Scriptural knowledge is not Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

 

Scriptural knowledge is 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.

The direct path to the truth is the source from which the false arises. Thus the source is the soul or consciousness, which is the true self.  Soul or consciousness itself is ultimate truth or Brahman.  Thus it is necessary to view the three states on the base of the source, which the innermost self.  Consciousness is not only the source but also it is the formless substance and witness of the three states. Soul-centric reasoning helps to acquire the Self –Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana in lesser time and effort.  The unity in diversity in understanding is possible only through Self-Knowledge or brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana, not by mastering the scriptural knowledge. Scriptural knowledge is not Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. 

Upanishads  itself declares :-

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 Ataman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3 –page-70 Mundaka Upanishad  Upanishads by Nikilanada)

The scriptures indicate that Atman is Brahman, and Brahman is ultimate truth. Therefore the soul, which is in the form of consciousness, is ultimate truth.  Thus to realize the ultimate truth is the prime goal.   A well-directed inquiry, analysis and reasoning will lead one to his non-dual destination. 

Self-Realization is direct realization of the ultimate truth or real god, in contrast with traditional paths, which are indirect. And the other paths cannot lead to the ultimate destination because they are based on the false self, which they hold as real self and false experience as reality. 

Until and unless one overcomes physical shackle it is impossible to understand and assimilate the nondual truth, which is beyond the physical existence or the universe.  Consciousness itself is lord of itself though not of the universe. And having nothing it has all.

One has to bifurcate the orthodox Advaita, which is meant for the mass mind set, who are incapable inquire to verifying their inherited beliefs.  But for the seekers truth, to get the pure essence of non-duality which is based on the formless soul. The path of inquiry, analysis and reasoning on the true base, leads one towards the non-dual destination.  Therefore, there is need to rectify the seeking base from ego base to soul base to understand, assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.

If someone has acquired self-knowledge and shares his acquired knowledge with others, they cannot say that there is nothing for them to do. Everyone has to discover a fresh for himself by verifying all the facts. Each one has to grasp assimilate and realize it until he gets firm conviction of the ultimate truth or Brahman.

Mind appears due to ignorance. Without ignorance the mind ceases to exist.  Thus mind is in the form of universe and appears as waking or dream.  The waking or dream is state of duality. Thus seeker has to hold wherever there is duality there is ignorance.  If duality is considered as reality than the experience of birth, life, death and the world is considered as reality.  If experience birth, life, death and the world is considered as reality than the form, time and space is becomes a reality. If form, time and space is becomes reality as reality than there is diversity in unity.  To bring back the unity in diversity, one has to put the ego in to reverse gear until it reaches the ultimate end or source from where mind rises and subsides. 

Seeker has to grow from the inside out by soul-centric reasoning. None can teach him none can make him to reach the ultimate end. There is no other guru but the formless consciousness, which the innermost self. 

Mind is in the form of universe.  Man is with in the world. Man is the physical entity within the universe. Universe appears as waking or dream. Dream is parallel waking and waking is parallel dream.  The formless witness of the mind or universe or waking is real and eternal. The formless witness itself is the formless substance of the three states.   

The scriptures are for ignorant masses, who wholly accept the material world as it presents itself. Wisdom is for those who have begun to realize that things are not what they seem.

Each sect concocts a God to suit its own purposes.  Such concocted Gods have no value in pursuit of truth.  Man himself suggests that there must be a God. It is an auto-suggestion.

Prayers and sacrifices belong to a premature stage of development. However when no answers come to prayers, struggle for existence presses man, and doubt arises again.  Faith in religion weakens as man pays more attention to facts of the practical life and practical world.  –FORMLESS PATH