Bhagavad Gita 5.4

sāṅkhya-yogau pṛthag bālāḥ

pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ

ekam apy āsthitaḥ samyag

ubhayor vindate phalam

 

“The ignorant see analysis and action as paths apart,

But the wise have realized them as one at heart.

Who follows either to attain perfection,

Gains the fruit of both in completion.”

 

My dear Lord, you are so eager for me to raise my consciousness from the material level toward the spiritual level that you provide me with multiple alternative pathways.

Unfortunately, what is an expression of your compassion often becomes a cause of my confusion. When I consider various paths, I often get caught in external differences—in their rituals, practices, symbols, and cultural packaging. Due to such differences, I start thinking that these paths offer differing and sometimes even opposing conceptions and destinations. 

O merciful Lord, please let me not get caught in the exoteric differences between various paths. Let me focus on the esoteric essence—ultimately raising my consciousness toward developing love for you.

Help me to respect every path that draws people away from attachment to matter and toward love for you, however they may conceive of you. And let me simultaneously commit myself to the path I have chosen, knowing that this is the way you are drawing me closer to you.

Bless me, my Lord, to reciprocate with your divine compassion with my spiritual dedication, which will enable me to resolve or transcend whatever mental and intellectual confusion might otherwise trouble me on my spiritual journey.

Help me remember, my Lord, that in a single-minded focus on you lies the resolution to all confusions.

***

05.04 Only the ignorant speak of devotional service [karma-yoga] as being different from the analytical study of the material world [Sāṅkhya]. Those who are actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both.