It is an faulty argument when some Advaitins try to side step the need for Karma Yoga (selfless activity), Raja Yog (meditation, breathing and physical well being including proper sleep and diet) and Bhakti Yog (devotion to God). They must understand that first and foremost, Advaita is only an advanced level of philosophy, based on Jnana Yog.
When we say Sadhana Chatushtaya is needed in the journey towards realisation, we are implicitly admitting the importance of the other Yogs. Think about it:
- Viveka implies Jnana Yog
- Vairagya implies Karma Yog
- Shat Sampathi implies Raja Yog
- Mumukshatvam implies Bhakti Yog
Moksha for Advaitins in short is not by Jnana Yog alone. It precedes not the mastery but the inner alignment with the other Yog paths, whether one realises / acknowledges or not.
Based on above, one must also admit that one is not a true Advaitin if not giving all paths their due contribution in having achieved Moksha. Another way to look at it, for Advaitins struggling to achieve Moksha is that it may be because of their not giving due regard to the other paths.
The greatest Advaitin Adi Shankaracharya's life itself is a glowing example of the merging of all these paths.
- Karma in the selfless propagation of his teachings
- Bhakti in his devotional hymns
- Raja in the painstaking efforts to walk the length and breadth and to the references in works like Aparokshanubhuti
- Jnana which is most prominent due to his Bhashyas of the Prasthaanathraya
So when a so called Advaitin says that doing wrong incurs no paapa on him, it's not true. One who has achieved Moksha and is established in Brahman won't do wrong, and the others are fooling themselves by saying so.
An Advaitin is one who through displays true Viveka in the role played by all the Yogs in the realisation of the Ultimate non dual reality.
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