Why Only 'One In A Million' Attains Supreme Godhead

Krishn says in the Bhagwad Gita,7:3 – “Manushyanam sahasreshu kashchid yatati siddhaye/Yatatam api siddhanam kaahchin mam vetti tattvatah.” AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada of Iskcon interpreted this verse as: Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavour for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.
It is an interesting proposition to examine why, among hundreds and thousands of spiritual practitioners , only one can truly attain Self-realisation . It could be because current spiritual masters take on some aspects of social work and hybridise their Vedantic teachings to appeal to a wider audience. Alternatively, they may wish to cast a broader net so that their messages reach millions of people, which, in turn, may increase their followers. Several spiritual masters run food programmes or homes for the poor and destitute for Lok Kalyan, benefit of people.

However, self-realised masters throughout millennia did not engage in such endeavours involving ‘doership’ or requiring administrative involvement, as these activities could detract from their original focus. Moreover, engaging in worldly activities can be toxic and addictive, lowering consciousness and pulling individuals into a cycle of negativity with no apparent escape. This is a serious matter.

Adi Shankaracharya stated: Brahmn Satya Jagat Mithya – meaning only Brahmn is True, and the world is mithya, unreal, because it is ephemeral. Spiritually speaking, problems plaguing the world are also transient. They are part of the Tamoguni srishti – creation primarily influenced by tamas guna, representing inertia, ignorance, darkness, and apathy. Trying to alleviate them is akin to entering a high-gravity black hole, from which there is no return.

The philosophical backbone of Sanatan, Vedanta does not address how to resolve societal problems such as poverty, education, food security for the poorest, giving of alms, famine prevention, or cures for pestilence. It is a highly specialised area that sublimates all these issues by abjuring them.

Swami Sivananda says that if a true monk or a sannyasin is focused on his sadhana, he can achieve many things through his thought vibrations alone. He needn’t get his hands dirty by conducting himself in worldly ways for he has a higher goal, and all other goals are sublimated to achieve That. “A sannyasin or yogi need not become president of an association or leader of a social or political movement…Indians have now imbibed missionary spirit of the West and cry out that sannyasins should come out and take part in social and political activities. It is a sad mistake,” he elaborates in his book The Power of Thought.

Quite clearly, once you are pulled down and start trying to resolve unsolvable problems, you can give up your candidature for attaining Krishn, which is why he says that only ‘one in a million’ can reach him.

The Theravada Buddhist tradition – one of the oldest religious traditions in the world – also encourages monks to prioritise seeking nirvana for the cessation of suffering. It can be attained only by focusing on meditation and chanting. Helping others can wait.

Authored by: Sonal Srivastava