We have before us a number of commentaries on the ancient scriptures by renown authors belonging to different schools of thoughts such as dvaita, advaita, vishishtadvaita, doctrines It is obvious that these scholars of repute carry convictions of their own schools of thought and their founder-teachers. Moreover, these contradictions, criticisms, and arguments in favor of their own schools of thought are in printed media that date back to hardly a few hundred years and most of these are not available to all. It seems futile to argue that Shankara's advaita is untenable by the dvaita philosophers who belong to later centuries, separated by several hundred years! So also, it is almost certain that all these different schools of thought have separated themselves from one single school due to difference of opinion amongst themselves. It is also true that nobody is certain whether the scriptures they hold sacred are original or not and, may be they are not? There are thousand os scriptures in manuscript forms and may never find the light of the day! Who can say who is right or wrong?
Not all disagree about the purpose of spiritual purpose and the methodology to attain to the highest. All agree that the jivatman has to revert to its true state by self-effort and knowledge obtained from the scriptures, yoga and renunciation. Renunciation is a must for attainment. There is no other go but to take to svadhyaya, satsang, nidhidhyasana and yoga. There is no second opinion here. But the differences arise in matters of definition, meaning and purport of certain words in the texts. Brahman is the first word that evades all definition, meaning and purport. There are differences as to the nature of Brahmn- one of attribute-less, undifferentiated, and the immaterial. There are those who attribute qualities, powers of creation, etc.to the absolute. Nobody is ever certain of what is Brahmn and everybody rushes to define the indefinable! Again, there are difference as to paths of enlightenment, liberation and nature of attainment. Nobody is certain what is to be attained?. Some say, there is nothing to attain, there is nothing to do and nowhere to go since 'you are already that- "thou art that". However, it is believed that 'the jiva suffers due to its ignorance', avidya, inability to know its true own true nature and opine that 'there is need' to 'realize the Self'.
Hence we have a whole lot of commentaries written on the ancient scriptures, that are not even available in the public domain! Is it due to the limited knowledge of the jiva that comes within the ambit of time, space and causality? Or, is it due to the basic flaw in creation? This question also needsa careful study; it is proved that the jiva can overcome these limitations by yoga and help of an attained person! We do have many an enlightened persons amidst us despite the vast majority of ignorant ones.
There is no need to quarrel and go a separate way if one differs from another in matters of opinion regarding the path of realization or goal of life. We can study all the available texts and come to our own conclusion. Each one has a right to hold on to his belief, however foolish others may think of it. There is 'anekantavada' which states that 'each one is right according to his understanding and there is no question of another accepting or rejecting it'.Some of the ignorant people are so quarrelsome and some are so gullible and ignorant subject to brainwash by any intelligent persons. Under these circumstances, it appears to any sensible person that 'what all we find as different castes, creeds, mathas, are all silly, stupid, and idiotic. Whatever is presented or projected by the scriptures as doctrines need be meditated upon and realized by ones own efforts. Then the truth dawns the individual seekers and there will be no need to seek any further.
Not all disagree about the purpose of spiritual purpose and the methodology to attain to the highest. All agree that the jivatman has to revert to its true state by self-effort and knowledge obtained from the scriptures, yoga and renunciation. Renunciation is a must for attainment. There is no other go but to take to svadhyaya, satsang, nidhidhyasana and yoga. There is no second opinion here. But the differences arise in matters of definition, meaning and purport of certain words in the texts. Brahman is the first word that evades all definition, meaning and purport. There are differences as to the nature of Brahmn- one of attribute-less, undifferentiated, and the immaterial. There are those who attribute qualities, powers of creation, etc.to the absolute. Nobody is ever certain of what is Brahmn and everybody rushes to define the indefinable! Again, there are difference as to paths of enlightenment, liberation and nature of attainment. Nobody is certain what is to be attained?. Some say, there is nothing to attain, there is nothing to do and nowhere to go since 'you are already that- "thou art that". However, it is believed that 'the jiva suffers due to its ignorance', avidya, inability to know its true own true nature and opine that 'there is need' to 'realize the Self'.
Hence we have a whole lot of commentaries written on the ancient scriptures, that are not even available in the public domain! Is it due to the limited knowledge of the jiva that comes within the ambit of time, space and causality? Or, is it due to the basic flaw in creation? This question also needsa careful study; it is proved that the jiva can overcome these limitations by yoga and help of an attained person! We do have many an enlightened persons amidst us despite the vast majority of ignorant ones.
There is no need to quarrel and go a separate way if one differs from another in matters of opinion regarding the path of realization or goal of life. We can study all the available texts and come to our own conclusion. Each one has a right to hold on to his belief, however foolish others may think of it. There is 'anekantavada' which states that 'each one is right according to his understanding and there is no question of another accepting or rejecting it'.Some of the ignorant people are so quarrelsome and some are so gullible and ignorant subject to brainwash by any intelligent persons. Under these circumstances, it appears to any sensible person that 'what all we find as different castes, creeds, mathas, are all silly, stupid, and idiotic. Whatever is presented or projected by the scriptures as doctrines need be meditated upon and realized by ones own efforts. Then the truth dawns the individual seekers and there will be no need to seek any further.
Hence, we are presenting here statements selected from different sources for individual consideration, deep contemplation and meditation..
(to be contd.)
No comments:
Post a Comment