The Result of Vedic Worship is Heaven, Not Salvation

The Outcome of Worship According to the Four Holy Vedas is Heaven, Not Salvation

In Gita Chapter 9, Verses 20-21, it states that those who worship according to the methods outlined in the Vedas, seeking material fulfillment, experience pleasures in Great Heaven. However, after this enjoyment, they return to the cycle of birth and death. Even scripture-based yagyas yield only temporary rewards like worldly pleasures, heaven, and subsequent reincarnation in various life forms. Until one receives the three mantras (Om, and coded Tat and Sat) from a Complete Saint, salvation remains unattainable. In Verse 22, it further clarifies that while I protect their scripture-based worship, it does not lead to liberation.

Way of Worship Opposite to the Scriptures Leads to Decline

In Gita Chapter 9 Verse 23-24, it is explained that those who worship other gods are still worshipping Brahm (Kaal), but their worship is not aligned with the scriptures. This incorrect form of worship keeps them trapped in Kaal's cycle. While Brahm is the master of all yagyas, those who do not recognize him correctly face decline, experiencing hell and rebirths in 84 lakh life forms. The proper understanding of Purna Brahm, as mentioned in Gita Chapter 3 Verses 14-15, is essential for liberation, which can only be achieved through a Complete Saint.

Those Who Perform Shraadhs (Ancestor Worship) Become Pitras; They Do Not Attain Salvation

In Chapter 9, Verse 25 of the Gita, God explains that worshippers of gods go to gods, worshippers of Pitras (deceased ancestors) go to Pitras, and those who worship ghosts become ghosts. Those who perform scripture-based worship as per the Vedas and Gita enjoy temporary rewards in heaven and Great Heaven, but do not achieve salvation.

Important: Just as working under a sub-collector doesn’t make one a sub-collector, worshipping gods like Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiv only provides the rewards these gods can grant, but not salvation. Chapter 7, Verses 12-15 and 20-23, also forbid worship of the three gunas (Rajgun-Brahma, Satgun-Vishnu, and Tamgun-Shiv). Similarly, worshipping Pitras leads one to become an inferior Pitra, and worshipping ghosts results in becoming a ghost. One becomes what they are attracted to in life.

Some may claim they can worship Pitras, ghosts, and gods while also practicing the sadhna instructed by a spiritual teacher. This is against the teachings of the Gita and the four Vedas. Chapter 16, Verses 23-24, states that those who follow arbitrary forms of worship, ignoring scripture, achieve neither happiness, supreme state, nor spiritual success. Therefore, only scripture-based practices should be followed for true guidance.

Tale of Ruchi Rishi from Markandeya Puran

This evidence is also found in Markandeya Puran (Gita Press Gorakhpur, page 237, where Markandeya Puran and Brahm Puranank are combined).

A devotee named Ruchi, following celibacy and practicing Vedic sadhna, encountered his four ancestors who had become Pitras due to non-scriptural practices and were suffering. The Pitras urged Ruchi to marry and perform shraadhs to alleviate their suffering. Ruchi responded, "In the Vedas, Karm-Kaand (shraadhs and Pind offerings) is considered the worship of fools. Why are you directing me to such false practices?"

The Pitras acknowledged, "It’s true that in the Vedas, Pitra-worship, ghost-worship, and deity-worship (Karm-Kaand) are called Avidhya (ignorance). However, Pitras still grant some benefits."

Important: These benefits are merely claims made by the Pitras themselves. We should not follow them, as Puranic instructions to worship Pitras, ghosts, and gods are not aligned with Vedic teachings. Such practices, unsupported by the Vedas, are not the order of God, and following them based on a saint’s or sage’s advice can lead to punishment for violating God's command.

Once, a man befriended a police constable (S.H.O.). The man complained to his constable friend about his troublesome neighbor. The constable advised, "Hit him with a stick, I'll handle it." Following his friend’s advice, the man struck his neighbor, causing a fatal head injury. As the officer of the area, the constable arrested his friend, and the man was sentenced to death. Despite their friendship, the constable could not save him, as it was the law that anyone who kills must be punished.

Similarly, Holy Gita and the Vedas are God's constitution, instructing worship of only the Supreme God (Purna Parmatma), while worship of other gods, ancestors, and spirits is forbidden. The Purans, with orders from sages (like constables), may suggest otherwise, but following them violates God's command. Just as breaking the king's law brings punishment, worship of other gods obstructs complete salvation.

A True Story

My venerable Gurudev, Swami Ramdevanand Ji, left home at the age of 16 to seek God. He abandoned his clothes near the bones of a dead animal in a forest. When he didn’t return by evening, his family searched for him and found the clothes by the animal bones. Believing he had been eaten by a wild animal, they performed his last rites, including all traditional shraadhs.

Years later, at the age of 104, Swami Ji returned to his village, Bada Paintavas in Haryana. His childhood name was Shri Haridwari Ji, born into a Brahmin family. When I (Das) heard about his return, I visited him. Swami Ji’s sister-in-law, around 92 years old, shared her experience. I asked that old woman, "What did you feel after our Guruji left home?" She said, "When I got married, I was told that a wild animal had eaten Haridwari in the jungle, and his shraadhs were still being carried out." She had performed 70 shraadhs for him, often under the guidance of their priest. Whenever a crop failed or a family member fell ill, they were told that Haridwari, now a Pitra (ancestor), was causing trouble, and the shraadhs needed to be redone. They would then pay the priest to perform the ceremony again.

I explained to her that continuing this practice was against the teachings of the Gita, quoting Chapter 9, Verse 25. She insisted on following the old custom, saying, "How can we stop doing shraadhs? This is an ancient tradition." I told her this misguidance stemmed from ignorant gurus who, without understanding the Holy Scriptures, taught incorrect practices, leading to neither spiritual progress nor happiness. The evidence is found in Holy Gita, Chapter 16, Verses 23-24.

Das' request

Now, this Das requests the educated class to consider the importance of scripture-based worship and strive to attain the eternal supreme abode (Satyalok) of the Supreme God, as mentioned in the Holy Gita, Chapter 18, Verse 62. By doing so, they will achieve complete salvation and supreme peace. To guide you on this path, find a Tatvdarshi Saint as instructed in Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 34.

A devotee once mentioned that after receiving spiritual knowledge, they wished to continue doing both scripture-based worship and also superficially perform shraadhs and family deity worship.

My humble request: violating any part of God's constitution will lead to punishment, as stated in the Holy Gita, Chapter 16, Verses 23-24. It's like saying you’ll only superficially puncture the car of Ram Naam! Worship against scripture is equally damaging.

Another devotee stated they had no other bad habits except for consuming tobacco. Despite appreciating the knowledge and making a Guru, they requested the freedom to continue using tobacco, questioning its impact on bhakti.

My request: Tobacco smoke, which contains harmful carbon dioxide, damages the lungs and obstructs the Sushmna naadi, the path for attaining God. Therefore, to a devotee, any intoxicating or inedible substances, like meat or alcohol, are forbidden.

One more devotee said they didn’t consume tobacco but did eat meat and drink alcohol, questioning how it hindered bhakti since plants also have life.

My response: Killing animals for food is a sin. As Kabir said, "The same pain we feel for our own, we should feel for others." God has allowed us to eat plants, which are inanimate, but taking the life of other beings is against His command and is sinful.

As for alcohol, it is strictly prohibited by God. It ruins not only health but also wealth, family peace, and social culture. Alcohol destroys trust and respect, even for those who otherwise seem virtuous.

An account

Once, this Das visited a village for a spiritual discourse (satsang), where the topic was the harm caused by alcohol. After the discourse, an eleven-year-old girl began to cry. When asked, she shared, "Maharaj Ji, my father has a good job at Palam airport, but he spends all his money on alcohol. When my mother tries to stop him, he beats her badly, leaving her bruised. One day, when he was hitting her, I tried to protect her by covering her, but he beat me too. My lip was swollen for ten days. My mother left us and went to stay with my uncle, but after six months, my grandmother brought her back. During that time, we stayed with our grandmother. Papa didn’t even get me any medicine, and he continues to leave for work in the morning and return drunk in the evening. We are three sisters, and when he comes home, we hide under the cot."

Devout souls, please consider: children who should be eagerly awaiting their father's return, hoping for gifts or affection, are instead hiding in fear because of alcohol. This enemy of mankind has destroyed homes and shattered families. A drunkard not only harms himself but also carries the burden of causing pain to others. His wife suffers, her parents and siblings grieve, and even his own family—his parents, siblings, and grandparents—are deeply distressed. Moreover, he disturbs the peace of his neighbours by fighting at home, forcing them to either intervene and face conflict or endure sleepless nights.

Since taking spiritual guidance from this Das, nearly one lakh daily drinkers have given up alcohol, meat, and all intoxicating substances. Where once the evening was dominated by the "demoness" alcohol, now these reformed individuals spend time with their families, participating in evening prayers (Sandhya Aarti). Even today, there are countless examples of former alcoholics in Haryana and neighbouring states who, having abandoned their vices, are now leading successful lives. Some may argue that they drink in moderation or only occasionally, but like poison, even a small amount is harmful. It becomes an obstacle to both devotion (Bhakti) and salvation (Mukti).

Suppose halwa is made using two kilograms of ghee (symbolizing true bhakti), but 250 grams of sand (representing tobacco, meat, alcohol, and the worship of other gods) is mixed in. The entire effort is wasted. Similarly, only by worshipping the Supreme God (Param Akshar Brahm) under the guidance of a Complete Saint and maintaining discipline throughout life can one achieve the full benefit of salvation.

Only After Attaining Tatvgyan Does Bhakti Begin

The essence of Chapter 9, Verses 26, 27, and 28 is that all spiritual and worldly actions should align with the worship prescribed in the Vedas. Such worship benefits the worshipper but only through Kaal. This is further explained in Verses 20 and 21 of the same chapter.

In Chapter 9, Verse 29, God states He neither loves nor hates anyone but shows special affection towards those who lovingly devote themselves to Him. This is exemplified in the story of Prahlad and Hirnakshipu—God saved His devotee Prahlad and punished Hirnakshipu, displaying love and hatred.

In Gita Chapter 2, Verse 53, it is said that after acquiring Tatvgyan (true spiritual knowledge), one's mind, which was previously confused by misleading ideas, becomes firmly fixed on the Complete God. Then true, doubt-free bhakti of the Supreme God begins.

In Chapter 2, Verse 46, it is explained that once a person discovers a large reservoir of water (symbolizing the Supreme God), their reliance on smaller reservoirs (representing lesser gods and knowledge) diminishes. The smaller reservoirs don't seem bad, but their limitations become clear. Similarly, after learning the glory of the Supreme God through Tatvgyan, a devotee becomes fully dependent on Him.

In Chapter 18, Verse 62, it is said to take refuge in the Supreme God, and through His grace, one attains supreme peace and the eternal supreme abode (Satlok). In Verse 63, Brahm concludes by offering Arjun the choice to follow this confidential knowledge or not, as these are the final verses of the Gita.