There is no need to read Vedanta. One has to find out: - ‘what
is mind or ‘I’?’, ‘what is the substance of the mind (I)?’ And what is the source if the mind (I) to
realize the nature of the mind (I).
The non-duality has to be grasped in the midst of the duality (waking
experience). Only when one is soul-centric they will realize ‘what is truth’ and ‘what is untruth’ and ‘what
is reality’ and what is unreality’ and
able establish himself in the truth and able to view and judge, the three
states, on the base of the soul, which is ultimate truth or Brahman.
It is unfortunate people are stuck with their accumulated ideas
based on the false self, and imagine about non duality and say nothing exist
other than the source. But a Gnani says everything exists (illusion) but
everything is created out of single stuff and that single stuff is the
consciousness. Everything rises from the
consciousness, and subsides as consciousness. Thus, the whole diversity (three
states) has no relevance, on the standpoint of the consciousness as self.
Everything (illusion) is nothingness (consciousness) realizing
the three states are created out nothingness (Consciousness). Nothingness is
the nature of the consciousness, because there is no second thing exists other
than itself.
Religion,
mysticism and yoga are meant for the mass mind set, which are incapable investigating
and verifying their inherited beliefs. The
path of wisdom or truth is to get the pure essence of non-duality or Advaita.
The ultimate
truth is based on the formless soul, the innermost self. Soul-centric reasoning
leads one to non-dual self-awareness.
Therefore, there is need to rectify the reasoning base from ego base to
soul base to understand, assimilate and realize the Non-dualistic or Advaitic truth.
Ramana Maharishi says: this self –inquiry is not the critical study of the
scriptures. When the source is reached the mind (I) gets merged into it. The result
of self-knowledge is cure for getting rid of the ignorance. It is the highest
of all the results. There is nothing greater then it. there is no necessity to study the scriptures
to acquire self-knowledge.
Ramana Maharishi:-No. Do you need all that to see yourself? All that is
intellectual wealth, useful in explain doubts and difficulties if others rise
them or if you yourself encounter them in the course of thinking. But to attain
realization, all that is not necessary. You want fresh water to drink, but you
do not require all the water of the river Ganges to quench your thirst. (Page 111/112 of Practical guide to know yourself c/e by A.R.N).
This surely
indicates Sri, Ramana Maharishi indicates path of truth is independent path
nothing to with the religion and scriptures.
--
Even the
Upanishads clearly indicate:- This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by
intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone
whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals Its own form. (Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20)
Mundaka Upanishad :- This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor
through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him
alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true
nature. (3 –page-70 Mundaka Upanishad (Upanishads by
Nikilanada)
--
Raman
Maharishi explains (in page 111/112- practical
guide to know yourself) :-
Q: D: Is it not necessary to study the Vedas or at least
Prastnatraya(Bagvad gita.Dasoponishad and Brahma Sutra all with commentaries) to ensure firm realization?
A: Bhagvan: - No. Do you need all
that to see yourself? All that is intellectual wealth, useful in explain doubts
and difficulties if others rise them if you yourself encounter them in course
of thinking. But to attain realization, all that is not necessary. You want
fresh water to drink, but you do not require all the water of the river Ganges
to quench your quest.
Raman
Maharshi said fortunate are the one
who do not lose themselves in the labyrinths of philosophy. Bhagwan says: Take
Vedanta, for instance: it speaks of 15 pranas the names and functions of
it which the student is asked to commit
memory. Will it not be sufficient if he thought only one prana does the whole
work of maintaining the body? Again the antakaran is said to think, to desire,
to will, to reason etc. Why all these details? Has anyone seen antakarana, or
all these pranas? Do they really exist? They are conceptual divisions invented
by teachers of philosophy by their excessive analysis. Where do all these
concepts end? Why should confusion created and then explained away? Fortunate
is the man who does not lose himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, but goes
straight to the source from which they all arise. (GURU RAMANA
.By S.S Cohen -vii Danger of philosophy-Page -58-59)
The above passages further prove that: Self-Knowledge cannot be
attained by study of the Vedas and intellectual understanding or by bookish
knowledge. Therefore there is no use of
studying the Vedas and other scriptures in order to acquire the non-dual
wisdom. That is why Buddha rejected the
scriptures, and even Sri, Sage,Sri, Sankara indicated that, the ultimate truth
lies beyond religion, concept of god and scriptures.
They alone in this world are endowed with the highest wisdom who
are firm in their conviction of the sameness and birthlessness of Atman The
ordinary man does not understand their way.
(Chapter IV — Alatasanti Prakarana 95-P-188 in
Upanishads by Nikilanada)
Therefore, there is no use of taking strain to understand
assimilate the conceptual divisions invented by teachers of philosophy by their
excessive analysis. There are more and more doubts and confusions, if one tries
to understand and assimilate the ultimate truth through scriptures.
Why to follow the path of
doubts and confusion by losing oneself in the labyrinths of philosophy, when
one can realize the ultimate truth without them. By mentally tracing the source of the mind
from where it rises and subsides one becomes aware of the fallacy of the mind,
which rises as waking or dream and subsides as deep sleep. The mind raises form consciousness and
subsides as consciousness. Therefore,
there is a need for perfect understanding assimilation of non-dualistic or Advaitic truth.
There is no need to renounce the worldly life to get
Self-Realization. Any householder can attain it if has the inner urge.
ASHTAVAKRA
SAMHITA: -
"The man
of knowledge, though living like an ordinary man, is contrary to him and only
those like him understand his state.
