14. The Many Paths and the One Goal.

The Many Paths and the One Goal

In Jainism, the journey towards liberation (moksha) is often expressed through different approaches: Bhakti Maarg (devotion and surrender), Kriya Maarg (rituals and practices), and Gyaan Maarg (knowledge, wisdom, satsang). Many seekers attach themselves to one of these and proudly declare, “I belong to this path.” Yet this tendency arises from the very nature of the mind; it clings to identities and rests in familiar patterns.

At a deeper level, the truth is that the path to liberation is not confined to any single approach. The essence of moksha lies hidden within all these paths, and the seeker’s work is to balance them wisely, to embrace whatever nourishes inner progress, and to drop whatever binds.

But this balance can only emerge when I truly recognize who I am. My being today revolves around a false identity; the Sharir (body), Mann (mind), and Karma. This identity is bound by Moh (delusion / attachment), Craving, Aversion, and Ignorance. Living only for the fulfilment of the body, the mind, or karmic fruits is essentially catering to this false self. The real identity is the Aatma (Soul). Its upliftment lies in freeing it from karmic bondage, in transcending the cycle of Shubh (Good / Merit) and Ashubh (Bad / Demerit), and orienting myself towards Shuddh (Pure). Between Ashubh and Shubh, the latter is obviously preferable, yet even Shubh belongs to the realm of the false identity. Only Shuddh reveals the truth of who I am.

This realization shines brighter when placed against the backdrop of human birth. Human Birth (Manushya bhav) is rarest of the rare. And in this life, I have been blessed with intact senses, a discerning intellect, relatively limited desires, and access to the wisdom of dharma. These are not accidents of “luck” but the results of immense Purusharth (Efforts) across countless past lives. What I call “destiny” today is nothing but the fruit of yesterday’s effort.

The vital question, then, is how am I using my present effort? 

If all my energy goes only and entirely into managing this one lifetime; into serving the false identity, I merely consume the fruits of past Purusharth. But if I also dedicate myself to the higher aim i.e. planning beyond death, aligning with the soul’s purity, and moving towards freedom, then today’s Purusharth becomes the seed of liberation itself.

The wise way is balance: to fulfil the responsibilities of this birth, while drawing a line that guards sufficient time and effort for inner ascent. For if I miss this opportunity, it may be near impossible to regain such a birth that is with stability, comfort, wisdom, and exposure to the true path of moksha (Liberation).

Conclusion

The path to liberation is not about choosing devotion over knowledge, or rituals over devotion. It is about piercing the illusion of the false identity and re-orienting towards the soul’s true identity. Bhakti, Kriya, and Gyaan; All become meaningful only when they serve this higher aim of transcending Shubh-Ashubh and moving into Shuddh. To live with this awareness is to honour the Purusharth of countless past lives, to redeem the present one, and to step consciously towards eternal freedom.