Destinations of different transcendentalists (Mundaka Upaniṣad #07)

Sacrifices performed with perfect knowledge and without material desires carry the performer to the spiritual sky. This pure performance of sacrifice is true renunciation. However, when one doesn't have the proper understanding, he is instead elevated to the higher planets, up to Satyaloka. As Krsna mentions in the Gita, one's destination follows his mentality and process of worship. Sacrifices thus grant different results according to the mentality of the performer. Fruitive activities are offered in the scriptures simply as a way to attract the masses and gradually conduct them on the path of self-realization. Despite considering themselves intelligent, the performers of these ritualistic sacrifices are defined as fools, who miss the true goal of the Vedas, which is devotional service to the Lord. Material duties and pious activities are supposed to be performed in the spirit of karma-yoga, as a matter of duty, without attachment to the results, as explained in the Bhagavad-gita. When performed in this spirit they gradually elevate us to the platform of devotional service. However, if one performs them for fruitive results and promotion to the heavenly planets, he fails to gain any permanent results.