Upanishad says: ~ “The human goal is to acquire Self-Knowledge, and they indicate the personal Gods, scriptures, worship and rituals are not the means to Self –Knowledge, then why anyone should indulge in it.
The religion, concept of individualized God, belief in physical Gurus; scriptures are a great obstacle to Self-realization because they belong to the dualistic illusion. The seeker needs to mentally transcend the dualistic illusion into nondualistic reality.
Sage Sankara gave religious, ritual or dogmatic instruction to the mass, but pure philosophy only to the few who could rise to it. Hence, the interpretation of his writings by commentators is often confusing because they mix up the two viewpoints. Thus, they may assert that ritual is a means of realizing Brahman, which is absurd.
Sage Sankara:~Action (karma) cannot destroy ignorance, for it is not in conflict with or opposed to ignorance. Knowledge does verily destroy ignorance as light destroys deep darkness.~ Atma Bodha
Sage Sankara:~ VC Let erudite scholars quote all the scripture, let Gods be invoked through sacrifices, let elaborate rituals be performed, let personal Gods be propitiated---yet, without the realization of one’s identity With the Self, there shall be no liberation for the individual, not even in the life times of a hundred Brahmas put together. (verses-6)
It is clear that the liberation cannot be the result of good works, for Sruti itself declares that there is no hope for immortality by means of wealth. (Verses -7)
According to Advaita Vedanta, the Veda addresses itself to two kinds of audiences - the ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices, and the most advanced seeker who seeks to know Brahman. Thus, the purva mimam.sa, with its emphasis on the karma kanda of the Vedas, is meant for the first audience, to help lead its followers along the way. However, the Vedanta, with its emphasis on the jnana kanda, is meant for those who wish to go beyond such transient pleasures.
That is why Sage Sankara, indicated in Bhaja Govindam says: ~ (Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena) - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows.
Then it is no use going a roundabout way, to trace the Brahman which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of mind. By tracing the source of the mind or universe, one will be able to realize the Brahman.
Self-knowledge is meant only for those who have intense urge, and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing with their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth. Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own selves to get the firm conviction.
So they clearly indicate rituals and theories are not meant for those who are searching for the higher knowledge or wisdom. The path of wisdom is the only means.
Isa Upanishads indicates that: ~ “By worshiping Gods and Goddesses and going to the world of Gods after death is of no use. The time one spends in ritualistic practices is wasted; one can spend the same time moving forward towards Self-knowledge, which is the main goal.
One cannot reach the nondual destination by glorifying God and Goddesses and by doing that, one goes deeper and deeper into darkness.
It surely indicates the fact that, the seeker of truth has to drop the worshiping God and Goddess in order to get Self-knowledge. :~Santthosh Kumaar
No comments:
Post a Comment