The wisdom is not found in scriptures or books. There are only hidden parables here and there. There is no clear cut wisdom whatsoever in this. Mere words ~ just a collection of words. The wisdom is hidden within the world in which we exist. The truth is not found in the world because the world is mere an illusion created out of the consciousness. The Truth is beyond the form, time and space.
Mundaka Upanishad:~ The study of the Vedas, linguistics, Rituals, astronomy and all the arts Can be called lower knowledge. The higher is that which leads to Self-realization. The eye cannot see it; the mind cannot grasp it. The deathless Self has neither caste nor race, neither eyes nor ears nor hands nor feet. Sages say this Self is infinite in the great and in the small, everlasting and changeless, the source of life. All these selected quotes from the scriptures are helpful to think deeply nothing more.
In pursuit of truth, the ultimate truth has to be proved, not assumed. Pundits who take scriptures for granted are not Gnanis.
Pundits teach that all is 'yourself' but none of them can show that this is so, none has analysed it scientifically, and none can prove it. The rational proof is needed so that one arrive at knowing truth i.e. wisdom; punditry is a mere dogma, parrotism repetition of what they read in scripture. Scripters are not yardstick and the scriptural truth is not proof. Pundits take scripters as authority. Authoritarianism merely assumes as true what another says, but what has yet to be proved.
Pundits have to test the truth in this world, not in the next world. There is no proof other than blind belief based on the scriptures, belief is not the truth. So, doctrines are not the means to realize the truth. There is no need to follow them in order to acquire self-knowledge of Brahma Gnana.
Doubts and Confusions arise when the seeker finds the scripters and yoga are inadequate or useless to quench his spiritual thirst. Disappointments in religion or yoga or even science imply error or ignorance. Seeker reaches a stage whether he is right?" Where is the certainty that he is proceeding on right lines?" Thus, the doubts arise and the inquiring spirit comes and impels to search elsewhere for truth where it will not be possible even to have doubt. The test is therefore in experience. And only in non-duality, where there are no two to argue about views or to have the difference of opinion can such doubtlessness be possible. Belief depends upon unstable bases whereas certainty depends on the proof.
Seeker of truth has to get rid of his doubts through deeper self-search on his own, to realize the fact that, the 'Self' is not the form but the ' Self' is formless. Thus, his analysis and reasoning has to be based on the formless (Soul), not on the form(ego). By simply go on believing and accepting whatever said by the punditry will not lead one towards the path of wisdom. All the doubt has to be got rid of "by the sword of Self - Knowledge." The scriptures, yoga are not necessary if one follows the inner (formless) path. Religion and yoga are not the means to the path of wisdom.
All sect based beliefs are dualistic and unphilosophical nothing to do with the ultimate truth or Brahman. In spirituality, the ultimate truth is God. Thus, the Advaitic orthodoxy is a sect is nothing to do with the Advaitic wisdom of the Sage Sri, Sankara. Advaitic orthodox sect is meant for the ignorant populace.
Sage Sri, Sankara said:~ "Neither by the practice of yoga nor philosophy, nor by good works nor by learning, does liberation come, but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one in no other way".(1) Vivekachoodamani v 56, pg~25
Mundaka Upanishad condemns rituals. The Para or Higher knowledge is the knowledge of the Supreme Being while the Apara or Lower Knowledge is that of following sacrificial rites and ceremonies. (1/2/ 1 – 6)
Mundaka Upanishads:~ So-called spiritual pundits and learned are called children because a child takes whatever it thinks as truth. The question never occurs to children “Is what I have seen or thought really the truth?" (P.334 line 9)
Lord Krishna confesses that the oldest wisdom of India (our true Advaita philosophy) has been lost: people misinterpret and falsify it today as they did then. It is not yoga but the philosophic truth. But nobody knows it. The teachers of philosophy and leaders of mysticism or religion do not want to inquire into truth and have no time for it. (Gita –Chap- IV-v.2)
Swami Vivekananda said: ~ “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher, but your own Soul.”
The scriptures are not needed in the pursuit truth. Even the Upanishads and the Sages of truth declare the same.
Katha Upanishad:~ 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. (Ch-II -23-P-20)
Mundaka Upanishad:~ This Atman cannot be attained through the 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 Upanishads by Nikilanada)
The ultimate truth has to be ascertained without the scriptures by realizing the Self is neither the waking entity, nor the dream entity, but the Self is formless Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. In the realm of the truth, the form, time and space are created out of single stuff. That single stuff is consciousness. Realizing the single stuff as ultimate truth is Self-realization or truth realization. To realize this truth, there is no need of the scriptures.
The ultimate truth has to be realized first, and then only it is possible to know what the scriptures are saying.
Scriptures are being added to from time to time. This process will go on. There is the final authority among them? One contradicts the other: duality reigns supreme.
I quote Scriptural citation only after verification reality and proved the truth, to point out that the scriptures teach the same thing. If one quote them before having demonstrated truth, then it is scholasticism.
Sage Sri, Sankara:~ Loud speech, the profusion of words, and possessing skilfulness in expounding scriptures are merely for the enjoyment of the learned. They do not lead to Liberation."
The Scriptures mastery, the force of religious merit--none of these lead to the realization of that Ultimate Truth or Brahman. The ultimate truth is revealed in the clear understanding and realization of ‘what is truth and ‘what is the untruth. When one realizes the untruth (universe) is created out of single stuff, the Self-awareness rises in the midst of duality exposing the unreal nature of the form, time and space.
An adherent of orthodox philosopher may say his philosophy teaches so and so", another man may object and say “No, his religious philosophy teaches such and such." Thus, they may go on uttering contradictions in the name of philosophy. True philosophy deals only with the appeal to facts, not theories.
Where scriptures and authorities do not agree with the reason, the seeker of truth must reject them.
How is one to know that the scriptures are true? The seeker has to look into the facts, for the proof of what has the worship of God done for the people! When a tsunami occurred at Japan, the God did not save the believers of japan. Thus, God saves one who prays such an argument is of no value in pursuit of truth. .
People believe scripture is infallible, but deeper Self-search reveals the fact that, they are a mere book of words. The words are a mere expression of thoughts. Then it is impossible to see if the scripture-writers thoughts are founded in fact or not.
The fallacy of orthodoxy’s appeal to scripture lies in the varying and conflicting interpretations of the same scripture, which different men feel, entitled to give or hold.
The scriptures are for the ignorant masses, who wholly accept the practical life within the practical world as it presents itself. Gnana is for those who have begun to realize that things are not what they seem.
Where scriptures and authorities do not agree with the reason, the seeker of truth must reject them.
