Acharya Prashant is one of the world’s most-followed spiritual teacher and leading Bhagavad Gita expert. He has made complex spiritual concepts accessible to the masses. People worldwide have resonated with his teachings and improved their lives. Acharya Prashant’s journey began when he relinquished a life of comfort and success in his mid-twenties, having already achieved academic and professional heights, including IIT and IIM degrees and a stint in the Indian Civil Services. This unconventional decision marked the beginning of his unwavering dedication to spiritual pursuits. Two decades later, his influence continues to inspire millions, challenging superstition and blind belief globally. He has over 75 million followers on social media platforms.
The apparent contradiction
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Throughout the centuries, beginners have consistently asked which path is best for those embarking on a journey toward truth. The question of whether to follow the path of realization or the path of devotion has been of great significance. Knowledge and devotion have historically been viewed as two distinct and even contradictory paths. However, Acharya Prashant explains that “these paths may appear contradictory, but they are not. All the differences are superficial.” In his discussions, he shows how the paths of devotion and knowledge cannot exist separately. This article primarily talks about two great saints in Indian history known for their different paths and then shows how these two paths cannot exist separately.
Two great sages of Indian history
There have been two very famous sages in the history of India: Ramana Maharshi, also known by the name Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, and Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
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Sri Ramana Maharshi was born in Tiruchuli, Tamil Nadu, India, in 1879. It has been said that, at the age of 16, he had a “death experience” where he became aware of a “current” or “force” (avesam), which he recognized as his true “I” or “self” and which he later identified with “the personal God, or Iswara,” that is, Shiva. This resulted in a state that he later described as “the state of mind of Iswara or the jnana.” Six weeks later, he left his uncle’s home in Madurai and journeyed to the holy mountain of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, where he took on the role of a sannyasin (though not formally initiated) and remained for the rest of his life. Ramana Maharshi approved several paths and practices but recommended self-inquiry as the principal means to remove ignorance and abide in self-awareness. His path is also known as Gyan Marga.
Ramakrishna Paramhansa, on the other hand, was an Indian Hindu mystic. He was a devotee of the goddess Kali but adhered to various religious practices from the Hindu
traditions, as well as Christianity and Islam. He advocated Bhakti marga as a means to the realization of God. Tota Puri, a Vedanta monk, initiated Ramakrishna into sannyasa in 1865. Ramakrishna later gained widespread acclaim amongst the temple-visiting public as a guru, attracting to him social leaders, elites, and common people alike. Although initially reluctant to consider himself a guru, he eventually taught his disciples and founded the monastic Ramakrishna Order. Ramakrishna died of throat cancer on the night of August 15, 1886. After his demise, his chief disciple, Swami Vivekananda, popularized his ideas in India and the West.
Acharya Prashant: Unifying Gyan and Bhakti
It has been observed many times that the teachings of these two masters appear different and perhaps even contradictory. Because one talks of knowledge to reach the truth, and the other talks of devotion. But Acharya Prashant admits that “there can be no contradiction between truth and truth.” There can only be a contradiction between statements that are uttered in different contexts.”. He often quotes Sri Ramana Maharshi who says, “Devotion is the mother of knowledge.”
Acharya Prashant explains that these two paths cannot exist separately. A person needs both and needs them together to reach the truth. How? Knowledge is needed so that you can understand that, as far as the existence of the world is concerned, the world can be helpful in that. The hungry need bread and the world can be helpful in that regard. But man is not only a stomach; he needs something else too. And what he needs is not available in this world. He needs something eternal, and nothing in this world is eternal. But how will he know this? Through knowledge. That is why it is necessary to be on the path of knowledge. “If there is no knowledge, then how will he know that the world is a deception in the ultimate sense?” he asks. Generally, the world is a useful thing, but when it comes to reaching the ultimate goal, the world cannot help you. “To be on the path of knowledge means to be proficient in Neti-Neti.”
What I want ultimately is not going to be found in this world, but as soon as this is established within, a counter-question arises: if not from the world, then from where will I get it? What else do we have other than this world? Knowledge cannot answer this question, and therefore, to defeat this question, faith is needed. There is something that I want; it is called joy or liberation, and it cannot be found in the world. But I do want it. Two things: if I want it and I cannot get it in the world, then I will get it somewhere else; how or where I do not know, but I will get it. This is faith. This is called having faith in the unknown. At the root of devotion is an unreasonable faith in the unknown. It is essential to have both knowledge and devotion, as relying on just one will not be enough. Knowledge cuts the garbage, and devotion connects with purity. Both will go together.
Practical integration of knowledge and devotion
In the modern world, where one in four individuals is grappling with mental health issues, this approach is highly pertinent. It may seem like this problem is only relevant to those deeply committed seekers who retreat to the mountains to engage in spiritual practices. However, it is equally crucial for ordinary people to live a meaningful life. Take, for instance, a young person who is struggling with various mental health challenges due to the lack of guidance from the traditional education system, parents, and society on self-awareness and navigating life. Feeling hopeless and in distress, this individual seeks to alleviate his suffering. To progress, he must identify and eliminate all factors that are detrimental to his well-being, such as drugs, alcohol, excessive entertainment, and cheap motivation. Yet, upon realizing that ultimate fulfillment cannot be found in these things, he is left pondering: if not from here, then where? What other options exist beyond these? Knowledge alone cannot provide an answer to this question; it requires faith to overcome this dilemma.
Final thoughts
The question of whether to follow the path of realization or the path of devotion has been of great significance. Knowledge and devotion have historically been viewed as two distinct and even contradictory paths. Two distinguished sages from India have also been observed following different paths. Sri Ramana Maharshi approved self-inquiry as the principal means to remove ignorance and abide in self-awareness. His path is also known as Gyan Marga. Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, on the other hand, advocated Bhakti marga as a means to the realization of God. However, Acharya Prashant’s endeavor to merge the bhakti of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and the devotion of Sri Ramana Maharshi reconciles and harmonizes two distinct paths to truth, resolving a significant dilemma that has persisted for an extended period. The integration is important not only for dedicated spiritual seekers but also for everyday individuals looking to make decisions in their daily lives.
For those interested in exploring this synthesis of devotion and knowledge further, Acharya Prashant’s teachings offer profound insights and practical guidance. To delve deeper into his approach and access a wealth of resources on this topic, you can visit his official website at Acharya Prashant’s Website. His platform provides a range of materials that bridge these spiritual traditions, offering valuable perspectives for both seekers and those navigating daily life challenges.