There are subtle differences in worship . The chanting of a name ( naam jaap ), is overt worship ; veneration of the idol is subtle worship ( sookshma bhakti ); with dravya ( worship with the external physical substances ) is subtler worship , and the subtlest worship is , that which is done with intent ( bhaav ).
Does moksha occur by following the path of worship , or by following the path of knowledge ? When one rail of the path of knowledge is laid and there is another rail of the path of worship , parallel to it , then this train will reach moksha ! As much knowledge that is attained that much worship will spontaneously arise . Worship done without the knowledge of the Self yields its results for the worldly life ; however , when both ( Self knowledge and worship ) are done together , there is attainment of moksha ! Where the intellect creeps into worship , it becomes a worldly form of worship ( apara-bhakti ). Nevertheless , the highest form of worship is the worship of the Self ( para-bhakti ), and the result of that is moksha ( Final Liberation ). The manifestation of this highest form of worship is the priceless gift of the Akram marg ( the step-less path to Liberation )!
[ 20 ] The Guru and The Gnani
Once a person establishes his guru ( religious leader , teacher , guide ), that guru should not be denounced even if circumstances indicate that he may be delirious . Not only should there be no criticism , but there should not be even a single negative thought about him ; this would be considered a tremendous disservice . It can take one all the way to hell .
The one who teaches you what is good and what is bad in the world is a guru . And the one who frees you from good and bad , and places you in the pure ( shuddha ), Self , is a Gnani .
How much need is there for a guru ? Without a guru , not
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