The answer depends on you, your inherent nature, your capabilities, the resources at your disposal, and so on. Different paths may be best for different people.
For example, supposing you want to go to India from United States. You have lot of options. You can take a flight and fly to India with probably a couple of stop overs on the way.
If you were living a few centuries ago, you probably would have boarded a ship and set sail to India following a circuitous route, spending several days.
If you are an adventurous type, you may enjoy cycling to India by combining land and sea routes!
But if you are the president of United States, then you can fly straight from White house to the Rastrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on a presidential carrier, with all the comforts and exclusivity.
The destination is the same – India. But depending on what you can afford, what suits you and what option is available, you make the choice. Each mode has its own associated cost and advantage.
So how does one choose among the four paths – path of inquiry, path of meditation, path of selfless service, and the path of devotion that we discussed earlier?
First you need to understand each path, ponder over it, make an assessment of your abilities and the time at your disposal. And then take an informed decision.
Unlike some religious texts, Bhagavadgeetha does not force the decision on you. It only suggests the alternatives. It is up to you to take the path that best suits you.
The most important concluding verse of Bhagavadgeetha says-
“This profound knowledge about various paths have been given to you. Think about them, analyze them completely, and take a decision on what you want to do - “asheshena vimrshya, yathaa icchasi tathaa kuru ”
If you were living a few centuries ago, you probably would have boarded a ship and set sail to India following a circuitous route, spending several days.
If you are an adventurous type, you may enjoy cycling to India by combining land and sea routes!
But if you are the president of United States, then you can fly straight from White house to the Rastrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on a presidential carrier, with all the comforts and exclusivity.
The destination is the same – India. But depending on what you can afford, what suits you and what option is available, you make the choice. Each mode has its own associated cost and advantage.
So how does one choose among the four paths – path of inquiry, path of meditation, path of selfless service, and the path of devotion that we discussed earlier?
First you need to understand each path, ponder over it, make an assessment of your abilities and the time at your disposal. And then take an informed decision.
Unlike some religious texts, Bhagavadgeetha does not force the decision on you. It only suggests the alternatives. It is up to you to take the path that best suits you.
The most important concluding verse of Bhagavadgeetha says-
“This profound knowledge about various paths have been given to you. Think about them, analyze them completely, and take a decision on what you want to do - “asheshena vimrshya, yathaa icchasi tathaa kuru ”
Based
on Bhagavad Geetha, one of the most quoted and widely translated of
the ancient Indian scriptures, believed to have been composed by
Vyasa as part of the great Indian Epic Mahabharata, 5000 years ago.
The interpretation of the verses and audio recital are by Dr.King
(Copyright © 2018 Dr. King)
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