In present times, the essence of Hinduism religion, called a way of life laid in path of spirituality, not rituals (followed by masses). If one seeker went in search of God via path of spirituality, there were many millions who preferred travelling path of religion (rituals). I have come across people who ceremoniously went to temples for 15 years in continuation only to remain empty-handed at the end of journey. The lament of religious travelers always was… we all the time prayed to God, but it was God who was not listening.
Religion (path of rituals) never led one towards God in present times. Many people say, they realized this absolute truth of life yet, found it difficult to travel path of pure spirituality while in family life. On path of pure spirituality there was no place for excuses. If we desired something from God, we had to offer to God something in return. Most human beings world over prayed for material benefits, that most of time never got fulfilled. Unless we offered something to God, how could we expect something from God in return?
Most travelers of religious path behaved like a beggar, begging God Almighty all the time. I travelled path of pure spirituality right from six years of age. I never begged God for anything yet, not even a single prayer of mine was left unanswered by God. Right from six years of age I worked for welfare of entire mankind. Behind my every prayer lay benefit of mankind at large. I always prayed for something for mankind, never for individual self, not even once. Probably it was my truthfulness that made me what I am. At that young age of six I had 100% faith in God, something that never diminished with time.
The moment I realized that essence of spirituality laid in sacred texts of Hinduism… particularly Bhagavad Gita (the sermon given to mankind by Lord Krishna), Upanishads (independent treatises)… I started my indulgence in everything that had to do with sacred texts. I also realized that path undertaken by Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharishi Ramana was perfect, without a folly. Whatever literature relating to Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharishi Ramana I could lay my hands on, I devoured it overnight. I practically duplicated path taken by Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharishi Ramana. I started my search of God via path of self enquiry (path of Neti… not this, not this) to reach God.
I had already left path of religion (path of rituals) much behind. Getting no spiritual master, preceptor in life… I continued my travel of spiritual path all alone. I do not remember how many times I had to eat hell for breakfast, how many contemplations of suicide. Spiritual journey no doubt is tough, more particularly when you have a family. I just could not touch feet of my wife and young children to go in search of God, the path undertaken by Siddhartha Gautama. I never wanted to repeat that mistake. Instead I pursued path of logical reasoning practiced and advocated by Maharishi Ramana. Lying in shavasna pose of yoga I concentrated on path of Neti. A long journey of 25 years since 13 years of age I finally realized god, realize self in the wee hours of third of August 1993 at 37 years of age.
It was very beneficial for me distinguishing between religion and spirituality at a young age. Even at this point no elder in the family or outside came to my rescue. It was only through sheer hit and trial I found my own way. We must always remember we had only one life to live… the present earthly domain! Why keep matters pending for next manifestation when everything was achievable in present life? How and when I completed my schooling, a first-class engineering degree from the most reputed Institute of my country, got married and have two beautiful daughters by my side is not what I am detailing here but I still continued my journey of spiritual path despite all hindrances. Very tough but not impossible!
To reach god, to travel path of spirituality religion was not necessitated even 1%. To be able to make a distinction between religion and spirituality calls for exercising power of discrimination that distinguishes us from animals. I exercised this option wholeheartedly all my life.
By: Vijay Kumar “Atma Jnani”… The Man who Realized God in 1993 – (Ref 150909)
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