Gyana and Prema: Knowledge and Devotion
Shankarer Mata and Gouranger Patha
Srimat Swami Nigamananda Saraswati Dev had espoused the essence of the all-inclusive Sanatan Dharma in his ideological as well as methodological maxim " 'Shankarer Mata' and 'Gouranger Patha' ". It speaks of a harmonious blending of highest enlightenment (Jnana) and universal love (Bhakti).
Knowledge through devotion
Attaining Jnana (Atma jnana) through Bhakti (devotion/seva) is the integrated ideal that has been reinforced by Swami Nigamananda Dev for the seeker in this age. 'Jeeva - the individual soul, is Brahma - the Supreme Soul' or "Aham Brahmāsmi" - this Vedantic doctrine of the 8th century spiritual reformist Sri Sri Adi Shankaracharya is what a man on the path of spirituality needs to realize to know himself and to know God. And according to him, the royal road to attaining this ultimate spiritual goal is the path of devotion adopted by Sri Chaitanya Dev, the 16th century avatara of devotion.
Seva and the path of knowledge
In the view of Swami Nigamananda Dev, Seva-brata or adoption to a life of 'service to mankind' is the greatest Dharma of human beings. And, this Dharma is truly pursued by the integration of 'Jnana' and 'Bhakti'/'Seva' or in other words with the integration of "Shankarer Mata" and "Gouranger Patha". The perfect path to attain complete Knowledge or Purna Jnana is to attain Chitta-shuddhi (a cleansed Mind) through 'Seva' or service to mankind. He calls it the path of Sri Gauranga. So, he says a seeker's aim should be - "Ahamtva ra Prasara" or "spreading of one's Self" in the 'self' of the entire humanity. One has to learn to empathize and give priority to serve the cause of others. First, he/she is to practice this in the family and thereafter, spread this attitude gradually in the community, in the larger society and ultimately throughout mankind. This way one can experience one's presence in every being.
Sources and attribution
Source text: NSS website. Original article author not credited in the source.
Reproduced from the existing NSS website; no separate reviewer or review date is recorded.