Hinduism – 9
Any living organism responds to stimulus. Physicist Newton said, ‘for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’. Karma theory says that for every action, be it good or bad, there will be a consequential, equal and inevitable result. The point to note is that Karma theory is based on reason as much as science is. So, ‘as we sow, so we reap’. It is believed that good deeds lead us to heaven and bad to hell. Whether one believes in them or not we know by experience that good deeds lead us to happiness and bad deeds, to misery. A close look at the Advaita theory makes one understand that it is also based on reasoning to a large extent. Doing one’s duty sincerely without expecting result is Karma Yoga. This path is well suited to all ordinary people.
Also read: Bhoota daya
Certain people among us are a bit more emotional. Such people when they love someone their love knows no bounds. If the love is directed towards god, as Mira Bai did, they live in a blissful world of devotion. Devoutly worshipping God and following all the rituals is the way of a person who loves God as much as he loves his family members. The man is so much engrossed in love of god that he does not bother about worldly matters. Such devotees of God are said to be following “Bhakti Yoga”.
Also read: Itihasa means this happened
Gnana Yoga is the path of wisdom taken up by intellectuals who use their mental prowess to understand God. But ‘the One without a second’ (Advaita Brahma) is beyond understanding, beyond language and beyond all the things we can think of to compare to understand Him. They say ‘neti ‘(na+iti=not this), ‘neti (not this) about Him as there is nothing that can be compared to Him. Though he appears in different forms we need to see the formless one behind all the forms. Our third eye (Gnana Netra), which sees beyond the two physical eyes, should be open to know Him.
Also read: The six enemies of man
