The Skinny Title
Analysis
Pramanam (Evidence)
There may be many spiritual leaders. We might have decided to follow any one of them whose guidance seems suitable to our current lifestyle. We have to make sure that whatever faith we have is mentioned in the Sastra. Otherwise, we might end up in some wrong destination, wasting this precious human birth.
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Introspection
Scriptures are the Divine words of Bhagawan. So, we need to see and understand the scriptures to know the various paths prescribed by Bhagawan and choose one of those paths to know Him and Reach Him. We can learn Sanskrit, Deva Bhasha to understand the scriptures on our own. Otherwise, we can approach our Acharyas or listen to some discourses of those who follow Guru parampara. When we listen to discourses that have references to scriptures, we will get clarity on what we should do.
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Bhagavad Gítá is a light to show us what is a better life. Gita holds good even for today. The reason is it was preached by Bhagawan Himself. From the divine mouth of Krishna, Gita, the divine nectar started flowing out. He has given four paths to reach Him.
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Hence it is clear that Bhagawan is not going to misguide us. Other than the advice of Bhagawan, the advice of anyone can be with biased thoughts. In Krishna's perspective, everyone is equal. So, Gita can't be biased.
Instead of hearing from all, we can hear from Bhagawan Himself because He is unbiased. He loves the well-being of everyone. That's the reason Gita is so popular even today.
Are we on the right path?
Krishna clearly mentioned in Gita that no one can refrain from doing one's own duties as per varnasrama dharma. Even those who choose Gnana Marga (which is extremely difficult in kali yoga) are not exempted from doing anushtanam. Lord Ranganatha assured Mukti to Ramanujacharya and to all those who have Ramanuja sambhandham (those who do saranagati and live as per Swamy Ramanuja's words). Even after that Ramanujacharya didn't leave any of his anushtanams including sandhyavandanam.
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So, we have to make sure whichever sampradaya, we wish to follow, insists their followers do their anushtanams as per their varnasrama dharma, and to practice detachment from materialistic pleasures. Otherwise, it would mean that we are not even following the first and foremost command of Krishna.
Can we skip our duties and do Bhakti?
Karma yoga leads to Gnana Yoga. By doing anushtanams only we will get pure Bhakti. Pure bhakti means unconditional love towards Bhagawan without expecting anything in return. Then Bhakti leads to Saranagati through which we can attain eternal bliss.
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Krishna clearly mentioned in Gita that no one can refrain from one's own prescribed duties as per varnasrama dharma and has to accumulate sins otherwise.
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Am I a Bhakta?
Krishna told in Gita about His bhakta when He explained Bhakti yoga. He also explained the divine qualities of His bhaktas. We need to see whether we are living as per His wish.
Who Decides my destination?
Implement
Once we find a path mentioned in the scriptures suitable for us, we have to try our best to go in the path following the prescribed methods.