Q. Bhagavad Gita says that if a living entity does not know that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his life has no meaning. What I wish to know is what about persons who are from different religions like Muslims, Sikhs or Christians who do not know Krishna as the Supreme, though they are doing their duties faithfully. Are they differently treated by God? How can they attain the supreme planet of Lord Krishna?
What happens to those who follow Islam or Christianity? Will it take more time for them to revive their dormant love of God?
Answer by Romapada Swami: We discussed this question in a recent issue (Digest 41, Q2); the conclusion was that when one practices true religion, irrespective of its external formalities, God reveals Himself within the heart of the practitioner. The rituals of a religion are not unimportant, but the real essence of religion is to see if it is bringing one to the point of unmotivated, uninterrupted loving service to God. And the processes of religion are universal — calling upon the Holy names of God, hearing about God, praying to Him with a sincere heart so that we can come closer to Him, and serving Him. Since God is one, and is situated within everyone’s heart, He guides a sincere and unprejudiced devotee, no matter what his or her language of prayer is. One is not differently or less-preferentially treated by God in revealing Himself based on external circumstances.
A word of caution here is that one can be successful in his or her quest for knowing God only by following bona fide scriptures under bona fide representatives of the scriptures, and not by personal endeavor alone, however well-intentioned may be one’s efforts.
Therefore, while what is said above regarding personal sincerity holds true, it is essential that one seek proper guidance wherever it is available. The necessity of receiving knowledge through disciplic succession must be very carefully observed, if one is sincere in knowing God in truth.
A further consideration is that different scriptures reveal different levels of truth, both within the Vedic scriptures and other religious faiths, based on the time, place and circumstance of those it is meant for. Thus there may not be as much information or direct revelation of the kingdom of God in some scriptures as within others; still, an unprejudiced seeker can accept and embrace the truth when they come in contact
with it.
A sincere practitioner who is not aware of higher truths revealed in another scripture is not condemned; one who rejects it even after hearing about it is unfortunate. One who does not at all inquire into the subject of God, however, it is that person whose life is meaningless, as you have mentioned.
Unfortunately such apparent differences lead the immature to religious fanaticism or zealous proselytizing for religious conversion, which have nothing to do with God realization. Real religion will impart realization of the soul beyond the designations of the body such as place of birth, language or external formalities of religious faith. From such a state of transcendental consciousness one can approach the full fruit of religion, namely love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.
