The Asuras and Devas do not reach the same goal. They both reach the Divine, which is a different thing. The Asuras are dissolved in the Divine and hence go out of creation much like the nirvana except that they climb towards it by a stormy turbulent path. Their nirvana is the annulment of their nature in the Inconscient while their soul or the spiritual element is taken up and absorbed back into the Divine. The path they follow is the dark downward path, dakshinayan, which is full of pain and struggle. They inflict various forms of suffering upon themselves and others.
The devas, on the other hand choose a longer upward path of ascension and fullness, growth into Divine Perfection. They leave this world a better place and their nature is lifted upto the Divine nature. So their end is Divine fulfilment and Divine Perfection whereas the end of the Asura is dissolution and vanishing into the inconscient.
To add one may say that it is not that the Asura does not put in effort. None can avoid it upon earth. The Asura’s effort is in swimming against the evolutionary current. He swallows the poison wine of lust and greed and hate and thinks himself great. Of course his path of downward gravitation seems easier but as be comes closer to the ground he realises the danger but it is too late to correct course since his nature is to revolt and complain and in the end blame God for all the ills his wrong choices have brought upon him.
The effort of the Devas is at self mastery, to grow lighter, to ascend. It is surely more difficult in the beginning but as one reaches a little higher one experiences the peace and joy of the vastness. He joins the forward march of humanity and hence is helped in his struggle. He surrenders to the Divine Will with love and gratitude and hence is ever satisfied and grows stronger drinking the wine of Divine Ananda.
Now these are the two paths and the two goals. It is upto each one to choose which way and to what status of the Divine one wants to reach.
To add one may say that it is not that the Asura does not put in effort. None can avoid it upon earth. The Asura’s effort is in swimming against the evolutionary current. He swallows the poison wine of lust and greed and hate and thinks himself great. Of course his path of downward gravitation seems easier but as be comes closer to the ground he realises the danger but it is too late to correct course since his nature is to revolt and complain and in the end blame God for all the ills his wrong choices have brought upon him.
The effort of the Devas is at self mastery, to grow lighter, to ascend. It is surely more difficult in the beginning but as one reaches a little higher one experiences the peace and joy of the vastness. He joins the forward march of humanity and hence is helped in his struggle. He surrenders to the Divine Will with love and gratitude and hence is ever satisfied and grows stronger drinking the wine of Divine Ananda.
Now these are the two paths and the two goals. It is upto each one to choose which way and to what status of the Divine one wants to reach.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
