Posted on: 04 Feb 2005
Scholars catch the direct train for salvation and take Sanyasa [stage of renunciation, monkhood] directly from Brahmacharya [stage of celibate sudent]. People who become householders [stage of the householder], also have to take Sanyasa finally (Krama Mukti) according to the scriptures. One has to pass through all the four Ashramas [four stages: celibate student, householder, worshipful recluse, monk] and finally end in Sanyasa [monkhood].
If one dies as a householder, the death rituals include Godanam (donating a cow) which is a clear proof for the concept that a householder always goes to hell [the donation of a cow by the dead person’s relatives is meant for crossing the Vaitarini River, which comes before hell]. This means that the scriptures say that no one should die as a householder. He must enter Vanaprastha [worshipful recluse] and finally must end in Sanyasa. In Vanaprastha, the bond with all the issues [children] are cut. But the bond with wife remains because wife is necessary for his service. If the wife opposes the spiritual line, he must immediately leave such a wife and take Sanyasa. Even in Vanaprastha, one has to treat his wife only as his sister according to the scriptures. That means the wife is just an associate in the spiritual work.
Either you have to catch the direct train [sanyasa] or at least change the trains [pass through all the stages] to reach the goal. Without Sanyasa, salvation is impossible. Sanyasa does not mean shaving the head and wearing a saffron cloth. Sanyasa means dedicating one’s entire time and energy in the propagation of divine knowledge. Such a real Sanyasi will reach Brahma Loka, which is eternal. He does not require issues to do his death-rituals so that he may secure a place in heaven. Even women can take Sanyasa. Gargi, Sulabha etc., were very great Sanyasi-women. You must always concentrate on Swami alone, who is the human incarnation of the Lord.
Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa said that unless there is a command from the Lord, you should not enter into the service of the world. If your love is only for human beings, you only love souls and not the Lord. Your love is only extended from your family to this world. Instead of loving a few people you love many people. For this you will get heaven. But you have to return back from heaven. Your love for Swami alone can lead you to Brahma Loka. For example, if Swami is cleaning a room with a broomstick. You take the broomstick from Swami and you clean the room. In this work, your motto should be to help Swami in His work. If your motto is to clean the room for the sake of the visitors to sit, your service is aimed at the world and not Swami. Serving the world is the responsibility of the Lord. Why should you bother about the responsibility of the Lord? Your responsibility is only to surrender to the Lord.
Lakshmana followed Rama to the forest to serve Rama and not to kill Meghanada in the war for world peace. Sita could have smashed Ravana on her own. Sita toldRavana that she was not smashing him because there was no permission from Rama (Asandeshattu Ramasya—Valmiki). Hanuman could have killed Vali and Ravana by a single stroke. He did not do this even to protect Sugriva or to protect the world. His aim was only to serve Rama. One soul cannot protect another soul. Therefore a human being can never uplift any other human being. Therefore, while doing service to the Lord, your internal intention is very important. The fruit is according to your intention. If your intention is to serve the world, you will go to heaven. If your intention is to serve the Lord, you will go to Brahma Loka. But without service, mere intention is useless since it will be like a life without the body (ghost). Service without intention is also a waste like a dead body without life. Therefore both the service and right intention must associate with each other. The servant must do the service with the real intention towards the Lord.