The Universe (Brahmanda), the University (Repository of Knowledge).

    The universe (Brahmanda) consists of  Trillions of Stars in Millions of Galaxies spread over a vast space (Akasha) that as no dimension of any measurable length, width or depth. Every particle of Light contains Knowledge, Information, Technology, Ability to Transform from one object to another starting from Hydrogen and Oxygen to Water, Ice and water vapour! Life is a by-product of this chemically bonded energy!
  Our Universe is like a University. There are Millions of galaxies and Trillions of Stars in each one of them with a large dark space in between. Further, each one of these is moving away from each other (Expanding Universe). Some  stars do not survive even a few minutes! Some are giants and some, dwarfs. The Light, solar radiation emitted take several days to reach the earth traveling 186000 miles per sec. These rays travel 93 million miles to reach the earth from the Sun. The Sun is the first born manu for us according to the Vedic tradition. Not all stars are capable of producing planets!Some are too hot and some, not good enough! It may be surprising that some of these stars are the home of we humans and we can see our horoscope, for that matter. Each star is made of different elements and these elements govern our life when we are born in these stars, since a particle of that only is our Soul! Similarly, there are thousands of Universities (mini-universe) having different faculties; and, each Department has got a specialist as HOD. Each Department has many specialties and the students get specialized knowledge in a subject and may get a Diploma, thereby narrowing down their search. Ultimately, these Grads end up without any grasp over 'Totality of Knowledge'. It is also important to note that a candidate spends almost 20 to 25 years before getting a Degree or Diploma in a branch of his /her choice. 

   If we take our own Solar system, we find Planets and some with their own satellites like our Moon. The earth is a museum of species. One should get an over-all picture, a correct idea about the relative sizes and dimensions of all these in Space. So also, one should get a true picture of the 'Knowledge'.There are people who are drops-out at different levels of schooling and colleges. A person spends almost quarter a century to acquire some knowledge and make a living out of it. However, none will ever try to know the true meaning of life, existence, and fulfillment. 

   Just as there are different levels of education such as the primary, Higher Primary, College, University, etc there are spiritual courses, too some take to physically build temples, install Gods of their choice and worship. They study and adopt agama shastras and temple architecture. Many are still backward and adopt unscientific (avaidic) or irrational and crude practices, such as exorcists and tantriks and mantriks. Many conduct havan, homa and yajnyas and yaga. However, all these are of intermediary stages in spiritual practices and no one will never ever reach the highest state of brahman, or even attain transcendental meditative states of samadhi and have God-visioning! Thus, our knowledge and practices in all fields or faculties are imperfect and incomplete. It may take several hundred lives to attain to Brahman. One should have dhruti, determination, steadfastness, and practice yoga to attain samadhi and see that there is no further embodiment of the soul. One should not come back to this earth and suffer hunger, thirst, diseases and, die again and again. One should discard all that she/he has acquired since birth, cast of the mortal state and get liberated before one dies.
   Ultimately, it is knowledge, a faculty, at the most. Every jiva shines at the appropriate time in its own way. It is just a faculty, recognized as an engineer,doctor, or somebody! Finally, 'Knowledge' only exists and nothing else, besides it- prajnyanan brahmaa |
   Vedanta gives the over-all picture and totality of knowledge and paves the way for unity in all respects. 

Indulgences

   At the level of animals, it is all instinctive and at human level it is more by habit. We all live by repetitive actions  due to impressions, memories and desires. What prompts our desires is not very clear, albeit, it is by divine in the beginning, and by pros and cons (karma) later. Desires prompt us to action and action begets further action. The seed for life is with the Lord. Bhagavan says, "I am the seed" (Gita). In fact, He even says, "I alone exist and all else My manifest forms", and it is I who give all thoughts, ideas, intelligence and prompt you to action". Surrender to Me I shall absolve all your karma. So, what is needed is nishkama karma, selfless action. surrender to Him and He shall redeem.

   Now, it is clear that we are unnecessarily indulging in all and sundry. Where is the need to get involved in worldly affairs when these do not affect us in our daily life. It is wise to discharge one's duties, true to one's ability and just keep quiet. In fact, the world exists in our mind. "No mind no life" is the doctrine. It is also true that the Mind has immense capacity to create what it wants! "The Mind creates the World" and "the Mind is the World". The world we see or experience is that of what the Mind and Senses create as impression, but not true. We must see things 'as they are', not 'as they appear to be'. But what all we see is 'what appears to be' since our faculties have limited capacity. Moreover, the Mind creates anything that the ego likes! The ego rides the Mind with the help of the Senses. The 'Buddhi' (Intellect) helps the ahankara (ego) if it is not enlightened by prajnya (Consciousness). Hence, the culprit is the ego. Together, the 'Ego' and the 'Mind' destroys the Jiva's pristine purity and ruins its joy and happiness. No one knows when these ego, mind and buddhi enters the jiva during the nine months of gestation period. However, it is clear that these exist always! These are the invisible forces that operate in the jiva's life, mostly to its disadvantage! So, the best way is to surrender to the pure consciousness and live happily. Shree Krishna is eulogized in the Gita as the symbol of pure Consciousness. Whoever attains to this state of pure consciousness is Krishna only.
The Lord assures, "I shall take care of you", yogakshemam vahaamyaham | Trust in Him and go ahead?  

Complacency Will Not Help?

In matters of spiritual attainment the wise men caution us: "Complacency will not help". It is true. We all think, "Everything is fine with me". In fact, nothing is fine. The very existence is precarious. This has been well narrated. A person who saw a tiger charging at him jumped into an old well nearby and was precariously hanging to sa small plant on the  dilapidated wall. The tiger was looking down at him and a crocodile was looking up to grab the poor fellow. He did not notice a serpent hissing at him from a nearby hole. Despite the fact that the tender plant he was holding on was falling apart, his attention was on the dripping honey and wanted to lick it!" This is our situation. Time eats away all our dreams and aspirations and we will not be happy even if we get what we desire! Do we care to notice the reality of our existence?
  One in a billion may even know the reality, and not even one of the wise who knows will ever understand it clearly, let alone try to experience it! The Bhagavad-Gita shows the way. One must read a few passages daily and contemplate on them. The sum and substance of what The Supreme Lord says: "Come to Me. I shall take care of you". Do we have faith in Him?