by Vijay Singal
One of the salient features of Bhagavad Gita is its liberal and inclusive spirit. It has proclaimed that though expressed, reached and experienced in different ways ; the Supreme Being is one and one alone. All beliefs and practices lead to the same truth. Though different people may climb the mountain from different directions, but the view from the top is alike for all. The ultimate reality is same everywhere.
Gita does not confine itself to a shallow stream of metaphysical thought. It is rather a sea of spiritual wisdom. It brings out the essence of all religious rigmarole – the desire to know the ultimate truth and understand one’s relation with that truth. The teachings of Gita apply to all human beings in equal measure. Sri Krishna (the Supreme Lord) has declared that :
‘ I accept men in whatever manner they approach Me ; for everyone, in one way or the other, is following My path only’ (Shloka 4.11).
This shloka brings out all-embracing nature of the Gita philosophy ; namely that there is only one God, who can be worshipped in different ways. All human beings in every respect follow the path of one Ishvara only. Whether one invokes celestial gods by practising rituals meant to propitiate them, whether he meditates on his favourite sacred form, whether he serves the Supreme by dedicating the fruits of all his actions to Him, whether he devotes himself by worshipping the Supreme Lord in any of His personal forms ; or he seeks oneness with the Unmanifest Absolute – everyone relates to the one Divine. Whenever any worship is done, in whatever form, only the same Divine is worshipped.
Various people worship the Supreme variously. They perceive Him in different forms. But what is important is not the form but the internal urge to search for the truth behind that form. The image one worships is only an aid to help him in realising his true self. So long as the object of worship is capable of keeping one’s attention fixed firmly, it is a valid manifestation of the Divine. More important than the name and the form of the divinity worshipped, or the manner of worship ; is the firmness and steadiness of the mind, and the single-mindedness of the devotion.
Different people comprehend the Divine differently, in accordance with their natural inclination ; and take refuge in Him accordingly. The Supreme accepts every aspirant dotingly, and helps him to grow according to his nature and aspiration. He does not ignore or exclude anyone ; because everyone knowingly or unknowingly, directly or indirectly, is following His path only. God reciprocates to all.
The world is governed by the laws of nature, which are authored by Ishvara, the Supreme Lord. As these laws are universally applicable to everyone equally, the God is not partial to anyone. He is same for all beings. He ensures that everyone gets his due in life.
