“The religion of the Veda knows no idols; the worship of idols in India is a secondary formation, a degradation of the more primitive worship of ideal Gods.***

        If the God is a creator then why worship anything of God’s creation.

Max Müller says: ~ “The religion of the Veda knows no idols; the worship of idols in India is a secondary formation, a degradation of the more primitive worship of ideal Gods."

Therefore, there was no individual God or temples and worships in Vedic religion, which existed prior to Buddhism.  Thus, the individualized Gods and temples must have been built later on when the worship  of idols was introduced.  Thus, the Vedic religion which existed in the past was free from idol and nature worship and idol worshiping rituals. 

Thus, the present day’s worship of individual Gods created things, nature, and human are against Vedic teachings, and it looks like it has been fabricated and introduced by priest -craft. Since it, has passed on from one generation to the next it is hard for the people to believe the truth of their own religion, because they have sentimentally and emotionally involved in it and  they refuse to accept anything else other than their inherited beliefs.  

The Vedas confirms God is Atman (spirit), the innermost ‘Self’.

Rig Veda: ~ The Atman is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman the innermost ‘Self’. May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)

Rig-Veda 1-164-46 and Y.V 32-1 clearly mention that God is “One”.

Rig Veda declares God is ‘ONE’ and God is Atman, then why believe and   worship in place of real God.

Brihad Upanishad: ~ “If you think there is another entity, whether man or God there is no truth."

When Upanishad itself declares: ~   Sarvam khalvidam brahma ~ all this (universe) is verily Brahman. By following back all of the relative appearances in the world, we eventually return to that from which it is all manifest – the non-dual reality (Chandogya Upanishad). 

It proves the Vedic Gods are not the Gods with attributes because Vedic God is   the Supreme Spirit which Atman. Remember Gods worshiped in the temples and households are not Vedic Gods. Vedas declare never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?

One must remember that for all periods the Vedas are the final goal and authority, and if the Puranas differ in any respect from the Vedas the Puranas is to be rejected without mercy.

That is what Yajurveda says: ~ “Not to worship the things which are part of the falsehood. 

Yajurveda

Translation 1

They enter darkness, those who worship natural things (for example air, water, sun, moon, animals, fire, stone, etc.)

They sink deeper in darkness those who worship sambhuti. (Sambhuti means created things, for example, table, chair, idol etc.)  (Yajurveda 40:9)

Translation 2

"Deep into the  shade of blinding gloom fall asambhuti's worshippers. They sink to darkness deeper yet who on sambhuti are intent."  (Yajurveda Samhita by Ralph T. H. Griffith pg. 538)

Translation 3

"They are enveloped in darkness, in other words, are steeped in ignorance and sunk in the greatest depths of misery who worship the uncreated, eternal Prakriti -- the material cause of the world -- in place of the All-pervading God, But those who worship visible things born of the Prakriti, such as the earth, trees, bodies (human and the like) in place of God are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time." (Yajur Veda 40:9.)

Yajur Veda indicates that they sink deeper in darkness those who worship idols.   The idols of attributed Gods are not Vedic Gods.  Those who worship visible things born of the Prakriti, such as the earth, trees, bodies human and the like in place of  Atman, the innermost Self are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time.

Sage Sri, Sankara said:~ Talk as much philosophy as you like, worship as many gods as you please, observe ceremonies and sing devotional hymns, but liberation will never come, even after a hundred aeons, without realizing the Oneness.

Universe will not remain as reality when wisdom dawns.

One has to know: whether physical body and the world are within the mind or the mind is within the physical body? The mind, physical body, ego and the world are present only, when the whole experience of the waking or dream is present. And mind is absent, when the waking/dream experience is absent. Thus one has to conclude the mind as the whole waking or dream experience. Thus the mind appears and disappears as waking or dream experience. All your arguments are truth only on the base of the ego, which is the false self, within the false experience (waking). The individual experiences within the waking are as real as dream.

That is why "Sri, Sankara said: -63- (VC)” Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the Self, how is one to achieve Liberation.  

Universe will not remain as reality when wisdom dawns. Universe is mere mirage created out of consciousness and there is conscious awareness of unity in diversity because there is no second thing exist other than consciousness.

One thinks he is imprisoned within this body; whereas the body and his experience of the world are within the mind. The consciousness is hidden within the three states but it is without the three states.  The one, which has the awareness of the three states, is not the body but the soul, which is in the form of consciousness. Thus consciousness is not limited to waking experience alone because it pervades all the three states. Till one views and judges the world-view on base of ego or waking entity, he is in the grip of individuality or intellectuality.  The self is not an individual because it is universal. And it pervades in everything and everywhere in all the three states. Thus individualized judgment will not lead one non-dual destination.  

How does one see various objects, scenes and persons during dreams? If the dream is experienced without the physical body, then what is it that experiences the dream? Therefore, there must be a formless witness of the dream world. This formless witness is the same witness that is witnessed this Waking experience also. Therefore the Waking experience and dream both are witnessed by one and only formless witness of which the seeker is not aware of. Since he considers the physical body (ego or waking entity) as the self or witness and views and judges the world-view on the standpoint of false self, within the false experience. The formless witness can exist with or without the waking or dream. But waking or dream ceases to exist, without the formless witness.

The gross Waking experience is merged into the mental experience in the sense that, when it is analysed, it is found to exist inseparably in and as the mind alone. All "spiritual" planes are really mental: those who regard them as different or higher are deceiving themselves. The dream becomes unreal when the waking takes place; similarly the waking becomes unreal when the wisdom dawns. Therefore everything has to be grasped mentally, not argued on the intellectual point of view, which is limited to the false physical entity within the false experience.

The unreal is created out of real, and when one views and judges on the standpoint unreal (ego) then there is duality. When one is able to view and judge on the standpoint of real (soul or Atman) then there is only non -duality. Therefore, when the wisdom dawns then there is neither duality, nor non duality, only reality. This is my views and conviction.

All these confusion will go on, until man thinks, he is an individual and apart from the world, and the world existed prior to him and he is born in it afterwards. Therefore, it is necessary to know the fact the true self is not ego, but the true self is the soul, and stop viewing and judging the world-view on the standpoint of the physical self (ego), and one has to view and judge on the true self (soul or Atman) to realize the fact that, the world along with man is illusion. The formless substance from which the illusion is created is Atman. Thus Atman is Brahman or soul is ultimate reality. Thus no second thing exists on the standpoint of Atman or consciousness as self. Thus there is neither experience nor the experiencer in non-dual reality but only self-awareness.

God cannot be brought down to the domain of the duality.***

The ‘Self’ is not ‘you’ because the ‘Self’ is God.  You are not the ‘Self’ therefore,  you are not God.  The world, in which you exist, is the dualistic illusion. Whatever belongs to dualistic illusion is bound to be an illusion, not God.   God cannot be brought down to the domain of the duality. The Soul is the innermost ‘Self’ therefore the Soul is real God.

Upanishad: ~ Brahman (God) is the form of the Athma, and it is indeed Athma itself.

Rig Veda: ~ The Atman is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman the innermost self. May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)

In Yajurveda – chapter- 32:~   It has been said that God Supreme or Supreme Spirit has no ‘Pratima’ (idol) or material shape. He cannot be seen directly by anyone. He pervades all beings and all directions. Thus,   Idolatry does not find any support from the Vedas.

The Bible says: ~ “God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)”,

Mythreyi Upanishad 2:26 says: ~ “All those who desire to have salvation without taking several births, should worship God in spirit and truth”.  

The Bhagavad Gita: ~. brahmano hi pratisthaham Brahman is considered the all-pervading consciousness which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material.  (14.27)

Religious Gods are mere belief. Religious God cannot be considered as the center because the Soul and the innermost ‘Self’ is the center of all that exists. Without the Soul the world in which you exist ceases to exist, it means the religious God is dependent on the Soul for his existence.

Mythological stories are a myth. Mythological Gods are a myth. By worshipping mythological heroes as God produces only myth.  There is  a need to realize ‘what God supposed to be in actuality'.  Religion has been very influential. Mythology is a synthesis. They are more concerned with synthesis than with truth. The attraction for synthesis is so strong that people accept it blindly without verifying their validity.

Mythology is a hodgepodge containing everything; hence it suits everyone because there is something in it for everyone. It is difficult to find any tradition whose voice is not found in the mythology. It is difficult to find anyone who does not take solace from the mythology. But for such people ‘Self’-Realization   will prove very difficult.

Brihad Upanishad: ~ “If you think there is another entity whether man or God there is no truth."

Thus, there is no other God other than Atman. Thus, on Vedic perspective,   the Atman alone is God; never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?"

The Upanishads say in effect that: ~ "If you believe that you are one and God is another you cannot understand Truth."

No conceptual God can exist, apart from consciousness. People are not aware of the fact that, there is no individual God can exist, apart from the soul, which is in the form of the consciousness. Thus, the soul or   the consciousness is the true self.   If there is no consciousness, then there is no body, no ego, no universe, no religion and no conceptual God.

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad declares: "He who worships the deities as entities entirely separate from him does not know the truth. For the God, he is like a pasu (beast)". (1. 4. 10)

That is why Sage Sri, Sankara VC~.61. For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae) and medicines to such a one?

A sickness is not cured by saying the word “medicine.” You must take the medicine. Ignorance will not vanish does not come by merely saying the word “God nor by worshiping God of belief.  First one must know what God supposed to be.  God must be realized. One must know God in truth.  

Perfect undemanding and assimilation of ‘what is what’ leads to truth realization, truth realization itself is Self-realization. Self-realization itself is God realization. God realization itself is real worship. 

The exercise in discrimination between real and unreal and renunciation of the false, is real meditation.***

The exercise in discrimination between real and unreal and renunciation of the false, is real meditation. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Advaita means the Soul, the innermost Self, which is second to none. The Soul, which is present in the form of the Spirit or the consciousness, is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God. Advaita is the nature of the God, the innermost Self. Advaita is God. Advaita is the fullness of the consciousness.

In Yajurveda – chapter- 32:~   It has been said that God Supreme or Supreme Spirit.

Vedas and Upanishad confirm the Soul, the innermost Self, is the present in the form of the Spirit or the consciousness.

RIG VEDA: ~ The Atman (Soul or Spirit) is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman the innermost self. May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)

The Bible says: ~ “God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)”, 

The Spirit is the root element of the universe. The Spirit is present in the form of the Soul, the innermost Self. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness. From the Spirit, the universe comes into existence. In the Spirit the universe resides. And into the Spirit the universe is dissolved. The Spirit is the parent of all that is there is. 

Even Bhagavad Gita says: ~ Brahmano hi pratisthaham Brahman (God) is considered the all-pervading consciousness which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material (Gita 14.27)

If God is formless Spirit, then how does the man know God created the world? There is no proof. If the man had seen God creating the world, he could admit it, but how could he has seen God before he came into existence? (i.e. were created).

The Spirit is the root element of the universe. The Spirit is present in the form of the Soul, the innermost Self. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness. From the Spirit, the universe comes into existence. In the Spirit the universe resides. And into the Spirit the universe is dissolved. The Spirit is the parent of all that is there is. 

Jesus meant Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana (pearls) should not be given to the ignorant populace (pigs). 

Advaita is universal. Advaita is not for Sale. Do not buy Advaita from the spiritual supermarket. Advaita is the nature of the Soul, the innermost Self. The world in which you exist is created out of single stuff. That single stuff is consciousness. Knowledge of the single stuff is Advaitic wisdom. 

Advaitic truth is very simple, but it is very difficult to realize because you have accumulated mental garbage from different sources in the name of Advaita. Until you discard all the accumulated knowledge you will never be able to realize the Advaitic truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space. 

The Advaita is the nature of the Soul, the innermost Self shines in its own its awareness when wisdom dawns. 

The Advaita is the Soul is the cause and the support of all that exists as the world in which we exist.

The Advaita is present in the form of the consciousness. Advaita is the root element of the universe. From the Advaita, the universe comes into existence. In the Advaita the universe resides. And into the Advaita the universe is dissolved. The Advaita is the parent of all that is there is. 

Kundalini based on the body is nothing to do with the Atmic path***

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

Sage Sri, Sankara’s wisdom is nothing to do with the religion and yoga. There are two kinds of audiences - the ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices, and the more advanced seeker who seeks to know the truth beyond the form, time and space. The religion and yoga are meant for the first audience, to help lead its followers along the way. 

In yogic Samadhi, the yogi is unaware of the universe, and hence of the ultimate truth or Brahman. To talk of Brahman without knowing the meaning of the universe is like utterly meaningless. Nirvikalpa gives only the idea of the Soul but not the truth of the whole.

Yogi thinks the blankness or thoughtlessness in his samadhis as Brahman.  It is not enough to see a mere blank, Nirvikalpa. You have to see the ‘Soul’ the universal Self, which is the cause of the world in which you exist and it itself is uncaused.

 The Soul, the innermost Self is free from ignorance not when it sees nothing at all, as in Yogic Samadhi but only when it sees this entire universe in itself. Hence, there is a need to know

“What is this universe?”

The attention must be drawn to the external world. Advaitic wisdom is the only weapon to bring peace, love and harmony and universal welfare. This is the highest aim of Advaita to realize the world in its essence is Advaita.

It is no use seeing the personal God everywhere. You must see the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness everywhere, and then you will be able to  treat the world in which you exist as the consciousness.

Panchadasi: ~ the impossibility of yoga arriving at a successful end to its practices.  P.509 v, 109

The ‘Self-realization' through yoga   is not philosophic. Every yogi who shuts himself in a cave is not thereby freed from thinking. 

Yoga can lead only to temporary peace  because the world is subject to change. Only Self- knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana can yield Advaitic awareness in the midst of the form, time,  and space.  

When the ‘Self’ is not you, but the ‘Self’ is formless Soul then the question of kundalini does not arise.  Kundalini based on the body is nothing to do with the Atmic path. Never mix kundalini with path wisdom.   Kundalini is nothing to do with Atmic path. People who bring kundalini in Atmic path are unfit to tread the path wisdom.