I have another view relative to the religion one inherits. With the exception of Christianity, one's religion is dictated (by default) into the mainstream religion of the family. A child born in a Muslim family is automatically a Muslim, one born in Hindu family is a Hindu etc etc. In one of these case does the child/adult has to go thru a self professed process to reaffirm his/her faith. Its only in Christianity that one has to reaffirm ones acceptance of "Christ as my Savior" when one is of the age to understand that Christ died for his/her sins. Being born in a Christian family does not accord the person the automatic right to be called a Christian unless the person makes a public declaration thru baptism. Did I get this right?

Nothwithstanding, I enjoyed reading your article relative to the simplicity and Bibilical quotes.

Pal Singh

I respond to the article posted by Govinda Prabhu. The gift of salvation which the Bible offers through the new covenant of the Blood of Jesus Christ, the sacrificial Lamb is not proved by dogmas. It is the Holy Spirit who proves this Biblical truth through the evidence of new birth. One has to experience it personally by faith. It is not logically proven facts but the Holy Spirit that gives us eternal life through the faith in Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus is already revealed in the Hindu Scriptures,and Koran. Nobody can deny this truth from the religious point of view of Hindus and Muslims. It is also a historical fact proved by historical evidence. But for salvation of a soul, faith comes and not evidence of "proven facts" or "logic". In this regard, I reproduce below an excellent article written by Pandit Dharam Prakash Sharma.

The Pathway to Moksha



The five Pandava brothers had just finished the Holy Mahabarat war. They had even completed the sacrifice that pertains to victorious kings, symbolizing the glory of the king as that of the rising sun. Now all that was left to be done was to attain the ultimate bliss before completing their earthly pilgrimage, and in pursuance of that goal of attaining true salvation, they arrived at the pilgrim center of Haridwar.



In order to attain Moksha (salvation) at any cost, and thus satisfy the one and only deepest longing of the human soul, they came to the banks of the great Ganga and there washed themselves in holy bath ritually at Har Ki Paudi of Brahma Kund and then proceeded to climb the glorious valleys of Himalayan mountains to achieve the fulfillment and satiate their quest for salvation.



Whether the ritual bathing at Brahma Kund in the Ganga waters had brought them onto the purest and Holy path of attaining Moksha remained an unanswered mystery which only the Savior and eternal God knows. We can hear the warning bells toll as we take care to listen to the voice to Shrimad Bhagvad Gita:




“Mannusham Lokam Kukti Dwaram'” which means that this life span in the body of human beings is the gateway of liberation.



The great need of salvation and why it cannot be attained




The tangible experience of Moksha or salvation is the hardest problem, and the greatest need of mankind. How clearly the book of Vivek Choodamani casts light upon this fact when it says that among all the living creation, the birth of human kind is attained with difficulty, more especially that of male body. To be born a Brahmin is rare; rarer to be born attached to Vedic Dharma. The hardest to acquire among these is that birth that understands the mystery of Brahma (the only God) and Maya (bondage of sin, illusion and ignorance and then find the path to attain Moksha (salvation).



There is a very beautiful story from Vedic scenario that graphically depicts the difficulty in acquiring Moksha or salvation. There once was a man who in search of the easiest way of redemption, went to Adi Sankaracharya. The guru then said, “The one who has to attain oneness with God in order to receive salvation, has to be truly equal to the man who has the patience to sit by the ocean and dig a pit on the sandy shore. Then he would have to take a blade of Kusha grass and dip it in the ocean water to bring out drop by drop of the ocean through the blade of grass, into the pit that he dug. When all the sea water is brought out into that pit, then he would attain Moksha”.



The quest for Moksha and its attainment



All the penance of the generations of the Aryan sages and pilgrim saints were in search of the way of salvation. Beginning at the Vedas and journeying through the Upanishads, the Aranyakas and Puranaas, they continued their pilgrimage through the Nirguna (in spirit) and Saguna (in blissful form) the path of devotion, while they kept pressing forward with unshaken and true spiritual thirst. Is it all possible to perceive and experience Moksha in reality anywhere? As man bound by sin, continues to persist in his search for truth, it seems as though the eternal God and attaining Him in experience play hide and seek with man and the cry goes out. How long? How long will it go on?




But, behold at such grim and groaning moments of utter darkness, ages ago on the length and breadth of the vast horizon, there appears a silver lining in the sky. The history of the world stands witness to the truth that nearly two thousands years ago at a time when all the major philosophies of the religions of the world had reached their zenith; the philosophy of the Greeks, the Sankhya, the Vedanta, the yoga, the Hebrew, the Jain, the Buddhist, the Persian and others and their sun was setting. While mankind was languishing on the spiritual horizon, the most High God himself took body in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, being the full incarnation or Purna Avatara. He was manifested so that, the burden of the wages of sin, and the bondage of death or “Karma – danda” which inflicts mankind maybe lifted by Him personally. Having said, “it is finished”, He gladly offered Himself to atone for man's sin on the altar of sacrifice, which is the Cross of Christ Jesus. By His incarnation as Man and while suffering death under that incarnation for man, He has fulfilled His role las 'TRATA' (only Savior of mankind) and 'Pitratam Pitranga' (most cherished heavenly fatherliness of all fathers, envisaged in Rig Veda 4:17:17).



The Lord Jesus Christ, the author of salvation and sinless and perfect Incarnation



The panoramic creation of beautiful nature; the sons and daughters of the land of Aryans that is called Bharat, yearns through the length and breadth for its only Creator and the living God. The ardent prayers of the Vedas, the deepest yearnings of the Upanishads are all directed towards that one most Holy and purest of beings, the Liberator of sinners.



In order to mitigate the sufferings that abound in and all around the universe, many great personalities and saints, prophets and priests or kings and monarchs were born but there was still left in every nook and corner of this earth a palpable yearning and longing for the One who can redeem man from the endless power of death's sting and grant full salvation; even the holy, blameless perfect Incarnation of a wonderful loving God. It was then from out of the bosom of a dark night that morning star appeared. The eternal and uncreated One, the Alpha and Omega God for the first and the last, took upon Himself the human incarnation out of deep compassion for the human race which was helplessly trapped in the strongest grip of sin. It was such a perfect incarnation for which the whole creation and every living thing eagerly looked for with a great hope. The venerable and adorable words from the Vedic scriptures like “Vagg Vai Brahma” (Brhado Aranyaka Upanishad 1:3, 21, 4:1, 2) meaning “The logos is the indestructible God, the Supreme Leader who is the cause and governor of all creation (Rigveda 10: 125) who to protect and save sinful mankind Himself appeared upon the earth, wrapped in a body that is holy and without sin”.



Personification of the Divine: Jesus Christ the Son of God



Among the important Hindu Puranas, one Bhavishya Purana, written in Sanskrit around the 7th Century A.D. Describes quite lucidly about this holy incarnation in Pratisarg chapter of the Bharath Khand as follows:



Yeesh moorti prapta nitya shuddha shivakari; Yeesha Mashi itticha mam nama prathishtatham




Verse 31 means: “the revelation of God who is eternal, holy, compassionate and giver of salvation; who dwells in our heart is manifested. His name is “Yeesha Masih” (Jesus Christ).



The Puranas while speaking of this Savior and God incarnate, refers Him as Purusha Shubham (sinless or blameless and holy person), Balwaan Raja Gaurang Shweta Vastrakam (the sovereign king in a holy person robed in white); Yeesh Putra (Son of God): Kumari Garbha Sambhavam (the One who is born of a virgin) and Satya Varatha Paraayanam (the One who is the sustainer of the path of truth).



The holy scriptures of India are not the only ones that speak authentically about the divine incarnation of Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind; but the oldest of Jewish holy writings and books of the Old Testament, witnessed to this faca seven hundred years before His birth “in whom was no sin” (Isa.53:9). “A virgin will give birth and His name shall be called Immanuel, that is God with us” (Isa.7:14). Even Islam, in its chief religious scripture, the Holy Koran, in Surah Miriam, refers to the Lord Jesus Christ as “Rooh Allah” meaning “the Spirit of God” and “Miriam” as the most holy among all women.



Has the only and eternal God Almighty, ever been incarnated? If so, what are the promises and signs that point to it. The scriptures and holy writings give us the following indications and clues that God ought to be the:



Sanathana Shabdha Brahmha (the Everlasting One and the Word who is God), Srishtikartha (Creator), Sarvagyaa (The Omniscient one), Nishpaap dehi (The sinless One); Sachidananda (Truth, conscious and Joy),Tri Ekya Pita (The triune God), Mahan Karma Yogi (The greatest accomplisher of the will of God), Siddha Brahmachari (The complete celibate by vow), Aloukik sanyasin (The supernatural recluse), Jagath Paapvahi (The bearer of the sin of the world), Yagna Pusha (the Sacrifice of the Altar), Aadveta (the only One), Anupam Premi (The matchless Lover).



The Word of God, the Bible has in its new testament all these attributes and many more aspects of the uniqueness of the God incarnate as amply evident in the life and holy person of the Lord Jesus Christ.



Salvation: Only in Jesus Christ



The holy word of God through Jesus Christ talks about bequeathed salvation in this way: “God after he spoke long ago to the fathers and the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days, has spoken to us in His Son whom He (God) appointed heir of all things through whom also He made the world. He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature (Heb.1:1-13). “I am the Way the Truth and the Life; no man comes to the Father (God) but by Me” (John 14:6). There is now no more condemnation (the death that results from sin) to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom.8:1). “But the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord” (Rom.6:23).



Dear friend, are you a traveler of the path of salvation? Has your soul longed after and thirsted for the Living God? Only in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have redemption from the bondage of your sins and can receive peace that passes all understanding. The incarnate God is calling you this very moment. “Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is no other” (Isa.45:22). “That whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn.3:16). Salvation is not available anywhere else except in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our deepest prayer that God Almighty may strengthen and establish you in this truth.




A word of testimony from the author of this message, “Pathway to salvation”



Lord Jesus Christ and the so-called Christianity as a religion were mere fake and foreign denominational cults for me – same as to a majority of common Indians. Still there was a little open mind in me for the Lord Jesus due to His famous “Sermon on the Mount” which inspired Mahatma Gandhi and his national movement on the solid foundation of truth, non-violence, love and forgiveness even to the enemies.




One evening in 1954 as a teenager student, when I was in my hostel room, studying a book of English (which was my subject), I came across a lesson heading “sermon on the Mount”. I read out the whole text in one breath! Oh! It was the same that inspired the life and work of Gandhiji during freedom movement of India. It was a memorable moment for me, while reading this great sermon, I heard repeatedly a divine voice from all around me saying, “I am the same whom you are seeking from your very childhood...”



The desire of the Vedic Rishis from ages was a quest to seek the ultimate realization of the true God and His grace. The same thirst of my heart was fired through the power of this great good news of salvation from God and brought me to the feet of the only eternal God, who became flesh for us all.



Written by:



Pandit Dharma Prakash Sharma, Ganaheda Road, P.O.Pushkar Teeratha-305022, Rajasthan, India.

I really enjoy this very friendly discussion, where all of can tell truth as it is quoting history. May be this discussion will open many eyes to facts. 1---- You wrote: “One has to experience it personally by faith. It is not logically proven facts but the Holy Spirit that gives us eternal life through the faith in Christ Jesus.”…..That is exactly what I am saying. If you really analyze what I have written you will agree with me. Only thing I want to state is GOD AND TRUTH ARE UNIVERSAL. NOBODY CAN PROCLAIM MONOPOLY on God or truth. EVERYTHING IS BASED ON FAITH AND NOTHING CAN BE LOGICALLY PROVED OR DISPROVED. A Christian has every right to believe, what he wanted to believe and a Moslem has every right to believe, what he wanted to believe. Similarly, a Hindu has every right to believe what he wanted to believe. 2--- You wrote, “Christ Jesus is already revealed in the Hindu Scriptures, and Koran.”….Yes, the name of Jesus and Mary is mentioned many times in the Holy Koran. I fully agree. But Holy Koran does not state Jesus died on cross. According Koran, Jesus escaped and died some where else in the world due to old age.
Hinduism which is an encyclopedia of ideas, is A RELENTLESS SEARCH AFTER TRUTH and that is the reason why in thousands of Hindu scriptures you can read about almost everything on earth. NOBODY IS PERSECUTED IN HINDUISM SINCE THEY WROTE A WRONG BOOK OR PREACHED A WRONG PHILOSOPHY. In fact any Christian or Moslem or Sikh or Buddhist or even an athesist who seach after truth is a Hindu [ Ref: Am I A Hindu? By Ed Viswanathan ] True that Hindu scripture Bhavishya Purana [ exact date of composition of this scripture is debatable], which many quote to prove the prophet hood of Muhammad also used to quote about Jesus Christ.
According to this scripture, Jesus Christ visited India, which many Christians deny. Christian theologians scream when ever they hear the Jesus visited India. Unluckily, Christians are NOT ready accept truth as it is. In fact, many believe in manufactured truth. That is the reason why we have problems. 1. 66 books of the Holy Bible has no idea when Jesus was born, the year or month or the date or time. 2. 66 books of the Holy Bible has no idea where Jesus spent during the UNKNOWN YEARS OF JESUS CHRIST. 3. There is no word TRINITY in the 66 books of the Holy Bible. TRNITY doctrine was started by Roman emperor Constantine during the very council of Nicea [ 325 AD] and the Arch Bishop of Alexandria Arius who vehementally opposed making Jesus 2nd person of Trinity was killed and all his books burnt [Arian Controversy ].
The history of the Bhavishya Purana is unclear. it is a book of predictions, written as if the events have already taken place, a common practice in ancient Hindu scriptures. The work has been interpreted as predicting several major global events such as the British occupation of India as well as the rise and fall of Hitler as well as World War II.
Bhavishya Purana states once the Hindu King Salivahana, the grandson of Vikramaditya, went towards Himatunga and in the middle of the Huna country (Hunadesh - the area near Manasa Sarovara or Kailash mountain in Western Tibet), met a very auspicious man who was living on a mountain. The man's complexion was golden and his clothes were white. (Bhavishya Purana 19:22.) The king asked, 'Who are you sir?' 'You should know that I am Isha Putra, the Son of God'. He replied blissfully, and 'am born of a virgin.' "(Bhavishya Purana 19:23.) Hearing this the king enquired, 'What are religious principles according to you opinion?' "(Bhavishya Purana 19:24.) Hearing this questions of Salivahara, Isha putra said, 'O king, when the destruction of the truth occurred, I, Masiha the prophet, came to this country of degraded people where there are no rules and regulations. Finding that fearful irreligious condition of the barbarians spreading from Mleccha-Desha, I have taken to prophethood'." (Bhavishya Purana 19:25-26.) In Bhavishya Purana Jesus is referred to specifically as Isha Putra - "the Son of God." Jesus is indeed an avatar [incarnation of God] like Lord Buddha and many others… According to Tibetan scriptures [Pali Language ] that person named ST. ISSIAH wanted take care of problems in India but was told by Hindu Rishis to go back to Middle east where his real mission was.
HINDU SALVATION DETAILS: 1-------Hindu scriptures state, Man’s problem is his ignorance of his true nature [ Spirit within – Atman –immortal soul ] and false belief that HE IS THE PERISHABLE BODY. The moment he REALIZES that he is the Spirit within – Atman –immortal soul, he attains SALVATION or SELF-REALIZATION. 2----- In Hindu salvation, man become one with God; In Christian salvation, man reaches God. 3----- In Hindu salvation, IDENTITY LOST after salvation; in Christian salvation, IDENTITY IS KEPT after salvation; You do NOT have to be a Hindu to attain salvation as per Hindu scriptures. You can be a Moslem or a Christian or a Buddhist or even atheist to attain salvation. As long as you search after truth you will attain SELF REALIZATION. 4----- In Christian salvation, only those who surrender to the will Jesus Christ, who take refuge in Jesus Christ can attain salvation. 5-----One can attain salvation by one or more of the 4 methods Jnana Yoga, path of knowledge .; Karma Yoga, path of selfless actions without greed of personal gain. : Raja Yoga, path of contemplation or meditation: Bhakti Yoga, total surrender to God through devotion….Anybody can attain salvation as per Hinduism, even those who condemn or ridicule Hinduism..

Dear brother,The seeker of the truth
I can show you the ticket counter where free passes to have faith in true God and heaven can be obtained. I born as a Christian,refused to attend the bible class in my Christian school telling them that I am not a Christian eventhough born to Christian parents. But now delivered,redeemed and blessed with eternal faith in the only one true son of God Jesus Christ, who came to the world to deliver me and every one in the world. Dear brother I can now boldly say as the holy scripture say that Jesus is the only way,truth and life without HIm no one can come to the Father. Please have a try success gurenteed.

it has a lot ov information but i woudnt get advice aov ya

well said dear hindu freind... There is ONE god with many paths. Here is the proofs..CHECK THIS WEBSITE...MIRACLES HAPPENS in other religions too.....well now we know there is no peace on earth...and this will continue when some religions still claim theirs are the only way!!!!.....SAY NO TO ISLAM, SAY NO TO CHRISTIANITY, AND SAY YES TO PEACE..


www.gurunanakhealing.com.

Anyway i am a former christian...my family embraced sikhism in mexico city 5 years ago...We are part of a growing Mexican sikhs community numbering several thousands...

When I pray , what matters is my understanding of god , the name and the character is meaningless.
It does not matter whether one calls the God "Jesus" or whether one calls God "Matha". The universal spirit answers our prayers. Moreover teh statement all of us are born is sin is "absurd". What does a baby know about sin. Only when we start doing things that we could have avoided, we cause sin. This sin concept is a blackmail tool used by priests of various religions. Instead of focussing on leading a good life, people are talking about getting forgiven.
The moment our character changes and we improve, our sin is forgiven. Moreover a punishing god cannot be a true god. God is all love and seeks to respond to call of sincere people regardless, of the name or form they use in worshipping him.

Stop brainwashing people with less knowledge of religion

Christians seem to believe that after God created the world, mankind somehow thwarted His plan for the world. I just don't believe that men are powerful enough to thwart God's will. It states in the bible that it is God's wish that all are saved. If that's God's wish then that's what must happen. God knows our hearts better then we know our own, if He wants us to follow a certain path to Him then He would know how to get us there. Basically what I'm saying is that your salvation isn't based on your good works or even the religion you believe in, it's based on God's will, and if you believe that everyone who believes differently than you is going to hell then you're either underestimating God's love or underestimating His absolute power over this world.

The argument that no one is born into a religion is misleading.A erson born in a hindu family will not be taught that only christianity is true.Definitely he will be taught about the values of hinduism.how he is a hindu.he will grow listening to the stories of hinduism and he will develop a love for hinduism.so he naturally grow as a hindu.Similarly a christian will grow as a christian and a muslim as a muslim.Otherwise why is it that most of the hindus born into hindu families are hindus and most of the people born to christian families are christians and almost all of the people born to muslim family is muslim.If we were actually making the choice of our religion then christians should come from all religions.But only after a missionery comes to you and brainwash you will you become a christian.Either your parents brainwash you or the missionery brainwash you.and what you become will ultimately depend on who is more powerful at brainwashing.your argument that all are born without religion and we choose our religion is totally foolish and a childish argument.

this article is great as most of the people think that religion is more important than relationship with God

By the same logic you use, no one is really born a Christian, just by being born into a Christian family. And any religion that allows conversion and proselytization should legitimately target Christian people for conversion to their faith. If every faith considered itself the only truth, and believers of all other faiths to be following false gods, that really means all we're going to be doing is converting each other out of our original faiths. The only thing that makes sense to me is to believe in your god, acknowledge that other faiths might be equally valid and live out our lives in peace.

There are two types of Christians - those who know Christianity as a religion, and thus believe in actions (ie going to church, being baptized, being good) for salvation. And then there are Christians who know Christianity as a relationship with Jesus Christ. When the label "Christians" is thrown around, it seems most of the time the first group is being discussed. Let's consider the second group instead.

Christians, per the 2nd group, believe the Bible to be God-inspired, God-breathed scripture, and since God is without err, so is the Bible. Several scriptures (John 14:7, for one) state that Jesus is the only way to God. In fact, He said so Himself. This is why we as Christians believe Jesus is the only way to reach a relationship with God and have eternal life. We are not saying this to be judgmental; on the contrary, we say it because we love you and we love all people and want to give everyone a chance to experience this eternal hope. Remember to question which group of Christian you are talking with or discussing. :)

You have to devote your self to supreme power, Jesus is one of his avtar to remove sin in west of world. Before Jesus all are the sinner and who is non-christan are not eligible for salvation. A peron who adopt christan will be elgible for salvation than he is doing sinful work all of his life. Mere adoption of religon is never be a final solution for salvation but it is our work, our devotion to supreme power which help us for salvation.

I have read all comments here..heres is what i think.
" According to the Rig Veda: The sacrifice must be a goat without blemish Jesus was the sinless God-man According to the Rig Veda:The "balusu" bush must be placed round its head. A crown of thorns was placed on Jesus' head. According to the Rig Veda: It must be bound to a sacrificial post. Jesus was crucified on the cross.


According to the Rig Veda: Nails must be driven into its four legs till they bleed. Jesus was nailed hands and feet to the cross.

According to the Rig Veda: The cloth covering the goat should be divided among four priests. Those who nailed Jesus to the cross divided His garment among themselves. According to the Rig Veda: none of its bones should be broken. Not one of Jesus' bones were broken.

According to the Rig Veda: The goat should be given a drink of Soma Juice. Jesus was given vinegar to drink. According to the Rig Veda: After it has been slain, it must be restored to life again. Jesus rose again as death's conqueror."

These are taken from the Rig Veda..i would like to say..that these comparisons are phenomenal and proves in the divinity of Christ and how is is the sacrificial lamb of God. But if we hindus can see the divinity of Christ here...why cant the Christians see the Divinity in the Rig Veda, a book written ages before christ was born.

i respond to commet number 22 very critical view in general without understanding that religion preaches morallity to gain mortality for ever knowledge given by any precher is the universal be good generally improve life and the best person would be our precher are our parents to trust the word of wisdom where every soul views with their experience in life thanku

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

I feel personly that through these comments we are trying to show light to those who are not blind but they are keeping their eyes closed. It is their choise, if they open their eyes they will see the true light wcich will never get dim. And also Only God is the source of faith if they ask faith from God and also if they ask eyes to see and ear to hear to know the Word of God and about Jesus that who He is, Definitly I am sure God will give them throu Jesus Christ. Amen. God Bless you.

www.thywillismywill.org updated.

dont try to thrust your religious beliefs down other peoples throat. I dont try to thrust my religion down your throat doI?As you believe that Jesus Christ is the only true Lord God, so do I have the liberty to believe that Lord Krishna is Supreme

I belive without Jesus there is no life

SELF REALIZATION
According to Indian philosophers, self is the Purush or Purusha; realization is the knowledge or the consciousness of this Purusha within every human being, and it is the most important aspect of every seekers of God to attain Mukti (salvation). For those who believe in karma samsara, Self Realization is the only way to liberate themselves from the cycle of birth and death.
MAN MADE MARGAS TO REALIZE PURUSHA:
The religious life of many Indians is focused on devotion to gods and goddesses through rituals at homes and in shrines. More philosophically-minded people ignore these gods altogether and seek Realization of the Self through intense meditation. Still others focus primarily on fulfilling the social and moral duties appropriate to their position in life.
These three approaches are regarded as equally important, and they are formally recognized as threefold margas (paths) to liberation: bhaktimarga (the path of devotion), gnanamarga (through the path of knowledge ‘sankhya’ or through philosophy ‘yoga’ and ‘meditation’), and karmamarga (the path of works and actions).
Those who want to follow the path of devotion are the majority and their aim is to try and please God through different types of rituals including poojas, offering special prayers & gifts during festivals, doing dharma, undertaking pilgrimages, participating in kumba-melas, taking up vows and penances, walking on fire, offering yagnas, rolling for miles, even sacrificing animals etc.
Purpose of Yoga: The goal of Yoga is to achieve union with self, the little self and the True Self. It is a process of awakening to the preexisting union between Aathma (soul) and Brahma (Creator), Jeevathma and Paramathma, or the realization of Purusha standing alone as separate from Prakrithi. Buddhist philosophy teaches that the self does not have absolute boundaries.
The author of the yoga system, Shri Patanjali, says that it is a system of moral and physical exercises (Yoga Sutra 1:1,2). Patanjali teaches eight steps. 1. Yama (moral conduct): fulfilled by noninjury to others, truthfulness, nonstealing, continence, and noncovetousness. 2. Niyama (religious observances): prescripts are purity of body and mind, contentment in all circumstances, self-discipline, self-study (contemplation), and devotion to God and guru. 3. Asana (right posture): the spinal column must be held straight, and the body firm in a comfortable position for meditation. 4. Pranayama (control of prana): the subtle life currents. 5. Pratyahara (withdrawal) of the senses from external objects. 6. Dharana (concentration): holding the mind to one thought. 7. Thyana (meditation). 8. Samadhi (superconscious experience).
In the final stages of Samadhi, the yogi is supposed to have attained miraculous powers such as raising into the sky, walking on water, conquering lions, leaving his body and entering into the dead bodies of any form etc. Through this system of yoga and meditation, the soul is expected to merge with the Purusha without the grace of God; and it is also believed that, through the individual practice alone one can attain divine status.
Kriya Yoga: Kriya Yoga (union with the Infinite through a certain action or rite) is a technique of relaxation, meditation and concentration which leads to a personal experience with God. When the inner peace arrives, one can then feel God’s overwhelming presence and reach greater clarity. The body and mind will then be trained and the soul will eventually be liberated and truly freed.
It is to free man from the effects of karma resulting in everlasting remains. It is done through the realization of oneself, and thereby realizing God and the love for God. It helps them to recognize the beauty within, and the magnificence of their spirit. Most of the people seek satisfaction from what they see, but this provides no relief and the longing continues. But by focusing on the internal, rather than the external, one can get complete relief from all desires.
It is also meant to encourage the establishment of individual temples of God in the hearts of men, to liberate man from his threefold sufferings: physical, mental and spiritual, to promote plain living and high thinking, to spread the spirit of brotherhood among all people by teaching the eternal basis of their unity: kinship with God, to demonstrate the superiority of mind over body, of soul over mind, to overcome evil by good, sorrow by joy, cruelty by kindness, ignorance by wisdom and above all to attain direct personal experience with God.
Kriya Yogi mentally directs his life energy to revolve around the six spinal centers (medulla, cervical, dorsal, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal plexus) which correspond to the twelve astral signs of the zodiac, the symbolic Cosmic Man. One-half minute of revolution of energy around the sensitive spinal cord of man effects subtle progress in his spiritual evolution; that half-minute of Kriya equals one year of natural spiritual unfoldment.
Hatha Yoga: The purpose of Hatha Yoga is to locate and activate the chakras (centers of energy), thereby raising the kundalini (dominant spiritual power). This in turn is believed to help remove blockages (diseases) in the mind and body.
Hatha yoga attempts to balance mind and body via physical postures and exercises (asanas), controlled breathing, and calming of the mind through relaxation and meditation. Asanas teach poise, balance & strength and were originally (and still) practiced to improve the body’s physical health and clear the mind in preparation for meditation in the pursuit of enlightenment.
Kundalini Raising: The practice of kundalini yoga centers on raising the kundalini, or dormant psychic energy, through the body’s seven major chakras, or centers of consciousness. The seven chakras are: Muladhara chakra - base of the spine, Svadhishthana chakra - near the genital organs, Manipura chakra - behind the navel, Anahata chakra - at the heart, Vishuddha chakra - at the throat, Ajna chakra - behind the point between the eyebrows (the “third eye”), Sahasrara chakra - the cerebral cortex.
Each chakra is associated with a different set of psychic powers and spiritual experiences. For example, accessing the vishuddha chakra in the throat bestows powers of telepathy and prophecy, while activating the ajna chakra on the forehead brings universal knowledge. Specific colors and sounds are also associated with the chakras and used to activate them.
Transcendental Meditation: The Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique involves reciting of a mantra through which the mind is brought to the source of thought, the settled state of the mind - Transcendental Consciousness - pure consciousness, self-referral consciousness, which is the source of all creative processes. It is believed that through this technique, the individual’s awareness settles down and experiences a unique state of restful alertness. As the body becomes deeply relaxed, the mind transcends all mental activity to experience the simplest form of awareness - Transcendental Consciousness, where consciousness is open to itself. This is the self-referral state of consciousness.
The Transcendental Meditation as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi claims that TM is the only way for salvation and it provides heaven in earth. It uses seven words such as Jagrata centana (walking); swapna cetana (dreaming); sushupti cetana (sleeping); toorya chetana (transcendental consciousness); tooryateet cetana (cosmic consciousness); bhagavat centana (God consciousness); and brahmi cetana (Unity consciousness). Even though the TM organization claims that their mantras are meaningless sounds with known physiological effects, the mantras are in fact names of a Hindu deity.
VEDIC REQUIREMENTS OF SELF REALIZATION:
Katha Upanishad 65:8 says, Avyaktatuparah purushoyagnatva muchyatae: One who knows Purusha becomes free and attains immortality. Viveka Chudamani verse 6 says;
Vadhanthu shastrani yadhanthu devane, Kurvanthu karmani bajanthu devata,
Aatmaikayodena vinabpi mukitha, na chityathi bhramma shathanthrashpi.
Let them quote scriptures and sacrifice to gods; let them observe rituals and worship devatas (gods); but there is no liberation at all; no, not even in a hundred lifespan of Brahma put together, until the identity of one’s self with the Divine Self is realized. Again verse 56 says:
“na yogena na sankhyena karmanano na vidhya brahaat maikatva bodena moksha sidyate naanyata”
Neither by yoga, nor by knowledge, nor by karma or by learning, but by the realization of one’s own identity with God is liberation possible, and by no other means. Svetaasvatara Upanishad 3:8 says:
Vedaaha metam purusham manantam Aaditya vamam tamasah-h parastat
tameva viditvati mutu meti naanyah panthaa vidyate-ayanaaya
I know the mighty Purusha of the color of the sun beyond the darkness. Only in knowing Him does one Passover death. There is no other way leading to eternal life.
VEDIC PURUSHA:
Vedas begin with the worship of gods of nature, namely;
1) The terrestrial gods- Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Bruhaspati and Soma (plants).
2) The atmospheric gods- Indra, Rudra, Maruts, Vayu and Parjanya (storm, thunder and rain).
3) The celestial gods- Dyaus (heaven), Varuna, Ushas & Asvins (twilight morning stars) and Surya, Mitra, Savitri, Ka, Vishnu (all associated with the sun).

Actually these gods were the result of man’s search for the truth, which finally culminated in the Purusha Prajapathi, the Creator. The Katha Upanishad 3:11 says, avvyakthath purusha parah purushanna param kinchith sa kastha sa paragathi, which means that there is none superior to this Purusha and He is the paragathi (Only way to Moksha).
The Purusha in the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda is called the Param Purusha that means the one and the only Supreme Being and He is the Lord of immortality. The 10th mandala of Rig Veda chapter 121 verse 10 says, Prajapathi Lord of life, Lord of Creatures and Lord of Creation.


BIBLICAL PURUSHA (SELF):
Creation of Man: Genesis 1:27 “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”. Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand”. Psalm 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well”. God created humans in his own image for His glory and to the praise of His glorious grace.
Empowerment of the Soul by Purusha: Genesis 2:7 “The Lord God (Prajapathi Purusha) formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul”. Many people find it difficult to believe, that human beings were created from the dust of the ground. However, if we recognize that the modern day wonder machines including the Super Computers and Nuclear Bombs etc., were made by taking all the raw materials from the earth only, and that too with the limited wisdom and knowledge of the human beings, then it will become obvious that the All-knowing and All-powerful Creator can create human beings by taking the necessary ingredients including the living cells from the ground.
Since human beings were made out of living things, then what God breathed into Adam’s nostrils is His own Spirit, and Adam’s soul (Aathma) became a living soul (Jeevathma). That means the soul (Aathma) has been endowed with the life and that life (Purusha or Self) is the Holy Spirit (True Self) of God Himself and this spirit was not given to any other creature. This is what many people call it as Little Self, Sixth Sense, Clear Conscience or the Still Small Voice etc.
This leads us to the fact that, every human is made up of both physical and spiritual being. The physical being comprises of the physical body and the life attached with the body, and the spiritual being comprises of the soul, which is the controlling force behind the body, and a life (self) to sustain that soul. As the physical man has got a physical heart and brain etc., the spiritual man does not have such heart or brain. However, when we talk about heart or mind during our religious discourse, we actually refer to the soul, and this soul or the Aathma is the one, which manipulates our brain.
Having got the Holy Spirit of God, the soul also has become immortal and cannot be destroyed. Even many things in this world cannot be destroyed, but can only be changed from one physical state to another. Hence humans have become altogether a powerful beings, physically as well as spiritually. That is why human beings are sometimes called as saints or lower gods.
In addition, human beings have been endowed with the power to communicate not only with each other, but also can know and be in communion with the Creator all the time. Each and every word that humans speak has got a special power behind. Mat 12:37 “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned”.
The life in this condition was like a child born into a King’s family. The King being the all-powerful Creator of this Universe who is our Heavenly Father, with immeasurable grace, mercy and power, and everything in His Kingdom was made available to man without asking. It is all the Royal inheritance of the rightful heir. So God provided man with everything including the host of angels at his service. This Kingdom is the everlasting Kingdom of God.
Uniqueness of Human Beings: It is because of the empowerment of the soul by God’s Spirit, humans have become unique with lots of extraordinary features namely, a) Physical:- with distinct individual capacity, power and identity. b) Intellectual:- bestowed with the wisdom and knowledge to analyze logically and be creative, and with necessary skills to rule over the other creatures. c) Spiritual:- In addition to our soul being made immortal, it has been endowed with a free will. Only humans build altars and worship God.
This spirit and soul combination has become an inimitable dynamic system, and it is this indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every human soul, helps everyone to seek and search for God one day or the other, which the other creatures will never do.
LOSS OF SELF (FALL OF MAN):
As a result of the above qualities, man became a self-sufficient, self-creative and self-willed complete individual being. It is because of this free will, not only can he think and choose, but also can be influenced by other forces as well. When the first man was to make a choice between God and devil as the guiding force for his soul, he willfully chooses the devil, as the present day world, because of the influence of the devil, who had already chosen evil for himself by trying to become like God or equal with God, who made man also to fall prey to his evil design.
It was not just a simple disobedience, but it was a deliberate choice of evil over good, and the evil spirit got embedded onto the human soul affecting the entire human race. In this condition, the spirit, which is the life force for the soul, lost its sustenance from God and got suppressed, and the devil took almost full control and authority over the human soul. This has brought about a sea change in the attitude of man towards God and ultimately man became an enemy of God.

Thus humans have been stripped of that honor and glory, privileges and power they were vested with; and having lost the image of God that was upon them, and that robe of purity, innocence and righteousness, the rectitude of their nature with which they were arrayed. Now they were unable to save themselves from the curse of the righteous law and the fury of vindictive justice.
Genesis 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground, for from dust thou art taken, and dust shall thou return”. Eze 18:4 “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die”.
As a result of these curses and also due to the corruption of the soul, not only our physical body suffers a simple death but also is afflicted by diseases and deformities, and there is always a constant struggle raging between the life forces (immune system) which are trying to preserve the body on the one hand, and the disease forces which are trying to destroy the body on the other hand. At times the disease forces dominate resulting in sickness with the life forces being suppressed and vice versa.
Similarly, there is also a struggle going on in our soul, between the subdued spirit (Self) which is the life force for our soul and the evil spirit which is the destructive force trying to destroy the soul. This affects our thoughts and deeds, as it is written, “for I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out” Romans 9:18.
The evil spirit makes man to do more evil than good, if not all the time, but most of the time. That is why God says, “You belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and has never stood by the truth, since there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie he speaks in character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” John 8:44.
All have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. We are full of envy, murder, quarreling, deceit, and cruel. We are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, haughty, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, selfish, corrupt, lustful, lust for money, lust for food, lust for power, with contempt for God, no peace, revelry, strife among ourselves, and among nations.These are the fruits of the evil spirit, which are exactly opposite to that of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Hence the word of God declares that, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” Ecc 7:20.
The effect of all these is the cause for the greatest battle which is now raging in this world between good and evil, i.e. between the forces of God and the forces of devil, and the victory of course is foreknown. But the big question is, on which side are you? Everyone in this world, either knowingly or unknowingly is contributing his money, might, and time for the above cause. Mat 7:20 “Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them”. But if we are indifferent to know or to find out, or even to spend a minute to think about it, we may have no excuse at all.
The atmosphere of the world today gives all of us without exception a perverted sense of value because of the influence of devil. We tend to get life’s priorities wrong, since that influence is immensely powerful. Faster than ever before in the history of mankind, the world is sinking into the gutter of moral decay and corruption. The darkness deepens until the night is black around us.
VEDIC REDEMPTION:
Now the soul which has lost its empowerment by the spirit (self), if not redeemed will have to spend its eternity in Hell. The Vedas and Upanishads proclaim that the redemption can be obtained only through Purusha the Prajapathi. In Rig Veda Purusha Sukta ends with the following words:
tameva vidvaanam amruta iha bhavati, nanyah panthaa ayanaaya vidyate
(thus one who knows this becomes able to reach the state of deathlessness. There is no other way). Bhruhat Aranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28) says, “Asatoma sat gamaya, Tamasoma Jyothir gamaya, Mruthyoma amrutham gamaya” which means, from untruth lead me to truth, from darkness lead me to light, from death lead me to eternal life.
Deliverance from untruth, darkness and death is the basic need of every person. The sages in the past testify that they were living in the shadow of vanity, darkness and death. They were seeking truth, light and eternal life, knowing fully well that they were mortals and these immortal gifts were beyond their reach; but they were also aware, that the Prajapathi or the Creator will have to help them to attain their goal. Katha Upanishad 3:15 says,
asabtham aspersam aroobam avvyam dhtha arasam nithyam ahandha vachya yath
anadiyanandham mahatha param durvam nitchaya dhanmruthyu mukthath pramoochyathe, which means, one can not know God who has no beginning and end, either by sound, or by feel, or by eyes, or by smell, or by taste but by His grace.
Viveka Chudamani verse147 says that, “neither weapons, nor wind, nor fire, nor millions of deeds can help us reach mukti. Only the wonderful sword of knowledge that comes out of discrimination sharpened by the grace of God can achieve it”. Shankara the ancient sage admitted that union with God, is attained by the grace of God (Viveka churamani 3).
Naham vedair na tapasa na danena na ejyaya
sakya evamvidho drstavan asi mam yatha (Gita 11:53),
which means, neither by Vedic study, nor by austerities, nor by charities, nor by sacrifices can one behold Me. Nor by any works that you have done.
To summarize the whole teachings of Gita, God alone is the only way to attain Mukti. Moksha is initiated by God (18:66). God calls the sinner to surrender, since He is the refuge (18:62, 72, 73). It is His grace that salvation is open to men and women regardless of their merits and demerits (11:47, 18:58, and 5:18). The easiest way to find refuge in God is by complete surrender (18:62). A seeker can be liberated in this lifetime itself (4:21, 23, and 41). Moksha is available even at the dying moments (8:5, 18:66).
According to Vedic literatures and Saiva Siddhanta there are four steps to salvation: Salokya (sa-lokya - the believer is admitted into the sphere of God by faith in the word of God - the Purusha), Sameepya (the believer comes near to Purusha, the author of salvation), Sa roopya (the believer is identified with the savior in every aspect) and Sa yoojya (the believer enters into union with Purusha).
BIBLICAL PLAN OF REDEMPTION:
If mankind were to have been left to mend themselves with God, none of them would have ever become eligible to get to Heaven. But God who is the God of love, mercy and long suffering is not willing to give up, and hence He devised various methods to bring back the condemned souls to Himself. These methodologies were meant to pave the way for reconciliation, by atoning the sins of the human beings. This of-course is not without a price.
Animal sacrifice: Heb 9:22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. By transgression, a man forfeits his life to divine justice, and he must die, if God in His mercy did not provide an alternative. This alternative is the blood of the victim, which is its life, is shed as a ransom for the life of the sinner.
This requirement may look strange for many people, but it is the root of all religions. For Hindus, “Sarvapapa pariharo raktha prokshna mavasyam” which means, the redemption is through shedding of blood only. Bakrid is the day of sacrifice for the atonement of their sins for Muslims. But it was and is being practiced just as a ritual.
Deluge: This was the most painful thing that a loving Father could have brought upon His own creation. But it was a righteous judgment upon the ungodly. II Peter 2:5, God did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly… God revealed to Noah the coming judgment Genesis 6:13. Hebrews 11:7 tells us, By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. But the descendents of Noah did more evil than the previous generations. That means even this has not remedied the situation.
Ten Commandments: It was in this condition that, mankind was compelled to follow some of the most rigorous rules and regulations, expecting that the evil spirit could be forced to rescind, but apparently without success. However, this methodology is still being used by many religious people in the present world. Even we see people taking upon themselves different types of penance including self-inflicted torture for this purpose.
Neither the evil spirit could be tamed nor could it be abrogated from the human soul, because, all these commandments were targeted to discipline the physical being, which obviously had no effect on the soul or the evil spirit which is in control of the soul. So to lift up the subdued Holy Spirit in the soul, and to turn them from darkness to light and from Satan’s control to God’s, He had to make a way out, by that the human race might receive salvation.
The Cross: Ultimately this was achieved by the sacrifice of His own Son Jesus Christ on the cross. Lev 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life”. All sacrifices were mere shadows of the sacrifice of Christ and looked forward to it. It was a promise, prophecy and pledge that God would accomplish it with His own beloved Son.
Isaiah 53:4-6 “Surely our grieves He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed”. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

VEDIC REQUIREMENT FOR ATONEMENT:
Thertiriya Aranyaka verse 3 says, Sarvapapa pariharo raktha prokshna mavasyam, thud raktham Paramatmane punyadana baliyagam” which means, the redemption is through shedding of blood only and that-blood has to be through the sacrifice of God himself. The Purusha Sukta says, there is no other way other than the sacrifice of Purusha Prajapathi. Purushao vava yagna (Chandokya Upanishad 3.16.1), God, the Purusha is the sacrifice. Sama Veda Dandiya Mahabhramanam says “Prajapathi devapyam aathmanam yagnam kruthva prayachita” which means God will offer himself as a sacrifice for the redemption of mankind. Sathpatha Bhramanam says “Prajapathi yagnayaga”. It also says: “Yagnova avati tasya cchaya kriyate”, which means all animal sacrifices are shadows.
It is the Prajapathi, the creator of the universe (Rig Veda 10.121), the great ‘I Am’ (Bruhat aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.1) who willed to become a sacrificial body (Br. Ar. Up 1.2.7) to be offered by saints as the sacrifice (Rig Veda 10.121.10). In the Purusha Sukta, we also read that the God Brahma (Creator) is the sacrifice, who by putting on both mortality and immortality and becoming incarnate as God-man, would Himself be the sacrificial animal and offer Himself as a sacrifice to redeem mankind from their sins.
“If you want to be delivered from the sins which you commit through eyes, mouth, ears and mind, bloodshed is necessary. That must be the blood of the Holy one. God is our creator. He is our King. When we were perishing, He came to save us by offering even his own body on our behalf” (Maha Brahmanam 4.15).
Rig Veda specifies the requirements for the sacrificial animal: It must be without blemish, the “balusu” bush must be placed round its head; It must be bound to a sacrificial post, Nails must be driven into its four legs till they bleed. The cloth covering the victim should be divided among the four priests. None of its bones must be broken. The victim should be given a drink of Soma juice. After it has been slain, it must be restored to life again. Its flesh should be eaten.
FULFILLMENT OF THESE REQUIREMENTS:
These ware clearly fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. He was the sinless God-man (I Pet. 2:22). A crown of thorns (balusu) was placed on His head (Mark 15:17). He was fied to the sacrificial post (Psalm 118:27). He was nailed hands and feet to the cross (John 19:18). Those who nailed Him to the cross divided His garments among themselves (Mat.27:35). Not one of His bones was broken (John 19:36). He was given vinegar (Soma juice) to drink (Mat. 27:34). He rose again as death’s conqueror (Mat. 28:5-6). At the last supper He gave His disciples that they should eat His flesh and drink His blood (Mat. 26:26-29).
BIBLICAL PROVISION FOR MOKSHA:
Micah 6:6-7 “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” This is the great question as to a sinner’s relationship with the Holy God.

God loves the sinner; but He hates the sin. God has sworn that He has no pleasure in the death of a sinner (Ezek 33:11); yet He has also sworn that the soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezek 18:4). Which of the two oaths shall He keep? Shall the one give way to the other? Can both be kept inviolate?
Both law and love have triumphed in the reconciliation God has accomplished. The one has not given way to the other. Never has there been love like this love of God; so large, so lofty, so intense, so self-sacrificing. Never has law been so pure, so broad, so glorious and so inexorable.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. 1 John 4:10 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins”. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For God has made Jesus to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”.
Love has never been more truly love, and law has never been more truly law, than in this conjunction of the two. God’s honor has been maintained, yet man’s interests have not been sacrificed. God has done it all; and He has done it effectually and irreversibly. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. Isaiah 45:6 “that people may know, from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other”.

The consent of parties to the acceptance of this basis is required in court. The law consents; the Lawgiver consents; Father, Son, and Spirit consent; and man, the chief party interested, is asked for his consent. If he consents, the whole matter is settled. The verdict is issued in his favor; and henceforth he can triumphantly say, “It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth?”
Our Righteousness are nothing but Filthy Rags: Job 15:14-16 “What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, He putteth no trust in His saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in His sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?” Isaiah 64:6, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”. The sense is, that all our prayers, sacrifices, alms, praises, were only abominable to the Lord because of the impurity, imperfection, pride, and vanity, that appeared in them.
Salvation is not found in man-made ceremonies, neither is it obtained through ordinances or religious sacraments. Instead, “salvation is of the Lord” Jonah 2:9. Still, multitudes believe that the pursuance of good works or the following of a prescribed code of ethics automatically earns them the guarantee of eternal life. Others talk about the benefits of the Golden Rule, the Sermon on the Mount, or the observance of the Ten Commandments as the way to prepare one’s soul for heaven.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY:
Romans 3:23 declares that, “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”; Hebrews 9:22 “and according to the law almost all things are purged with the blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission”. Romans 5:8 “But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. God reckons us as righteous by our faith in Christ”. 1 John 1:7 “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses us from all sin”. John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and life; no one comes to the Father except through me”. Acts 4:12 says, “Neither, is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”.
The Curtain in the temple, which symbolized the dividing wall between the people and God, was torn into two from top to bottom at the moment Jesus Christ gave up his Ghost on the cross. This is actually God accepting Christ’s offering of himself for our sins, hence, opening the Heaven’s gate for humans to enter, through his precious and most valuable sacrificial blood, which was shed on the cross as a ransom for all our sins and iniquities.
There is no other way for us to come to God or get to heaven. Because, the only sacrifice God accepts for our sins is the sacrifice that He has provided, that is the unblemished sacrifice of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the one and the only hope for the salvation of mankind. Are you clothed in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ? 1John 5:11 “And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life; and this life is in his Son”.
Romans 10:9 “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved”. Romans 5:1"Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain he whole world, and lose his own soul?” People in Hell right now, would give anything for the chance that you have at this moment to get saved.
BIBLICAL SELF REALIZATION (BEING BORN AGAIN):
Becoming a believer in Jesus Christ is the first and the foremost step in our long and joyous journey of pilgrimage towards Heaven. The immediate and the most obvious step in our endeavor is to have the assurance of our faith, i.e. the experience of being born again. It was told to Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. i.e., he was to be born of water and of the Spirit.
As we all know that when we were born in to this world, we were born of blood and water. But here we are required to be born of water and the Holy Spirit. John 3:6 says, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit”. Hence It is definitely not the physical rebirth, but it is the spiritual rebirth, i.e. the soul has to take the rebirth.
We say that the soul has to take rebirth because, as we have seen already the spirit which is the life for our soul, is now in a suppressed and dormant condition. Once that spirit (self) is revived or quickened, then the soul automatically gets regenerated and comes back to life. The revival of this spirit is possible only after our sins have been forgiven by God.
So immediately, after we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we should also confess all our sins and iniquities and ask for His forgiveness. From this moment onwards, we become His children. We are once again born into His family. As the newborn babe is washed by water, and the life in it is revived by the milk, our soul is “being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever” I Peter 1:23.
That is, as soon as we are born into His Family, we are cleansed by His precious blood and the water, which He poured out on the cross, and then the spirit which is in near dead condition or in a state of hibernation is quickened and renewed through His Life giving Spirit (Holy Spirit) which is in the Word. Tit 3:5 “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”.
Now because the life (Self or Spirit or Purush) for the soul being revived and quickened, the soul automatically Realizes Self without going through the torturous route of yoga, meditation, kundalini raising, karma samsara etc. All our traditions and rituals are also infructuous. According to Gnan Vidhi teachings, for self realization, a living enlightened medium in the form of an Avatar (Gnani Purusha) is required. Jesus Christ is that avatar and through his sacrificial blood only our soul can become a living soul (Jeevathma) again through the renewing of our spirit (self). This is how we are able to obtain Salvation or Mukti or Self Realization etc.
The symptoms of being born again are the longing of our spiritual being (self and soul) for the spiritual food, which is the Living Word, 1Peter 2:2 “as newborn babies long for the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby”, and the desire to be in constant communion with God, by which we should be able to say, “The Cross before me, and the world behind me”.
KUMBAMELA (BAPTISM):
The next stage of our spiritual life is baptism. This is not a new thing for both Christians as well as Hindus. Large number of Indians every year participate in various Kumba-melas. By dipping themselves in different rivers they believe that they will be cleansed of their sins. But for Christians it is considered as fulfilling all righteousness of God after becoming His children. This baptism by water is only symbolic and it is also external, but the real baptism is for the soul. John the Baptist replied to all of them, “I am baptizing you with water, but the one who is stronger than me is coming, and I am not worthy to untie his sandal straps. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”.
Baptism by Holy Spirit is a continuous process of strengthening of our spirit by the Word of God, which in turn rejuvenates our soul, ultimately helping the spiritual being to grow spiritually and get transformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This process has to continue as long as we live on this earth. Similarly, the baptism by fire is also a continuous process of refining or becoming holy by the refining fire from the altar. This is what is being practiced as walking on fire by devote Hindus hoping to get themselves cleansed, and it is also believed that, if the fire doesn’t hurt them, then they are supposed to be without sin.

As the spirit grows from strength to strength, we are able to recognize God’s glory, and be in constant communion with Him and the soul enjoys the heavenly peace and happiness which the world cannot give. Because of this, the worldly desires, longings and priorities gets changed automatically. We begin to see the world through the eyes of the Holy Spirit which has now taken control of our soul and not through the lustful eyes of the devil which was the root cause of all evil.
The learned man Saul (later became Paul), of the tribe of Benjamin wished to destroy Christianity. He was a Hebrew a Pharisee, a legalist, self-righteous and a scrupulous follower of the law. Act 9:1,2 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem”.
On the way when he heard a voice saying unto him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” And Saul said, who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks”. Repenting for his mistakes Paul says, Phi 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ”.
UNIVERSAL PURUSHA:
Bruhat Aranyaka Upanishad says, “Vagyo vai Brahma”, the word is Brahma (Creator). Brahmavindu Upanishad says,”Shabdo vai Brahma”, the voice is Brahma and “Shabdaksharam Param Brahma”, the voice and word became absolute God. TheYazur Veda 32:45,46 says, Poorvam Purusham Jatam, which means in the beginning Purusha was there. The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God and the Word was made flesh (Pursha).
From the Vedas and the Upanishads we can understand that there is only one Purusha in this Universe. Knowing Purusha as the Self and as the Guru (Master or Rabbi) is important. The word Guru is composed of two words as Gu and Ru. Gu means darkness or sin. Ru means destroyer. The following verse from Guru Gita 44 explains the Guru in this way:
Gu kaarascandhakaa rohi Ru kaarasteja ueyate Agnanagroaakam brahma Gurureva na samsaya-h
This poem emphasis that Guru is God himself. A beautiful poem from Advayataaraka Upanishad 17,18 goes like this: Guru reva param brahma: Guru Himself is supreme God. Guru reva paraagathi: Guru Himself is the Supreme way. Guru reva paraavidya: Guru Himself is the Supreme knowledge. Guru reva praayanam: Guru Himself is the Supreme journey. Guru reva paraakashta: Guru Himself is the Supreme climax. Guru reva param dhanam: Guru Himself is the Supreme wealth.

These qualities and characteristics of a Guru that the ancient sages proclaimed can be found only in the man God (Purusha) Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12.
Yoga has given the sadhus and sanyasis of India a great sense of satisfaction which comes from rigorous self-imposed discipline and self-denial of the physical body and the soul. These psychic exercises like kung-fu or karate can give immense physical power in addition to spiritual powers like working signs and miracles with the help of some unknown spirits. But unfortunately they are yet to realize the Self which was their primary aim. That is why Gita 17:6 says,
karsayantah sarira-stham bhuta-gramam acetasah mam
chaivantah-sarira-stham thanviddhy asura-niscayan,
with vain conceited move by powerful passion and attachments, they perform various terrible mortifications contrary to scriptural injunctions. Thus do these senseless men torture their own bodies and Me dwelling in them. Know such persons to be of demoniac resolve.
You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.

I like the way you put that to be in Jesus is to be at peace with God and how before that we are in a broken relationship. THis is true but you put it eloquently. Also one of the above commenters mentioned the two type of christians. Those who have religion and those who have relationship. To all those who are not christians and responded or will respond, please remember we are all people and diverse. There are no two Muslims or Hindus or Jews or Christians or any two things that are wholly alike. Even twins sharing the exact same DNA have differences so just because you may have ran into a couple arrogant christians, do not assume all are like that. Whatever your faith, I am sure you know someone of the same faith that is a polar opposite of yourself and it is the same with christians. Please look at this article on it's own merit because it is true. Don't dismiss it because or Jesus based on a past bad christian.

I agree with this article but what made you turn christian? Sikhism is the most logical and advanced and enlightening, open minded, forgiving, beautiful religion. You have no punjabi pride! Christianity is like a fairy tale! It doesn't make any sense. It hurts me to see a fellow punjabi go the wrong way. Who misleaded you? Have you forgotten what all the ten guru's have done for us and taught us? And what about the 11th guru? All the Sikhs who fought for our rights and in all the battles for justice. What about that? Christians did not have to suffer or work as hard as Sikhs. And do you remember the partition of pakistan and india many punjabi's lost their lands and do you now who did that ruthlessly? Christians!

Christianity is based on many myths that people now have become brainwashed into believing.

Jesus was a simple Jewish reformer with a few disciples. He was the illegitmate son of Mary, was executed and that was the end of the story. His disciples then cooked up the myths that now have become Christianity.

The notion of virgin birth was cooked up to cover his illegitimacy.

The resurrection was another myth that was cooked up just to make people believe that he did not actually die (it was carefully orchestrated by a few people who just moved his body out of the cave where he was interred- and in any case only two or three people had to lied to make this claim popular).

The trinity was another myth created just deify Jesus the Jew and raise him to the status of Christ the God. It has not truth in it whatsover and is a load of humbug.

The last belief - that Jesus is the only way to the eternal kingdom of God - was also cooked up just to put fear into the hearts of non-believer that they wont be saved unless they believed in this mythical Jesus Christ (who is different from the real historical Jesus who was not of virgin birth, was not resurrected, and is not part of any imagined trinity). It was a tool for proslytisation.

This mythcial religion only spread after the Roman Emperor gave it patronage.

All the written records of Jesus the Jew's life appeared many years and centuries after he lived. The three main gospels themselves differ in their account of the story of Jesus and contradict each other, thus proving that the people who retold the story used their fertile imaginations to embellish it.

Subsequently, several Popes officially made changes to the Bible, thus the book that is now read as the divine inspiration of amazing grace has nothing to do with the original books that have been changed time and again.

Those who claim some experiences of salvation have just conditioned their minds in such a way that they just experience some feelings of 'high' through mental conditioning. It really proves nothing - and Jesus is still the illegitimate son of Mary, who was never resurrected and is not a part of any mythical trinity.