Posted on: 21 Feb 2021
[A question by Śrī Anil asked]
Swami replied: Anybody including Satan who follows the three steps of reformation, which are—realization, repentance and the non-repetition of sin—will certainly be excused by God. But stopping at only the second step of repentance is an incomplete process and God will not excuse anybody due to their mere repentance, if they do not follow the third step of non-repetition. Actually, realization (jñāna yoga) and repentance (bhakti yoga) are only theoretical steps and the non-repetition of the sin in practice is the final practical step (karma yoga). Everybody achieves the first two steps easily. But a big wall lies between the second and the third steps hindering the progress of the person to the third step. Apart from the process of reformation in the worldly path, we see a similar problem in the spiritual path.
The spiritual path also consists of three steps, namely learning spiritual knowledge (jñāna yoga), developing theoretical devotion (bhakti yoga) and doing practical service and sacrifice of wealth to God (karma yoga). The goal which is attaining the real grace of God depends on the third practical step of karma yoga. Without this third step, the spiritual goal is not achieved. Achieving the first two theoretical steps of jñāna yoga and bhakti yoga is relatively easy and upon achieving them, one can be useful in propagating that divine knowledge and devotion in the world. But succeeding in the final practical step of karma yoga is difficult. However, the propagation of knowledge and devotion in the world allows the devotee to practically digest the knowledge better and develop stronger devotion. This in turn allows the devotee to overcome the barrier to succeeding in practice (karma yoga). The final divine fruit is attained only upon successfully completing the practical step.