Devotion to Lord Narayana is the only means to liberation. But to reach Him, we should be free from anyataa gnana and vipareetha gnana, Gomatam Sampathkumarachariar said in a discourse. We need the right sort of knowledge to reach God.
Vipareetha gnana is to perceive something as completely different from what it actually is. For example, to see a rope as a snake is vipareetha gnana. Such confusion is the most undesirable, and can have far reaching consequences. An example of anyataa gnana would be the way in which a man suffering from jaundice sees a white colour conch or silver. Since he has jaundice, everything he sees acquires a yellow tint. So he sees a white conch as yellow in colour.
There are four paths to attain moksha. They are Garbhagathi, Yama gathi, Dhooma gathi and Archiradhi gathi. The first three paths, if taken, will not lead to moksha directly. The soul will experience the ills of life in hell. Even after this, there is no guarantee that it will be granted moksha. It may or may not be granted moksha. But Archiradi gathi is the path that gnanis take. That is the path that leads to moksha. It may be described as the never-returning path, for he who takes it never comes back to samsaric life.
He who chooses the right path to reach Him is one who bears inordinate love for the Lord. His mind always dwells on Him. When Kamsa sent Akroora to fetch Krishna, Akroora's mind was full of thoughts of Lord Krishna. The Lord reciprocates our love, and showers us with blessings, even if we show Him a little devotion.
There was a hunchback woman in Mathura, whose job it was to take sandal paste for Kamsa. As Krishna entered Mathura, the woman saw Him. She took the sandal paste intended for the king and applied it on Krishna. She did not think of what Kamsa's reaction would be when he heard that sandal paste intended for him had been applied on someone else. She could think of nothing, for the Lord filled her mind.
As a reward for her devotion, the Lord straightened her back and made her young and beautiful. The Lord is happy in the company of those who seek him with humility and love.
