Gaudapada says: -
the merciful Veda teaches karma and upaasana to people of lower and middling
intellect, while jnana is taught to those of higher intellect.
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.
The karma and upasana is path of orthodoxy. The karma and upasana are meant for orthodox Advaitins. All the orthodox Advaitins
indulge and immersed themselves in ritualistic oriented life style and follow
the path of karma and upasana which is meant for lower and middling
intellect and not for realizing the
Advaitic truth. Many chose these
orthodox scholars as their gurus. But these gurus are good to learn the
conceptual Advaita meant for those orthodox who believe their conduct oriented
life style leads to Moksha [liberation].
But religious based Advaita is not
the means to acquire self –knowledge or non-dual wisdom. Those who are seeking truth have to do their
own homework in order to acquire self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.
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)
Consciousness is the root element of the universe. From consciousness
the universe comes into existence. In the consciousness the universe resides.
And into the consciousness the universe is dissolved. Consciousness is the parent of all that is
there is.
Everything is consciousness (spirit). The one who views and
judges the worldview on the base the waking entity (ego) will not realize the
fact that, the man including the world is created sustained and finally
dissolves as Atman. Thus Atman alone is, and all else is mirage.
Thus self-knowledge or Brahma
Gnana or Atma Gnana is the aim of every human being. Since everyone thinks the
physical body is the self, their aim is misdirected and they focus their
attention on materiality which makes one feel the duality [waking] as reality.
Therefore there is no need to study scriptures, or indulge in god and
guru glorification or performing religious rituals. Since, they are not the means to acquire
non-dual wisdom. It is only waste of time and effort to indulge in those
things.
The individual self is not real, is not accepted
by many. The non-dualistic or Advaitic wisdom is based not
on the individual self (waking entity or ego).
Until people hold the ‘I’ as witness, they will not reach the ultimate
understanding.
