Changes

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

== 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 are 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 are given extensively in Brahmasutras and Upanishads.  

* The बृहदारण्यकोपनिषद् ॥ Brhadaranyaka-Upanishad (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 हिरण्यगर्भः ॥ Hiranyagarbha (brahmaloka) eventually by the path of the gods. This is the Jnanamarga.

* The बृहदारण्यकोपनिषद् ॥ Brhadaranyaka-Upanishad (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 हिरण्यगर्भः ॥ Hiranyagarbha (brahmaloka) eventually by the path of the gods. This is the Jnanamarga.

* Those who perform yajnas, give away gifts, and undergo penances, eventually reach the world of chandra (moon), by the path of the ancestors. The path of the manes is clearly identified as those who take up the karma marga, not necessarily karma yoga which involves giving up the fruits of actions. As such, those who take the path of the  manes and reach the world of chandra will have to be reborn on the  earth after their merits have been exhausted. (See above Chan. Upan. 5.10.7)

* Those who perform yajnas, give away gifts, and undergo penances, eventually reach the world of chandra (moon), by the path of the ancestors. The path of the manes is clearly identified as those who take up the karma marga, not necessarily karma yoga which involves giving up the fruits of actions. As such, those who take the path of the  manes and reach the world of chandra will have to be reborn on the  earth after their merits have been exhausted. (See above Chan. Upan. 5.10.7)

* 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).