14.26
So we can understand just as the sanskrit vedas are many branched and meant for bringing all different types of people closer to a higher spiritual platform, similarly religions around the world are also meant to gradually elevate their practitioners. This all makes a lot of sense if we simply understand the principal that spiritual life is a multi-lifetime proposition.
So in this way, depending on the individuals desires to enjoy the material world, they will be allowed to understand God in different degrees. Some people will be more attracted to the worship of different devatas (who are Krsna’s deputed servants) which are all meant to help bring the practitioner to a higher stage of purification (through the process of following rules and regulations and by having some sort of focused practice.) But we should understand, this is not bhakti-yoga, this is karma-yoga. Bhakti-yoga is completely unmotivated and real bhakti begins at the liberated stage (free from pursuit of material desires.)
“One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman. He never laments nor desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.” -BG 18.54
“Bhakti means the activities of the liberated stage. That is not material things. So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is little difficult to understand because these activities are for the persons who have already attained mokṣa.” -A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If the seeker has a truly humble and open heart, they will easily be able to see the different stages of revelation different practitioners have. A more neophyte spiritualist may be “very materialistic” whereas more advanced spiritualists are at the stage of unmotivated, selfless, loving devotional service to God. Those who live their life detached from material sense gratification and are always absorbed in Godly consciousness are the best among men. If one does not come in contact with and eagerly take the association of such advanced spiritualists it will be very difficult or almost impossible for them to advance. To reveal just how rare such a saintly devotee of God really is, Krsna says the following:
“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” -BG 7.19
For spiritualists who want to attain realization of Krsna in Vrindavan, they will need to follow the scientific process (outlined by the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan) for attaining a suitable spiritual body, mood, and type of love for entering such a realm. Similarly, if a person wants to enter into the impersonal brahman, they will have to follow the sadhana for that. Just as in the material world people follow different practices and regimens to attain different materialistic goals. Thus if we see spiritual life as a practical reality, we can see that saying, “all paths lead to the same place” is very naive and against practically all principles of reality.
However according to the vedas, all paths do culminate and lead to the gradual acceptance and revelation of the one true and universal practice for the soul, i.e prema-bhakti (pure devotional loving service to Krsna or one of His expansions.) It is just simply a matter of how long that will take. For some it may take millions or billions of further lifetimes.
For others they may attain perfection in this lifetime. It all depends on that persons sincere innermost desires and ambitions. Even for the impersonalist, it is known that their “liberation” is not an eternal destination. It may last a very, very long time, but “a long time” is completely different from eternal.
“O lotus-eyed Lord, although nondevotees who accept severe austerities and penances to achieve the highest position may think themselves liberated, their intelligence is impure. They fall down from their position of imagined superiority because they have no regard for Your lotus feet.” – Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.2.32
Furthermore, even in the spiritual realm there is certainly variegatedness and distinction. The vedas describe that there is unlimited vaikuntha planets all with a different form of Vishnu/Narayana present with their devotees. And in the apex of all existence lies the realm of Goloka Vrindavan (Krsna’s spiritual abode.) Only in Krsna’s abode is it found that the eternally perfected souls (siddhas) are embued with a type of love for Krsna which is completely devoid of any awe or reverence. The divine realm of Goloka shines brilliantly with the pure, innocent, and unlimitedly sweet love of the vraja-vasis (madhurya-prema.)
Furthermore we find the outer sections of Goloka (Dwarka and Mathura) to be imbued with different modes of worship for Krsna, such as that which is mixed with awe and reverence ( Aishvarya-jnana.) Even in the “Vrindavan section” it is known that each individual has a completely unique and loving attitude toward Krsna.
As a conclusion we will just restate the importance of understanding how the vedas are created to attract all peoples to some sort of spiritual practice. Each soul is on a gradual progression back home to Godhead and there is certainly an ascending progression of revelations in connection with the intimacy of God, His associates, and His realm. We should also consider that it is always better to aim for the highest goal, and by Gods grace, we will be successful.
“O King, one who has given up all material duties and has taken full shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, who offers shelter to all, is not indebted to the demigods, great sages, ordinary living beings, relatives, friends, mankind or even one’s forefathers who have passed away. Since all such classes of living entities are part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, one who has surrendered to the Lord’s service has no need to serve such persons separately.” -SB 11.5.41