Changes

देवयानम् ॥ Devayana (Path to the Realm of Gods) and पितृयानम् ॥ Pitruyana (Path to the Realm of Ancestors) is the description of the path of the soul's journey to the higher realms. Existence of [[Atman (आत्मन्)|आत्मन् ॥ Atma]] (soul), after-death life, cycles of birth and death, and [[Moksha Dristipath|मोक्षः ॥ moksha]] (liberation from the cycles of birth and death) are the core principles laid down by the Vedas, on which the [[Upanishads]] elucidate the path for attainment of moksha. Knowledge of [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|ब्रह्मविद्या ॥ brahmavidya]] is an important path towards the attainment of moksha. The path taken by a ब्रह्मजिज्ञासुः ॥ brahmajijnasu and those who go through the cycles of birth and death are elucidated in many vedic texts.

देवयानम् ॥ Devayana (Path to the Realm of Gods) and पितृयानम् ॥ Pitruyana (Path to the Realm of Ancestors) is the description of the path of the soul's journey to the higher realms. Existence of [[Atman (आत्मन्)|आत्मन् ॥ Atma]] (soul), after-death life, cycles of birth and death, and [[Moksha Dristipath|मोक्षः ॥ moksha]] (liberation from the cycles of birth and death) are the core principles laid down by the Vedas, on which the [[Upanishads]] elucidate the path for attainment of moksha. Knowledge of [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|ब्रह्मविद्या ॥ brahmavidya]] is an important path towards the attainment of moksha. The path taken by a ब्रह्मजिज्ञासुः ॥ brahmajijnasu and those who go through the cycles of birth and death are elucidated in many vedic texts.

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचयः || Introduction ==

Sanatana Dharma through various texts and treatises expounded the existence of जीवात्मा ||  [[Jivatma]] (soul) and पुनर्जन्म || [[Punarjanma]] (rebirth or reincarnation) of the soul going through cycles of birth and death according to the person's Karma.  When the Jivatma of an individual leaves the body or [[Upadhi|उपाधिः || Upadhi]] (carnal attibutes) it is called Death. Cycles of birth and death are based on the punyakarma and papakarma of the individual, and it goes on until the soul attains [[moksha]] (salvation).<ref name=":1">[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic Encyclopedia] (Page 613 and 614)</ref>

Sanatana Dharma through various texts and treatises expounded the existence of जीवात्मा ||  [[Jivatma]] (soul) and पुनर्जन्म || [[Punarjanma]] (rebirth or reincarnation) of the soul going through cycles of birth and death according to the person's Karma.  When the Jivatma of an individual leaves the body or [[Upadhi|उपाधिः || Upadhi]] (carnal attibutes) it is called Death. Cycles of birth and death are based on the punyakarma and papakarma of the individual, and it goes on until the soul attains [[moksha]] (salvation).<ref name=":1">[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic Encyclopedia] (Page 613 and 614)</ref>

# In पञ्चाग्नि || Panchagni, the fifth आहुती || ahuti (oblation), how does अप तत्त्व || Apa Tattva get the name of पुरुष || Purusha?   

# In पञ्चाग्नि || Panchagni, the fifth आहुती || ahuti (oblation), how does अप तत्त्व || Apa Tattva get the name of पुरुष || Purusha?   

In Chandogya Upanishad, in answer to these questions, the explanation about the Devayana and Pitruyana is given.  

In Chandogya Upanishad, in answer to these questions, the explanation about the Devayana and Pitruyana is given.  

== [[देवयान मार्ग|देवयान ||]] [[देवयान मार्ग|Devayana]] (Path to the Realm of Brahma) ==

== देवयानम् || Devayana (Path to the Realm of Brahma) ==

The Devayana path also called as Northern path or the path of light is the path by which the student or sadhaka of Brahmavidya goes to Brahman. This path leads to salvation and takes the devotee to Brahmaloka. These sadhakas consider the worship of Brahman above the religious rites and are called Aparavidya upasakas<ref name=":1" />. The student who receives [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|ब्रह्मविद्या || Brahmavidya]] with श्रद्धा || shraddha (devotion) while doing तपस् || tapas in the forest follows the path as described in Chandogya Upanishad (Adhyaya 5).<ref name=":2">Chandogya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 5])</ref>

The Devayana path also called as Northern path or the path of light is the path by which the student or sadhaka of Brahmavidya goes to Brahman. This path leads to salvation and takes the devotee to Brahmaloka. These sadhakas consider the worship of Brahman above the religious rites and are called Aparavidya upasakas<ref name=":1" />. The student who receives [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|ब्रह्मविद्या || Brahmavidya]] with श्रद्धा || shraddha (devotion) while doing तपस् || tapas in the forest follows the path as described in Chandogya Upanishad (Adhyaya 5).<ref name=":2">Chandogya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 5])</ref>

A critical question that arises is how does he perceive through which veins he is passing through? Such discussion is unwarranted as one who has worshiped the Param purusha, is absorbed in the ultimate goal, the wise seeker who through his own education and by divine grace being illuminated is able to recognize the veins that help him depart to a higher realm.  Such an advanced soul can transit through the path of light and even if such a person dies at night or in दक्षिणायन || Dakshinayana, the jnani will attain ब्रह्मलोक || brahmaLoka (Moksha).<ref name=":3">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

A critical question that arises is how does he perceive through which veins he is passing through? Such discussion is unwarranted as one who has worshiped the Param purusha, is absorbed in the ultimate goal, the wise seeker who through his own education and by divine grace being illuminated is able to recognize the veins that help him depart to a higher realm.  Such an advanced soul can transit through the path of light and even if such a person dies at night or in दक्षिणायन || Dakshinayana, the jnani will attain ब्रह्मलोक || brahmaLoka (Moksha).<ref name=":3">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

== [[पितृयान मार्ग|पितृयान ||]] [[पित्रयना मार्ग|Pitrayana]] (Path to the Realm of Pitrus) ==

== पितृयानम् || Pitruyana (Path to the Realm of Pitrus) ==

People unable to live a spiritual life, cannot live a life of meditation, having no knowledge whatsoever of the higher truths of life,yet have done good or punya karmas or deeds in this world, with satvika thoughts, deeds and charities, with danaguna and who are parahitachintaka ॥ one who thinks of the welfare of others, accumulate the merits of equivalent to that obtained by performing great sacrifices such as yagas — such good people by means of virtue do not go along the path of light. Rather, they go along the Southern Path of Return.<ref name=":4" />

People unable to live a spiritual life, cannot live a life of meditation, having no knowledge whatsoever of the higher truths of life,yet have done good or punya karmas or deeds in this world, with satvika thoughts, deeds and charities, with danaguna and who are parahitachintaka ॥ one who thinks of the welfare of others, accumulate the merits of equivalent to that obtained by performing great sacrifices such as yagas — such good people by means of virtue do not go along the path of light. Rather, they go along the Southern Path of Return.<ref name=":4" />

If however their accumulated sin during the human birth is high, then they could become  dog, pig or a चान्डाल || chandala (outcaste).  Thus those souls who are attached to worldly pleasures but do not do things prohibited by Vedas attain Pitruloka.  After enjoying all the accrued punya there, they return back to earth through the Pitruyana marg.  <blockquote>अथैतयोः पथोर्न कतरेण च न तानीमानि क्षुद्राण्यसकृदावर्तीनि भूतानि भवन्ति जायस्व म्रियस्वेत्येतत्तृतीयँस्थानं तेनासौ लोको न सम्पूर्यते तस्माज्जुगुप्सेत तदेष श्लोकः ॥ ८ ॥ (Chan. Upan. 5.10.8)</blockquote>The jivatma of one who does not follow the injunctions of sastras are involved in "paapopasana" leading a wayward life,they do not attain the higher realms and do not traverse either of these paths, the देवयान and पितृयान.  Such souls are reborn time and again in the lower species of life owing to their great sins attaining a place called Triteeya.  Therefore पितृलोक || pitri loka is not filled all the time.   

If however their accumulated sin during the human birth is high, then they could become  dog, pig or a चान्डाल || chandala (outcaste).  Thus those souls who are attached to worldly pleasures but do not do things prohibited by Vedas attain Pitruloka.  After enjoying all the accrued punya there, they return back to earth through the Pitruyana marg.  <blockquote>अथैतयोः पथोर्न कतरेण च न तानीमानि क्षुद्राण्यसकृदावर्तीनि भूतानि भवन्ति जायस्व म्रियस्वेत्येतत्तृतीयँस्थानं तेनासौ लोको न सम्पूर्यते तस्माज्जुगुप्सेत तदेष श्लोकः ॥ ८ ॥ (Chan. Upan. 5.10.8)</blockquote>The jivatma of one who does not follow the injunctions of sastras are involved in "paapopasana" leading a wayward life,they do not attain the higher realms and do not traverse either of these paths, the देवयान and पितृयान.  Such souls are reborn time and again in the lower species of life owing to their great sins attaining a place called Triteeya.  Therefore पितृलोक || pitri loka is not filled all the time.   

== Brahmasutras ==

== ब्रह्मसूत्राणि ॥ Brahmasutras ==

Brahmasutras extensively and intricately describe the path of the Soul after Jeevan mukti and Videha mukti.  <blockquote>तदन्तरप्रतिपत्तौ रंहति सम्परिष्वक्तः प्रश्ननिरूपणाभ्याम् || (Bram. Sutr. 3.1.1)<ref name=":5">[https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_z_misc_major_works/brahma_suutra.html Brahmasutras] By Maharshi Vedavyasa</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Tadantarapratipattau raṁhati sampariṣvaktaḥ praśnanirūpaṇābhyām || (Bram. Sutr. 3.1.1)</blockquote>Meaning : When the transmigration of the soul takes place, the living being enters into the new body along with the subtle elements- मनस || manasa (mind), बुद्धि || buddhi (intellect) and अहङ्कार || ahankara (ego). This is corroborated in the Upanishads.<ref>Brahmasutras By Swami Sivananda ([https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/bs_3/bs_3-1-01.html 3.1.1])</ref>

Brahmasutras extensively and intricately describe the path of the Soul after Jeevan mukti and Videha mukti.  <blockquote>तदन्तरप्रतिपत्तौ रंहति सम्परिष्वक्तः प्रश्ननिरूपणाभ्याम् || (Bram. Sutr. 3.1.1)<ref name=":5">[https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_z_misc_major_works/brahma_suutra.html Brahmasutras] By Maharshi Vedavyasa</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Tadantarapratipattau raṁhati sampariṣvaktaḥ praśnanirūpaṇābhyām || (Bram. Sutr. 3.1.1)</blockquote>Meaning : When the transmigration of the soul takes place, the living being enters into the new body along with the subtle elements- मनस || manasa (mind), बुद्धि || buddhi (intellect) and अहङ्कार || ahankara (ego). This is corroborated in the Upanishads.<ref>Brahmasutras By Swami Sivananda ([https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/bs_3/bs_3-1-01.html 3.1.1])</ref>

But the mode of departure at death is common to both till they enter on their respective ways.

But the mode of departure at death is common to both till they enter on their respective ways.

== Jnanamarga and Karmamarga ==

== ज्ञानमार्गः कर्ममार्गः च ॥ Jnana Marga and Karma Marga ==

One important question raised is who traverses which path? What kind of actions leads one on either of these paths? Do all beings take either one of these paths? Answers to such questions is given extensively in Brahmasutras and Upanishads.  

One important question raised is who traverses which path? What kind of actions leads one on either of these paths? Do all beings take either one of these paths? Answers to such questions is given extensively in Brahmasutras and Upanishads.  

* The BrihadAraNyaka (6.2.15 and 6.2.16) says that those who meditate on the Panchagni's (five fires), Satya or Brahman reach the world of Hiranyagarbha (brahmaloka) eventually by the path of the gods. This is the Jnanamarga.

* The BrihadAraNyaka (6.2.15 and 6.2.16) says that those who meditate on the Panchagni's (five fires), Satya or Brahman reach the world of Hiranyagarbha (brahmaloka) eventually by the path of the gods. This is the Jnanamarga.

* Those who do take neither the path of the gods nor the path of ancestors are reborn as insects, moths, mosquitoes, etc. and lead a lowly existence on earth (See above Chan. Upan. 5.10.8).

* Those who do take neither the path of the gods nor the path of ancestors are reborn as insects, moths, mosquitoes, etc. and lead a lowly existence on earth (See above Chan. Upan. 5.10.8).

* As per Brahmasutras (4.2.7) there is no departure for the knower of Nirguna Brahman. His Pranas are absorbed in Brahman.<ref name=":0" />

* As per Brahmasutras (4.2.7) there is no departure for the knower of Nirguna Brahman. His Pranas are absorbed in Brahman.<ref name=":0" />

== Bhagavad Gita ==

== भगवद्गीता ॥ Bhagavad Gita ==

The law of Creation is also explained in the  Bhagavad Gita<ref>[http://bhagavadgita.org.in/Chapters Shrimad Bhagavadgita]</ref> (VIIth & VIIIth Chapters) and in the third chapter of Yajna chakra. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that the Ultimate Reality has to be realised in both aspects, transcendent as well as immanent. The Yogi who realizes both has nothing more to know.<ref name=":3" />

The law of Creation is also explained in the  Bhagavad Gita<ref>[http://bhagavadgita.org.in/Chapters Shrimad Bhagavadgita]</ref> (VIIth & VIIIth Chapters) and in the third chapter of Yajna chakra. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that the Ultimate Reality has to be realised in both aspects, transcendent as well as immanent. The Yogi who realizes both has nothing more to know.<ref name=":3" />

Sri krishna then explains about the manifestations of the Paramatma as the revealed universe and the power behind it. He speaks of these manifestations as His lower and higher manifestations (''Prakritis)''. The lower ''Prakriti'' is made up of the five elements, mind, ego and intellect. The higher ''Prakriti'' is the  ultimate ‘Powerless Power’ which creates and upholds the universe, and causes its final dissolution. In the eight chapter, <blockquote>शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते । एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययावर्तते पुनः || (Bhag. Gita. 8.26)</blockquote><blockquote>śuklakṛṣṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śāśvate mate। ekayā yātyanāvṛttimanyayāvartate punaḥ || (Bhag. Gita. 8.26)</blockquote>Meaning: These are the bright and the dark paths (called the path of the devatas and the path of the forefathers in the Upanishads); by the one he departs who does not return, by the other he who returns again.

Sri krishna then explains about the manifestations of the Paramatma as the revealed universe and the power behind it. He speaks of these manifestations as His lower and higher manifestations (''Prakritis)''. The lower ''Prakriti'' is made up of the five elements, mind, ego and intellect. The higher ''Prakriti'' is the  ultimate ‘Powerless Power’ which creates and upholds the universe, and causes its final dissolution. In the eight chapter, <blockquote>शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते । एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययावर्तते पुनः || (Bhag. Gita. 8.26)</blockquote><blockquote>śuklakṛṣṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śāśvate mate। ekayā yātyanāvṛttimanyayāvartate punaḥ || (Bhag. Gita. 8.26)</blockquote>Meaning: These are the bright and the dark paths (called the path of the devatas and the path of the forefathers in the Upanishads); by the one he departs who does not return, by the other he who returns again.

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

== संवादः || Discussion ==

The Vedas are the earliest literatures that speak extensively about the concept of life after death and the journey of the soul in different paths.  While other faiths also believe in the existence of life after the death (For example Christians believe in Heaven, Hell and Purgatory) clear explanation about the upward journey of the soul is described vividly in the Vedas, Brahmasutras, Upanishads like Chandogya and Mundaka apart from Brihadaaranyakopanishad and Garuda purana.   

The Vedas are the earliest literatures that speak extensively about the concept of life after death and the journey of the soul in different paths.  While other faiths also believe in the existence of life after the death (For example Christians believe in Heaven, Hell and Purgatory) clear explanation about the upward journey of the soul is described vividly in the Vedas, Brahmasutras, Upanishads like Chandogya and Mundaka apart from Brihadaaranyakopanishad and Garuda purana.