Thought 57: Religious Karmas in Hinduism (Continued)

Those devotees who do Upaasana to the Devataas and lesser gods (than Isvara), through the stipulated rituals, believe that these Devataas and gods grant them their desires. Bhagavad Gita says that after leaving the present bodies, these devotees go to the world where the worshipped Devataa resides. If one worships Indra, the devotee goes to Indraloka and becomes a Deva in that Loka. But this Deva is still a Jeeva. After enjoying the pleasures of Indraloka for a limited time, the Jeeva has to return back to Samsaara and its sorrows. Thus, whoever worships a Devataa or a Deva (god) gets only a limited result.

Whereas, those who seek the Isvara go to him directly - which means that they attain Moksha. The wise devotees know that there is only one Paramaatma and wish to gain him; when they discover and recognize that they and the Paramaatma are identical, they gain the Paramaatma (which is Moksha). When they gain this knowledge, they gain freedom from Samsaara and its sorrows - for ever. These persons need not return to Samsaara, ever.

Such devotees recognize that all Devataas and gods are but “Amsas of the Paramaatma” only (Amasa is a tiny part or microcosm). They sincerely believe that there is nothing other than the Paramaatma any where. They also recognize that god or Isvara is not confined to the temple alone; god (Isvara) exists everywhere – in every nook and cranny of this universe. Such devotees convert their earlier fear and prejudice into love – and Love is Bhakti. These devotees make a very serious attempt to reach Isvara through Bhakti (love). They have no desires except to progressively enhance their Bhakti to Isvara. Hence, they do all Karma selflessly (Nishkaama Karma) with Prasada Buddhi, which means that whatever experience they get in life – be it pleasant or painful - it is Prasada (a divine gift) for them from the Isvara. There is no more selfishness in them now.

This is Bhakti-Yoga. These devotes get rid of their Bhoktrittva (desire for worldly enjoyment) and Mamakaaram (attachment to worldly things and pleasures) through Bhakti-Yoga. Bhoktrittva and Mamakaaram are caused by Tamas.