Miscellaneous - Religion   

Scriptural study

CHENNAI: Spiritual knowledge which results in the realisation of the identity of the Self (Atman) and the Absolute (Brahman), may on the face of it seem a very simple proposition. Then why do the majority of people wallow in ignorance, which is the cause of bondage? Though intellectual understanding of this knowledge is easy, in practice it is very difficult to experience this state of union, as that requires relentless pursuit of the spiritual practices (Sadhana) till the goal is reached. This is the reason why Lord Krishna has observed in the Bhagavad Gita: “At the end of many births, the man of wisdom comes to me, (realising) that Vasudeva is the all; he is the noble-souled (Mahatma), very hard to find.”

In his discourse, Sri K.Srinivasan said spiritual evolution was a long-drawn, difficult process which spanned several births. This is the rationale of a preceptor (Guru) testing a spiritual seeker to find out whether he has the necessary prerequisites to undertake scriptural study. The disciple must be very attentive to his preceptor, observe celibacy and have implicit faith in his Guru and in the scriptures. There will be many obstacles when one embarks on Karma yoga, which involves doing all actions without attachment to the result, as this is the way the mind will become purged of its latent tendencies (desires and aversion). When impediments arise faith in the Guru and in the scriptures should not flag. Devotion to God and the Guru will help to overcome hurdles. Equanimity of mind is thus the stepping-stone to embarking on scriptural study.

The Prasna Upanishad highlights how a Guru tests his disciple before he begins his instruction through the example of Sage Pippalada who told six seekers who came to him to study to remain in his hermitage as celibates for a year. Besides ensuring that they had ardent desire for liberation, this was also a way of testing whether they had the patience to pursue the goal without abandoning it midway.

The teaching in this Upanishad is in the form of the teacher answering elaborately a question (Prasna) raised by each one of them. Thus the Upanishad derives its name from the method of teaching here.

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