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Which three paths to salvation are presented in the Bhagavadgita?
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Hinduism
Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma (left to right) pay homage to Mahadevi (the great goddess, in white in the form of Saraswati), attended by the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, in a painting dated c. 1750.
The Bhagavadgita presents three complementary paths (margas) to religious fulfillment and salvation. These paths are:123
- Karma-yoga (the discipline of action): This path emphasizes the selfless performance of one's religious and ethical duties (dharma). It teaches that individuals should act without attachment to the personal consequences or self-interest associated with their deeds.234
- Jnana-yoga (the discipline of knowledge): This path involves the study of philosophical texts and the practice of contemplation. It centers on recognizing the distinction between the eternal self and its transitory embodiments, leading to a deeper understanding of reality.123
- Bhakti-yoga (the discipline of devotion): This path focuses on intense love, devotion, and self-surrender to God. Through humble worship and reliance on divine grace, the devotee seeks to overcome the bonds of the world and attain an eternal vision of God.23
While the Bhagavadgita acknowledges the validity of all three, it places a significant emphasis on bhakti-yoga as a path accessible to all people.23