- Suresh was advised by the doctor to smoke just 2 cigarettes per day.
- Father told Arvind, if he scores pass marks in mathematics then he would gift him a bicycle.
Do the above examples show that the doctor is promoting smoking and the father discouraging his son from scoring 100% in maths?
Absolutely Not. Suresh was a chain smoker and Arvind an irresponsible student. So to bring them on right track they gave them a means by which they can improve themselves. Suresh does not have to smoke daily instead he should gradually give it up. And Arvind should start studying hard so that he can score very good marks in the long run.
We find that people in this world have different levels of consciousness. Some are in mode of goodness (sattva – guna), some in passion (rajo – guna) and some in ignorance (tamo – guna).
God as the supreme father of all the living entities deals with each person as per his individual level of consciousness. This is why we find that in this world we have different religion and in Vedas also different processes have been suggested to the people based on their individual ability and capability.
For e.g. the meat eaters are allowed to sacrifice a goat. While sacrificing a goat they are supposed to utter the words that in this life I am killing you and in the next life you can kill me. But this is not the highest path.
When Jesus Chirst came to this world then he tried to preach the absolute truth but he was not able to impart complete knowledge because his followers at that time were mostly fishermen. This is why Jesus told that I want to tell you more but you would not understand them. Similarly when Prophet Mohammed preached then his followers were mostly tribesman who would not have the capability to understand the complete aspect of the world. However when Krishna spoke Bhagavad – gita then his student was Arjuna. Arjuna was a very learned scholar, a great warrior. He possessed all the qualification. This is why Krishna gave him the highest knowledge.
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence. (Bhagavad – Gita 9.1).”
God is one. Everything starts from Him. We were happily living with Him in the spiritual world. However we decided to rebel against the wishes of the Lord and so we were sent to this world.
The purpose of all the religions of the world is to gradually elevate our consciousness so that we can develop love for God. One can develop love for God whether one is following Christianity, Islam or Hinduism; the only qualification required is that one should follow the scriptures as it is. One should not misinterpret it as per one’s own liking.
The examples in the beginning of the article are v nice and convey the theme of the subject matter discussed.
Here is another master piece of Vedic perspective on a question which haunts all intellectual minds!
Thank you Purshottam pr!
ys
Thanks Kaushik Pr. for your invaluable comments.