Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is meant only for those who have intense urge, and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth

How does one get this Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana ? What is meant by Self- Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana? These are the questions which seeker has to find answer for. 

 

Sri Sankara, indicated  in Bhaja Govindam says: - [Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena] - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows. 

Thus it proves the religion is not the means to self-realization.

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]. 

Then it is no use going roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is present in the form of mind. Mind appears as waking or dream(duality)  and disappears as deep sleep(non-duality)   By tracing the source of the mind or universe one will be able to realize the Brahman.

Thus,Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is meant only for those who have intense urge, and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing with their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.   Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own-selves to get the firm conviction. 

Merely logical methods are insufficient for inquiry because they will not yield absolute certainty. One needs to indulge in deeper self-search.

If one thinks authoritarianism as a source of knowledge means he is in the grip of orthodox slavery. People who compile philosophical books on a basis of quoting from others as authorities are compiling useless venture, from ultimate standpoint. But in practical life in practical world, for empirical purposes authorities are acceptable, because they are experts in such specialized knowledge.

It is possible to get some knowledge through intuition, as we do through various other sources, as the senses, etc. but the question will still arise, “Is this true knowledge?” Even sense observation must be checked for truth because one has to get intuition based on non-duality not the dualistic based intuition. 

In deeper self-search arise from doubts. Inquiry implies doubt, proof, evidence, so that even if God were to come and say that He is God, one would inquire into the truth of the statement.

People are overawed by doctrines enunciated upon authority of some sage or saint or institution or scripture. But one has to verify all the facts from every point of view: How does he or it know? Truth must be tested. If it is true, it will survive the test and will bear proof, but everything else must inevitably find the props of priest- crafted authority to support it.

How is one to know that this is Truth? The test has to be universally applicable, which means--will it be true in every other part of the universe, will it be true in until form, time and space exists.

Will it be true for all people who pursue deeper self-search to the utmost extent? An idea often appears to be a reality when it is not properly inquired into. Even if whole population of the universe declare that this world is the ultimate reality, their assertion is of less value than the assertions of a Gnani who have inquired into the nature and reality of the universe and found it to be mere mirage created out of consciousness.

Ultimate Truth takes things as they are. If there is any uncertainty it is not truth. It does not deal with speculations and imaginations, such as “this universe is illusion,” "the next world is around us” etc. one has not the scientific attitude because they take things as presented to them. They have rather the emotional and sentimental attitude. The right attitude is to verify all the facts, to see a problem in them, something to investigate deeply and inquire into them.

Truth must be verifiable; it is no use saying "the truth has intuitively reveled to me." It must be possible for everyone to see also. Unless it is verifiable it is of no value.  Those who lack the capacity to doubt are not fit for pursuit of truth.

The reason has to be based on the formless self not on the ego, which is false self, within the false experience. Analogical, inductive and deductive reasoning are good only within limitation of duality; none are absolutely and universally infallible because they must work under certain conditions.  The orthodox says: Believe! and one will be saved. The Gnani says: Doubt! and one  will be saved.