Can liberation and eternal, infinite bliss be attained even without Self-realization?
There is, Brahm Bodhi noted, an interesting point worth observing about how the two paths finally meet.
The knower is granted devotion
When a seeker travelling on the path of knowledge reaches the gateway to liberation with the “passport” of Self-realization, he said, Bhagavan still grants him the “visa on arrival” of devotion before admitting him into His divine abode. This is why Bhagavan Krishna declares:
brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati; samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām.
bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ; tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā viśate tad-anantaram.
In other words, Brahm Bodhi explained, even after attaining the Brahman state the seeker is blessed with supreme devotion to Bhagavan; through that devotion he comes to know Bhagavan in His true essence and thereafter enters His divine abode.
The devotee is granted knowledge
Similarly, he said, when a seeker following the path of devotion reaches the gateway to liberation carrying the “passport” of bhakti, Bhagavan grants him the “visa on arrival” of knowledge. Bhagavan Himself declares:
teṣām evānukampārtham aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ; nāśayāmy ātma-bhāva-stho jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā.
That is, Bhagavan Himself, dwelling in the devotee’s heart, destroys the darkness born of ignorance with the radiant lamp of knowledge.
Two paths, one Goal
Thus, Brahm Bodhi observed, the seeker on the path of knowledge ultimately attains devotion, while the seeker on the path of devotion ultimately receives the necessary knowledge through Bhagavan’s grace. Though they begin from different directions, both paths finally converge upon the same Supreme Goal. Knowledge and devotion are not rivals; they complement and complete one another.
One important distinction
There is, however, one important distinction, he added. On the path of knowledge, direct realization and personal experience of the Self and its identity with Brahman, the formless Absolute, are indispensable — mere intellectual understanding, hearsay, or imagination is not sufficient.
On the path of devotion, however, such Self-realization is not essential. Through devotion alone the seeker can attain saguna moksha, reaching Vaikuntha, where the soul — without merging into God — becomes forever free from the cycle of birth and death and attains infinite, eternal bliss and peace.