The Four Margas

[Presence]

Hi,

The four margas, or paths: Jnana Yoga (intellectual), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Raja Yoga (meditation), Karma Yoga (action). I am interested in people's relationship to these. Do you focus on just one? More than one?

For myself, my religious upbringing was mostly Karma/ action, with a little of Bhakti. Then in my adult years, it was Jnana for 15 - 20 years. Now, in middle age, I have discovered Raja and Bhakti. I find though, that my path is with all of them now. So beautiful is this.

Would others care to share of their relationship to these paths? Thank you

[Vinayaka]

There are many ways to view this. One is that they are all more or less separate and the devotee gets to choose which one they are most suited to. This view was presented by Vivekananda and others that followed him. There were books written with the same titles.

Another view is that the devotee should select the one they are worst at, so that can work on their weakness.

Other groups see them more as various sides to a well balanced religious life, and all necessary.

Still others view them as progressive stages, and in this order ... karma (the charya marga)... bhakti (the kriya marga) ... yoga, (the yoga marga) and then jnana as an outcome of the previous three. However, in this view jnana is not intellectual or book knowledge at all, but mystical knowledge gained from yoga, or meditation. Still there is great overlap, and they are not exclusive. Even the jnani (realised soul) still has work and worship to do, and continues to meditate in order to stay in that state.

My personal view is the last one. I do a lot of charya, am a bhaktar, do some meditation, but am no jnani.

[Presence]

Thank you, Vinayaka. I did not know of these different views. It is very interesting to learn. Each one seems to have some advantages and truth to them. The view of Vivekananda is what I was familiar with. Thank you.

[Vinayaka]

What has been presented in the west is mainly Advaita Vedanta, (Ramakrishna Math, Sivananda Society, Chinmaya Missions, and others) or Gaudiya Vaishnavism (via ISKCON). But Hinduism is much vaster than that. So yes, it's interesting to know there are varying schools.

[Presence]

Yes, Advaita Vedanta is mostly what I was familiar with for many years. Then, I happened to read the Narada Bhakti Sutra and so inspired I was to read this that I began more exploration. As you said, the literature and scripture of Hinduism is vast! Yes! I discovered this in my investigations, and it has been the joy of my life I have only begun!

[Presence]

Yes, Advaita Vedanta is mostly what I was familiar with for many years. Then, I happened to read the Narada Bhakti Sutra and so inspired I was to read this that I began more exploration. As you said, the literature and scripture of Hinduism is vast! Yes! I discovered this in my investigations, and it has been the joy of my life

As per my knowledge the raj yoga (meditation) is fastest way towards moksha.
I am not that much sure about jnan yoga never heard of it..

[Presence]

L lawliett, from my experience, Raja (meditation) has brought the fastest results; however, I feel that without Bhakti, I would not have the discipline and commitment to meditate. Jnana, which is like mystical experience that comes from thought (hard to describe this) , seems to come more since I started meditating. And even karma yoga -- serving others -- seems more since meditating. So, for me it seems Bhakti enables Raja, and Raja helps everything

[LadyMay]

From a western understanding, I was brought up Bhakti, then moved into Jnana as I got older, and now follow the path of Raja. But yes, I follow all of them now too, to differing degrees.

[Vinayaka]

Originally Posted by Presence

L lawliett, from my experience, Raja (meditation) has brought the fastest results; however, I feel that without Bhakti, I would not have the discipline and commitment to meditate.

That's why it's called raja. (King) In my sampradaya, bhakti really enables it. So after a temple puja, it is just incredibly easy to meditate. The whole puja has prepared you for that, and you and the environment have God and devas assisting.