10: What is complete salvation?
Answer: In Gita Chapter 15 Verse 4, it is stated that after finding a Tatvadarshi Saint and acquiring the knowledge of truth (Tatvgyan), one should strive for the supreme state (Satyalok) of the Supreme God. Once a worshipper reaches this state, they never return to this world, meaning they are never reborn. The supreme God is the creator of all, and only He should be worshipped. Complete salvation is the state in which the soul is never subject to rebirth, and the cycle of birth and death is permanently ended.
11: Can complete salvation be attained through the worship of Brahm, the giver of the knowledge of the Gita?
Answer: No.
12: In Gita Chapter 8 Verse 16, the giver of the knowledge of Gita states that after attaining him, one is not reborn. How can you claim that complete salvation is not possible through the worship of Brahm?
Answer: There is evidence in Shri Dev Mahapuran (Illustrated, Bold Font, Only Hindi, published from Gita Press Gorakhpur), Seventh Skand, pages 562-563, where Shri Devi instructs King Himalaya, stating, "O King! Leaving all other forms of worship, even mine, only chant the 'Om' mantra. This is the only mantra for attaining Brahm, who is beyond this world. You will reach Brahm, who resides in a sky-like Brahmlok."
This means that for the worship of Brahm, the only valid mantra is "Om." By chanting it, one can reach Brahm and go to Brahmlok. However, in Gita Chapter 8 Verse 16, it is clearly stated that all the worlds, including Brahmlok, are subject to rebirth. Even a worshipper who attains Brahmlok will eventually be reborn, which means that complete salvation is not possible through the worship of Brahm since it does not permanently end the cycle of rebirth.
The translation of Gita Chapter 8 Verse 16, as found in publications like Gita Press Gorakhpur, has been incorrectly presented. The verse states:
Gita Chapter 8 Verse 16:
Aa Brahm bhuvnaat lokaH punravartinH Arjun |
Mam upetya tu Kauntey punarjanm na vidyate || (16)
The incorrect translation reads:
"O Arjun! All the worlds up to Brahmlok are subject to recurrence, meaning that after reaching there, one has to return to the mortal world. However, after attaining me, one is not reborn."
This is inaccurate. The actual translation should be:
"All the worlds up to Brahmlok are subject to rebirth. Those who do not understand this, O Arjun, even after attaining me, are reborn."
In this context, the word "vidyate" means "to know." For example, in Gita Chapter 6 Verse 23, the word "vidyaat" has been translated as "to know." Therefore, the same meaning applies here. Please refer to the photocopy of this verse for clarity.
Furthermore, Gita Chapter 8 Verse 15 offers a deeper explanation:
Gita Chapter 8 Verse 15:
Mam upetya punarjanm duHkhaalayam ashaashvatam |
Na aapnuvanti mahatmanH sansiddhim parmaam gataaH ||
Translation: "After attaining me, one is reborn into this transient life, which is full of misery. However, the great souls who have attained supreme siddhi (perfection) are not reborn."
Meaning: The Speaker of the knowledge of the Gita clarifies that after reaching him, one still experiences rebirth, facing a life full of suffering. Only those great souls who achieve the highest salvation escape the cycle of birth and death.
In Gita Chapter 8 Verse 1, Arjun asks, "What is Tat Brahm?" The answer is given in Gita Chapter 8 Verse 3, stating that Tat Brahm is "Param Akshar Brahm" (Supreme Immortal God). In Gita Chapter 8 Verses 5 to 7, the speaker (giver of the knowledge of the Gita) encourages worship of himself (Brahm). However, in Gita Chapter 8 Verses 8, 9, and 10, he instructs worship of Param Akshar Brahm (Supreme God).
In Gita Chapter 8 Verse 13, the speaker provides the mantra for his worship: the word "Om." He explains that one who remembers this while leaving the body attains "my supreme salvation." However, as proven earlier from the Shri Devi Puran, chanting the "Om" mantra leads to Brahm Lok (the realm of Brahm).
In Gita Chapter 8 Verse 16, it becomes clear that even a worshiper who reaches Brahm Lok is reborn. Therefore, while Gita Chapter 8 Verse 13 describes the supreme salvation associated with chanting the "Om" mantra, the mantra for worshiping Sachidanand Ghan Brahm (the Supreme Immortal God), as advocated in Gita Chapter 8 Verses 8, 9, and 10, is provided in Gita Chapter 17 Verse 23.
Gita Chapter 17 Verse 23:
"Om Tat Sat iti nirdeshH BrahmnH trividhH smritH | BrahmanaH ten vedaH ch yagyaH ch vihitaH pura ||" (17/23)
Translation: The mantra for the worship of Sachidanand Ghan Brahm (Supreme Immortal God) is "Om Tat Sat."
By chanting these three mantras, one attains the supreme salvation described in Gita Chapter 15 Verse 4, which means reaching a state from which worshippers never return to this world.
If the common translation of Gita Chapter 8 Verse 16 is accepted—stating that "one who attains me is not reborn"—then this contradicts other verses like Gita Chapter 2 Verse 12, Chapter 4 Verse 5, and Chapter 10 Verse 2, where the speaker (Brahm) mentions that both he and Arjun have taken many births. Brahm acknowledges that neither gods nor sages know about his origin.
This inconsistency suggests that even if Brahm experiences birth and death, how can his worship lead to a salvation free from rebirth?
Therefore, the correct interpretation of Gita Chapter 8 Verse 16 is that all realms, including Brahm Lok, are cyclical, and even beings who reach Brahm Lok are reborn. Those unaware of this truth, even after worshipping Brahm, will also face rebirth.
This is why, in Gita Chapter 18 Verse 62, the speaker urges Arjun to seek refuge in the Supreme God. By the grace of the Supreme God, one attains eternal peace and the supreme abode (Satyalok). The same message is conveyed in Gita Chapter 15 Verse 4: after receiving true knowledge from a Tatvadarshi saint, one should seek the Supreme God’s abode, where they are liberated from the cycle of rebirth.
The Supreme God, from whom this entire creation has emerged, is the only one worthy of worship. Only He can grant complete salvation.
Thus, it is clear that complete salvation is not possible through the worship of Brahm (Kshar Purush). It is only achievable through the worship of the Complete God, Param Akshar Brahm.
13: The mantra "Om" is used for the worship of Brahm. If so, why do you say that complete salvation cannot be achieved by worshipping Brahm? You mentioned that by chanting the "Om Tat Sat" mantra from Gita Chapter 17 Verse 23, complete salvation is attained. Doesn't this mantra also include "Om"?
Answer: Achieving complete salvation is a gradual process, similar to education. Just like becoming an engineer or a doctor requires passing through various levels of schooling, spiritual progress involves multiple stages of worship.
Thus, chanting the "Om" mantra alone cannot lead to complete salvation. The Gita Chapter 8 Verse 16 clearly states that even those who reach Brahmlok through the "Om" mantra are reborn. Complete salvation, where one never returns to the cycle of rebirth, as described in Gita Chapter 15 Verse 4, can only be attained through the proper scripture-based method of worship, which requires the guidance of a complete Guru. Currently, this knowledge is only available through me (Sant Rampal Das).
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