Practice Vedanta and Return to Godhead

Feb 19, 2004, 12.00am IST

Spiritual development is a systematic, methodic process that needs to be learnt and practised like any other skill. But very few understand spiritual growth as being systematic or methodic.


Most people randomly pick up books and practices without understanding their significance and place in the overall process. Consequently they remain where they are — or they could end up harming themselves.


So it is essential that one puts in the effort to learn the knowledge of life and living systematically. The philosophy of Vedanta is useful in this regard.


Spiritual practice or yoga has greater significance than what is commonly understood. The term 'yoga' in Sanskrit and 'religion' in English have a common meaning. Yoga is derived from the root yuj, which means to join, unite.

The word 'religion' is derived from the Latin terms re and ligare, which mean to bind back or join back. Thus, religion or yoga is the process by which one unites to the Self, the godhead within.

A human being is separated from his true Self, atman or godhead by a mass of desires. He needs to slowly overcome his desires and reveal that Self.

Human beings are made up of body, mind and intellect. One needs to use these equipment effectively for spiritual evolution. The use of the intellect for gaining spiritual knowledge is Gnana Yoga. Engaging the mind in devotion is Bhakti Yoga.

Karma Yoga refers to the use of physical action for spiritual growth. There is a misconception that one has to choose a single yoga for one's growth. Actually, one needs to perform all three yogas.

The extent of their effect will differ from one individual to another. For example, a person of predominantly active temperament would need to do Karma, the service that will determine his evolution.

The proportion of Gnana, Knowledge, Bhakti and Devotion would be smaller in comparison. But he would still need to perform them to ensure an all-round development of his personality.


Gnana Yoga is training the intellect to think and contemplate upon the realities of life including understanding the purpose of human existence. Bhakti Yoga is mis- understood to be mechanical performance of rites and ritual.

One turns to God anticipating fulfilment of selfish motives. This is not true devotion. Bhakti envisages a much deeper import than what is commonly understood.
Devotion begins with an attitude of gratitude. An understanding of all the benefit that one has been showered with. Oxygen is provided for sustenance. The eyes are able to see.
Ears to hear. A mysterious power bestows these and numerous other provisions to sustain us. True Bhakti unfolds with gratitude for these miraculous provisions.
Karma Yoga is action performed with a higher ideal. Purposeful action that transcends mere selfishness, that encompasses the interests of the community, progressive action that renders the mind peaceful and provides the initiative for dynamic action.
Performance of the three yogas slowly reduces the desires within. When most of the desires are removed, the mind becomes calm and steady, fit for deeper contemplation.
Only such a controlled mind can be directed to meditation. Meditation is therefore for advanced spiritual practitioners, for those who have consistently performed the three yogas with dedicated effort.
Only a seeker with a perfectly controlled mind is qualified for meditation that can expose the Self within. Self-realisation is our ultimate goal. This state of ultimate bliss, fulfilment and liberation is the culmination of human existence.

Gautam Jain