Pronounced difference among Vedic scholars in their philosophical views …

BY HDG B.S. TIRTHA MAHARAJ

Q. Why is there always a pronounced difference among Vedic scholars in their philosophical views and the processes for liberation that they recommend?

A. In India, generally, learned people dedicated to Vedic culture representing various philosophies and suggesting different processes for spiritual emancipation are classified under three categories, viz., jnanis or impersonalists, yogis or mystics and bhaktas or devotees.

Based on their own perception and understanding of scriptures, these Vedic authorities have recommended processes for spiritual perfection which may apparently contradict each other. One should only carefully scrutinise such recommendations under the able guidance of a truly liberated person in order to understand the actual intent underlying such suggestions by the learned authorities.

For example, the impersonalists’ philosophy lays heavy emphasis on the falsity of this material cosmos and our physical bodies. The mystics always highlight the importance of achieving transcendental meditation or samadhi through practice of eight fold mystic exercises (ashtanga yoga), whereas the devotees recommend loving devotion to the Supreme Lord Sri Vishnu or Sri Krishna through service. A sincere seeker wanting to determine the most perfect process for the highest spiritual realisation can effortlessly draw conclusions by proper analysis of the general outlines of these recommendations. By intelligent considerations of all methods prescribed in different sections of Vedic literature, one can easily understand that they are not contradictory, but stand beautifully reconciled.

The monist scholars are correct when they say that we are not the material bodies, for, the real ‘we’ are the spirit souls and the material world is false because it is temporary. Similarly, mystic yogis’ insistence on the practice of ashtanga yoga is understandable because these exercises help a conditioned being to quickly bring his unbridled senses under control.

At the same time, one will agree that mere negation of the material body and the manifested universe alone cannot lead one to the highest spiritual perfection since there is a need to know the positive side of one’s individual spiritual existence as well as that of an eternal abode beyond this ephemeral cosmic appearance. Likewise, by mere subjugation of senses one cannot achieve the purposeful end because there is always a risk of drifting away from spiritual pursuit to mundane activities owing to accidental deviation or inattentiveness. This is because, our active physical senses are used to engagement, and mere restraint from their involvement in material activities is not sufficient in itself. Therefore, to achieve the ultimate goal of life, which is God realisation, the devotees always counsel or advise that the senses be engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord, the highest spiritual activity.

Thus, different practices advocated by spiritually advanced people are nothing but progressive stages that necessarily culminate in the cultivation of bhakti or devotion. In fact varied processes suggested form a part of devotional service and not that their goals exist separately. They are not independent paths of deliverance. Jnana and yoga are actually the ascending processes that lead to the end called ‘Bhakti’.