The Many Paths To God

The path of Karma is like that of a road for walking, that of Bhakthi is like that of a path for the bullock cart, that of Jnana is like going by air. This word of Sai is the true path.

Since ancient times, there has been a lot of argument and counter arguments regarding the superiority of one of the pathways of reaching God. In fact the destination of all is same. The three are like Triveni Sangam. The path of Karma (action oriented) is like Ganga. It teaches us that this body is given to achieve all the things in world by way of Dharma. The path of Bhakthi (deviation) is like Yamuna. It teaches us to be pure and stable. The path of Jnana (wisdom) is like the Saraswathi. It is not apparent. It is the Antarvahini (undercurrent). Karma is like the flower which goes on to become an unripe fruit (comparable to Bhakthi). When the unripe fruit becomes ripe that is Jnana in other words once you have matured enough you are ready for the fruit. Karma (action) is for chitthashuddhi (cleansing the chitha) the result of which is Jnana siddhi (achieving wisdom).

The ignorance makes one unaware of the sin, latching onto some thing that does not confer devotion, humans have lost their values, this is really astonishing says Sai. Man does not know what he is speaking or doing. One should speak every thing that is true in all three ways (trikaranashuddhi). The talk should not cause any agitation or raise emotions in others or create dissatisfaction in others. That's why Veda has declared "Sathyam Bhruyath...". Also just because it may hurt others one should not speak untruth. In such situations it is better to be silent rather than speak untruth.

So far this body has seen seventy years and has not yet gone in a train. That time also will come. You may be aware of third class, second class and first class in the olden day trains. The path of action is like third class. It will be little uncomfortable yet it takes you to your destination. The path of devotion is like second class. It is quite comfortable . The path of wisdom is like first class. It is very comfortable. Thus all three take you to destination. Only the degree of comfort varies. Similarly one can compare the path of Karma to break journey. Suppose you have to go to Hyderabad from Dharmavaram. You will have to change the trains in Dronachalam carrying all luggage from one platform to another. The path of Bhakthi is like a through carriage. You will have to simply sit in your compartment and the railway people will attach your bogie to the required train. The path of Jnana is like a through train. You get in at one station and get down at your destination. If you see all the three are interdependent and lead to the same destination.

Below the Atma lies Buddhi (intellect). Below it lies the Manas (mind). Mind controls the senses and lowermost in the chain is the body. There is the same Atma in every one. I would not recommend using the word brotherhood of man. These days there are so many fights that occur among brothers. In my view "Ekatma" (One soul) is a better word. People say Maya (delusion) is covering us. It is not Maya but their Bhrama (illusion). One gets this because there is no self confidence. Mother Yasoda saw the entire universe in little Krishna's mouth. Yet she is not able to shake off her illusion that Krishna is only her son. Karma (action) develops self-confidence and Upaasana (devotion) leads to Pragnana.

Of all the nine paths of devotion the most important is one of Sneha Bhakthi. With this friendship comes self surrender. Sugriva developed this friendship and after his trust in Rama grew, he surrendered to Rama. Rama told that he did not have only three brothers but five, three from Ayodhya, one from Kishkindha (Sugriva) and one from Lanka (Vibhishana).

		Beings are many, breath is one.  
		Nations are many, earth is one.  
		Jewels are many, gold is one.  
		Stars are many, sky is one. 
		There is only one Atma in all.