An aspect of Vedic teachings unique to its discipline is the information presented about the soul, its position with respect to matter, and the need for avoiding harmful behavior, i.e. sin. The concept of sin surely isn’t exclusive to any single spiritual tradition, but the most complete explanation provided for its existence and the cause of its harmful effects is found only in the Vedic tradition, the oldest system of spirituality in the world. Despite the importance of sin the highest perfection of life does not come from only avoiding the bad. If it did, the roadmap in life would be pretty straightforward. Just steer clear of harmful influences and live happily. The key ingredient for spiritual merits, in finding bliss that transcends both good and bad, is to accept behavior that is all positive, having only a beneficial influence on the future. That acceptance comes through bhakti-yoga, or devotional service.
Bearing this in mind, the existence of an original person, He who passes down supreme wisdom aimed at furthering a better position, must be accepted on faith in the beginning. Lest we think this is a dangerous road to travel, the practice of extending faith is already widely prevalent in society. Every single person puts tremendous faith in others, even those who are known to be unworthy of it. The politician is the classic example. Although they promise this and that, the constituents inherently know that their political leaders lie to get ahead, that they follow whatever line of argument suits them for a particular day. This is why the popularly elected governments are filled with lawyers. A good lawyer can argue any position, using the written words of existing law codes to support their argument. In this sense when a politician who is a lawyer by trade is called out for their duplicity, for their hypocrisy in statements, they are essentially being complimented, for their ability to change positions with conviction shows that they are good at practicing law.
Faith is extended to others because of the results that come from believing in them. We trust that what our teachers are instructing is valid. We don’t know any better; otherwise we would have no reason to sit in the classroom. We accept the statements made by the television news anchors and we believe that the video footage they show is not fabricated. Following a similar tact, when faith is extended to the words of the spiritual master belonging to a line of instruction connected to the original person, there are inherent benefits that must come about. The arrival of these benefits validates the authenticity of both the instructor and his original teacher.
This is where some issues arise. If a spiritual leader tells us that we’re going to hell if we don’t openly declare allegiance to a particular personality, the validity of their statement will not be known until the afterlife. If the existence of the afterlife is already in question, why would the fear of punishment in it be taken seriously? Thus we see one of the major causes for the rampant lack of religiosity pervading the land today. “Follow me or you’re going to hell”, doesn’t work as a selling point because there is no tangible information provided about the person being surrendered to or what the hellish condition is. Moreover, why would punishment be coming to those who are kind, honest, decent and generally pious?
How does this work exactly? Let’s suppose that I identify myself as a human being instead of Brahman. This seems like a broad enough generalization, something which transcends the sectarian boundaries formed off of religious tradition, skin color, nationality, etc. Essentially all of the ills caused by factional strife are rooted in false identification. If I know that I am a human being, these issues will go away, at least for me. The problem is that if I only identify as a human being, I might have the tendency to disrespect other forms of life. I may not have a problem killing an innocent cow, a being who is kind enough to provide milk, which can then be used to create so many other products. The cow eats, sleeps, mates and defends. It has children that it cares for as well. What need would there be for me to unnecessarily kill it, especially when so much other food is available?
Thus far the flawed identification would result only in harm to other creatures, as needlessly killing a cow or other non-human life form seems like it wouldn’t carry any personal negative consequences. Man has dominion over the plants and lower animals. God made man superior for a reason, no? Karma becomes especially relevant in this area. Every action has a reaction, even if that reaction is not known. This fact is especially evident in the behavior of children. A young child has no idea that if they place their hand into a fire, they will get burned. Ignorance in this respect has no bearing on the consequence of the action. The fire will burn because that is what it is meant to do.
Similarly, just because the human being doesn’t know about karma doesn’t mean that they will be saved from the negative consequences to action. If we kill innocent creatures, we are bound to suffer the same fate in the future. This is only fair after all. There can be endless debates over what is fair and what is not, but in the end everything works out. Karma is the ultimate system of fairness. We just think that life is unfair because we don’t always see karma’s results or we forget about past transgressions. Sometimes the effects are short-lived and sometimes they manifest in the future, when the soul accepts another body.
“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste] .” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 5.18)
The lower species are spirit souls who possess bodies not conducive to the development of consciousness. Residence in these forms can be considered punishment for bad behavior, or it can be taken as a sign of spiritual evolution, the gradual upward progression towards a human birth. But there is another aspect to identifying with Brahman besides having respect for other creatures. For starters, if we know that we are spirit soul, we will be better able to learn about karma, material nature, the difference between body and spirit, and the equality of good and bad. These truths are very nicely presented in the Bhagavad-gita, the most concise and wonderful discourse on spirituality ever held on this earth.
Since we are Brahman and not our body, any temporary situation cannot be considered worthwhile or detrimental. What does this mean exactly? If I get time off from work should I not be happy? If I get stricken with a debilitating disease should I not be sad? Since spirit is transcendental to matter, none of these situations are permanent. Do we get sad at the onset of winter? Do we have tremendous elation when summer comes? The wise person knows that the seasons will come and go each year, so there is no reason for overexcitement or dejection. In either direction, the reaction is tempered because of the guaranteed delivery of the future outcomes.
In a similar manner, every condition, either heavenly or hellish, is temporary and the result of karma. Spirit, or Brahman, is above this, though when there is an improper identification, concepts such as good and bad are accepted. It is on this plane that most systems of spirituality hover. “Pray to the Lord, for He will grant your request. This day is going to be good; God will give you what you want. Pray to God and He will hear you and make your life successful.” Granted, these are wonderful practices, as the worshiping mind is dedicated to someone who is above Brahman. At the same time, what is it that we’re praying for? If it’s a temporary condition, we know that it has nothing to do with our identity. Both good and bad are the same for as long as the spirit soul identifies with the body.
It is where to go next that the spiritualists following Vedic traditions diverge in their opinions. If we’re Brahman, obviously we have no business with material nature. Hence to remain Brahman realized, the proper course of action is to negate. Renounce activities which are reserved for the bodily conditioned, those identifying with temporary forms. This means that one should give up intoxication, illicit sex, gambling and meat eating, for these carry negative consequences in karma and also harm the consciousness. If our mind is feverishly engaged in something that only brings flickering happiness, how will we stay Brahman realized?
What does this mean exactly? For starters, for Parabrahman there can never be a false identification. Everything is Him regardless, so how could He ever misidentify with something? But if everything is God, what need is there for worshiping? God has different energies, with even Brahman being one of them. The personal influence of the Supreme Person is only present in His internal energy. Material nature is an expansion that is made specifically for those sparks of Brahman desiring to be deluded into false identification and thus a false sense of enjoyment. Why would anyone want this? Just look around you. How many people worship God on a regular basis? How many people actually love Him? How many people balk at the mere mention of the word “religion” or “God”?
Hence the land we occupy is quite conducive to irreligiosity. If someone doesn’t want to worship God, why would the Lord keep them in His company against their will? In this way we see that karma continues for as long as a spirit soul desires it to. The temporary hellish and heavenly conditions repeat in a cycle, like a wheel that keeps spinning. Just from turning one’s back to God, the negative condition is automatically created. That we have to spin around this wheel of material existence is evidence enough of the hellish condition arising from forgetfulness of our constitutional position.
In addition to being above material nature, Brahman is naturally attracted to Parabrahman. This attraction results in service, as that is the ideal situation for both parties. One side is meant to be served and the other is meant to provide that service, voluntarily. If Brahman is not fully convinced of the need to serve Parabrahman, no bliss can result. In this respect we see that negation of harmful activities cannot possibly provide the final solution in life, for there will be no interaction with the Supreme Lord. The next step into bhakti must be made in order for spiritual life to fully mature.
The absolute nature of the Supreme Lord provides that wonderful gift of association even to those who lack God’s personal presence. In bhakti, just thinking of God - His sweet smiling face, the sounds of His flute, the beauty of His figure - is as good as being in front of Him. God plays a flute? In His original form the Lord is described as being all-attractive; hence He is addressed as Krishna. Not to be confused with a sectarian figure or local folk hero, Krishna is the same God that everyone either worships or forgets. It is not that there is one God for the Hindus and another God for another group. Not everyone may know what He looks like or that He is Parabrahman, but this doesn’t mean that there are multiple personalities.
Krishna is so kind that He even expands into many non-different forms, such as Lord Vishnu and His avataras. The personal expansions are equally as approachable as Krishna, but the prerequisite of adopting the bhakti mindset is still there. One has to know that negation is not enough, that positive action in bhakti is what should be accepted wholeheartedly. The best way to connect with Krishna is to regularly chant His names found in the sacred maha-mantra, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”. Lest we think this is some strange sequence of words aimed only at curbing negative influences, one who follows a chanting regimen coupled with abstention from sinful behavior gradually realizes Krishna’s presence in their life. This means that deliverance from hellish life is found within the current lifetime. Heavenly pleasure is also found, as nothing can be more pleasing than constant connection with God in yoga.
In Closing:
Who am I, what am I supposed to be?
With my eyes my temporary form all I can see.
Identify as human being, how is that bad?
From this no prejudice can be had.
Vedas say that Brahman realization is higher,
That spirit is same from species human to lower.
From Brahman we know that body we are not,
An existence beyond duality we have got.
To stay realized, material attachment we negate,
At the same time influence of senses we try to abate.
Yet beyond Brahman knowledge there is more,
Sublime bliss we have got existence for.
Reservoir of sweetness, Krishna is Brahman’s source,
Connect with Him to let real love show its course.
Only through bhakti realize the positive form,
The soul’s constitutional position it does inform.
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