The Hindus have diverse beliefs; if you wish to know which of these is best, listen: in whichever path you have faith (that is the best), for God abides in faith.
As people on the ground can climb a housetop either using a bamboo (pole) or a ladder or a staircase, so also is there diversity in the means of reaching God.
As many faiths so many paths, but the goal is the same for all humans. People reach the goal of their choice on foot, aboard a boat, or atop a carriage.
God is one but has many names and forms. You can reach him in whichever form and through whatever name you wish.
Though she loves all her children equally, the mother knows each one’s likings. God satisfies different spiritual aspirants through different means of sadhana.
Source - (Tryambaka Sharma Bhandarkar, Sri Ramakrishnopadesha Dvishati)
There are different views. All these views are but so many paths to reach the same goal. But everyone believes that his view alone is right, that his watch alone keeps correct time. … However wrong the watches may be, the Sun never makes a mistake. One should check one’s watch with the sun. (Sri Ramakrishna)
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Source - (Tryambaka Sharma Bhandarkar, Sri Ramakrishnopadesha Dvishati)
There are different views. All these views are but so many paths to reach the same goal. But everyone believes that his view alone is right, that his watch alone keeps correct time. … However wrong the watches may be, the Sun never makes a mistake. One should check one’s watch with the sun. (Sri Ramakrishna)
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What is knowledge and what is ignorance? A man is ignorant so long as he feels that God is far away. He has knowledge when he knows that God is here and everywhere. (Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa)
The magnetic needle always points to the North, and hence it is that the sailing vessel does not lose her direction. So long as the heart of man is directed towards God, he cannot be lost in the ocean of worldliness.
Kites and vultures soar very high indeed, but their gaze is fixed only on the charnel-pit. The pundit has no doubt studied many books and scriptures; he may rattle off their texts, or he may have written books. But if he is attached to women, if he thinks of money and honour as the essential things, will you call him a pundit? How can a man be a pundit if his mind does not dwell on God? (Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa)