In countering the all-paths-same-goal claim that is attributed to the Bhagavad-gita (04.11), Srila Prabhupada gives an example: Consider a railway station with many trains headed in different directions. Just as those who board different trains will end up at different destinations, so will those who follow different paths. 

Objecting to this example, some people argue, “This logic applies to material destinations that are limited to one particular place; it won’t apply to the supreme spiritual destination that is all-pervading.”

However, this objection misses the point. If the pertinent point for perceiving the supreme spiritual reality were its all-pervasiveness, then why would we need to go to any destination at all? That spiritual reality, being all-pervading, is already present where we are; there would be no need for any path at all. 

Simultaneously, it is true that the supreme spiritual reality is right here, right now, inside us and outside. The Gita explains this reality to be existing all-pervasively at various levels (06.28-30), with the zenith being the all-attractive supreme person, Krishna. And the Gita does state that Krishna is always with us (15.15) — and that we can all live with him, even while we are in this world (12.09). But the prerequisite is that our consciousness be absorbed in him. And for most of us, our consciousness is absorbed in various mundane things, not in Krishna. Given our situation, all paths won’t have the same effect on our consciousness; if someone follows the path of constantly pursuing sensual pleasures, their consciousness will become absorbed in sensuality, not in Krishna. 

That’s why all paths won’t lead us to the same goal; we need to follow specific paths with practices potent enough to redirect our consciousness from the world to Krishna. 

One-sentence summary:

Even though the supreme spiritual reality is all-pervading, what stops us from perceiving it is not its location, but the location of our consciousness: the object in which it is absorbed; as various paths will change that object of absorption in different ways, all paths won’t lead us to the same goal. 

Think it over:

  • In perceiving the supreme spiritual reality, why is its all-pervasiveness not the pertinent point?
  • What is the prerequisite for perceiving that Krishna is already with us?
  • Though Krishna is all-pervading, why can’t all paths lead us to him?

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04.11: As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Prutha.

Will all paths lead to the same goal when the goal is all-pervading?

To know more about this verse, please click on the image