Miscellaneous - Religion   

Quest for sacred wisdom

CHENNAI: It is possible for many to be educated through academic training and scholarship, but it is difficult to comprehend the import of philosophical truths contained in the scriptures. The eternal truth pertaining to the creator of this magnificent universe is not plain to all as it is realised knowledge and only mystics and seers are able to perceive it. Just as the technical nuances of scientific laws on which a scientist builds his study may not mean anything to a common man or just as the code language of government secrets is not accessible to all except those concerned, a certain spiritual leaning and maturity is needed to pursue this knowledge.

The Upanishads illustrate through many stories the difficulty level, and the necessary qualifications that a seeker needs in this effort. The way Satyakama gained this Brahma Jnana highlights the importance of strenuous effort, implicit devotion to the Guru, skill and intelligence, along with enormous patience.

In a lecture, Sri Gagan Chaitanya drew attention to the manner in which Lord Krishna eulogises the greatness of this secret wisdom before He imparts it to Arjuna. Knowledge of the Supreme Being is capable of leading to the everlasting goal of liberation. Such is its virtue that even as one practises to tread this path, one realises that the methods are easy and that the fruit is attainable here and now as it can deliver the Jivatma from the world of Samsara. Being the purest knowledge, it gives direct perception of the self and it is eternal.

The truth of the divine mystery is that the entire universe is pervaded by the Lord in an eternal form that is not manifest to the senses. Although the Lord does not exist within any being, all beings exist in Him.

Though this knowledge is not easily attainable, the speciality in this pursuit is the continuity by which a Jivatma’s proficiency in the spiritual quest is linked through successive births unlike the way worldly knowledge is gained from scratch in every birth. The Lord states that those without faith in His words shall fail to realise the ultimate goal and will have to get back to the mortal pathway of birth and death.

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