Path to liberation


How many paths are there for the liberation of man?

Then we have the Siddhanta , the stage or path where things are finally determined as to the real nature and direction of one’s goal, and one is prepared to have the knowledge embodied in all the parts of one’s being and consciousness. This stage and that which succeeds it are for the highest type of sadhaka , the ‘ divya’ sadhaka , who is fit to tread the highest path of inner consciousness that is rapidly nearing transcendental consciousness.
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(June 29, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) There are seven ways for the liberation of man. The first way is the path of Karma . This is the discipline for the man of ordinary mettle. The second is the Vaishnava path in which devotion or bhakti to the Lord plays a greater role than work, and is meant for a higher competence. The third is the Shaiva path which is more a path of meditation and gyana (knowledge).

These three orders or successive stages of discipline are meant for the ordinary category of seeker without any special qualification, the ‘pashu’ sadhaka , who is bound by the bonds of existence.

The fourth path is the Dakshina path where karma , bhakti and gyana are skilfully harmonised and synthesised. Here the fruits of the first three are organised and conserved. Then we have the Vama path or the reverse path where the natural turn outward ( pavritti ), is turned inward ( nivritti ), to the source of all, and everything in creation is looked upon and used as the means for the return to the one consciousness that bases all and governs all.

The process is one of inner identification of oneself with divinity, not only in its state of self-existence , but also in its movement of manifestation.

The Dakshina and Vama paths are for the aspirant who has evolved into higher competence, the one heroic enough, who can struggle and fight the nether forces of ignorance. This type of sadhaka is known as the ‘ vira’ sadhaka .

Then we have the Siddhanta , the stage or path where things are finally determined as to the real nature and direction of one’s goal, and one is prepared to have the knowledge embodied in all the parts of one’s being and consciousness. This stage and that which succeeds it are for the highest type of sadhaka , the ‘ divya’ sadhaka , who is fit to tread the highest path of inner consciousness that is rapidly nearing transcendental consciousness.

The last is the Kaula path. It is one of the most secret traditions of Tantra and the most pre-eminent. According to Tantra there is nothing higher than the Kaula which is the essence of all essences.

There are certain conditions to be fulfilled before the truth of the Kaula path can he revealed. One must have matured in mind and nature as a result of study and discipline undergone in the previous stages. Only to such a person does the knowledge dawn without being taught and explained by others, for one’s mind and inclination depend entirely upon previous preparation. One is ready according to one’s stage of evolution.

The second factor is the degree of purification of consciousness that one has undergone as a result of japa from the Shaivite, Vaishnavite, Shakta, Ganapatya and Saura traditions. Third is the extent to which one has been freed from the deforming elements of ignorance and ego as a combined result of previous austerity, self-giving , sacrifice, repetition of mantras, observances of niyamas and similar acts aimed at ridding oneself of instinctive and lower tendencies .

Here also one must have devotion and faith in the deity or guru . Thus, to one of purified consciousness, calm, active in the ways of the spirit, of high faith, humility, cheerfulness, dedicated to truth and obedient to the commands of the guru, does the Kaula knowledge reveal itself.

Satsang: Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati
- Sri Lanka Guardian