What path leads to Perfection – Karma-Kanda, Yoga or the Knowledge?

– Pujya Bapuji

Jaimini was a disciple of Bhagavan Veda Vyasaji. Jaimini taught Karma-Kanda (the ritual section of the Vedas), and Yajna-yaga (sacrificial rites) to his disciple, and said: “O disciple! Now you are eligible for heaven.” Yajna, Japa-Tapa are purifiers of intellect.

`kmo XmZ§ VníM¡d nmdZm{Z _Zr{fUm_² &&

“Sacrifice, charity and austerity are verily the purifiers of the wise.” (Gita: 18.5)

The disciple said: “Guruji, I am eligible for heaven, but when I enjoy heavenly pleasures, just the same as whilst ever I have money, I will be allowed to stay in a comfortable and luxurious dwelling (like a five star hotel), but when the money is finished I will be asked to leave, similarly until I have religious merits I shall stay in heaven but when the merits are finished I will be thrown out and there will be sorrow again. As a result, I will go into someone’s womb and if conception does not take place, then I will be compelled to flow into the drain. Therefore Guruvar! Kindly bestow upon me such knowledge, such a path, following which I will be saved from this cycle of misery.”

Gurudev said: “Yes my child! You are absolutely right. You have understood the fault of what we obtain as a result of our actions, hence you have developed dispassion. Now this practice of karma (rituals) is not for you. Go to revered Patanjali and perform Samadhi there.”

Patanjali taught Pranayama, Meditation, Dharana (Concentration) and Yogic techniques up to Samadhi. Savikalpa Samadhi (a state of Samadhi in which the distinction between the knower, knowledge, and known is not yet lost). Great bliss and peace… he conquered hunger and thirst and attained a healthy body… after having all this, when he reached the state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi (the highest state of concentration in which the soul loses all sense of being different from the universal Self, but a temporary state from which there is a return to ego-consciousness), he remained in Nirvikalpa bliss for quite a long time. When samadhi broke, illumination dawned: “Patanjali Maharaj! With your grace I reached the state of samadhi, and reached Ashta siddhis (eight supernatural powers) and Navanidhi (nine varieties of extraordinary exaltation that come to a Yogi as he advances and progresses in Yoga). However, the Ashtasiddhi and Navanidhi were also possessed by Hanumanji, yet to achieve the thing for which he went to the holy feet of Ramaji, such a thing which is never lost. Lord Patanjali! I want to attain that thing. That which is obtained from the external world will get lost. One, who existed in the past, exists now and will exist in the future forever. I want that knowledge and would like to establish myself in that.”

Patanjali Maharaj was very pleased, and said: “O son! Now I will not be able to help you. You need to approach Veda Vyasaji.” Veda Vyasaji was a highly exalted saint. By imparting Tattva jnana to the disciple of Jaimini he removed the veil of ignorance, due to which the one which exists (eternal) is not seen and the one which is non-existent is seen.

Demigods and Rishis prayed to Veda Vyasaji: “God sends the jiva into the world due to the bondage of action, but on the contrary Gurudev cuts off this bondage and establishes one in the real Self, hence there should be something called ‘Guru Day’, ‘Guru-worship Day’ as well. Then Ashadhi Poornima (the full moon day in the ’ ’ month of Ashadh) was fixed as Guru Day or Guru-worship Day. But then they asked: “Where should we come to worship you?” The Big hearted Vyasaji said: “Wherever there is a great man, distributing the divine gift of the knowledge of the Vedas and Brahma Vidya (knowledge about Absolute Reality), I consider His worship as my own worship, regard to Him as regard for me and disregard to Him as disregard for me.