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Spirituality
Distinguishing
Spiritual Realization from Scriptural Literacy
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The life of every
individual is an unstable mixture of pairs of opposites. For most of
us, everyday life is replete with trials and tribulations of varying
degrees and magnitude. While the thoughtful among men seek to know
the meaning and purpose of life, the ignorant ones just grumble and
talk of cruelty of God whenever in distress. Human life has a higher
and nobler purpose and that the destiny of a human being is to move
higher up in the cosmic order to reach perfection and realize
permanent and Supreme Bliss in the Realm of God. The utility of the
religious books lies in that they exhort human beings to know and
realize the real aim of their life and not just confine themselves
to ritualistic reading and recitation of scriptures. As indicated by
Saint Adi Shankaracharya in the verse quoted above, one would
justify reading such texts if we imbibe their message and translate
words into deeds. We can fulfill the ultimate aim of our life by
attaining the eternal knowledge testified to in the holy treatises. |
“Without taking the medicine,
by just repeating the name of the medicine, no malady can be cured.
Likewise, without practical perception and experience, by merely
repeating the words of sacred texts, no one can attain salvation”. |
True
realization takes place on knowing and seeing God in His transcendental
form. It is a metaphysical experience within the human body. The
manifestation of inherent divinity is in reality the revelation of the
divine self of man. This is not different from the Supreme Self that
permeates even the tiniest particle in the Universe. It is accessible to
all human beings irrespective of economic status, race, ethnicity and
faith. It is upon this trans-sensuous experience that we become truly
religious. Humane traits in such an individual emerge spontaneously or
say with least effort like the fragrance from a flower.
Mere reading and recitation of religious texts and scriptures does not
make one learned nor does it help in attaining salvation. Sufi Saint
Bulleshah expresses, “One may have read many scriptures and may have
large collection of books but if there is gloom in the heart, how,
without grace of the Murshid (Guru), are supreme bliss and fulfillment
possible”. Adi Shankaracharya further states in the Vivekchudamani,
“No matter how sweetly one speaks, how elaborately one explains, how
expertly one gives interpretation of the Vedas, if that truth is
unknown, salvation is not possible. Vedas speak of the inner world,
which cannot be perceived by mind, intellect and sense organs”.
The Shri Guru Granth Sahib lucidly emphasizes that one should not limit
oneself to reading only but one must know and attain Him. One cannot
attain God through conduct and behavior. Even eighteen Puranas
and four Vedas have not been able to know the mystery of God. Had
not Ravana, the demon king, mastered the Puranas and the Vedas
by heart? Despite his profuse scriptural knowledge, the malicious
conduct of Ravana is a known fact.
The prevalence of ritualistic reading of religious texts and holy
scriptures prompted me to prepare this small piece. People really need
to rise above this ritualistic habit and follow the path shown by holy
treatises with a view to achieving the ultimate goal of human life -
salvation. By merely reading holy scriptures, recitation of mantras and
hymns and singing of devotional songs, we haughtily consider ourselves
religious. In bargain, what we get is only arrogance and disdain for
others.
There is no denying the fact these are essential adjuncts of Bhakti.
No doubt, holy scriptures depict a vivid account of glory and splendor
of the omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence of the Supreme Being.
Nevertheless, the divine sports enacted by the Lord in various
incarnations in human grab on this earth in His Saguna Swarupa
are not presented simply to demonstrate his playfulness but have a
definite purpose and meaning for all of us. The immanence and
transcendence of the Supreme in human embodiment cannot be understood by
human mind, intellect and logic. This is comprehensible by those who
have known and seen His cosmic vision.
The holy land of Bharat is the birthplace of many incarnations and
manifestations of divine power that descended on earth in human garb as
nimit avatars and nitya avatars. Every nimit avatar
had a definite purpose to accomplish in a particular time and region.
The nitya avatars in the form of saints and sages have always
remained on earth to provide an unfailing guide for a meaningful life.
As a natural corollary, India abounds in holy scriptures with unparallel
depth and insight into the immanence and transcendence of God. And this
glory is worthy of perception in practical sense from a perfect master
by seeking his shelter and guidance, with reverence and complete
surrender in his lotus feet.
Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “Neither by study of the
Vedas nor by austere penance, nor by charity, nor even by rituals can I
be seen in my transcendental form, Arjuna” (Chapter XI, Verse 53).
Earlier in Chapter IV, Verse 34, Krishna had told Arjuna that this
para vidya - knowledge of the spirit - can be imparted by a wise
seer and an illumined soul alone. Such a Satguru does not pad people's
mind with prolific description of Atman and Parmatman. He
is one who takes you beyond theories and into direct experience.
–
Sushil Kumar Vasudeva
February 22, 2004
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